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Screen Australia and Google Australia today announced applications are open for the sixth instalment of the Skip Ahead initiative. Since 2014, Skip Ahead has helped develop a generation of Australian YouTube storytellers to expand the vision and scale of their content. Skip Ahead alumni include comedians Aunty Donna and Superwog, science educator Vanessa Hill, documentarians Mighty Car Mods, fantasy creator Piéra Forde and influencer Wengie.

The initiative is targeted at creators who have a track record of reaching an audience on YouTube and are ready to ‘skip ahead’ their careers in terms of creative ambition and production values. Up to $150,000 in production funding will be available per project, with up to five projects to be funded. Screen Australia and Google Australia are jointly funding the initiative.

Both scripted narrative (i.e. fiction) and documentary projects are eligible, and the program guidelines detail how existing YouTube creators can submit applications together and/or work with an external production house.

Senior Online Investment Manager Lee Naimo said, “Skip Ahead not only provides Australian creatives with funding to make new content with higher production values, but it allows them to push their storytelling boundaries. We are open to applications for any kind of fiction or documentary content, whether it be short film, episodic or anything in-between creators can dream up.”

Aside from receiving production funding for their project, successful applicants will also participate in two workshops to be held in Sydney (July/August 2020 TBC). Travel and accommodation support will be provided for up to four team members per project.

Michael Cooley, Public Policy Manager, Google Australia and New Zealand said, “Skip Ahead aims to provide the next generation of Australian storytellers on YouTube with the support and tools they need to make amazing content and build new audiences, both locally and internationally. We’ve seen so many talented locals come through the program over the last five rounds, and we know Skip Ahead is an important step in the careers of many successful Australian content creators, in an ever-changing screen content environment. We’re looking forward to seeing who is next!”

Applications close 5pm AEST Thursday, 7 May 2020.

If Skip Ahead isn’t right for you, visit the section of the Screen Australia website to explore development and production funding opportunities for online creators.

If you are just starting out, read

SKIP AHEAD ALUMNI

Skip Ahead has contributed over $3 million in funding to 24 productions. The projects released to date have amassed nearly 50 million views on YouTube and garnered critical acclaim including:

• Over and Out created by Adele Vuko and Christiaan Van Vuuren, was awarded Best Short Form Series at Canneseries 2019.
• Superwog’s pilot funded through Skip Ahead was so popular it propelled the comedy duo to land a full ABC TV series. Superwog also have the distinction of having created the top trending YouTube video in Australia in both and .
• Vanessa Hill’s Braincraft content now appears on PBS in the USA.
• Michael Shanks’ project Rebooted was released this week on YouTube having been featured at Austin Film Festival, Flickerfest () and nominated for a AACTA Award 2019.

The full Skip Ahead alumni are included below.