Screen Australia has today announced $5.6 million in production and development funding for 44 documentaries that reflect the depth and diversity of Australian stories.
Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary, Richard Huddleston, said: “From brave historical interrogations and intimate character studies to timely geopolitical examinations, natural history epics and fresh digital‑first storytelling, these stories reflect a sector unafraid to innovate and to speak with authentic and diverse voices.
“The projects also speak to the curiosity, craft and ambition of Australian documentarians – it’s a privilege to support these teams as they bring unique perspectives to local and global audiences.”
Projects include Australian and New Zealand co-production “Atomic Paradise,” from award-winning Firt Nations director John Harvey, which reclaims the Pacific’s nuclear testing history through a First Nations lens.
Also receiving funding is major series “TAMPA: The Ship That Turned the Tide” from award-winning producers at Mint Pictures. The series provides an in-depth look at the Tampa Crisis, the dramatic eight-day showdown at sea that triggered a diplomatic standoff between Canberra, Jakarta, and Oslo.
Also among the recipients is “The Man Who Ate a Succulent Chinese Meal” exploring the figure behind the internet meme sensation, documentaries about Tina Arena and Amyl and the Sniffers’ Amy Taylor, and YouTube series “Tastes of Africa” and “The Wombat Guy.” The full list is available here.
This marks the latest investment into local production and storytelling from Screen Australia. In September, it gave 46 local projects $12.8 million in funding, including Rob Connolly’s “Shiver”, the first Australian narrative feature film to shoot in Antarctica.
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It also recently announced an expansion of its market and audience plan, with added support for the Australian film industry to reach audiences and fresh opportunities for distributors to increase project discoverability and engagement in the local market.