Distribution Advances & Equity Investment

The ACTF is the pre-eminent distributor of Australian children’s content to the international market and the Australian education sector. With over 30 years’ experience distributing Australian children’s content, we are highly regarded in the international children’s market with strong working relationships with buyers on current, new and emerging platforms.

We provide distribution support in a number of ways, depending on the needs of the project. For example, we may provide a large distribution advance against Rest of World; or a small advance against Australian rights outside of the local pre-sale; or we may act as Executive Producer and help producers to finance their series. An ACTF distribution advance counts as market attachment when approaching Screen Australia or a state or territory film agency. Once the ACTF is onboard a project, we will provide the producer with details of a marketing plan for the project to include with  applications to other bodies, and will champion the project. A distribution arrangement is the beginning of a long relationship with the ACTF, as we continue to promote and market the projects we support for the longest possible time.

The ACTF has not replaced Screen Australia as the major equity investor in quality children’s content. We may provide Equity Investment in projects which already have a local pre-sale, and most of their budget in place, to ensure that a project which has a “gap” in the production budget can get made. Equity Investment will be subject to the ACTF’s criteria, the availability of ACTF funds, and  consideration of the ACTF’s goals, objectives and diversity of slate.

The ACTF does not have the same level of funding for investment that we have had in the previous two years. Anyone hoping to apply for funding in the 2023/24 financial year should contact the ACTF content team as early as possible to check whether there will be sufficient funding available to consider your application.   

Projects do not need to have received Development Funding from the ACTF in order to be eligible for Distribution Advance or Equity Investment, but it is advantageous for the ACTF to be across a project early if it’s likely that the producer will apply for funding. Producers are invited to discuss their projects with the ACTF’s Head of Content at an early stage, if the project is not already on the ACTF’s development slate and already under discussion.

An essential part of the process in obtaining a Distribution Advance commitment from the ACTF is that you pitch your project to us, conveying your vision and aspirations for your show.

To obtain Equity Investment, you will need to demonstrate that the local presale, distribution and other arrangements are in place and provide copy of the offers, your finance plan and creative materials.

Projects will be assessed according to the criteria set out in the Distribution Advance and Equity Investment Guidelines. The materials set out in the Guidelines will need to be provided to the ACTF in order for us to consider your project.