Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a sector unafraid to innovate and speak with authentic voices

Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a sector unafraid to innovate and speak with authentic voices 24 February 2026

Screen Australia has today announced 44 documentaries that will share in $5.6 million across production and development funding - projects that reflect the depth and diversity of Australian stories.

Projects include Australian and New Zealand co-production Atomic Paradise, major series TAMPA: The Ship That Turned the Tide from award-winning producers at Mint Pictures, The Man Who Ate a Succulent Chinese Meal exploring the figure behind the internet meme sensation, and YouTube series Tastes of Africa and The Wombat Guy.

Screen Australia Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston said, From brave historical interrogations and intimate character studies to timely geopolitical examinations, natural history epics and fresh digital first storytelling, these stories reflect a sector unafraid to innovate and to speak with authentic and diverse voices.

The projects also speak to the curiosity, craft and ambition of Australian documentarians - it's a privilege to support these teams as they bring unique perspectives to local and global audiences.

Some of the supported projects include:

TAMPA: The Ship That Turned the Tide: From the multi-award-winning producers at Mint Pictures (When The War is Over, The Hunt for the Last Nazis), this series is an in-depth look at the Tampa crisis' - the dramatic eight-day showdown at sea that triggered a diplomatic standoff between Canberra, Jakarta and Oslo. Major production investment from the ABC and Screen Australia, financed with support from Screen NSW. International distribution by ABC Commercial.

Atomic Paradise: From award-winning First Nations director John Harvey (Still We Rise, Off Country), Emmy Award-nominated producer Sally Aitken (Every Little Thing, Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles) and executive producer Aline Jacques (Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles), Atomic Paradise is a cinematic experience that reclaims the Pacific's nuclear testing history through a First Nations lens. A co-production with New Zealand, this bold and unflinching feature is financed with principal production funding from Screen Australia with production support from the Shark Island Foundation and Screen NSW. Local distribution by Umbrella ANZ.

Empire In Colour: An Australian/Canadian Official Co-production, Empire In Colour is led by Emmy Award-winning producer Jo-anne McGowan (Edge of Life, River) and directed by John Harvey (Still We Rise) in Australia and by Sundance and Peabody Award-winning, Emmy-nominated Canadian filmmakers Catherine Bainbridge and Ernest Webb from Rezolution Pictures. Developed in conjunction with SBS and Canadian public education broadcaster TVO, the four-part series uses newly colourised archival footage to explore the lasting impact of the British Empire, prompting an honest exploration with its legacy. Empire In Colour received major production investment from Screen Australia and SBS and was financed with support from Screen NSW, TVO and TFO with support from the Canadian Media Fund. It will be distributed locally by SBS, with international sales by Fremantle.

Tina Arena: Unravel Me: Acclaimed director and Wonnarua man Adrian Russell Wills (Black Divaz), executive producer Mark Fennessey (Mystify: Michael Hutchence) and producer Jessica Carrera (Paper Dolls) unravel five extraordinary decades of pop icon Tina Arena's career, revealing a life devoted to music. Principal production funding from Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW and the Seven Network.

The Man Who Ate a Succulent Chinese Meal: Multi-award winning director/producer Heath Davis (Book Week) and producer Jonathan Page (Knowing the Score), together with Ruth Harrison and Tim Randall in their filmmaking debut, tell the shocking life story of an internet icon propelled to global fame after his theatrical arrest eating a succulent Chinese meal . Principal production funding from Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW. Local distribution by Bonsai Films.

Tastes of Africa: From producer and 2025 Digital Originals recipient Kauthar Abdulalim (Salma's Season) and emerging writer/director Rendah Haj (Hayat) comes Tastes of Africa. Hosted by Santilla Chingaipe, this online/direct-to-audience series for YouTube takes viewers across Melbourne's kitchens, community cook-ups and hidden eateries, guided by the traditional wisdom of aunties and younger African-Australians boldly reinterpreting recipes. Principal production funding from Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen.

The Wombat Guy: Directed by Tahnee McGuire (Strong Women) and produced by the all-female Queensland collective Five Storey Films (Rebecca McElroy, Emma Sargent, Jenine Olliver and Anna Jeffries), The Wombat Guy tells the story of shiftworking sparky and passionate wildlife rescuer Josh Neille. With his boundless energy and humour, Josh, his wife Amber and their spirited daughter Ashlee rehabilitate a menagerie of wildlife on their rural hobby farm. Created for social media, this ambitious 24-part series received principal production funding from Screen Australia, with support from Canadian production company Open Door. Developed with the assistance of Screen Queensland.

This is Amy Taylor: Writer/director Eddie Martin (All This Mayhem) follows the frontwoman of punk band Amyl and the Sniffers in This is Amy Taylor. Produced by Shannon Swan (Gurrumul, Lygon Street: Si Parla Italiano) and executive produced by Cody Greenwood (Under the Volcano), the feature received development funding.

MOONSHOT: From award-winning writer/director/producer Anna Broinowski (Aim High in Creation!), executive producer Tim White (Beast), story consultant Alex Proyas (The Crow) and producers Media Stockade (Mozart'

LINK:	https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/screen-australia-announces-funding-...
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