The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and Kolperi Centre for Outback Filmmaking (formerly Vision Splendid Institute) are proud to present this program in conjunction with the Koa Aboriginal Corporation, Oombarra Productions and Screen Queensland.
Entries open on April 27, 2022, and close on 23 May 2022.
Applicants submit a pitch for a tonal short film (7-15 min) they intend to develop in support of a feature film or television project. Applicants are encouraged to explore concepts set in regional Australia and themes they are most passionate about.
Participants will have the opportunity to further develop their tonal shorts upon completion of the masterclass before submitting them for consideration and potential co-production in 2023.

Opportunity
Six Indigenous filmmakers and writers will be selected to travel to Winton, Outback Queensland to participate in the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and the week long masterclasses facilitated by Sue McPherson and supported by Leah Purcell, and Bain Stewart. This immersive opportunity will provide participants with a deeper insight into storytelling, feedback on their concepts and assistance in advancing their filmmaking and screenwriting careers.
Submission Materials
We are asking you to submit:
- A completed application questionnaire.
- A single PDF file that contains the following:
- A one-page synopsis for your short film.
- A brief description of your own personal journey as a storyteller and why your film is important to you.
- A single paragraph detailing how this piece is a tonal reflection of a large piece (feature film or TV series).
- A one-page CV or resume that highlights your creative work. This work can be any works that demonstrate your creative identity, influences, and aspirations i.e., photography, drawing, writing, music, sculpture, performance etc
- A sample of your writing (no more than 10 pages). This can be anything - script, poem, prose, etc.
Timeline
27 April 22 Applications Open
4 May 22 Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival Launch
23 May 22 Applications Close
30 May 22 Applicants advised – successful or not.
24 June 22 Participants travel to Winton
24 June 22 Festival Opening Night
25 June 22 Arrive in Winton
26 June 22 Festival Activities, welcome to country and meet Facilitators
27 June 22 Masterclass commences Winton Club
1 July 22 Masterclass concludes
2 July 22 Festival Closing Night
3 July 22 Participants depart Winton
15 July 22 Final scripts submitted
18 July 22 Commence reviewing of scripts
2 Sept 22 Review conclude
7 Sept 22 Roundtable of scripts to decide on successful applicants
15 Sept 22 Successful project announced
4 Oct 22 Script development continues
4 April 23 Shooting script locked/confirmed
11 April 23Cast & Crew confirmed
15 May 23 Pre-production commences
11 June 23 Production filming commences in Winton
16 June 23 Production filming concludes
17 June 23 Post-Production commences
23 June 23 Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival Opens
29 June 23 Post-Production concludes
1 July 23 Short Film Competition – production screening
Terms & Conditions
All copyright remains that of the participant. However, the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival retains the right to the short film and any long form project associated it.
I confirm that should my work proceed to production after development assistance through the masterclass it will be credited with the following text appearing in the credits and any marketing materials “the production has been supported by the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and Kolperi Centre for Outback Filmmaking.”
An individual can only submit one project.
Submitted material must be owned by the writer(s). Adaptations of books, plays, or any other source material written by another author are not eligible under any circumstances. A script that you have adapted from your own book, play, or other source material is eligible if you have retained all film and television rights to the property.
Material must be submitted by the writer. Material written by writing teams must be submitted by one of the writers, with consent of the other(s).
We reserve the right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time and for any reason.
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and its Dreamtime Storytelling Masterclass partners may publish for promotional purposes only, information about your project in media releases, on our website or newsletter. This information may include project name, genre and synopsis, names and past credits of individuals comprising the key creative team.
The Vision Splendid Film Festival, and its supporting partners, will not be liable for any action or claim based on any industrial or intellectual property of the applicant arising out, or in connection with the receipt, custody, or consideration of the applicant's submission.
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and Kolperi – Centre for Outback Filmmaking reserve the right to cancel any course for any reason at any time.
The decision of the judges will be final and cannot be contested in any manner.