MIFF 37ºSouth : Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap is a screen content financing market for NZ and Australian producers with pitch-ready projects, staged as part of the MIFF 37º South programme in the opening four days of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) from 6-9 August 2026 .

Selected producers receive their own individual schedule of curated one-to-one meetings with selected local & international film financiers, sales agents and local distributors, as well as participating in networking events.

Bridging the Gap provides a uniquely suitable entry point for emerging NZ producers seeking to experience a film financing market for the first time. The market attracts some of the top international sales agents and financiers who have a genuine interest in Australian and NZ content. For emerging producers the curated slate of meetings removes the pressure of trying to secure appointments with sales and finance partners in busy and competitive film market environments such as Cannes, TIFF or Berlinale . It’s an accessible and efficient way to get a gauge of your project’s finance potential, so that you can move forward strategically towards production.

 Alongside pitching meetings at Bridging the Gap, all 37º South producers benefit from:

• Inclusion of your project(s) in the project booklet for Bridging the Gap invited financiers/buyers.

• Invitations to cocktail functions and mixer lunch networking functions

• Eligibility to attend other sessions at 37º South such as:

  • Books at MIFF (BaM), promoting links and business between publishers, screen financiers and producers to foster book-to-screen adaptations, which comprises: a case-study panel discussion on recent adaptations and public pitching by publishers of up to 10 books they want to see made into films or TV shows; scheduled one-to-one meetings for publishers with screen producers & financiers; and a networking event.

  • PostScript & Direct (PS&D), enabling screenwriters/directors/creatives to meet with 37ºSouth’s registered producers.

  • Nexus, promoting links and business between screen adaptation IP rights holders of varying formats (including podcasts, musicals, games, stage-plays, press articles, online content) and the screen industry to foster screen adaptations of these formats.

  • Link Up, facilitating links and business for 37ºSouth’s partner agencies and private sector organisations with screen producers via a series of curated meetings and networking events.

  • Team Up, enabling business connections and creative collaborations between independent producers and larger production partners with access to finance to facilitate film and TV co-productions.

  • State of Play screen financing talks.

More information on the MIFF 37 South programme and Bridging the Gap can be found at the link below

You should also apply directly to 37 South : Bridging the Gap, but remember to apply to the First Market programme at the same time.