11 12 2019 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1.9 million for 11 documentaries
Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson (Photo: Fran Moore)
Screen Australia has announced $1.9 million in production funding for 10 documentaries through the Producer program and one through the Commissioned program.
The slate includes a feature documentary celebrating iconic fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson; a three-part exploration of contemporary Indigenous art; and a new series for SBS about domestic violence in Australia.
Bernadine Lim, Screen Australia's Head of Documentary said, We are thrilled to support these documentaries from around the country, with stories that celebrate iconic Australians including retailer Franco Cozzo, designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson, and tennis champion Jelena Dokic.
This slate is set to shine a light on crucial and timely issues of family violence and the environment, and explore art and science through innovative storytelling technology.
The Documentary Producer Projects include
Art of Australia and the Pacific (working title): A three-part series from Wildbear Entertainment and Frame Up Films about Indigenous art from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific - from its deep origins and tumultuous histories, to its rise to global prominence today. This series will be presented by actor and dancer Aaron Pedersen and art historian Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, who will embark on a global journey together to explore the power of contemporary Indigenous artists and the traditions on which they draw. The creative team features writer/director Larissa Behrendt (After the Apology) along with writer/producers Dena Curtis (Ella) and Owen Hughes (The Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neill), producer Alan Erson (There Goes Our Neighbourhood) and executive producer Michael Tear (Waltzing the Dragon). This project is financed with support from NZ On Air.
Audrey & Me: A feature documentary that tells the story of Miriam, a Warlpiri woman in Alice Springs, and her adoptive mother and Aboriginal matriarch Audrey. Miriam has been released from prison and is determined to end a cycle of violence and incarceration, while Audrey searches for answers about the sons she lost 40 years ago. The two women return to their traditional homeland to help navigate a new beginning. This documentary will be written, directed and produced by Penelope McDonald (Buckskin). McDonald will team up with cinematographer Dylan River and producers Trisha Morton-Thomas and Rachel Clements who previously worked together on Finke: There & Back. This project is financed with support from NITV.
Dark Water: Battle on the Franklin: A feature documentary about one of the most significant environmental campaigns in Australian history, the saving of Tasmania's Franklin River in the 1970s. The story will be told by young Tasmanian Oliver Cassidy, who follows in the activists' footsteps and embarks on a solo rafting pilgrimage down the Franklin. This documentary will be directed and co-written by Kasimir Burgess (The Leunig Fragments) and co-written by Claire Smith (Catalyst series 14-16). It will be produced by Chris Kamen (Small is Beautiful), line produced by Annie Venables (Bespoke) and co-produced by Oliver Cassidy. This project is developed with the assistance of Screen Tasmania.
Jenny & Linda (working title): A feature documentary from Blackfella Films about designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson, two women who sparked a revolution in Australian fashion and took on the world. Celebrating the women's friendship of over 45 years, this documentary will be directed by Amanda Blue (Deep Water The Real Story) and written by Jacob Hickey (Filthy Rich & Homeless). It will be produced by Darren Dale (The Tall Man) and Fran Moore (Peter Allen: The Boy from Oz). This project is financed with support from the National Gallery of Australia.
Palazzo di Cozzo: The first feature documentary from writer/director Madeleine Martiniello (The Unmissables) that presents a portrait of beloved Melbourne furniture store owner, Franco Cozzo. Cozzo, a post-war Sicilian migrant and aspiring entertainer who arrived in the 1950s and soon became a household name through his iconic television ads, now strives to secure his legacy as Australia and his clientele change around him. This project will be produced by Film Camp's Philippa Campey and Samantha Dinning whose credits include No Time for Quiet and The Leunig Fragments. It is developed with assistance from Film Victoria and financed with support from Sharmill Films, The Post Lounge and Film Victoria.
Star Dreaming: A 45-minute documentary which explores Indigenous sky stories as seen through the eyes of Yamaji Artists from the mid-west region of Western Australia, and explains the science behind them with the assistance of the world's largest radio telescope. Told from the perspective of two children, this project fuses live action with CGI animation to create a cinematic experience for 180-degree dome cinemas. Star Dreaming will be made in collaboration with the Yamaji Art Centre and will be directed by Perun Bonser (Blight). Bonser is joined by producer Julia Redwood and executive producers Ed Punchard, Jules Fortune and Ian Booth of Prospero Productions, whose credits include Whale Super Highway and Martin Clunes: Islands of Australia. This project is produced with support from Screenwest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund, and financed with support from Curtin University.
The Fun of Fear VR: An immersive VR documentary that explores the history and science of fear as entertainment, delving into why people are so willing to spend money on being scared witless by horror films, games and books. The creative team includes writer/director Lester Francois, and producers Erinn Stevenson and Anna Brady who previously teamed up on
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
30/04/2026
SBS & NITV LEAD NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026 WITH LANDMARK GULPILIL DOCUMEN...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
19/03/2026
Silicon Valley satire The Audacity premieres 15 April on SBS and SBS On Demand
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From one of the writer/producers of Succession...
19/03/2026
SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual ...
19/03/2026
Clarification from SBS regarding Western Sydney expansion
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From an SBS spokesperson:
SBS wishes to clarify some media coverag...
19/03/2026
Techtel announces inctrl : web-based production control for content creators, co...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...
12/03/2026
AFL and NITV partner to launch new First Nations led program Inside the Huddle&...
06/03/2026
Statement on the appointment of Dr Nicholas Pappas AM as SBS Chair
6 March, 2026
Media releases
The SBS Board and Executive have welcomed the appointment o...
05/03/2026
SBS and Mint Pictures to chronicle the Bondi terror attack in major feature docu...
05/03/2026
Winter Olympic stars return to the ice for ISU World Figure Skating Championship...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
02/03/2026
Global powerhouse Delta Goodrem to represent Australia at this year's Eurovi...
02/03/2026
SBS brings together prominent voices to discuss rising social division and seek ...
02/03/2026
NITV Unveils Wednesday Night Sport Night
2 March, 2026
Media releases
A Midweek Hub for Blak Sport
Flagship NRL program Over The Black Dot moves to Wednes...
02/03/2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia launch joint UK market initiative 2 March 2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia have announced Partner with Australia (UK), a new init...
27/02/2026
Screen Australia announces Rachel Perkins as Director of First Nations Strategy 27 February 2026
Screen Australia has today announced the appointment of Rachel...
18/02/2026
SBS brings Australians together to mark Ramadan and Eid with communities nationw...
16/02/2026
SBS's Powerhouse Current Affairs Line-up is Back with the Conversations and ...
12/02/2026
Our Medicine S2: Frontline Medicine Through A Blak Lens
12 February, 2026
Media releases
A Bigger, Bolder Second Series showcasing First Nations Frontline ...
11/02/2026
ABS Strengthens Ku-Band Capacity and Expands Regional Reach Through Strategic Pa...
10/02/2026
World-first opt-out function now fully integrated on SBS On Demand
10 February, 2026
Media releases
SBS has announced a suite of audience-first enhancement...
09/02/2026
SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026
9 February, 2026
Media releases
The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising invent...
04/02/2026
Queer Renegades: SBS Audio's new podcast reclaiming Australia's queer hi...
03/02/2026
The smash-hit series The Hospital: In the Deep End returns to shine a spotlight ...
02/02/2026
SBS's High-Flying Drama The Airport Chaplain casts Hugo Weaving alongside Th...
30/01/2026
Introducing the NEW Techtel.tv! | FEB 5% OFF Offer
30 Jan Written By Suzanne Costello
Our Website & Online Store: Now Unified for a Seamless Experience.We&#...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
11 12 2019 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1.9 million for 11 documentaries 
