Sunny Coast Showdown is levelling up with ShowdownMAX, an initiative aimed at delivering one exceptional project with funding of $250,000 and further cementing the Sunshine Coast film industry on the world stage.
Over the past few years, Showdown, presented by Bendigo Community Bank—Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy, Marcoola—has incubated local talent and ideas, producing more than 20 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.
“Showdown MAX is designed to propel Queensland’s screen industry forward in backing one standout pitch project with commercial potential for enhanced development,“ Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said.
“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 Collective president and Showdown executive producer David Edgar described ShowdownMAX as 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,“ he said.
Sunny Coast Showdown co-founder Dan Munday said the aim of ShowdownMAX was 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,” he said.
Bendigo Community Bank director Toby Bicknal said for Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast, backing the ShowdownMAX was 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,” he said.
ShowdownMAX is looking for affordable, realistic, and creatively brilliant projects that can be successfully executed on time and budget.
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.
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.
“The creative industries are vital to Noosa’s identity and economic future,“ Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said.
“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,“ he said.
Sunshine Coast Council’s resilient economy portfolio councillor Terry Landsberg agreed this nurtures local talent and drives economic and cultural growth by showcasing the incredible stories, locations and skills our region has to offer.
“We are proud to support opportunities that put the Sunshine Coast on the map as a thriving film and television production destination,“ he said.
ShowdownMax is made possible by the financial contributions of Bendigo Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa-Cooroy-Marcoola, Screen Queensland, Sunshine Coast Council, and Noosa Council, the in-kind contributions of In-Noosa Magazine, Hot-91, and Bridgestone Noosa-Nambour-Caloundra, and the massive volunteer effort of the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, its members, and associates.
Full entry details, requirements, and timelines are available on the Sunny Coast Showdown website at sunnycoastshowdown.com.au
