DOCUMENTARies
Domestic and International

Domestic program

Under this program, Screen Australia provides investment in Australian documentaries to match a domestic broadcaster’s licence fee. Where a producer brings third-party finance to a project it can be used to enhance the budget, but the percentage contributions of the broadcaster and Screen Australia must remain equal.

There is no cap on the number of projects per broadcaster.

Screen Australia’s investment will not exceed:

• $200,000 for a one-off program
  
• $500,000 for a series
  

There are also limits on the level of funding as a proportion of the project’s budget; these limits are set out in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.

Screen Australia will only invest more than the above in a one-off program or a series in exceptional circumstances.

Because projects financed through the domestic program often deal with specifically Australian stories and issues, no international marketplace attachments are required to trigger Screen Australia funding. Producers are encouraged to develop a marketing strategy for international sales.

The program can also provide post-production completion funding with a domestic broadcaster licence fee.

International program

Screen Australia will invest in projects which meet the following co-financing requirements:

• a licence fee of at least $110,000 per hour from a domestic network
  
• an international sales agent
  
• an international territory presale and/or an advance from an international sales agent, with a combined value of at least 10% of the budget.
  

Where projects have a more substantial international marketplace attachment Screen Australia may agree to some reduction in the domestic broadcaster licence fee, but consequently would expect to invest less.

As for the Domestic program, the limits on the level of funding as a proportion of the project’s budget are set out in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.

The program can also provide post-production completion funding.

Assessment

Where there are insufficient funds to meet demand from eligible projects, Screen Australia will take the following considerations into account:

• strength of marketplace (ie. major territory; percentage level of advance);
  
• percentage and quantum of non-Screen Australia finance;
  
• balance between one-off programs and series; and
  
• diversity of slate.
  

In addition, starting with the November 2010 tranche, funds for the Domestic and International programs will be pooled. Preference will be given to International documentaries, but Screen Australia will assess all projects on their merits, taking into account:

• strength of proposal;
  
• production readiness, with all elements of production and finance plan in place;
  
• diversity of practitioners and broadcasters.

General considerations

Enhancement: Where a documentary producer indicates that there is a possibility for an enhancement (eg, feature-length version for television or extension into series), Screen Australia requires that an increase to the domestic licence fee be negotiated with the broadcaster and approved by Screen Australia prior to Screen Australia increasing its investment.

Budget notes: Marketing allowances (to be approved by Screen Australia) for incorporation into the production budget are:

• up to $10,000 for Domestic Program documentaries
• up to $15,000 for International Program projects.

[Page updatead 20 July 2010]