A full day built for filmmakers who are serious about their craft and smart about their business. Whether you're developing your first feature or looking to take your next project further, this Industry Day brings together the people, knowledge and conversations that move careers forward.

9:30am - 10:00am
Keynote Speaker: Gina Black
Gina is a Certified Film Commissioner through the AFCI (Association of Film Commissioners International) and also serves as a Board Member. In 2023, Gina received the Gold Coast Screen Professional of the Year Award for her services to the screen industry.

10:00am - 11:30am - HOW TO MAKE A FILM ON A SHOESTRING
Great filmmaking has never been about budget, it's been about resourcefulness. This session strips back the myths around low-budget production and gets practical, covering location strategy, crew deals, equipment access and the creative decisions that make a small budget look like a large one. Hear from filmmakers who've done it, and learn what they'd do differently.

11:30am - 1:00pm - HOW TO FINANCE YOUR FILM
From co-productions and pre-sales to equity investment, this session maps the full financing landscape for independent filmmakers. Understand how deals are structured, what investors actually want to see, and how to build a finance plan that holds together from development through to delivery.

1:00pm - 2:00pm - BREAK 

2:00pm - 3:00pm - GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND HOW THEY WORK 
State funding bodies represent real money available to Australian filmmakers, if you know how to access it. This session demystifies the application process, explains what assessors are looking for, and outlines how to position your project for the best possible outcome.

3:00pm - 4:00pm - NETWORKING
Industry Day closes with an open networking session bringing together every speaker, panellist, filmmaker, producer, distributor and industry professional under one roof. This is where the real conversations happen — the ones that turn into collaborations, partnerships and projects. Come with your business cards, your loglines, and your questions. Leave with the connections that matter.