DOCUMENTARies
special documentary program

Screen Australia intends to apply part of its annual documentary funds for the production of documentaries with no requirement for market attachments.

The program can also provide post-production funds.

Eligibility

The Special Documentary Fund was established to allow filmmakers to make projects that sit outside the remit of the broadcasters. Projects that are bold in form and/or content, with a strong creative vision, are encouraged to apply. They can be local stories or international stories with Australian authorship.

A producer can apply with multiple projects, but each project must have a different director.

Investment decisions

Applications will be considered by a combination of Screen Australia executives and industry specialists as required. Screen Australia will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application, providing a brief statement of reasons.

Screen Australia will take the following considerations into account when deciding whether to invest in projects under this program:

• The creative team responsible for the project (producer, director, writer) according to (i) track record – past successes, relevant experience and achievements (ii) their demonstrated creative, technical and managerial capacity to deliver the project
  
• The script, treatment and project materials according to (i) the strength and distinctiveness of the idea, (ii) the quality of the writing, and (iii) the script or treatment’s readiness to proceed into production.
  
• The creative potential of a project according to (i) the creative team’s vision for the film, and (ii) the proposed participants.
  
• Audience potential – the project’s potential to reach its intended audience – according to (i) whether or not there is a clearly identified target audience for the film, (ii) the distribution strategy for Australia,
  (iii) where relevant, the international distribution strategy, and (iv) the cross platform strategy.
  
• Project viability – budget and financing strategy – according to (i) the viability of the proposed budget in relation to achieving the creative team’s stated goals and vision for the project, (ii) the viability of the proposed financing structure and production schedule.
  

The level of Screen Australia’s funding commitment will be determined taking into account the above considerations and the amount of funds available in Screen Australia’s budget at the time.

Level of funding

The allocation for each project is expected to be in the vicinity of $150,000 but, at the discretion of Screen Australia, may be up to $300,000. Priority will be given to those projects which could be successfully completed within the available $150,000–$300,000 budget.

Where a project’s budget reaches the eligibility threshold for the Producer Offset, arrangements with the producer will be negotiated on a case by case basis.

Note that for all documentary projects approved after 1 March 2010, Screen Australia funding of $200,000 or under will be provided as a grant, rather than recoupable investment.