Western Australian digital media projects selected for X|Media|Lab Perth will be in the running to receive one of three X|Media|Lab Perth Development Awards.

The X|Media|Lab Perth Development Award has been created by ScreenWest and the Department of Culture and the Arts to assist local digital producers to complete project documentation and marketing materials so they can attract market partnerships and realise their projects.

Department of Culture and the Arts Deputy Director General Jacqui Allen launched the initiative at the Creative Industries Think Tank v.2.0 forum today.

“WA projects selected for X|Media|Lab Perth will be judged by the Lab’s international mentors and up to three projects will receive an Award to consist of a maximum of $20,000 funding per project,” Ms Allen said.

“To be eligible for the Award, the project team must include at least one Western Australian arts practitioner or the team must collaborate with a Western Australian arts organisation.”

ScreenWest Chief Executive Ian Booth said the inaugural X|Media|Lab Perth will consist of a Pro Day Conference (General Admission) featuring a selection of the world’s outstanding creative practitioners and a two-day Lab where selected projects work directly with the international delegates who will act as Lab mentors.

“X|Media|Lab Perth and the subsequent X|Media|Lab Perth Development Award will deliver key outcomes for the State by connecting Western Australian artists, media practitioners and public institutions with international experts to propel our creative digital content from concept to market,” Mr Booth said.

“We will soon be announcing the mentors selected for X|Media|Lab Perth and calling for WA creatives to submit their projects to the Lab. Projects need to have a strong narrative theme in a non-linear format that meets the X|Media|Lab Perth theme of ‘Storytelling in a Digital Age’.”

X|Media|Lab Perth will be held in Perth, 15-17 April 2011 at the new State Theatre Centre of Western Australia. X|Media|Lab Perth is possible thanks to the support of the Department of Culture and the Arts, WA Museum, ScreenWest, Murdoch University, ABC TV and Screen Australia. The X|Media|Lab Perth Development Award will be presented at X|Media|Lab Perth on Sunday 17 April 2011.

ENDS

Media contact: 

Joanna Hos, A/Communications Manager ScreenWest 

E: Joanna.hos@screenwest.wa.gov.au  P: +61 (0)430 552 962