Screen Australia

Screen Australia aims to inspire, inform and engage screen audiences through compelling Australian storytelling.

Above the Line Documentary Accelerator Program

Screen Australia’s Above the Line Documentary Accelerator program is designed to develop outstanding documentary concepts for heritage, streamer and direct to audience platforms. The program will support up to ten (10) mid-career practitioners from around Australia to hone their producing skills, garnering experience across project ideation and development, while also building local and international industry networks.

Above the Line Documentary Accelerator will include a series of masterclasses, audience insight and project ideation sessions, and pitch training, cultivating a wide range of skills required to create successful documentaries in the local and international landscape.

The program will be run by Fatima Salaria, a globally renowned and respected creative leader, and will take place in Melbourne, from 1-20 November 2026.

In line with Screen Australia’s Corporate Plan, Above the Line Documentary Accelerator is designed to:

  • Empower participants with knowledge, insights, and resources to stay ahead in a dynamic market.
  • Build capacity in developing and pitching sellable innovative ideas with real market potential.
  • Strengthen industry connections and opportunities for Australian producers at both a local and international level.

Important note: The text on this webpage provides a snapshot of the relevant information for this program/initiative. Applicants must read all detailed documentation available for download at the bottom of this page, including the program guidelines, before applying.

Key Dates
Deadline

5pm AEST Thursday 13 August 2026

Decision & Notification

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Friday 25 September 2026.

Fund Amount
Refer to guidelines
Category
Documentary
Funding Type
Special Initiatives
Enquiries
Email: documentary@screenaustralia.gov.auFreecall: 1800 507 901
More Information

Successful participants must be available in person in Melbourne for the duration of the workshop.

Apply now

Up to ten (10) mid-career documentary producer and/or directors will be selected to attend an exclusive three-week workshop in person in Melbourne run by Fatima Salaria and facilitated by Screen Australia.

 

As participation in person in Melbourne is a requirement of the program, successful applicants residing outside of Melbourne (VIC) will receive:

  • One return economy flight (domestic only)
  • Accommodation for the duration of the program
  • A stipend to cover the workshop.

 

Should you require further assistance for carers’ and/or accessibility costs, to enable you to attend the workshop, this may also be arranged.

Applicants and projects must meet Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade, any general eligibility or other requirements set out on Screen Australia’s website (see Information for Applicants and Information for Recipients), as well as the specific eligibility criteria set out in these guidelines.

 

Specific requirements apply to projects being developed in the workshop which involve First Nations community participation or content.

 

Specific requirements may also apply to projects being developed in the workshop which involve community participation or content with the following communities: d/Deaf, disabled, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+, or those from other under-represented groups.

 

To be eligible for this program:

  • an applicant applying with a company, must:
    • be an incorporated company carrying on business in Australia, with its central management and control in Australia;
    • have an Australian Business Number (ABN);
    • and be registered for the purposes of GST if required by law.
  • an applicant applying as a sole trader must:
    • be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident (holding a permanent visa);
    • have an Australian Business Number (ABN);
    • and otherwise meet Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.

 

The applicant must be a documentary producer and/or director with a minimum of two (2) credits (publicly screened within the last five years) across feature documentary, a television one-off, or a television series.

 

For full eligibility information, including information about additional eligibility criteria, please refer to the attached guideline documents.

Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines, Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade, Information for Applicants, Information for Recipients, and preview the application form on SmartyGrants.

 

Through the application form, applicants must:

  • provide all the information requested and answer the application questions;
  • address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria;
  • and include all required supporting materials.

 

For full details on the application process, including information about required materials, please refer to the attached guidelines.

Applications will be assessed against the aims of the program, the following equally weighted criteria, against other applications in the round and in the context of Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade:

  • Relevance. The quality and relevance of the applicant’s experience in relation to this program;
  • Articulation. Articulation of what the applicant wishes to gain from participating in the program and how this will align with their career goals and objectives;
  • Strengths. The quality of the strengths the applicant brings to the program.

 

Other factors may be considered including the:

  • availability of funds;
  • range of applicants in receipt of production funding from Screen Australia, inclusive of applicant, applicant company, and geographic diversity.

Downloads

Above the Line Documentary Accelerator Guidelines

Download Document