Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Screen Australia announces $2.3 million for 10 documentaries

14/07/2021

14 07 2021 - Media release Screen Australia announces $2.3 million for 10 documentaries

Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach (The Age, photo by Sandy Scheltema. Courtesy of Wash My Soul Productions)

Screen Australia has announced $2.3 million of documentary production funding for eight projects through the Producer Program and two projects through the Commissioned Program.

The projects include feature documentaries about Australian music icons John Farnham, Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, and legendary racehorse WINX; as well as Embrace Kids, a follow up to hit 2016 documentary Embrace.

Alex West, Head of Documentary at Screen Australia said, We're proud to announce this impressive mix of projects which rounds out our documentary funding for 2020/21. It's great to support so many feature documentaries covering a range of exciting topics, including shining a light on a number of Australian icons, and I'm confident they will captivate audiences.

The Commissioned projects are:

Nurses: A 10-part series from ITV Studios Australia for the Seven Network about the nurses in NSW - save a life, you re a hero. Save 100 lives, you re a nurse. With privileged access to three of Sydney's busiest hospitals, this documentary will shine a light on the diverse workforce and the life-or-death decisions they make every day. Director/producer Lisa Storer (Medicine or Myth?) is joined by producer Lexi Landsman (Australia's Deadliest) and executive producers Ben Ulm (Who Gets to Stay in Australia?) and Steve Bibb (Great Southern Land).

Outback Ringer series 2: A seven-part series from Ronde Media for the ABC about the families that risk their lives catching feral bulls and buffalo in the Australian Outback. Returning for series 2 are series producer Liam Taylor, series director (field) Tom Lawrence, producer Jess Brown (The Secret Life of Four Year Olds) and executive producer Ben Davies. They are joined by producer Cian McCue. This project has received production investment from the ABC.

The Producer Program projects are:

Embrace Kids: A feature documentary from filmmaker and activist Taryn Brumfitt, following on from her breakout documentary Embrace which explored the global issue of negative body image. Written, directed and produced by Taryn, this film will focus on why 70% of Australian school kids consider body image to be their number one concern, and what can be done about it. The creative team includes producers Anna Vincent (Chasing Wonders) and Bonnie McBride (Demonic) and the executive producers are comedian Celeste Barber, actor Teresa Palmer and Natasha Stott Despoja AO, Australia's former Ambassador for Women and Girls. This project is financed with support from the South Australian Film Corporation and is being distributed in ANZ by Transmission Films.

Gloriavale: A feature documentary about the infamous Gloriavale Christian Community and the institutional failures that have allowed one of the world's biggest and longest running cults to continue. Told through the personal journey of a man fighting to save his family, the film follows a group of unlikely heroes as they interrogate accusations of abuse and modern day slavery within this isolated community. Gloriavale is written, directed and produced by Noel Smyth and Fergus Grady who previously collaborated on Camino Skies. The executive producers are Kim Ingles (Impact Producer on The Australian Dream) and Richard Fletcher (This Could Go Anywhere).

Ithaka: A feature documentary that follows Julian Assange's father John Shipton as he teams up with Assange's fianc and legal advisor, Stella Moris to fight to free his son. Directed by Ben Lawrence whose 2018 documentary Ghosthunter won Best Documentary at Sydney Film Festival, this film is produced by Assange's half-brother Gabriel Shipton (Emu Runner) along with Moris's brother Adrian Devant. This project is financed with support from Film Victoria and will premiere at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival.

John Farnham Finding the Voice: A feature documentary about John Farnham's life and career, his journey to find an artistic voice and become one of Australia's most beloved performers. This project is the feature debut from director Poppy Stockell (Miracle Hospital), who teams up with producer Olivia Hoopmann (Destination Flavour China) and executive producer Martin Fabinyi and writer/executive producer Paul Clarke whose credits together include Blood Thunder The Story of Alberts, and Whitlam: The Power and the Passion. This project is supported by the ABC and Sony Pictures.

Knowing the Score: A feature documentary from Serendipity Productions centred on trailblazer Simone Young, the first woman to be Chief Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in its 90-year history. Getting up close and personal with Young, this documentary also explores gender parity in the classical music industry and the impact of COVID-19 on the arts more broadly. The creative team features writer/director Janine Hosking (The Eulogy), director Simon Target (The Talented Mr Stone), producer Margaret Bryant (Who Do You Think You Are?) and executive producer Jonathan Page (In My Blood It Runs). This project is supported by Autlook Distribution, Bonsai Films, the ABC, Arte, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and philanthropy via Documentary Australia Foundation.

The Giants: A feature documentary that paints a cinematic portrait of environmentalist Bob Brown intertwined with the Forest. This film draws on emerging science about trees and Brown's life of activism to inspire a new chapter in our relationship with trees. The creative team features General Strike director/producer Laurence Billiet and executive producer Helen Panckhurst of Matchbox Pictures, who previously collaborated on FREEMAN. This project is developed with assistance from
LINK: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2021/07-14-scr...
See more stories from screenaustralia

Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories

09/07/2025

Explore Love Without Limits in a bold, funny and unapologetic SBS Audio podcast about love, intimacy and disability

Explore Love Without Limits in a bold, funny and unapologetic SBS Audio podcast ...

08/07/2025

SBS strengthens commitment to inclusion with new commissioning guidelines

SBS strengthens commitment to inclusion with new commissioning guidelines 8 July, 2025 Media releases SBS has launched new Commissioning Inclusion Guidelin...

08/07/2025

Secrets, Spies and Sabotage: 40 years on, SBS podcast investigates historic bombing of Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior

Secrets, Spies and Sabotage: 40 years on, SBS podcast investigates historic bomb...

07/07/2025

SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM

SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM 7 July, 2025 Media releases Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in Febru...

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...