Six short films will be funded through their new program in the lead up to the 2018 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras, Create NSW and SBS today announced a funding initiative supporting emerging LGBTIQ filmmakers. Create NSW and SBS will fund up to six short films in the lead up to Mardi Gras in March 2018, as part of Create NSW’s annual Generator: Emerging Filmmakers Fund.

Applications are sought for projects that explore LGBTIQ themes and issues, appealing to a wide audience, with at least one key creative on the project identifying as LGBTIQ.

The fund is open to drama, factual, animation or experimental projects of up to 15 minutes duration, and must be made entirely in NSW.

Successful applicants will receive $30,000 in production funding to realise their ambition; $15,000 from Create NSW and a $15,000 licence fee from SBS. Producers will need to raise any additional finance they require.

The initiative is part of Create NSW and SBS’s commitment to promoting greater diversity in the screen industry and providing opportunities that support increased participation from people from under-represented groups.

Applications open Tuesday, June 23 and close Sunday 13 August. Projects need to be close to being production-ready at the time of application and be capable of being delivered no later than by 29 January 2018.