The fund provides financial support to independent LGBTIQ filmmakers.

Queer Screen’s Completion Fund was established to provide independent LGBTIQ filmmakers or storytellers with financial support to tell stories that reflect the uniqueness and diversity of LGBTIQ lives and community through grants, awards, training and resources.

This year at Queer Screen’s 24th Mardi Gras Film Festival, Body positive documentary Nothing To Lose – The Documentary and supernatural web series Jade of Death were announced as the winners of the Completion Fund.

Nothing to Lose—The Documentary delves into real-life experiences and stories to challenge aesthetic norms and reclaim a performative space for people with large bodies. A Force Majuere/Kelli Jean Drinkwater co-production, it was awarded $8000 to assist in bringing the story of the Nothing to Lose dance theatre show to completion after four years in post production.

Kelli Jean Drinkwater said when accepting the grant, “I’m sure you know that indie filmmaking is a labour of love and without the support of our community and organisations like Queer Screen so many of our stories would go untold. We believe that a film which centres body politics and queerness is long overdue and this Queer Screen support is absolutely essential to getting this film to the big screen.”

Jade of Death, the runner up was awarded $4,000. This 6 part supernatural series follows small town girl Jade who has a powerful ability to see when and how people will die. The series features a remarkable cast of emerging and established talents.

Tickets for Mardi Gras Film Festival are now on sale here and the full program will run from 15 February to 2 March at Event Cinemas George St. and other venues across Sydney and NSW.

For more information click here.