convergent television: DOCUMENTARies
INTERNATIONAL program

The International Documentary Program supports Australian projects with international finance as well as a domestic broadcast licence fee.

Screen Australia expects the project to be made available on at least one digital media platform other than broadcast television (free-to-air or subscription). At a minimum, this could be a catch-up television service, but producers are also encouraged to consider mobile or other online platforms as part of their release strategy.

Funding allocation: $3.5 million for 2011/12 to be distributed in three rounds. Funds remaining after the final round will be reallocated to the final round of the General Documentary Program and subject to the provisions of that program.

To encourage domestic support of projects with international finance and help producers enhance their business sustainability, domestic broadcast attachments for this program are not subject to the funding split formula which applies to the domestic programs (NDP and GDP).

Browse the guidelines below,
or download as a PDF at right

Eligibility

Format and duration

Both one-off projects and series are eligible.

Screen Australia will not fund more than 26 broadcast hours of any one program, which may include multiple series. (This includes hours already funded as of 30 June 2011.)

Marketplace attachment requirements

The project must have a confirmed international sales agent, as well as an international territory presale and/or an advance from the sales agent. The combined value of the international presale and/or advance from the sales agent must equal at least 10 per cent of the budget;

A local presale for Australian free-to-air or subscription television rights is also required, with a minimum licence fee of $120,000 per broadcast hour.

This floor price must not include:

• any equity component for the domestic broadcaster
  
• broadcast rights for New Zealand or another Rest of World territory;
  
• subscription television or exclusive satellite rights (if the presale is to a free-to-air broadcaster), or free-to-air rights (if the presale is to subscription television).
  

Whilst international distribution guarantees from a domestic broadcaster are welcome they do not qualify as the international contribution.

Screen Australia will not reduce the domestic broadcaster licence fee even where projects have a more substantial international marketplace attachment.

Project funding available

There is no absolute cap on Screen Australia funding under this program. However, limits apply to the level of direct funding as a proportion of the project’s budget; these limits are set out in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.

Budget requirements

Budgets should earmark a minimum of $15,000 for the first hour and $5,000 per subsequent hour for promotions and marketing purposes. Line items for specific promotional materials must include professional stills photography and press kit. For other budget requirements, see General information for applicants.

Investment decision-making

Applications are considered by Screen Australia executives, with industry specialists consulted as required. Investment decisions will be made against the following criteria and in the context of Screen Australia's published investment and slate management principles:

• strength of the proposal, including its national and cultural significance;  
  
• the project’s potential to connect with its target audience;
  
• track record and capacity of the creative team;
  
• strength of the marketplace (ie level of co-finance excluding Screen Australia and the state agencies);
  
• diversity of slate, including balance of one-off documentaries and series.
  

Preference will be given to original formats over programs based on foreign formats.

Screen Australia will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application. Where an application is unsuccessful, the reasons will be conveyed to the applicant, with a written statement of reasons provided on request.

Terms of Trade

Details of Screen Australia and NFSA delivery items, recoupment, rights and other requirements, including special requirement for projects that involve Indigenous Australians, are available in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.
Refer to Doing Business with Us for more information about the Terms of Trade and Screen Australia’s funding agreements for documentary production.

[These guidelines were issued on 3 May 2011.]