by FIlmInk Staff
With just three months to go until MIFF 37°South Market, the global screen co-financing marketplace returns to Melbourne this August with early confirmed international financiers and two new initiatives making 2026 another landmark edition.
Now in its 19th year, 37°South runs from 6–9 August during the opening weekend of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), bringing major industry players together and offering both established and emerging producers the opportunity to pitch script-stage projects to a multinational network of potential co-financiers. Selected participants also gain access to content development modules, industry panels, and networking events that open the door to invaluable cross-border collaboration.
Leading the lineup of confirmed international guests are representatives from: AGC Studios, Beta Cinema, Rocket Science, HanWay Films, Protagonist Pictures, MUBI, Sky Originals, Blue Fox Entertainment, Films Boutique and Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, with additional visiting guests to be announced closer to the event.
MIFF CEO, Damien Hodgkinson said: “37°South Market continues to play a vital role in connecting Australian and New Zealand producers with international financiers, distributors and industry leaders. Through meaningful local and international partnerships, creative exchange and global industry access, the market helps projects build momentum, forge vital connections and advance their financing. We are looking forward to another vibrant and successful market this August.”
Bringing together a suite of curated programs, 37°South Market is designed to support screen industry professionals across every stage of development, financing and distribution. At its core, the market’s flagship program, Bridging the Gap, supports producers with pitch-ready script-stage projects seeking international finance and co-production partners. Completed films looking for sales representation or local distribution can apply to be part of the Breakthru Screenings stream, connecting directly with overseas buyers and sales agents.
Writers, directors and creatives selected for Postscript & Direct will engage with producers and development executives seeking new voices and original material, while Books at MIFF connects publishers and producers to explore adaptation-ready literary works. Meanwhile, Nexus provides a dedicated platform for rights holders to present books, games, podcasts and other IP to producers for screen adaptation.
The Market also facilitates targeted collaboration through Link Up and Team Up, designed to spark new creative and business partnerships across the sector. While industry leaders will also convene through the State of Play talks series, where they will address key challenges and opportunities in screen financing, production and distribution.
A full speaker lineup will soon be announced closer to the event.
In an exclusive partnership aimed at supporting Australian talent on the world stage, the top three producer pitches – voted by attending sales agents – will secure the only guaranteed entry for Australian and New Zealand producers into Film London’s Production Finance Market (PFM), providing exclusive access to one of the world’s leading film financing forums.
This year also marks the introduction of Producer Accelerator and 37°South Pathways. Made possible by a major philanthropic gift from Westgarth Foundation, these two new initiatives aim to build industry access and global pathways for emerging, early-career and underrepresented producers.
Final applications for the 37°South Market will close 1 June via the website here.
