Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

30/05/2022

06/06/2022

Twelve teams of emerging creatives from under-represented backgrounds will have the chance to pitch their drama projects to SBS, NITV and Screen Australia as the Digital Originals initiative gets underway for 2022, with a week-long workshop for the first round of selected teams kicking off today.

A partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia, Digital Originals aims to develop exciting, innovative and risk-taking short-form drama projects to premiere on SBS On Demand and NITV, from emerging 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, LGBTQIA+; and those who are located in regional and remote areas.

Following a call out for applications in January, 12 creative teams from across Australia have been chosen to take part in an exclusive workshop run by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV this week. The workshop features sessions focusing on a range of short form content creation skills and will also include case studies of past Digital Originals and other dramas.

Facilitated by filmmaker Rosie Lourde (Starting From Now), over the course of the workshop, teams will also have access to a host of guest presenters and industry figures including Sierra Teller Ornelas (Rutherford Falls), Leah Purcell (The Drovers Wife), Michael McMahon (Nowhere Boys), Kodie Bedford (Firebite) and Corrie Chen (New Gold Mountain).

The workshop will culminate in teams pitching their projects to Screen Australia, SBS and NITV on 14 June, with a selection of teams chosen to take their projects into further development. From those, up to three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with SBS, NITV and Screen Australia.

They'll follow previous successful Digital Originals including Tasmanian murder mystery The Tailings and Western Australian comedy Iggy & Ace which both premiered on SBS On Demand last year, as well as Robbie Hoodand Homecoming Queens produced under SBS's Short-Form Content Initiative which evolved into Digital Originals. The next Digital Originals set to premiere is South Australian drama A Beginner's Guide to Grief, dropping on SBS On Demand later this year.

Director and Screenwriter Corrie Chen, one of the presenters across the week, said that Digital Originals is an important platform for the next generation of Australian creatives.

Having gotten my start in short form filmmaking, it is extremely important to me that the industry continue to support initiatives like Digital Originals. An opportunity like this not only provides a space for exciting voices to share their unique stories, it's a chance to learn and access valuable support along the way.

Commissioning Editor, SBS Scripted, Loani Arman, said: We were so impressed by the quality of applications for Digital Originals this year that we decided to add two additional places in the workshop. In preparation for pitching to SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia, the workshop will support the teams to interrogate their stories and further develop their projects. Not only will they have the chance to gain insight from incredible industry practitioners, but also learn from each other, building connections with some of the most exciting new talent in the country.

NITV Commissioning Editor, Marissa McDowell, added: Digital Originals is set to continue its impressive legacy with this year's cohort - there is a diverse range of projects in the mix from across Australia, with a large First Nations contingent of creatives showcasing unique perspectives on classic genres. I look forward to sseeing how the teams further develop their projects throughout the workshop.

Screen Australia's Head of Online, Lee Naimo, said: In this third year of Digital Originals, we're again seeing how valued this initiative is, with over 170 applications from across Australia. I couldn't be more excited for these 12 projects to develop their work and take this next step in their careers, and to continue this strong partnership with SBS and NITV to take distinctive and exciting stories to Australian audiences.

The creative teams taking part in the 2022 Digital Originals workshop this week, and their projects, are:

Borroloola (NSW)

Description: After her grandmother passes away, a bush girl goes through Sorry Business with her extended family and discovers her grandmother had a secret life.

Genre: Drama

Team: Julia Moriarty (writer), Judi McCrossin (producer)

Confinement (QLD)

Description: A new migrant mother must battle postpartum depression and a tyrannical confinement nanny with seemingly nefarious intentions.

Genre: Thriller

Team: Jacqueline Lim (writer), Lark Lee (producer)

Dark Matter Don't Matter (NT)

Description: After the mass evacuation of Earth, a small Aboriginal community is left behind and decide to take matters into their own hands... by launching themselves to the stars.

Genre: Comedy, science fiction

Team: Tamara Whyte (writer), Isaac Lindsay (writer), Warren Milera (writer), Philip Tarl Denson (producer)

Earshot (NSW/VIC)

Description: When a seemingly happy Indian-Australian actress is asked to record the last messages of a missing immigrant woman for a true crime podcast, embodying one of the justice system's forgotten victims causes her to obsess over the case - and finally acknowledge the invisible violence in her own life.

Genre: Drama, thriller, crime

Team: Vidya Rajan (writer), Alistair Baldwin (writer), Rene e Marie Petropoulos (writer/director)

Fully Receivable (VIC)

Description: When a corporate leadership trip in a national park starts off horrifically with the white facilitator dead, it's up to Sheila Phounpadith, the Accounts Receivable Manager, to prove she isn't the murderer.

Ge
LINK: https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/comedy-crime-coming-of-age-and-more-amo...
See more stories from sbs

More from SBS Broadcast

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...

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...

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'...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

14/12/2023

Celebrate strength, resilience and survival as part of Always Was, Always Will Be this January 26 on NITV and SBS

Celebrate strength, resilience and survival as part of Always Was, Always Will B...

13/12/2023

SBS On Demand caps a record year with the launch of SBS Rewind

SBS On Demand caps a record year with the launch of SBS Rewind 13 December, 2023 Media releases SBS On Demand launches SBS Rewind, providing users an end-o...

12/12/2023

SBS Chill's Chillest 100 now streaming on SBS On Demand in 2024

SBS Chill's Chillest 100 now streaming on SBS On Demand in 2024 12 December, 2023 Media releases The Chillest 100 is back to celebrate the coolest down...

11/12/2023

NITV and Netflix reveal voice cast of animated children's series Eddie's Lil' Homies, inspired by AFL star Eddie Betts

NITV and Netflix reveal voice cast of animated children's series Eddie's...

08/12/2023

SBS to Bring All the Best Action from 2024 Dakar Rally

SBS to Bring All the Best Action from 2024 Dakar Rally 8 December, 2023 Media releases The world's biggest rally raid begins January 6 exclusive and fr...

23/11/2023

NITV HD coming from 5 December 2023

NITV HD coming from 5 December 2023 Media release National Indigenous Television (NITV) is excited to be upgrading to high definition (HD) on channel 34 nex...

23/11/2023

SBS again named Best Australian Podcast Publisher of the Year

SBS again named Best Australian Podcast Publisher of the Year 23 November, 2023 Media releases Australia's hybrid national broadcaster SBS has been nam...

23/11/2023

Karla Grant's pioneering contribution to journalism recognised with major Walkley and First Nations Media Awards

Karla Grant's pioneering contribution to journalism recognised with major Wa...

21/11/2023

Don't miss the highly anticipated six-part thriller The Doll Factory, from Thursday 7 December on SBS and SBS On Demand

Don't miss the highly anticipated six-part thriller The Doll Factory, from T...

15/11/2023

SBS Learn is celebrating Diwali in classrooms with a ready-to-go resource for teachers across Australia

SBS Learn is celebrating Diwali in classrooms with a ready-to-go resource for te...

07/11/2023

Meet the Neighbours follows a bold initiative that could change the country - can we save our regional towns?

Meet the Neighbours follows a bold initiative that could change the country - ca...

07/11/2023

SBS marks one year of Mind Your Health' this World Mental Health Day

SBS marks one year of Mind Your Health' this World Mental Health Day Media Releases SBS is providing more educational and uplifting stories through its...

07/11/2023

Join SBS and NITV as Australia's votes are counted

Join SBS and NITV as Australia's votes are counted Media Releases Live news simulcast on SBS and NITV on Saturday night will give Australians unique per...

07/11/2023

Emmy Award-winning series Fargo is back starring Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joe Keery, and more

Emmy Award-winning series Fargo is back starring Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Jennife...

07/11/2023

SBS documentaries The Australian Wars and The Swap lead the way in representation and inclusion on global stage with MIPCOM awards

SBS documentaries The Australian Wars and The Swap lead the way in representatio...

07/11/2023

SBS celebrates the Festivals of Light with unmatched, distinctive content to light up all Australians

SBS celebrates the Festivals of Light with unmatched, distinctive content to lig...

07/11/2023

SBS leads way on Sustainability; achieves Net Zero on Direct Emissions

SBS leads way on Sustainability; achieves Net Zero on Direct Emissions Media release First Australian broadcaster to reach Net Zero on direct emissions (Sco...

07/11/2023

SBS remains home of the FIFA World Cup securing the exclusive rights to the FIFA World Cup 2026

SBS remains home of the FIFA World Cup securing the exclusive rights to the FIF...

07/11/2023

SBS showcases success of Audience First' approach at SBS 2024 Upfronts

SBS showcases success of Audience First' approach at SBS 2024 Upfronts Media release SBS showcases digital leadership, highlighting the success of Alon...

07/11/2023

SBS On Demand unveils slew of personalisation and curation enhancements

SBS On Demand unveils slew of personalisation and curation enhancements Media release SBS has previewed several significant enhancements to SBS On Demand in...

07/11/2023

NITV announces high-definition launch and evolution of beyond 3% initiative

NITV announces high-definition launch and evolution of beyond 3% initiative Media release Beyond 3% continues to support the growth of National Indigenous T...

07/11/2023

SBS unveils biggest content line-up yet, with distinctive stories Australians won't see anywhere else

SBS unveils biggest content line-up yet, with distinctive stories Australians wo...

07/11/2023

SBS Audio announces new destination channel for Australia's South Asian community

SBS Audio announces new destination channel for Australia's South Asian comm...