Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund (AFFIF) – a cornerstone of the Festival

AFFIF  provides equity investment in Australian screen production for the big and small screen. Since its inception in 2003, AFFIF has redefined the role of film festivals to be an active contributor in creating new work. The first fund of its type in Australia, and a rarity worldwide, AFFIF is a major force for encouraging and showcasing bold new Australian screen works.

AFFIF  has helped to enable over 110 screen projects, and the slate continues to grow with each edition of the Festival.

Works invested in have included over 50 feature films, along with short films, TV and web series, interactive works, Virtual Reality and artist’s moving image works.

Explore the full Investment Fund Slate to see all the projects funded through AFFIF.

AFFIF projects have garnered national and international acclaim, screening at major festivals including Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Venice, winning in excess of 100  international and 250 national prestigious awards (as at April 2020).

AFFIF is funded through the South Australian Government. We acknowledge the incredible work of the creative teams supported and our co-investors across an amazing array of screen projects. 

What are we looking for?

AFFIF seeks to support projects with creative, cultural and economic benefits to South Australia.

Creative:  Projects must display bold and innovative storytelling, a striking use of screen language and a strong creative team.

Cultural: Projects must demonstrate the short and long term benefits for the South Australian film industry and broader community, e.g. creative and development opportunities for individuals and organisations, branding opportunities, partnerships with national and international organisations and events, and the ability of the project to raise the profile of South Australia.

Economic: Projects must demonstrate measurable economic development outcomes for South Australia, such as direct and indirect expenditure in South Australia, employment of local cast, crew and businesses, and the potential for direct financial return from the equity investment.

There are no deadlines for the AFFIF, although we anticipate that most feature projects are locked approximately 12 months out from their premiere at the Festival.

Applying for Funding

To express interest in submitting to the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, please submit project details via the Expression of Interest form or call (08) 8394 2505 to discuss with a member of our team.

AFF is currently seeking EOIs for productions that are to premiere at Adelaide Film Festival 2024 and later.

Feature films (documentary and fiction)

For feature fiction works  AFFIF investment is anticipated to be between $50 – 130k, and for feature documentaries between $40 – 80k. Investment above this level is at the discretion of the AFF Board.

Projects must:

  • Be an Australian feature film/creative documentary with theatrical and/or broadcast potential to have its World Premiere at the next Adelaide Film Festival
  • Provide a fully developed finance plan which along with the creative component of the project will form the basis of the recommendation to the Board
  • Demonstrate an advanced stage of financing through recognised market attachments, with financing to be completed for delivery to

Projects will be given preference if they:

  • Demonstrate a net economic benefit to South Australia
  • Are produced and/ or post-produced in South Australia
  • Use South Australian crew, cast and facilities where possible and appropriate.

Short films (documentary and fiction)

Short films are less than 30 minutes.

For short films AFF investment is anticipated to be between $10 – 50k, with discretion for productions that demonstrate a significant benefit to the South Australian industry.

Projects must:

  • Be a South Australian short film to premiere at the next Adelaide Film Festival
  • Provide a fully developed finance plan which along with the creative component of the project
  • Be fully financed no later than 3 months prior to AFF or later by negotiation.
  • Be fully produced in South Australia
  • Use South Australian crew and facilities where possible and appropriate

Hybrid reality/digital projects

For hybrid reality / digital projects the AFFIF investment is anticipated to be between $10 – 50k, with discretion to increase for productions that demonstrate a significant benefit to the South Australian industry.

Projects must:

  • Be a hybrid reality and/or digital project to be launched at the next Adelaide Film Festival
  • Provide a fully developed finance plan which along with the creative component of the project
  • Be fully financed no later than 3 months prior to AFF or later by negotiation.

Projects will be given preference if they:

  • Are fully produced from South Australia
  • Use South Australian crew and facilities where possible and appropriate

AFFIF project delivery

The producers must agree for the film to be completed 3 months prior to AFF and delivered to the Festival 6 weeks prior to having its World or Australian premiere at the next Festival.

Terms and conditions

Applicants must:

  • Be residents of Australia and/or Australian citizens
  • Not be in default of any contractual arrangements to the South Australian Government, including the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC)
  • Hold the appropriate rights to the work where possible and appropriate.

AFF will not make public its reasons for funding decisions. The decision of the AFFIF with respect to any application is absolute and final and not subject to appeal.

Image: Spear, dir: Stephen Page

AFFIF Legal Partners: HWL Ebsworth Lawyers.