25/08/2021
01/09/2021
Digital Originals is a joint initiative of Screen Australia and SBS created to develop exciting and innovative scripted short form projects to premiere on SBS On Demand, providing opportunities for screen creatives who are currently under-represented in the sector.
A Beginner's Guide to Grief, is a drama comedy series exploring themes of death, grief and identity. Written by and starring South Australian Anna Lindner, directed by Renee Mao, executive and creative produced by Linda Ujuk and produced by South Australian Kate Butler, both of KOJO Studios, and also produced by South Australian Julie Byrne, the story follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she's forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn't play by any rules and soon, neither will she. Principal funding is being provided by Screen Australia in association with SBS, and it is financed with support from the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC).
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the outrageous and heartfelt drama comedy series, Iggy & Ace, exploring friendship, addiction and recovery through a queer lens and premiering on SBS On Demand on 9 September.
Six new series have also been chosen for further development from a shortlist of 12 projects from the 2020 Digital Originals initiative candidates. All 12 teams took part in exclusive development workshops held virtually in May, run by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV, which included international and local guest speakers, as well as developing the projects to align with the SBS Charter and SBS platforms, including NITV, and culminated in a pitch.
Commissioning Editor, SBS Scripted, Donna Chang, said: We're thrilled to see more incredible talent and surprising stories unearthed through the Digital Originals initiative. It's fantastic to be taking A Beginner's Guide to Grief into production and we can't wait to bring it to screens on SBS On Demand next year. It's also exciting to see the dynamic mix of projects from this year's submissions being developed, reflecting more genres - from comedy, crime and even horror - showcasing unique Australian stories, and challenging us to think about what a digital series can be.
Screen Australia Senior Online Investment Manager, Lee Naimo, said: From the moment we heard the pitch for A Beginner's Guide to Grief from creator Anna Lindner, we knew we wanted to see this project through, and we're delighted to support Lindner and the talented creative team bring it to life. And the exciting talent keeps coming - we're so impressed with the calibre of projects in our next crop of Digital Originals and look forward to seeing them develop their projects further.
On A Beginner's Guide to Grief, SAFC CEO Kate Croser added: The SAFC is really pleased to support writer Anna Lindner, and producers Kate Butler and Linda Ujuk from KOJO Studios with Julie Byrne to take their series to the screen. The SAFC has long been committed to supporting greater participation by women and female-identifying practitioners in the screen industry as part of our mission to boost diversity and inclusion across the entire sector, and it is wonderful to see that come to light in this fully South Australian produced and post-produced series.
On the Digital Originals projects selected for further development, Head of Programming and Commissioning at NITV, Kyas Hepworth, also added: Digital Originals provides an important platform for emerging creatives from backgrounds so often underrepresented in our sector to shine, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives with powerful First Nations stories and perspectives to collaborate and share with all Australians. It's been great to get to know the teams and see their creativity and innovation come to life through the short form format.
The six Digital Originals projects from 2020 being funded for further development, are:
Appetite
Three penniless delivery riders must battle the multinational food delivery company, Appetite, after becoming personally entangled in a conspiracy surrounding the death of a rider on the streets of Sydney.
Creatives: Mohini Herse (Writer/Director/Producer), Neilesh Verma (Writer), Neil Sharma (Director), Sleena Wilson (Executive Producer).
Garbage
When his truck happens across a police raid, a young garbage collector becomes entangled in a drug deal that goes terribly wrong. If he's to escape he must not only face down a dangerous criminal syndicate, but his own fear of failure amidst a profound family crisis.
Creatives: Hunter Page-Lochard (Writer/Director/Producer), Luke Bouchier (Writer/Director/Producer), Kobie Duncan (Writer).
Let Me Help
After watching their care workers hook up at a bar, two strangers with cerebral palsy are determined to explore their relationships with sex and each other.
Creatives: Emma Myers (Writer/Creator), Nina Oyama (Writer/Creator), Angus Thompson (Writer/Creator), Hannah Ngo (Producer).
Night Bloomers
Dark tales from the Korean diaspora that bloom in the night and move you.
Creatives: Andrew Lee (Writer/Director/Producer), Ashlea Ritchie (Producer), Michael McMahon (Executive Producer), Barry Gamba (Executive Producer).
DIVA (previously known as SONNY')
Inspired by a true story, DIVA' follows the journey of a young queer Samoan man who discove
LINK: | https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/short-form-stories-with-humour-heart-an... |
See more stories from sbs |
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
27/03/2024
Living Black, the longest-running Indigenous current affairs television program in Australia, returns for its 21st year with new guests
Living Black, the longest-running Indigenous current affairs television program ...
26/03/2024
Crime is relative in SBS's new Canneseries nominated crime-family dramawith a difference
Crime is relative in SBS's new Canneseries nominated crime-family drama with...
25/03/2024
SBS gears up for Season 2 of Alone Australia with the creation of Alone Cologne'
SBS gears up for Season 2 of Alone Australia with the creation of Alone Cologne...
22/03/2024
SBS Learn partners with the Islamic Museum of Australia to support classrooms in understanding Ramadan and Eid with new teacher resource
SBS Learn partners with the Islamic Museum of Australia to support classrooms in...
21/03/2024
Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry
21 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry Which Way Up: Galaxy Games Screen Australia has anno...
18/03/2024
Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative
18 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative LTR Denise Eriksen, Esther Coleman Hawkins, Caroline Pitcher, K...
15/03/2024
The Creators 2024 Participants Announced
15 03 2024 - Media release The Creators 2024 Participants Announced The Creators program recipients. L-R Thomas Duncan-Watt, Vanessa Gazy, Sarah Lambert, Lea...
14/03/2024
SBS to mark Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr with all Australians
SBS to mark Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr with all Australians 14 March, 2024 Media releases Content in 22 languages*, a collection of movies to stream free on d...
14/03/2024
Notice of Nominees for Directors (Resolution planned, June 19, 2024)
March 14,2024 -- KDDI Corporation KDDI Corporation resolved at a meeting of the Board of Directors held today to change (newly appointed, retire) a director ...
13/03/2024
Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan
13 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan Critical Incident: Akshay Khanna and Zoe Boe. Photo c...
07/03/2024
Explore the afterlife with SBS podcast Grave Matters'
Explore the afterlife with SBS podcast Grave Matters' 6 March, 2024 Media releases Most of us are woefully unprepared for one of life's few certai...
06/03/2024
Multi-award winning electronic music duo to represent Australia at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Malm, Sweden
Multi-award winning electronic music duo to represent Australia at this year'...
06/03/2024
GITAI and KDDI Successfully Demonstrates Robotics Construction Capabilities for Lunar Communications Towers
Developing Lunar 3GPP Mobile Network Technologies for Moon Exploration GITA...
04/03/2024
SBS announces new development fund to discover Australia's biggest and riskiest new factual hit
SBS announces new development fund to discover Australia's biggest and riski...
28/02/2024
Yumi Stynes returns for season two of SBS podcast SEEN'
Yumi Stynes returns for season two of SBS podcast SEEN' 26 February, 2024 Media releases Eight new trailblazers join feminist Australian icon Yumi Sty...
28/02/2024
Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects
28 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects Willy Screen Australia has announced 23 feature fi...
27/02/2024
Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair
27 02 2024 - Media release Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair Michael Ebeid AM and Megan Brownlow The Hon. Minister for the Arts, Tony...
26/02/2024
KDDI, Sony Honda Mobility Start Collaboration to Drive Connected Businesses Globally
Supporting AFEELAs entertainment experience and global launch with a communicati...
21/02/2024
Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce Applications Open for UNTAPPED 2024
21 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce App...
21/02/2024
Sony and KDDI Accelerate Efforts to Promote Digital Transformation in the Broadcasting and Media Industries
Aiming to deliver new video-related solutions utilizing 5G SA this year Son...
21/02/2024
KDDI Teams Up with Kyoto Sanga F.C. to Start Demonstration Test for Fan Engagement Services with Smartphone Game
Support the team with gifts while enjoying AR games in the stadium KDDI COR...
21/02/2024
U and Google's Gemini model to Provide Generative AI Services for Everyday Use
KDDI CORPORATION February 21,2024 -- Tokyo, February 21, 2024 From February 2...
20/02/2024
The Approval of SORACOM's Listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market
KDDI CORPORATION February 20,2024 -- KDDI announces that its consolidated subsidiary, SORACOM, INC. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Ken Tamagawa, herei...
15/02/2024
Alone Australia Season 2 Returns 27 March | Meet the Cast
Alone Australia Season 2 Returns 27 March | Meet the Cast 15 February, 2024 Media releases Smash hit series Alone Australia returns Wednesday 27 March on S...
15/02/2024
NITV's flagship footy show Over the Black Dot returns Tuesday 5 March, live and in high definition
NITV's flagship footy show Over the Black Dot returns Tuesday 5 March, live ...
15/02/2024
Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs
15 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs Liz Keogh Palmer (Australian Production Design Guil...
13/02/2024
2024 is a landmark year for SBS's award-winning current affairs line-up, covering the most impactful local and global stories
2024 is a landmark year for SBS's award-winning current affairs line-up, cov...
13/02/2024
Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
22 01 2024 - Media release Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai Six Australian screen projec...
12/02/2024
Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9
12 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9 Uncovering Street Dance: Australia from Skip Ahead 8. Photographed by Ry...
08/02/2024
Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two
08 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two Marta Dusseldorp as Stella in Bay of Fires ABC, Screen Austr...
07/02/2024
4 in 10 Australians battling sleep issues as nation's sleep crisis grows
4 in 10 Australians battling sleep issues as nation's sleep crisis grows 7 February, 2024 Media releases Dr Michael Mosley and the sleep scientists fro...
06/02/2024
Six screen creatives selected for the 2024 SBS Emerging Writers' Incubator initiative
Six screen creatives selected for the 2024 SBS Emerging Writers' Incubator i...
02/02/2024
SBS Scripted TV Lunch sessions return for another year of connecting with creatives
SBS Scripted TV Lunch sessions return for another year of connecting with creati...
02/02/2024
Financial Results for the Third Quarter of the Fiscal Year Ending March 2024
February 2,2024 -- KDDI Corporation KDDI announced the financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2024. Summary In the third q...
31/01/2024
Filming Begins on SBS' Romantic Original Drama Four Years Later' in India
Filming Begins on SBS' Romantic Original Drama Four Years Later' in Ind...
30/01/2024
A stellar 2024 for SBS podcasts kicks off with The SBS Book Club' and Humans of the Australian Deaf Community'
A stellar 2024 for SBS podcasts kicks off with The SBS Book Club' and Huma...
29/01/2024
The host with the most, Adam Liaw, is back with an all new inviting season of The Cook Up
The host with the most, Adam Liaw, is back with an all new inviting season of Th...
22/01/2024
Eddie's Lil' Homies premieres on NITV and Netflix on Friday 16 February
Eddie's Lil' Homies premieres on NITV and Netflix on Friday 16 February 22 January, 2024 Media releases Animated comedy series inspired by AFL grea...
22/01/2024
Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
22 01 2024 - Media release Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai Five Australian screen proj...
18/01/2024
Sounds of Solidarity and WugulOra added to NITV and SBS's Always Was, Always Will Be programming slate for January 26
Sounds of Solidarity and WugulOra added to NITV and SBS's Always Was, Always...
18/01/2024
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with SBS Learn this Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with SBS Learn this Lunar New Year 18 January, 2024 Media releases SBS Learn is giving teachers the opportunity to share t...
17/01/2024
This Valentine's Day SBS's The Matchmakers dives into the unique and private world of traditional matchmaking
This Valentine's Day SBS's The Matchmakers dives into the unique and pri...
17/01/2024
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a feast of content on SBS and SBS On Demand
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a feast of content on SBS and SBS On Demand 17 January, 2024 Media releases SBS is sharing the festivity and culture of Lunar...
17/01/2024
Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Australia and ABC's new drama series Plum
17 01 2024 - Media release Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Austra...
16/01/2024
Nominations open for Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition
Nominations open for Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition 16 January, 2024 Media releases 16 January 2024 Nominations are now open for the third Les M...
15/01/2024
SBS welcomes Nakul Legha as new Scripted Commissioning Editor
SBS welcomes Nakul Legha as new Scripted Commissioning Editor 15 January, 2024 Media releases SBS has announced that Nakul Legha has joined the network as ...
15/01/2024
Participation in the Development of the Philippines' First Subway
Construction of Telecommunication Infrastructure and Fare Collection System in the Manila Metropolitan Subway Project KDDI Corporation KDDI Philippines Co...
11/01/2024
ABS Full Year Results Update and Recent Developments
ABS Full Year Results Update and Recent Developments...
04/01/2024
First SpaceX Satellites Launch for Direct to Cell Service with KDDI
KDDI CORPORATION January 4,2024 -- Tokyo, January 4, 2024 KDDI is pleased to announce that on January 3, 2024, SpaceX successfully launched and deployed into...