
17 08 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $4 million of production funding for 13 documentaries
Rob Collins, The First Inventors
The Australian Open tennis tournament, Australia's LGBTQI history and the humble platypus are set to be explored in the latest Australian documentaries sharing in $4 million of production funding from Screen Australia. The agency has announced funding for seven projects through the Commissioned Program, five through the Producer Program and one funded through the First Nations Department.
Screen Australia's Head of Documentary, Alex West said, We are living through a period of immense change to the planet and society. So these documentaries offer timely reflections on Australian culture and identity, exploring the importance of topics such as activism, arts, health and the environment. Documentary provides a powerful avenue to spark or shift national conversations, and we can't wait to see these fantastic projects brought to life on screen.
Screen Australia's Head of First Nations, Angela Bates said, We are pleased to support Still We Rise which will provide an Indigenous lens to the events surrounding the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to align with its 50th anniversary, with incredible archival footage from the ABC. This project will be vital viewing, not only as a celebration of First Nations history and activism, but also as an invaluable resource to educate future generations.
The project funded through the First Nations Department is:
Still We Rise: A one-hour archival documentary for the ABC that will capture the year of 1972, when activists erected an Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns opposite Parliament House. Fifty years on, this program takes a bold dive into a year of protest and revolutionary change for First Nations people. Writer/director John Harvey (Off Country) has teamed up with producer Anna Grieve (Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky). Still We Rise is a Tamarind Tree Pictures production financed in association with VicScreen and developed and produced in association with the ABC.
The projects funded through the Producer Program are:
Australia's Open: A feature documentary which will chart the highs and lows of our nation alongside our most celebrated individual tennis tournament, the Australian Open. Examining the events that have shaken and shaped it both on and off the court, this film will explore how the evolution of the event has mirrored Australia's own journey as a nation, from poor colonial cousin to a mature and confident world player. Australia's Open will be directed by Ili Bar (The Leadership) and produced by Charlotte Wheaton and Nick Batzias of GoodThing Productions, whose credits include The Australian Dream. This project is financed with support from the ABC, VicScreen and the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund.
The Endangered Generation?: A feature documentary narrated by acclaimed actress Laura Dern, which challenges the myth that the world is fundamentally driven by selfishness and competition and instead explores how kindness and cooperation may be just as crucial to prospering in the natural world. As humans face the next crises - whether pandemic, environmental collapse or social disorder this film will shine a light on new models for thinking and living. The creative team features writer/director Celeste Geer (Then the Wind Changed), producers Gal Greenspan (Fighting for Hakeem) and Daniel Joyce (Martha: A Picture Story), and executive producer Leila Conners (Ice on Fire). The Endangered Generation? is financed with support from VicScreen, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund and the South Australian Film Corporation. It will debut at MIFF this month.
Las Balsas: An Ocean Odyssey: A feature documentary about the world's longest recorded raft journey, the 1973 Las Balsas Expedition which saw 12 men travel 9,000 miles at sea on three rafts. With no motors, GPS or back-up, their aim was to cross the Pacific, from Ecuador to Australia. The crew's original 16mm film reels have been unearthed and will be meticulously re-mastered and intercut with interviews with the surviving raftsmen, recounting the sharks, storms, psychological struggles and starvation they overcame to achieve this legendary ocean voyage. This film is written and directed by Alex Barry (Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law), produced by Chadden Hunter (Planet Earth II, Seven Worlds One Planet) and executive produced by Bettina Dalton (Playing with Sharks) of WildBear Entertainment, along with Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle of Dogwoof.
Left Write Hook: A feature documentary about a ground-breaking recovery program that helps survivors of childhood sexual abuse find transformation and friendship, through a combination of boxing and creative writing. With intimate and privileged access to this unique program, Left Write Hook is a story about resilience, connection, expression and healing. The creative team features writer/director Shannon Owen (When the Sky Fell Down The Myth of Guy Bourdin), producer Donna Lyon (Disclosure), with producer Alice Burgin and executive producer Gal Greenspan whose credits include Moja Vesna and the upcoming Fighting for Hakeem. This film is financed with support from VicScreen and the University of Melbourne.
Speedway: A true-crime documentary about the unsolved Burger Chef Murders' that claimed the lives of four teenagers in Speedway, Indiana in 1978. This film uses archive, animation, interviews and scripted scenes to explore the 40-year mystery. The creative team features writer/directors Luke Rynderman and Adam Kamien, and producers Bonnie McBride (Demonic), Anna Vincent (I Am Mother), Louise Nathanson (Chasing Wonders) and Lisa Scott (The Tourist). This project is financed with support from the South Australian Film Co
More from Screen Aus
03/02/2023
03 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce new drama In Our Blood
Actors Oscar Leal and Tim Draxl from In Our Blood.
As Australia gets read...
02/02/2023
02 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $2.2 million in funding for 11 online projects
Miss Ink: The Documentary Series
Screen Australia has an...
24/01/2023
24 01 2023 - Media release Eight Australian projects bound for Berlinale 2023 wi...
23/01/2023
23 01 2023 - Media release Aussie feature A Savage Christmas filming now in Queensland
Writer/director Madeleine Dyer on the set of A Savage Christmas
Produc...
20/12/2022
20 12 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1.2 million of development funding
Just Chidi Things (L-R): Ana Tiwary, Chika Ikogwe, Rose Byrne.
Scr...
15/12/2022
15 12 2022 - Media release Six Australian screenwriters selected for the NCIS: S...
08/12/2022
08 12 2022 - Media release Four Australian films selected for Sundance Film Festival 2023
Noora Niasari's Shayda
Four Australian feature films will scree...
08/12/2022
08 12 2022 - Media release Screen Australia's Enterprise program returns in 2023
Sophie Hyde, Closer Productions
Screen Australia is pleased to announce ...
07/12/2022
07 12 2022 - Media release P-Plate comedy returns with Christmas special
Dylan Hesp in A Very Street Racer Christmas
Screen Australia and One Stone Pictures ...
07/12/2022
07 12 2022 - Media release Cameras set to wrap on Warwick Thorntons The New Boy
Aswan Reid on the set of The New Boy Photo by Ben King
Award-winning First ...
05/12/2022
05 12 2022 - Media release PARAMOUNT ANNOUNCES CAST OF THE APPLETON LADIES' POTATO RACE
Claire van der Boom
Claire van der Boom (Blacklight, Palm Beach)...
24/11/2022
24 11 2022 - Media release ABC announces Better Date Than Never
Better Date Than Never
Screen Australia and the ABC are thrilled to announce Better Date Tha...
24/11/2022
24 11 2022 - Media release ABC UNVEILS BOLD NEW DRAMA HOUSE OF GODS
House of Gods co-creator and writer Osamah Sami
Screen Australia and the ABC are pleased ...
24/11/2022
24 11 2022 - Media release Matt Okine and Denise Scott starring in reimagining of Mother and Son
Mother and Son's Matt Okine (Arthur) and Denise Scott (Ma...
22/11/2022
22 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia and AIDC announce Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch Initiative
Fresh Cuts Documenatry Pitch Initiative
Screen Australi...
21/11/2022
21 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia and Australian Writers Guild announce The Creators initiative
The Creators initiative
Screen Australia and the A...
15/11/2022
15 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok announce Every Voice 2022 recipients
(New Zealand Creatives L-R): Sonya Milford, Sherry Zhan...
10/11/2022
10 11 2022 - Media release Drama Report 2021/22: Record $2.29 billion spent on d...
02/11/2022
02 11 2022 - Media release SBS commissions bold new Australian drama anthology Erotic Stories
Top (L-R) Niki Aken, Tamara Asmar, Alistair Baldwin, Christine B...
28/10/2022
28 10 2022 - Media release Six screen creatives announced for Emerging Writers' Incubator initiative
Top (L-R) Skye Leon, Patrick Hogan, Aven Yap
Bottom ...
14/10/2022
14 10 2022 - Media release Instagram and Screen Australia announce recipients of...
13/10/2022
13 10 2022 - Media release Spooktacular' new series The Spooky Files commissioned by ABC and BBC
(From top left): Guy Edmonds, Matt Zeremes, Paul Watters...
27/09/2022
27 09 2022 - Media release Nine Australian writers set to accelerate their proje...
27/09/2022
27 09 2022 - Media release New drama series Prosper announced for Stan
Lingo Pictures Jason Stephens and Helen Bowden
Stan and Lionsgate have commissioned th...
26/09/2022
26 09 2022 - Media release Screen Australia launches NCIS: Sydney Script Department Program
Image of Sydney Skyline / Shutterstock
Screen Australia has today...
14/09/2022
14 09 2022 - Media release New drama Human Error greenlit for 9Network
Writers Gregor Jordan, Greg Haddrick and Samantha Winston
Screen Australia and 9Networ...
12/09/2022
12 09 2022 - Media release $900k available for online creators to Skip Ahead
Documentary Bad River funded through Skip Ahead.
Applications are now open for t...
07/09/2022
07 09 2022 - Media release Applications open for Screen Australia's Games: Expansion Pack fund
Bits & Bops
Screen Australia has announced the Games: Expa...
06/09/2022
19 07 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $4 million for 30 gam...
01/09/2022
01 09 2022 - Media release Four new documentaries announced for Stans Revealed strand
Danielle Laidley
Stan and Screen Australia today announced four brand n...
31/08/2022
31 08 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $12 million of production funding for 9 projects
Total Control
Screen Australia has announced four feat...
30/08/2022
30 08 2022 - Media release Untapped 2022 Participants Announced
Travis Akbar, AP Pobjoy, Alex Wu, Natasha Henry, Michael Hudson, Gina Song
Australians in Fil...
26/08/2022
26 08 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces Talent USA: New York recipients 2022
Vonne Patiag, Beck Cole, Ren e Webster
Screen Australia has announ...
25/08/2022
25 08 2022 - Media release Aunty Donna serves up their first narrative comedy series for ABC
Aunty Donna
The ABC and Screen Australia are thrilled to announ...
18/08/2022
18 08 2022 - Media release Five Australian projects selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2022
Blueback
Screen Australia congratulates the creativ...
17/08/2022
17 08 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $4 million of production funding for 13 documentaries
Rob Collins, The First Inventors
The Australian O...
15/08/2022
15 08 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1 million of story develo...
03/08/2022
03 08 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $2 million funding for 9 online projects
Ginger & the Vegesaurs series 2
Screen Australia has announced...
21/07/2022
21 07 2022 - Media release Screen Australia provides $4.4 million to local festi...
19/07/2022
19 07 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $4 million for 31 gam...
18/07/2022
18 07 2022 - Media release Production is underway as ABC ME is set to Turn Up The Volume
L-R: Elaine King as Ginger, Mira Russo as Breeze, Ayiana Ncube as Jam...
28/06/2022
28 06 2022 - Media release Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok announce the r...
21/06/2022
21 06 2022 - Media release Impact Australia returns to Melbourne
Impact Founders Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Tyler Mitchell
The highly coveted screenwriter acc...
14/06/2022
14 06 2022 - Media release AFI announces 2022 Screen Australia-AAA-Onbass Fellow
The AFI Conservatory, Julia Corcoran
The American Film Institute (AFI) has a...
30/05/2022
30 05 2022 - Media release Comedy, crime, coming of age among this year's Digital Originals contenders
Digital Original series A Beginner's Guide to G...
27/05/2022
27 05 2022 - Media release Loss and laughs collide in new ABC series Limbo
Writers Lucas Taylor and Tamara Asmar
Ghosts, grief, loss and laughs will collide ...
23/05/2022
23 05 2022 - Media release Noora Niasaris feature film debut Shayda announced
Writer/director Noora Niasari (Photo credit: Sherwin Akbarzadeh)
From a unique ...
18/05/2022
18 05 2022 - Media release Eric Bana and the team behind box office hit The Dry return for Force of Nature
The Dry
Made Up Stories, Screen Australia and VicS...
10/05/2022
10 05 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $5.5 million of production funding for eight projects
Online series No Ordinary Love
Screen Australia h...
26/04/2022
26 04 2022 - Media release SBS Emerging Writers' Incubator returns for Australian screenwriters
2021 writers (top L-R) Sebastian Chan, L le Teoman, Nichol...