Documentaries

Big Stories, Small Towns

Screen Australia's investment
in documentaries aims to engage audiences with Australian culture, identity and an Australian viewpoint on the world.

Commitment from a broadcaster is generally required, in the form of a minimum licence fee.

Innovative interactive factual projects should apply through the Signature program.

IN THIS SECTION:
Limited funds for the development of documentary projects by experienced practitioners

Investment in diverse projects with heritage value and themes of national and cultural significance. Projects will have a sense of cultural ambition and higher budget scale

Funding for quality, audience-engaging projects that have cultural relevance, based on matched funding with a domestic broadcaster's licence fee
Investment in Australian projects which have international finance as well as a domestic broadcaster licence fee

Focused on documentary storytelling that is bold in form and/or content, with a strong creative vision and the potential for national and international acclaim. Broadcast presales are not a prerequisite.

Special initiatives may be offered from time to time such as Opening Shot

applying for funding


Applicants and projects must meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia's Terms of Trade, as well as the specific requirements of these guidelines.

 

Read more General information for applicants

Find out about Doing business with us, including our Terms of Trade, the contracting process, and what to do if your project involves Indigenous content or participation.

 outback kids
Check out the latest
Documentary approvals and Screen Australia supported programs currently screening.

ENQUIRIES

Free call: 1800 507 901
Email documentary

SIGNATURE PROGRAM NOW INCLUDING MULTI-PLATFORM PRODUCTION

New guidelines for the Signature Documentary program incorporating multi-platform production were released on 11 March 2013 as part of a suite of new interactive and multi-platform programs. The first deadline under the new guidelines is
22 March 2013.
Find out more.

PRODUCER EQUITY PROGRAM

Producers of eligible low-budget documentaries with approved budget/finance plans of $500,000 or less in total can apply for a direct payment of funds equal to 20 per cent of the approved budget through the Producer Equity Program (updated guidelines and application form available).

What is a documentary?

For the purposes of its funding guidelines, Screen Australia will have regard to the guidelines compiled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These guidelines are available on the ACMA website.

documentary features

Screen Australia will consider financing documentaries designed for theatrical release on a case-by-case basis.

Applications should be made through the Feature film program.