South Australian Film Corporation doubles Digital Games Fund to $1m, builds ladder toward 10% rebate
Summary
South Australian Film Corporation doubled its Digital Games Fund to $1 million.
This marks SAFC's largest single government investment in local game development.
The fund now runs three tiers, from $30,000 pre-production grants to $150,000 production grants.
SAFC positions the fund as a pathway to its existing 10% production rebate.
01
Three-tier grant structure replaces single pilot pool
Pre-production grants reach $30,000 for prototypes, proof of concept and market testing.
Production grants reach $150,000 for projects moving toward commercial release.
Post-release grants reach $50,000 for localisation, porting and related work.
The 2024 pilot split $500,000 across 11 studios from over 50 applications.
02
Grants feed a $250,000 rebate threshold
SAFC frames the DGF and placement program as a pathway to the 10% VGD Rebate.
The VGD Rebate requires a minimum $250,000 in SA spend to qualify.
A $30,000 pre-production grant can fund the prototype that unlocks that threshold.
The Studio Placement Program adds subsidised salary and super for 6 or 12-month roles.
"The SAFC is delighted to double down on our support for South Australia's video game sector with a second round of our DGF offering twice the funding opportunities for local developers and studios to bring their new and innovative games to life."
03
Pilot cohort shows the ladder already working
The VGD Rebate has backed more than 40 South Australian games since 2020.
Pilot recipient Pro Jank Footy topped the Nintendo Switch charts after DGF funding.
Bad Plan Studios used pilot funding to land a publishing deal with Thailand's Rising Tide Publishing.
International co-producers can use the same staged path, from grant-funded prototyping to rebate-eligible production.
What this means
For Investors & VC: Model non-dilutive state grants into runway and valuation assumptions for South Australian seed deals.
For Publishers & Developers: Shrink advance offers to South Australian indies by netting state grant cover into budgets.
For Service Vendors: Pitch grant-ready porting and localisation quotes to shipped South Australian studios before application rounds.
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