This is some good news for short filmmakers. Under its talent escalator initiative offering professional development opportunities, Screen Australia on Thursday announced the launched of "Hot Shots," a new short film programme that will fund up to three short dramas, each up to a maximum of eight minutes, with a budget of $70,000 per project.

Hot Shots is a great opportunity for filmmakers to progress their skills and careers, Screen Australia said.

Filmmakers will need to be inventive, creative and professional and be ready to tell surprising and emotionally engaging stories without breaking the bank, a media release by Screen Australia added.

The films must be professionally made on a $70,000 budget without additional finance, encouraging innovation and experimentation with an emphasis on strong and distinctive storytelling.

"Hot Shots builds on our overall professional development strategy by helping talented and ambitious filmmakers who are still honing their voice in the short film format," Screen Australia's Head of Development Martha Coleman said.

"We're providing an opportunity for filmmakers to create their shorts in a professional production environment by properly resourcing them, once again encouraging a creative and rigorous approach to their work."

The guidelines say entries will be judged by Screen Australia executives and industry specialists on parameters including originality, strength and distinctiveness of concept and script. The jury will also be looking out for evidence of a distinctive directorial voice and innovative storytelling style in the script and previous work of the entrants.

Other judging criteria include skills, experience and track record of each of the key principals and perceived professional development opportunities of the entries have, along with viability of the budget and schedule in relation to the script. The guidelines said that judges will also be looking out of a production approach that embraces the budget parameters of the fund.

Hot Shots is open for applications until Monday, Oct 28, and those interested in participating can visit www.screenaustralia.gov.au/Hot_Shots.aspx for further details and information on how to apply.