DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION

Overview | NDP | Domestic & International | Special Doco Program | Special Doco Initiatives

 

Overview

Screen Australia’s investment in documentaries aims to encourage the presentation of Australian culture and an Australian viewpoint on international culture to Australian and international audiences.

Screen Australia invests in both one-off documentaries and series with an Australian free-to-air or subscription television presale, except in the case of the Special Documentary Program.

It does not invest in other actuality programs, such as reality television, infotainment, current affairs, cooking, 'how to' or sports programs.

National Documentary Program (NDP): incorporates the National Interest Program and Making History initiative, aiming to provide a distinctive slate of projects with a sense of cultural ambition and a budget scale that separates them from other documentary investments. Applications for the NDP can be accepted at any time for the remainder of 2008/09.
Budget allocation 2009/10: $7.5 million

Domestic & International programs: funding to match a domestic broadcaster's licence fee, or for projects with international marketplace commitment.
Budget allocation 2009/10:
Domestic - $3.6 million (in four tranches of $0.9 million each)
International - $3.6 million (in four tranches of $0.9 million each)
Upcoming deadline: 16 October 2009

Special Documentary Program: for innovative projects which do not necessarily have a market attachment.
Budget allocation 2009/10: $0.8 million (single tranche).
Application deadline 2 October 2009.

Special Documentary Initiatives: triple jtv docs5 is a joint initiative of ABC TV and Screen Australia that seeks fresh approaches to half-hour and one-hour documentaries that explore contemporary issues, ideas and culture through the eyes of generations X, Y and Z. Budget allocation 2009/10: $0.2 million (single tranche)
Closing date to be announced for 2010.

[Note: For the purposes of these funding guidelines, Screen Australia will apply its definition of ‘documentary’ from the guidelines compiled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These guidelines are available on the ACMA website.]

Subsequent series will only be financed where the percentage and quantum investment by Screen Australia is substantially lower than for the previous program.

Theatrical documentary features

Screen Australia will consider financing documentaries designed for theatrical release on a case-by-case basis. These projects should come through the feature film assessment process and will be assessed according to the criteria set down in the Feature Film section of these guidelines.

Documentary Development

Screen Australia’s documentary development funding program is primarily for experienced documentary makers seeking development for outstanding projects that will connect with audiences in Australia and internationally. This program comes under Single-Project Development. For guidelines and application forms, please see Single-Project Development - Documentary.
Budget allocation 2009/10: $.07 million