The celebrated not-for-profit Sunny Coast Showdown is back, and we’re going BIG this time.
ShowdownMAX 2025: One Big Project, One Huge Opportunity—$250,000 Up For Grabs!
Over the past few years, Showdown, presented by Bendigo Community Bank—Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy, Marcoola—has incubated local talent and ideas, producing over twenty award-winning short films, documentaries, and formats. By supporting writers, cast, and crew, Showdown and the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective have helped creatives upskill, connect with their community, and get their work on screen.
Now, we’re taking things to the next level. Welcome to ShowdownMAX, a bold, more commercially geared, leap toward making the film industry on the Sunny Coast a reality.
What are we looking for?
Ideas that can drive our industry forward, employ our crews, use our locations, and bring opportunity and money to Sunshine Coast residents. Given the timeline and budget in question, this year’s ShowdownMAX lends itself more to pilots of serialised, repeatable and returnable content and complete web series for online platforms. ShowdownMAX is also open to receiving pitches for feature-length, and limited scripted and unscripted series content if you believe you have a compelling commercial model.
The project must be written and/or owned by a Sunny Coast local, be able to be produced on the Sunshine Coast, and completed by 1 October 2025.
So if your story is set in New York or revolves around an event next year, this isn’t the competition for it. We’re looking for affordable, realistic, and creatively brilliant projects that can be successfully executed on time and budget.
The stakes?
- The top four projects will receive $10,000 each for paid development, working alongside Australia’s top writers and producers to refine their concept.
- From these, one successful project will receive over $200,000 in production funding and support to bring the vision to life.
Showdown MAX is a unique opportunity to develop a commercially competitive project with industry mentors and global market potential.
Not Just an Idea—Bring Your A-Game
We’re not just searching for a script; we’re after “projects.” The industry isn’t just about brilliant ideas—it’s about all the elements that will make it SELL. So, tell us: What have you achieved so far? Do you have talent attached? Is there a director involved? Have you secured partial funding? Is a major Aussie brand interested? Do you hold the rights to a best-selling book? The more groundwork you’ve laid, the stronger your chances will be.
Short Film Makers—You’re Not Forgotten!
We’ve got you covered for those still passionate about making short films, docs, and formats! The Sunny Coast ShowOff Film Festival, presented by Camera House Maroochydore, offers incredible cash and prizes for self-produced projects. Stay tuned for more on this!
Key Dates & How to Apply
Full entry details, requirements, and timelines are available on the Sunny Coast Showdown website.
Industry and Local Leaders Weigh In
Jacqui Feeney, CEO, Screen Queensland:
“The Sunny Coast Showdown continues to level up. Showdown MAX is designed to propel Queensland’s screen industry forward in backing one standout pitch project with commercial potential for enhanced development. This program provides practitioners from the Sunshine Coast with the professional guidance, funding and industry access needed to take their work to the next level. Screen Queensland is proud to support initiatives that champion homegrown talent and showcase the incredible opportunities in our state.”
Toby Bicknal, Director Bendigo Community Bank:
“For Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast, backing the ShowdownMAX is an exciting initiative that nurtures emerging filmmakers to promote the screen industry on the Sunshine Coast. We’re proud to support a program that funds storytellers, creates jobs, and brings fresh local stories to life”
Dan Munday, Co-Founder of Sunny Coast Showdown and a 25-year industry veteran:
“Our aim is to produce something that in the short to mid term drives and sustains more production on the Sunshine Coast. This could be a pilot that sells a series, a complete web series that goes viral on YouTube or even an indie film that does a “Blair Witch”.
David Edgar, Showdown Executive Producer and Screen Collective President, added:
“ShowdownMAX is a game-changer for the Sunshine Coast screen industry. This initiative isn’t just about funding, it’s about creating a pathway for local talent to develop commercially viable projects that can compete on the global stage. We’re giving creatives the resources, mentorship, and industry connections they need to take their ideas from concept to production. If you’ve got a great project, now’s the time to step up and make it happen.”
Frank Wilke, Mayor, Noosa Council
“The creative industries are vital to Noosa’s identity and economic future. ShowdownMAX is an incredible opportunity for local filmmakers to turn their ideas into professional productions on the Sunshine Coast. Initiatives like this showcase our region’s talent and stunning locations, strengthen our creative economy, and open doors for future investment in the screen industry.”
Terry Landsberg, Resilient Economy Portfolio Councillor, Sunshine Coast Council:
“This initiative nurtures local talent and drives economic and cultural growth by showcasing the incredible stories, locations and skills our region has to offer,” Cr Landsberg said. “We are proud to support opportunities that put the Sunshine Coast on the map as a thriving film and television production destination.”
