Screen Australia has today announced the Above the Line Documentary Accelerator program, a national initiative designed to upskill producers developing premium, original Australian documentary content with global appeal. With a focus on limited and returnable series, the new initiative supports content across heritage, streamer and online/direct-to-audience platforms. Up to 10 mid-career practitioners from around Australia will hone their producing skills, build experience across project ideation and development, while also establishing local and international industry networks.
Successful applicants will participate in a three-week intensive program led by Fatima Salaria, Executive Chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Head of Factual at Dancing Ledge Productions and former Managing Director of Naked Television. A globally renowned creative leader, Salaria has overseen a wide-ranging and distinctive slate spanning premium documentaries, returnable factual formats and popular entertainment, with credits including The Rap Game UK, The Apprentice, Grand Designs, Charles Bronson: Fit to Be Free, Brian Cox: How We Earn and Spend, and Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne. Fatima also led VicScreen’s highly successful Originate Factual initiative, which resulted in the commissioning of factual series The State of Man, The Animal Sanctuary and other soon-to-be-announced projects, including with a global streaming platform.
The accelerator program will be held in-person in Melbourne from 1-20 November 2026. Over a series of masterclasses, pitch training, audience insight and project ideation sessions, participants will cultivate a wide range of skills required to create successful documentaries in the local and international landscape.
At the end of the program, participants will pitch to leading industry decision-makers, with the opportunity for one project to secure a development grant from the ABC.
Applications close at 5pm AEST on Thursday 13 August 2026. More information regarding eligibility, assessment criteria, and how to apply can be found here.
