Creative Plus Business is absolutely thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our inaugural Social Enterprise for Screen (SEFS) pilot program, and the launch of the program’s Impact Report.

This national masterclass, made possible with vital funding from the 2025 Screenrights Cultural Fund, was designed to empower screen entrepreneurs from under-represented sectors of the industry. The goal was simple yet profound: to equip content makers with the necessary skills to build resilient, sustainable production enterprises using the social enterprise model, ensuring they can utilise the power of storytelling to drive positive social, cultural, and climate change.

The overwhelming success of the pilot program demonstrates a clear and growing need for new and innovative approaches within the screen sector. We received over 50 applications from screen professionals across Australia. Ultimately, 18 screen businesses, representing 22 participants, were selected for the program.

The Success is in the Data!

SEFS participants didn’t just attend; they thrived!

• We saw 100% of participants provide positive feedback.
• A resounding 100% of participants felt their competence improved in understanding the social enterprise model and landscape.
• Critically, 100% of participants reported that SEFS increased their capabilities to build a sustainable screen organisation that could contribute to positive change.

These achievements weren’t just theoretical, either! By the program’s end, participants had developed a draft roadmap for their own impactful screen ventures, including a draft strategic plan for the first 12 months and a 2-minute pitch video to share with potential investors and stakeholders. Most excitingly, the program officially facilitated the establishment of 12+ brand new screen social enterprises!

As participant Pablo Castrillon of VER MAS Media shared, “SEFS was an incredible experience. The program helped me clarify my social impact vision, connect with inspiring filmmakers, and gain practical tools to grow VER MAS as a social enterprise. I feel motivated and equipped to make a real impact in the screen industry”.

Driving Diversity in Leadership

SEFS was intentionally designed to focus on increasing diversity in screen industry leadership. We are incredibly proud that the final cohort was wonderfully diverse, bringing together change-makers from all corners of Australia.

The participating businesses and practitioners included:

• 55% identifying as Female and/or Gender-Fluid.
• 55% hailing from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) background.
• 45% who are People of Colour.
• 35% identifying as LGBTQIA+.
• 35% living with disability and/or neurodiversity.
• 15% First Nations Filmmakers.
• 25% based in regional or remote Australia.

Meet the New Wave of Impactful Screen Ventures!

The enterprises established through SEFS span traditional filmmaking, digital games, interactive media, and essential industry infrastructure, showing the broad potential of the social enterprise model.

We’re delighted that several organisations, including Generate Crew and Made in the West Creative in Western Sydney, are already opening their doors to clients and projects. Other exciting ventures include:

• Clarice Would Like a Word (dedicated to assisting emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities).
• Liquid Heart Game Studio (a game development studio passionate about storytelling and positive change).
• Two Dog Films (a screen business capturing fascinating stories about rural women in Australia).
• The Great Aboriginal People (an Indigenous freelance production service).
• Warrior Tribe Films (Ravi Chand’s production company exploring themes informed by his Fijian Indian, Hindu, and Indigenous Indian heritage)

A major success story emerging from the program is Chrysaor Studios, founded by Christopher Amos. Chrysaor Studios stands out as Australia’s first social enterprise film studio on the Gold Coast, boasting state-of-the-art virtual production facilities supported by Screen Queensland.

Reflecting on the transformative experience, Christopher Amos, Founder & Executive Director of Chrysaor Studios, shared his boost in confidence:

“Having the Certified badge has given me extra confidence to be bold, brave, and put Chrysaor Studios out there. The last three months have been incredible, with YOU as Creative Plus Business guiding me from business planning to execution. You are a true inspiration, and I am fully committed to the social enterprise model for screen businesses. Bravo for being such a champion,”.

Expert Guidance and Community Spirit

Participants benefited from 12 online learning modules covering everything from social enterprise definitions and measuring social impact, to First Nations filmmaking, diversity, sustainability, and wellbeing. They also learned from industry leaders and experts in the screen and impact sectors and received one-on-one mentoring from industry specialists.

As Lead Designer of the program and Creative Plus Business Doyenne, Monica Davidson, noted, the success of the program proved the model’s impact:

“As the founder of a social enterprise, I know how impactful this model could be for the creative industries. The funding provided by the Screenrights Cultural Fund for this program proved that theory completely! We hope that this first iteration of Social Enterprise for Screen is a pilot for similar programs that could amplify and support diverse voices from across the screen sector in future”.

Beyond the curriculum, participants built enduring collaborative networks, with 92% reporting an improved sense of connection with the screen community.

What’s Next?

The overwhelming outcome of SEFS affirms that this model is crucial for establishing resilient, sustainable screen ventures. We envision repeating the program to support other identified target groups invested in representing screen professionals that are experiencing significant disadvantage.

Creative Plus Business extends heartfelt thanks to the Screenrights Cultural Fund for making the SEFS Pilot Program a reality.

Want to meet the participants and see their incredible work?

• Visit the Social Enterprise for Screen Vimeo Showcase Here.
• Read the Full Impact Report for all the data and stories.