Bright digital media ideas get funding

Film Victoria announced this week the recipients who will benefit under its Digital Media Fund (DMF) scheme.

The program, spearheaded to drive development in innovative animation, gaming and digital content, awarded investments to Victoria's Iron Monkey Studios and IR Gurus Interactive Australia.

Each studio will receive DMF Game Prototype Development funds to take their blueprinted ideas from inception to the next level.

Iron Monkey are developing Darkenlight, pitched as a dark and spooky action experience, whilst IR Gurus Interactive plan to turn Dr Who, the world's longest running sci-fi TV series, into a gaming entity.

Under the DMF, Victoria's Lycette Brothers also gained plaudits for a proposed suite of animated ring tones. Its VideoTones will be endorsed with a DMF Digital Animation cash award. DMF Innovative Digital Content funding will additionally go to three separate new media drama projects, with Global Dilemma, Kylie Robertson and LJM Productions all selected for commendation.

Sandra Sdraulig, CEO of Film Victoria praised the quality of entries to the scheme. "It is wonderful to assist companies and individuals to progress their innovative ideas to the next stage of development," Sdraulig said.

"We have uncovered many exceptional project ideas that utilise new technology to create innovative content, game designs and animation. The diversity of ideas that were submitted for this program indicates the creative strength of the Victorian digital media sector," she enthused.