Calls for Submissions

Seed & Seed Advanced: NZWG + NZFC Funding Rounds Open

Posted Monday 10 Aug 2026

New Zealand Writers Guild and New Zealand Film Commission are excited to announce that Seed & Seed Advanced is now open, and this round there's something a little extra to celebrate.

Seed & Seed Advanced are screenwriter-only feature film script development grants.

For the first time since the programme began in 2014, Seed & Seed Advanced fees have increased.

NZWG asked and NZFC have delivered this overdue lift for the screenwriters who use these grants to create draft feature film scripts.

Seed grants rise from $10,000 to $12,500, and Seed Advanced from $12,500 to $15,500.

And it isn't only the writers who benefit: the fee for the script consultants that writers work with, and the development funding in the Seed Advanced pathway, have each increased from $2,500 to $3,000.

Seed Grants allow writers to be innovative and brilliant, and to create something they own. The writer remains the rights holder, and not working with a producer, in early development.

DETAILS

OPENS: 9am, Friday 31 July 2026

CLOSES: 12noon, Friday 4 September 2026

 

There are two pathways available in the grants, Seed & Seed Advanced.

Seed is open to emerging writers who haven’t yet written and had a feature film produced.

  • 4 x Seed Grants of $12,500 - includes $3,000 for script consultation

Seed Advanced is aimed at reducing competition in the Seed pathway, by separating emerging writers from more experienced writers. It is open to established writers who have more than 90 minutes of scripted broadcast credits.

  • 2 x Seed Advanced Grants of $15,500 - includes $3,000 for script development

 All grant applications are assessed through a blind-read process and marked on the following criteria:

  • Idea – is it compelling/engaging? Does it have an audience?
  • Craft – is the writer able to execute the screenplay on a high enough level to deliver on the promise of the idea?
  • Voice – is the writer’s voice original and clear?

 All applications require the following material:

  • Logline
  • Short synopsis
  • Potential audience
  • Treatment - 5 pages (10 pages for Seed Advanced)
  • Screenplay sample - 10 pages

 

Got Questions?  Contact the lovely folk at NZWG via email mirabelle@nzwg.org.nz with any queries or if you require assistance with your application.