Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals are back for 2022

24/01/2022

24 01 2022 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals are back for 2022

Iggy & Ace, The Tailings

Screen Australia, SBS and National Indigenous Television (NITV) are excited to announce that applications are now open for the third Digital Originals initiative.

The Digital Originals initiative aims to develop exciting and innovative short-form drama projects to premiere as a single episode program on SBS On Demand and NITV, from screen creatives who are currently under-represented in the sector. This includes people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations Australians, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTIQ and those who are located in regional and remote areas.

Past recipients include AACTA Award-winning Tasmanian mystery The Tailings, Western Australian comedy Iggy & Ace, and the upcoming South Australian drama A Beginner's Guide to Grief, with three more projects from the 2021 cohort heading into production to be announced soon.

Screen Australia's Head of Online Lee Naimo said, We are thrilled to partner with SBS and NITV on the third instalment of Digital Originals, to continue to build this pathway for premium online Australian drama. I can't wait to take the new batch of talent creators through the workshop, and work with them on developing their projects for the SBS OnDemand audience.

SBS Head of Scripted, Julie Eckersley said, Digital Originals continues to be a great success and an important initiative SBS is incredibly proud to be a part of. Over three years, we've seen unique and award-winning stories from across the country resonate with audiences, while supporting and showcasing incredible emerging talent in our sector. It continues to be a key element of our drama offering, and I'm looking forward to seeing what fresh voices and amazing talent this next round uncovers.

NITV's Head of Commissioning and Programming, Kyas Hepworth, added, Digital Originals provides a brilliant opportunity to support more First Nations narrative writers and practitioners to hone their skills and have their voices heard. NITV, as part of the SBS network, is committed to bringing stories from underrepresented communities to a national audience, I encourage our next wave of creatives to get involved.

Up to 10 teams will be selected to attend an exclusive workshop from 17 19 May 2022, run by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV. The workshop will focus on narrative writing skills, as well as developing the projects to align with the SBS Charter and SBS On Demand platform, culminating in a pitch to Screen Australia, SBS and NITV. Teams of either two or three members are eligible to apply and must include one writer. Teams outside of Sydney will receive flights and accommodation for up to three team members to attend the workshop. The workshop may be held virtually pending travel restrictions in place at the time.

From these 10 teams, up to four will be chosen to take their projects into further development, and from these up to three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with SBS, NITV and Screen Australia.

Submissions should include an up to three page pitch document outlining the details of the series and more information on the creative team; an up to three minute pitch video outlining the creators' personal connection to and reason for wanting to develop the project; and an up to 10 page script sample of previous work. For more information on eligibility and application guidelines click here

INFORMATION SESSION Screen Australia's Head of Online Lee Naimo, SBS Scripted Commissioning Editor Loani Arman, and NITV's Head of Commissioning and Programming Kyas Hepworth will host a Zoom webinar for those interested in applying. This will include a panel discussion with more information about the initiative, and a question and answer session.

Date: Wednesday 2 February 2022

Time: 10am 11am AEDT

Register: Registration is essential, please register here

Accessibility: An Auslan interpreter will be available for this session. If you would like to discuss this or other accessibility requirements, please contact RSVP before Friday 28 January.

APPLY Submissions are open now and will close at 5pm AEDT Thursday 24 February 2022. Please ensure you read the guidelines here before contacting the Program Operations team here with any remaining enquiries.

ABOUT DIGITAL ORIGINALS The Digital Originals initiative is an evolution of SBS's Short-Form Content Initiative, and aims to provide opportunities and support for screen creatives from under-represented backgrounds. This includes people identifying as culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations Australians, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTIQ and those who are located in regional and remote areas.

Under the second iteration of the initiative in 2021, 12 teams were selected to develop their projects through workshops, with mentorship from international and local guest speakers. From this group, six projects were received development funding from Screen Australia, SBS and NITV. The successful projects from this group to be taken into production will be announced soon.

A Beginner's Guide to Grief is set to premiere on SBS On Demand later in 2022.

Related MaterialsDownload PDF

Media enquiries Lidia Williams | Acting Senior Publicist

61 2 8113 1091 | 61 468 784 170 | [email protected]

Georgia Hing | Acting Publicist

61 2 8113 1033 | 61 400 025 940 | [email protected]

All other general/non-media enquiries Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]
LINK: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2022/01-24-dig...
See more stories from screenaustralia

Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories

30/06/2025

SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel

SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel 30 June, 2025 Media releases SBS is expanding its international news offeri...

27/06/2025

Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong

27 06 2025 - Media release Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong Marton Csokas and Lila McGuire of Goolagong. Image c...

26/06/2025

Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On Demand

Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On De...

20/06/2025

Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Australia

Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Au...

13/06/2025

Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic sporting event

Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...

12/06/2025

50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celebration

50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...

06/06/2025

Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwright and Soo Hugh Headline Future Vision 2025

06 06 2025 - Media release Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwri...

03/06/2025

Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Originals, as applications open for 2025

Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Origin...

28/05/2025

SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia

SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia 28 May, 2025 Media releases Marking 50 years of broadcasting on 9 June 2025, SBS...

28/05/2025

ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transformation through Salesforce Communications Cloud

ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transf...

22/05/2025

SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with Digital Originals

SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with ...

22/05/2025

Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast

Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast 22 May, 2025 Media releases Ever caught yourself using baby talk with your pet and wondered ...

19/05/2025

Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, dazzling more than 2.21 million Australians tuning in

Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, dazzling more than 2.21 m...

16/05/2025

Proper Loved Up Stage One Recipients Announced

Proper Loved Up Stage One Recipients Announced 16 May, 2025 Media releases Screen Australia's First Nations Department, the Australian Broadcasting Cor...

15/05/2025

Australia's boldest network SBS launches new brand campaign: We Go There'

Australia's boldest network SBS launches new brand campaign: We Go There...

15/05/2025

We Go There SBS On Demand's new Hub is entirely bold and unmistakably SBS

We Go There SBS On Demand's new Hub is entirely bold and unmistakably SBS 15 May, 2025 Media releases The We Go There Hub brings together over 300 ti...

14/05/2025

ABS and SpaceBridge to Join Forces to Strengthen Managed Services Across Europe, Middle East & Africa

ABS and SpaceBridge to Join Forces to Strengthen Managed Services Across Europe,...

13/05/2025

Alone Australia Season 3: The Reunion

Alone Australia Season 3: The Reunion 13 May, 2025 Media releases As the latest season nears its end, SBS's hit series brings full cast together for re...

13/05/2025

Teletimes interviews ABS CEO, Mark Rigolle

Teletimes interviews ABS CEO, Mark Rigolle...

12/05/2025

And They're Off! The Pure Drama of the Cycling Grand Tours Continues on SBS, Australia's Home of Cycling

And They're Off! The Pure Drama of the Cycling Grand Tours Continues on SBS,...

12/05/2025

Australian Filmmaker Lucy Mckendrick Set For Directing Debut with Dark Comedy Fangs

10 05 2025 - Media release Australian Filmmaker Lucy Mckendrick Set For Directin...

07/05/2025

SBS and NITV mark National Reconciliation Week with compelling premieres recognising the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples

SBS and NITV mark National Reconciliation Week with compelling premieres recogni...

07/05/2025

SBS commences search for a new Western Sydney production hub location

SBS commences search for a new Western Sydney production hub location 7 May, 2025 Media releases SBS has today launched a Request for Expressions of Intere...

02/05/2025

SBS On Demand achieves stellar month on the back of Alone Australia and The Handmaid's Tale

SBS On Demand achieves stellar month on the back of Alone Australia and The Hand...

01/05/2025

Screen Australia empowers 100+ distinctive Australian narratives

01 05 2025 - Media release Screen Australia empowers 100 distinctive Australian narratives All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It s All...

30/04/2025

Slam poet Huda the Goddess wins 2025 Les Murray Award

Slam poet Huda the Goddess wins 2025 Les Murray Award 30 April, 2025 Media releases Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Huda Fadlelmawla...

30/04/2025

SBS, NITV and NIDA partner to empower the next generation of screen creatives

SBS, NITV and NIDA partner to empower the next generation of screen creatives 30 April, 2025 Media releases SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and ...

23/04/2025

We heard that you could use a little pick-me-up, so get ready to sh-sh-shake it goodit's almost time for the Eurovision Song Contest!

We heard that you could use a little pick-me-up, so get ready to sh-sh-shake it ...

22/04/2025

McAvaney takes the lead for SBS' Coverage of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September

McAvaney takes the lead for SBS' Coverage of the World Athletics Championshi...

16/04/2025

Finalists announced! Five stand-out brands shortlisted for SBS Media's Sustainability Challenge

Finalists announced! Five stand-out brands shortlisted for SBS Media's Susta...

15/04/2025

Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith join in the adventure of a lifetime Who Do You Think You Are?

Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith join in the adventure of a lif...

15/04/2025

SBS and Volleyball World sign landmark deal for Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide

SBS and Volleyball World sign landmark deal for Beach Volleyball World Champions...

14/04/2025

SBS becomes first Australian broadcaster to have near-and long-term carbon reduction targets validated by the SBTi

SBS becomes first Australian broadcaster to have near-and long-term carbon reduc...

11/04/2025

Isn't that Insightful? Kumi Taguchi dives deeper into Insight's taboo topics in podcast return

Isn't that Insightful? Kumi Taguchi dives deeper into Insight's taboo to...

09/04/2025

SBS On Demand partners with Euronews to extend network news offering

SBS On Demand partners with Euronews to extend network news offering 9 April, 2025 Media releases SBS is expanding its international news offering with the...

09/04/2025

SBS announces TV's hottest new couple, Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act, as Eurovision Song Contest commentary team

SBS announces TV's hottest new couple, Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act, as E...

09/04/2025

Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator Initiative enters next phase

09 04 2025 - Media release Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator Initiative enters next phase Kids IP Incubator recipients in Melbourne for the workshop...

07/04/2025

Olympic Gold medallist and World Time Trial Champion Grace Brown joins SBS commentary team for Spring Classics Races

Olympic Gold medallist and World Time Trial Champion Grace Brown joins SBS comme...

07/04/2025

Female focus: New season of Living Black highlights women in Federal Election year

Female focus: New season of Living Black highlights women in Federal Election ye...

07/04/2025

SBS News' Cost of Living Secrets podcast returns to tackle one of the key issues of the Federal Election campaign

SBS News' Cost of Living Secrets podcast returns to tackle one of the key is...

04/04/2025

SBS announces initiatives to provide all Australians with trusted news and information about the 2025 Federal Election

SBS announces initiatives to provide all Australians with trusted news and infor...

01/04/2025

Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June

01 04 2025 - Media release Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June Boss Cat cast (L-R): Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Juli...

31/03/2025

Ready, set, Party Time!' SBS News empowers young voters with a new political podcast

Ready, set, Party Time!' SBS News empowers young voters with a new politica...

28/03/2025

Marion Grasby's Flavours of Heart & Home is a celebration of culture and family

Marion Grasby's Flavours of Heart & Home is a celebration of culture and fam...

28/03/2025

SBS delivers Federal Election news to Australians in over 60 languages

SBS delivers Federal Election news to Australians in over 60 languages 28 March, 2025 Media releases As Australia heads to the polls on 3 May, Australia...

26/03/2025

The Secret DNA of Us premieres 17 April

The Secret DNA of Us premieres 17 April 20 March, 2025 Media releases Family secrets, royal relationships and hidden histories revealed What would you disc...

24/03/2025

ABS further Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Matthieu Boutrolle as Chief Technology Officer

ABS further Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Matthieu Boutrolle a...

19/03/2025

NITV and Cricket Australia elevate First Nations sport with National Indigenous Cricket Championships Finals live broadcast on 7 April

NITV and Cricket Australia elevate First Nations sport with National Indigenous ...

19/03/2025

Yumi Stynes wants older women to be SEEN' as SBS podcast returns

Yumi Stynes wants older women to be SEEN' as SBS podcast returns 19 March, 2025 Media releases Feminist icon Yumi Stynes shines a spotlight on trailbl...