Directors Akhim Dev and Simon Nasht’s The Children in the Pictures goes inside the Queensland Police Service’s Argos, a renowned police investigative team that go undercover to rescue children from online sexual abuse.
Produced by Tony Wright, the project also explores how also investigates how Big Tech platforms have become havens for abusers, and how more and more child sexual abuse material is being produced by children themselves, often after being groomed, manipulated or extorted by perpetrators online.
Brisbane, the home of Argos, will host a premiere screening at Dendy Coorparoo September 19, with host Kay McGrath, Dev; and guest speakers Detective Inspector Jon Rouse and Commander Hilda Sirec from the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (Accce); and Paul Griffiths, head of VIctim identification Unit at Argos taking part in a Q&a after the film. A virtual premiere event will also be streamed...
Produced by Tony Wright, the project also explores how also investigates how Big Tech platforms have become havens for abusers, and how more and more child sexual abuse material is being produced by children themselves, often after being groomed, manipulated or extorted by perpetrators online.
Brisbane, the home of Argos, will host a premiere screening at Dendy Coorparoo September 19, with host Kay McGrath, Dev; and guest speakers Detective Inspector Jon Rouse and Commander Hilda Sirec from the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (Accce); and Paul Griffiths, head of VIctim identification Unit at Argos taking part in a Q&a after the film. A virtual premiere event will also be streamed...
- 9/14/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Own The Sky’.
Director Gregory Read (Like Minds) describes the process of creating his recent project, feature documentary Own The Sky, as “chaos in the best possible form”.
The doc follows an old school friend of Read’s, David Mayman, on his quest to build and fly the world’s first jetpack. Along the way, Mayman faces setback after setback, including crashes and injury, though his obsession rarely abates.
Read first rolled camera back 2007, never quite knowing what to expect or if Mayman’s ambitions would ever come to be realised. At times, the process of completing the doc was uncertain as process of creating the jetpack itself.
Ultimately Own The Sky became a consuming, 12 year journey, one that meant Read would often have to travel at the drop of a hat to wherever Mayman was conducting tests, from Mexico to the Czech Republic.
All the while the filmmaker was...
Director Gregory Read (Like Minds) describes the process of creating his recent project, feature documentary Own The Sky, as “chaos in the best possible form”.
The doc follows an old school friend of Read’s, David Mayman, on his quest to build and fly the world’s first jetpack. Along the way, Mayman faces setback after setback, including crashes and injury, though his obsession rarely abates.
Read first rolled camera back 2007, never quite knowing what to expect or if Mayman’s ambitions would ever come to be realised. At times, the process of completing the doc was uncertain as process of creating the jetpack itself.
Ultimately Own The Sky became a consuming, 12 year journey, one that meant Read would often have to travel at the drop of a hat to wherever Mayman was conducting tests, from Mexico to the Czech Republic.
All the while the filmmaker was...
- 10/11/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Shane Warne.
Fourteen documentary projects – spanning a feature film about Shane Warne, a Vr project that traverses the historical expedition of Ernest Shackleton, to a short about Australia’s femme and butch scene in the 1950s – will share in $2.1 million of production funding from Screen Australia.
Twelve projects funded through the Producer Program, and two through the Commissioned Program.
Screen Australia head of documentary Bernadine Lim said,:“This is an exciting lineup of projects telling uniquely Australian stories across science, social issues, modern legends and even big cats, through different formats and media. It’s fantastic to support three co-productions which open up the teams to international opportunities in financing as well as audience reach.”
“The past few months have presented several challenges for the sector but it’s been great to see that many documentary projects have been able to continue production in some form, and we’re...
Fourteen documentary projects – spanning a feature film about Shane Warne, a Vr project that traverses the historical expedition of Ernest Shackleton, to a short about Australia’s femme and butch scene in the 1950s – will share in $2.1 million of production funding from Screen Australia.
Twelve projects funded through the Producer Program, and two through the Commissioned Program.
Screen Australia head of documentary Bernadine Lim said,:“This is an exciting lineup of projects telling uniquely Australian stories across science, social issues, modern legends and even big cats, through different formats and media. It’s fantastic to support three co-productions which open up the teams to international opportunities in financing as well as audience reach.”
“The past few months have presented several challenges for the sector but it’s been great to see that many documentary projects have been able to continue production in some form, and we’re...
- 6/3/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia-funded ‘Alick and Albert’ (Photo: Freshwater Pictures).
Screen Australia has decided to postpone the introduction of the revised documentary programs from July 1 until 2021, to the dismay of some factual filmmakers who wanted the new regime to happen sooner.
Announcing the move, Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “Documentary has a unique set of challenges in this current situation and many creators in this space were already operating in difficult circumstances. As such, my focus right now is on giving the documentary sector as much stability as possible.”
The existing documentary programs including the Producer Equity Program (Pep) will remain in place for the rest of 2020. The budget for documentary in 2019/20 remains unchanged and Mason said the documentary team headed by Bernadine Lim is now working on a very large number of new applications.
In a letter to Lim from 360 Degree Films’ Sally Ingleton on behalf of the Australian Independent Documentary Group,...
Screen Australia has decided to postpone the introduction of the revised documentary programs from July 1 until 2021, to the dismay of some factual filmmakers who wanted the new regime to happen sooner.
Announcing the move, Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “Documentary has a unique set of challenges in this current situation and many creators in this space were already operating in difficult circumstances. As such, my focus right now is on giving the documentary sector as much stability as possible.”
The existing documentary programs including the Producer Equity Program (Pep) will remain in place for the rest of 2020. The budget for documentary in 2019/20 remains unchanged and Mason said the documentary team headed by Bernadine Lim is now working on a very large number of new applications.
In a letter to Lim from 360 Degree Films’ Sally Ingleton on behalf of the Australian Independent Documentary Group,...
- 4/16/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Australia Come Fly With Me’ (Photo credit: WildBear Entertainment).
Australia’s documentary makers are less affected by production shutdowns than most other sectors of the screen industry – apart from the large cohort of animators who are still working remotely.
While some productions have been delayed or suspended, filming continues on a sizable number of projects and many are in post.
WildBear Entertainment, which has has 85 people working remotely, is delivering five shows including Australia Come Fly With Me for Sbs, Demolition Downunder for Network Ten and France’s Mediawan, and Bushfire Animal Rescue for PBS and Arte/Zdf.
“We had five projects that were about to commence shooting and these have been delayed, around 25 hours in total,” WildBear CEO Michael Tear tells If. We have another 19 projects in post or very close to delivery. On seven we are experiencing interruption or requiring some form of change to production methodology.
“We...
Australia’s documentary makers are less affected by production shutdowns than most other sectors of the screen industry – apart from the large cohort of animators who are still working remotely.
While some productions have been delayed or suspended, filming continues on a sizable number of projects and many are in post.
WildBear Entertainment, which has has 85 people working remotely, is delivering five shows including Australia Come Fly With Me for Sbs, Demolition Downunder for Network Ten and France’s Mediawan, and Bushfire Animal Rescue for PBS and Arte/Zdf.
“We had five projects that were about to commence shooting and these have been delayed, around 25 hours in total,” WildBear CEO Michael Tear tells If. We have another 19 projects in post or very close to delivery. On seven we are experiencing interruption or requiring some form of change to production methodology.
“We...
- 4/2/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Flickchicks’ ‘Bowled Over’ for Sbs’s ‘Untold Australia.’
The Australian International Documentary (Aid) group is urging Screen Australia to increase funding of single one-hours and feature documentaries.
This could be achieved by the agency reducing funding to broadcasters for format-based productions and by allocating a set percentage of its annual documentary spend ($16.26 million in 2018/19) on singles.
In response, Screen Australia reports it has 29 feature docs in various states of production which are yet to be released, compared with 27 TV docs, eight online and two Vr.
The group, which represents a broad church of factual producers, directors, writers and editors, supports the majority of Screen Australia’s proposed changes to docs funding guidelines.
The Aid welcomed the increase of up to $500,000 for development, the funds allocated to the Producer Program, reducing the cap for Commissioned Programs from $1 million to $750.000 and opening up funding to all major platforms.
However the group continues...
The Australian International Documentary (Aid) group is urging Screen Australia to increase funding of single one-hours and feature documentaries.
This could be achieved by the agency reducing funding to broadcasters for format-based productions and by allocating a set percentage of its annual documentary spend ($16.26 million in 2018/19) on singles.
In response, Screen Australia reports it has 29 feature docs in various states of production which are yet to be released, compared with 27 TV docs, eight online and two Vr.
The group, which represents a broad church of factual producers, directors, writers and editors, supports the majority of Screen Australia’s proposed changes to docs funding guidelines.
The Aid welcomed the increase of up to $500,000 for development, the funds allocated to the Producer Program, reducing the cap for Commissioned Programs from $1 million to $750.000 and opening up funding to all major platforms.
However the group continues...
- 1/8/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Graeme Mason.
Screen Australia expects to support the same number of documentary projects each year despite the proposed scrapping of the Producer Equity Program (Pep).
The Pep program had no qualitative controls and was becoming unsustainable due to the sheer volume of people who were trying to access that scheme, according to Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason.
Mason told a Senate Estimates committee in Canberra earlier this week that the creatively-assessed completion fund for low budget projects, which the agency is proposing to replace Pep, would help producers develop projects and at completion.
Asked by Labor Senator Anne Urquhart if the proposed funding regime may result in fewer projects getting assistance, Mason said: “It would be fair to say that some would not be eligible or would not be successful that could have been in the past.
“In the last two years the scheme was going so far over its...
Screen Australia expects to support the same number of documentary projects each year despite the proposed scrapping of the Producer Equity Program (Pep).
The Pep program had no qualitative controls and was becoming unsustainable due to the sheer volume of people who were trying to access that scheme, according to Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason.
Mason told a Senate Estimates committee in Canberra earlier this week that the creatively-assessed completion fund for low budget projects, which the agency is proposing to replace Pep, would help producers develop projects and at completion.
Asked by Labor Senator Anne Urquhart if the proposed funding regime may result in fewer projects getting assistance, Mason said: “It would be fair to say that some would not be eligible or would not be successful that could have been in the past.
“In the last two years the scheme was going so far over its...
- 10/24/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone’.
Screen Australia has announced $2 million in production funding for 11 documentary projects, seven through the Documentary Producer Program and four through the Commissioned Program.
They include two projects for Sbs’s documentary strand Untold Australia, a digital series on the recent climate strikes for Junkee Media, a short doco following transgender activist Georgie Stone from director Maya Newell, as well as feature documentary Democracy Project, exploring money in politics, written and directed by Craig Reucassel and presented by Christiaan Van Vuuren.
The funding announcement comes as the agency revises its documentary programs; industry has until this Sunday to provide feedback on proposed changes to guidelines.
Screen Australia head of documentary Bernadine Lim said, “We are thrilled to support such a range of projects from all over Australia that shed light on a number of critical issues including climate change, human rights, inclusion and wildlife protection.”
“It...
Screen Australia has announced $2 million in production funding for 11 documentary projects, seven through the Documentary Producer Program and four through the Commissioned Program.
They include two projects for Sbs’s documentary strand Untold Australia, a digital series on the recent climate strikes for Junkee Media, a short doco following transgender activist Georgie Stone from director Maya Newell, as well as feature documentary Democracy Project, exploring money in politics, written and directed by Craig Reucassel and presented by Christiaan Van Vuuren.
The funding announcement comes as the agency revises its documentary programs; industry has until this Sunday to provide feedback on proposed changes to guidelines.
Screen Australia head of documentary Bernadine Lim said, “We are thrilled to support such a range of projects from all over Australia that shed light on a number of critical issues including climate change, human rights, inclusion and wildlife protection.”
“It...
- 10/23/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Backtrack Boys’ director Catherine Scott is among those who spearheaded the campaign.
More than 250 filmmakers have co-signed an open letter calling for a “radical overhaul” of government policy in order to sustainably support the independent documentary sector now and into the future.
The letter, from the newly formed Australian Independent Documentary (Aid) group, argues that recent policy changes have undermined the viability of the independent documentary sector and its ability to produce distinct and original Australian content for both local and international audiences.
It calls variously for Screen Australia to work with the public broadcasters to create a dedicated strand on Australian public broadcast television for original Australian documentary, and for the federal agency to stop allocating funds to foreign majority owned companies at development and production stage; to increase funding support for original Australian formats; recognise cinema-on-demand as a legitimate form of cinema distribution, and to establish a dedicated fund for international co-production.
More than 250 filmmakers have co-signed an open letter calling for a “radical overhaul” of government policy in order to sustainably support the independent documentary sector now and into the future.
The letter, from the newly formed Australian Independent Documentary (Aid) group, argues that recent policy changes have undermined the viability of the independent documentary sector and its ability to produce distinct and original Australian content for both local and international audiences.
It calls variously for Screen Australia to work with the public broadcasters to create a dedicated strand on Australian public broadcast television for original Australian documentary, and for the federal agency to stop allocating funds to foreign majority owned companies at development and production stage; to increase funding support for original Australian formats; recognise cinema-on-demand as a legitimate form of cinema distribution, and to establish a dedicated fund for international co-production.
- 3/5/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Essential Media’s ‘Living Universe’.
Tom Zubrycki is veteran Australian documentary filmmaker, who has directed and/or produced over 36 projects, including The Diplomat and Molly & Mobarak. The following is an extract from his new Platform Paper ‘The Changing Landscape of Australian Documentary’, published by Currency House and available at https://www.currencyhouse.org.au.
In recent years we have seen a radical shake out in the old television broadcast model. So what place will documentary have in this new factual environment? According to statistics released by Screen Australia, documentary series production rose from 295 hours in 2011–12 to 366 hours in 2016–17. Yet only 21 single title documentaries were shown on television or cable in 2016–17 compared to 51 five years earlier. This includes commissions and acquisitions.
The two public broadcasters are largely format and series driven; though they still commission a small number of one-offs. Sbs annually commissions four single documentaries for the Untold Australia series,...
Tom Zubrycki is veteran Australian documentary filmmaker, who has directed and/or produced over 36 projects, including The Diplomat and Molly & Mobarak. The following is an extract from his new Platform Paper ‘The Changing Landscape of Australian Documentary’, published by Currency House and available at https://www.currencyhouse.org.au.
In recent years we have seen a radical shake out in the old television broadcast model. So what place will documentary have in this new factual environment? According to statistics released by Screen Australia, documentary series production rose from 295 hours in 2011–12 to 366 hours in 2016–17. Yet only 21 single title documentaries were shown on television or cable in 2016–17 compared to 51 five years earlier. This includes commissions and acquisitions.
The two public broadcasters are largely format and series driven; though they still commission a small number of one-offs. Sbs annually commissions four single documentaries for the Untold Australia series,...
- 2/4/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Kriv Stenders on a recce for Wake In Fright in Broken Hill.
The Nsw Government has invested over $2 million to secure four new feature films, four television drama series and four factual TV series, as well as several one-off documentaries, a web series and a multiplatform project. The productions are predicted to create 1080 new screen jobs and generate a direct production spend of almost $35 million in Nsw. Included among them is Ten.s recently announced mini-series Wake In Fright, the first local production to be supported under the Screen Nsw.s $20 million Made in Nsw Fund. The other 15 productions are being supported through the Film Production Finance Fund. According to Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant the fund can now support many more local film and television productions because funds have been freed-up by the Made in Nsw Fund. The full list of funding recipients: Project: Ali's Wedding...
The Nsw Government has invested over $2 million to secure four new feature films, four television drama series and four factual TV series, as well as several one-off documentaries, a web series and a multiplatform project. The productions are predicted to create 1080 new screen jobs and generate a direct production spend of almost $35 million in Nsw. Included among them is Ten.s recently announced mini-series Wake In Fright, the first local production to be supported under the Screen Nsw.s $20 million Made in Nsw Fund. The other 15 productions are being supported through the Film Production Finance Fund. According to Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant the fund can now support many more local film and television productions because funds have been freed-up by the Made in Nsw Fund. The full list of funding recipients: Project: Ali's Wedding...
- 9/12/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Motorkite Dreaming.
New distribution start-up Screen Impact is premiering its first feature, Motorkite Dreaming, at the inaugural Hot Docs in Sydney this week..
The film follows two amateur adventurer mates and their fiancés as they complete a daring flight across 4000kms of outback Australia in .microlight. aircraft, described as "a hang-glider with a lawn-mower engine"..
Following festival screenings in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, the film will tour select cinemas nationally in August..
Later in the year, a five-part television version of the film will broadcast on Sbs 2 and Nitv.
.Motorkite Dreaming is a new way of story-telling using a new model to bring it to audiences,. said Screen Impact founder Simon Nasht. .It will be available in many formats, for many screens, when and where people want to enjoy it..
Screen Impact will be making the film available globally to digitally stream and download, while Red Bull will be screening...
New distribution start-up Screen Impact is premiering its first feature, Motorkite Dreaming, at the inaugural Hot Docs in Sydney this week..
The film follows two amateur adventurer mates and their fiancés as they complete a daring flight across 4000kms of outback Australia in .microlight. aircraft, described as "a hang-glider with a lawn-mower engine"..
Following festival screenings in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, the film will tour select cinemas nationally in August..
Later in the year, a five-part television version of the film will broadcast on Sbs 2 and Nitv.
.Motorkite Dreaming is a new way of story-telling using a new model to bring it to audiences,. said Screen Impact founder Simon Nasht. .It will be available in many formats, for many screens, when and where people want to enjoy it..
Screen Impact will be making the film available globally to digitally stream and download, while Red Bull will be screening...
- 6/27/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
New production company Pavillion Entertainment and Financing's first two projects - Motorkite Dreaming and Own the Sky - are now in advanced stages of production.
This comes six months after the company was established to finance and produce feature documentaries, scripted features based on true stories and blue chip documentaries for television.
Pavillion Entertainment & Finance was established by award winning producer Marcus Gillezeau (Storm Surfers 3D, Scorched). .
Gillezeau said: .Through the establishment of Pavilion we are providing a single destination for creatives to finance, produce and rights manage their factual productions and projects.. .The first two productions are:
The feature documentary Own the Sky chronicles one man.s quest to design, build and fly the world.s first jetpack. .
Filmed over ten years, filmmaker Greg Read follows the story of 80 year old inventor Nelson Tyler, test pilot Bill Suitor and Australian entrepreneur David Mayman as they attempt a spectacular jetpack...
This comes six months after the company was established to finance and produce feature documentaries, scripted features based on true stories and blue chip documentaries for television.
Pavillion Entertainment & Finance was established by award winning producer Marcus Gillezeau (Storm Surfers 3D, Scorched). .
Gillezeau said: .Through the establishment of Pavilion we are providing a single destination for creatives to finance, produce and rights manage their factual productions and projects.. .The first two productions are:
The feature documentary Own the Sky chronicles one man.s quest to design, build and fly the world.s first jetpack. .
Filmed over ten years, filmmaker Greg Read follows the story of 80 year old inventor Nelson Tyler, test pilot Bill Suitor and Australian entrepreneur David Mayman as they attempt a spectacular jetpack...
- 2/28/2016
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Aidc has selected two films to participate in the event's first-ever Impact Strategy Hack..
The Wake (Rowena Potts, Ella Rubeli, Tom Zubrycki) and Defiant Lives (Liz Bourke, Sarah Barton) were the two films selected..
The Wake is a story of how community leaders across Fiji are coming together to share the experience of relocation, and the threats and challenges these communities, and others in the world, are facing in the wake of climate change..
The Wake.
Defiant Lives.documents the emergence of disability activism since the post-war era, and the revolutionary changes that have allowed more disabled people to fully take part in society.
Defiant Lives.
Both were selected by a jury which included Alex Kelly (Impact Producer, This Changes Everything), who said:
"It was an honour - and quite a challenge - to be part of the selection team for the Aidc Impact Hack. There was an incredibly powerful...
The Wake (Rowena Potts, Ella Rubeli, Tom Zubrycki) and Defiant Lives (Liz Bourke, Sarah Barton) were the two films selected..
The Wake is a story of how community leaders across Fiji are coming together to share the experience of relocation, and the threats and challenges these communities, and others in the world, are facing in the wake of climate change..
The Wake.
Defiant Lives.documents the emergence of disability activism since the post-war era, and the revolutionary changes that have allowed more disabled people to fully take part in society.
Defiant Lives.
Both were selected by a jury which included Alex Kelly (Impact Producer, This Changes Everything), who said:
"It was an honour - and quite a challenge - to be part of the selection team for the Aidc Impact Hack. There was an incredibly powerful...
- 1/27/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Documentary musical Prison Songs and animated TV series God Squad each won three trophies at the 27th annual Wa Screen Awards.
Writer-director Jeffory Asselin.s Pinch was the surprise winner of. best feature film . drama, edging out Kill Me Three Times,. Paper Planes and The Reckoning.
The film revolves around a light-fingered teen who attempts to rip off a major drug syndicate to pay for his mother's life saving surgery.
Producer/director Lauren Brunswick received the $5,000 McKenna Hampton Young Filmmaker of the Year award.
Presented by Fti, the awards were handed out at the Heath Ledger Theatre on June 29, hosted by comedian Joel Creasey.
The Beyond West-produced Prison Songs by Kelrick Martin and Harry Bardwell took the prizes for best TV production . factual, best long form editing and sound. Martin also won the award for best long form direction..
God Squad by Troy Zafer and Nicholas Kempt was named best animation,...
Writer-director Jeffory Asselin.s Pinch was the surprise winner of. best feature film . drama, edging out Kill Me Three Times,. Paper Planes and The Reckoning.
The film revolves around a light-fingered teen who attempts to rip off a major drug syndicate to pay for his mother's life saving surgery.
Producer/director Lauren Brunswick received the $5,000 McKenna Hampton Young Filmmaker of the Year award.
Presented by Fti, the awards were handed out at the Heath Ledger Theatre on June 29, hosted by comedian Joel Creasey.
The Beyond West-produced Prison Songs by Kelrick Martin and Harry Bardwell took the prizes for best TV production . factual, best long form editing and sound. Martin also won the award for best long form direction..
God Squad by Troy Zafer and Nicholas Kempt was named best animation,...
- 6/30/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The latest rounds from Screen Australia.s Documentary Production Broadcast and Producer programs have seen 16 documentaries receive close to $4.4 million in funding..
This investment is expected to generate a total production expenditure of close to $16.7 million.
In a statement released to the media, Screen Australia.s Senior Manager, Documentary, Liz Stevens, said, .In the second round of the Producer program we are pleased to see producers aiming at ambitious and multi-layered release plans for stories that will appeal. The documentaries coming through the Broadcast program offer audiences good insights and a few surprises into many compelling Australian stories..
The Producer program enables filmmakers the flexibility to find the best pathway to their audience, whatever and whoever they might be.
The Documentary Production Producer and Broadcast programs now accept applications through the Online Application Portal. The next deadline for the Producer program is 18 September 2015. From 1 July 2015, the Broadcast program will accept applications at any time.
This investment is expected to generate a total production expenditure of close to $16.7 million.
In a statement released to the media, Screen Australia.s Senior Manager, Documentary, Liz Stevens, said, .In the second round of the Producer program we are pleased to see producers aiming at ambitious and multi-layered release plans for stories that will appeal. The documentaries coming through the Broadcast program offer audiences good insights and a few surprises into many compelling Australian stories..
The Producer program enables filmmakers the flexibility to find the best pathway to their audience, whatever and whoever they might be.
The Documentary Production Producer and Broadcast programs now accept applications through the Online Application Portal. The next deadline for the Producer program is 18 September 2015. From 1 July 2015, the Broadcast program will accept applications at any time.
- 6/16/2015
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Films include a collaboration between Sing Sing prison inmates and a leading contemporary dance company from Turner Prize nominated visual artist Phil Collins.
Scroll down for full list of projects
Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 5-10) has revealed the titles that will pitch for funding at its MeetMarket initiative, celebrating 10 years in 2015.
A total of 64 filmmaker teams from 19 countries will pitch to international and UK decision makers for research, development and production funding
At Crossover Market, which includes digital titles, a further 26 interactive projects from 12 countries will pitch in one-to-one meetings to a range of specialist decision makers.
Among the Crossover projects being pitched are the latest from Oscar Raby who won last year’s Interactive Audience Award with Assent; and Ram Devineni who attracted funding at last year’s Crossover Market and Tribeca New Media Fund for Priya’s Shakti.
New pitch opportunities this year include a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories commission for young filmmakers, the Guardian...
Scroll down for full list of projects
Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 5-10) has revealed the titles that will pitch for funding at its MeetMarket initiative, celebrating 10 years in 2015.
A total of 64 filmmaker teams from 19 countries will pitch to international and UK decision makers for research, development and production funding
At Crossover Market, which includes digital titles, a further 26 interactive projects from 12 countries will pitch in one-to-one meetings to a range of specialist decision makers.
Among the Crossover projects being pitched are the latest from Oscar Raby who won last year’s Interactive Audience Award with Assent; and Ram Devineni who attracted funding at last year’s Crossover Market and Tribeca New Media Fund for Priya’s Shakti.
New pitch opportunities this year include a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories commission for young filmmakers, the Guardian...
- 4/27/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
John Howard has long regarded Sir Robert Menzies, Australia.s longest-serving Prime Minister, as his political hero.
So when producers decided to make a two-part documentary on Australian politics and society during the Menzies era, Howard readily agreed to collaborate and serve as the presenter.
The ABC has commissioned Howard on Menzies, one of six projects which received more than $2.7 million in funding from the first round of Screen Australia.s Broadcast program.
.With my fellow exec producer Stuart Menzies (no relation) we approached Mr Howard and put a case that we believed that a film from him based largely on his recent book, The Menzies Era, would be a unique insight into history, leadership and political power,. writer-director Simon Nasht tells If. .We needed to convince him that we were a team that could be trusted with presenting his viewpoint, not inserting our own. Then the ABC needed to...
So when producers decided to make a two-part documentary on Australian politics and society during the Menzies era, Howard readily agreed to collaborate and serve as the presenter.
The ABC has commissioned Howard on Menzies, one of six projects which received more than $2.7 million in funding from the first round of Screen Australia.s Broadcast program.
.With my fellow exec producer Stuart Menzies (no relation) we approached Mr Howard and put a case that we believed that a film from him based largely on his recent book, The Menzies Era, would be a unique insight into history, leadership and political power,. writer-director Simon Nasht tells If. .We needed to convince him that we were a team that could be trusted with presenting his viewpoint, not inserting our own. Then the ABC needed to...
- 3/18/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Richard Todd.s feature documentary Frackman, which investigates the impact of the coal seam gas industry on residents' health and food and water resources, will have its world premiere on March 7. The location- the Byron Bay Film Festival Community Centre- is just one unconventional aspect of the innovative release being mapped out by producers Simon Nasht and Trish Lake. The producers are four-walling the film in 20 locations in Nsw in March, followed by a capital city theatrical release after Easter. In tandem with that, Frackman is being marketed by Tugg, the cinema-on-demand platform which is a co-venture between David Doepel.s Leap Frog Films and Tugg Us.
Indicating widespread community interest in the subject, the trailer has had 925,000 views on Facebook in just nine days. There was a sell-out preview on Tuesday night at the Net-work-play conference in Adelaide.
"Reps from Santos and the mining industry and even burly frackers...
Indicating widespread community interest in the subject, the trailer has had 925,000 views on Facebook in just nine days. There was a sell-out preview on Tuesday night at the Net-work-play conference in Adelaide.
"Reps from Santos and the mining industry and even burly frackers...
- 2/24/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has again rejected calls to cease funding projects from foreign-owned production companies but the aggrieved filmmakers are not giving up on their campaign.
.I expect that when the majority of screen producers understand what.s happening here (many still don.t) there will be considerable pressure brought to bear on Screen Australia to reconsider its current policy,. Andrew Ogilvie, Electric Pictures CEO and executive producer, tells If.
.Moreover I suspect the community's response will become only more vocal as the full effects of government cuts are felt across the industry. Whether this will be enough to affect change is to be seen. But I hope so for the sake of Australian screen culture..
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason responds, .Our main goal is to make great Australian screen content that reflects our culture and that resonates with audiences. We back projects that meet the Significant Australian Content test...
.I expect that when the majority of screen producers understand what.s happening here (many still don.t) there will be considerable pressure brought to bear on Screen Australia to reconsider its current policy,. Andrew Ogilvie, Electric Pictures CEO and executive producer, tells If.
.Moreover I suspect the community's response will become only more vocal as the full effects of government cuts are felt across the industry. Whether this will be enough to affect change is to be seen. But I hope so for the sake of Australian screen culture..
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason responds, .Our main goal is to make great Australian screen content that reflects our culture and that resonates with audiences. We back projects that meet the Significant Australian Content test...
- 12/18/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia invested more money in factual content than in TV drama and only slightly more in narrative features in the last financial year.
Yet the funding body recouped far less from documentaries than from drama and feature films.
That emerges from an analysis of Sa's annual report for 2013-2014 which was posted on its website in October but not widely disseminated.
In that period Screen Oz provided $74.5 million in direct funding in 196 projects with aggregate production budgets of $346 million.
Of that, $24 million was invested in 22 features with total budgets of $128.5 million. In TV, $11.8 million was invested in 11 dramas worth $92.6 million and $8.3 million in four children.s projects valued at $34 million. So the TV drama sector received $20.1 million.
Some $19.1 million was funnelled into 125 docs worth $57.8 million, including development and special initiatives such as Opening Shot and Think Big.
However of the money allocated to features, a total of $2.29 million went...
Yet the funding body recouped far less from documentaries than from drama and feature films.
That emerges from an analysis of Sa's annual report for 2013-2014 which was posted on its website in October but not widely disseminated.
In that period Screen Oz provided $74.5 million in direct funding in 196 projects with aggregate production budgets of $346 million.
Of that, $24 million was invested in 22 features with total budgets of $128.5 million. In TV, $11.8 million was invested in 11 dramas worth $92.6 million and $8.3 million in four children.s projects valued at $34 million. So the TV drama sector received $20.1 million.
Some $19.1 million was funnelled into 125 docs worth $57.8 million, including development and special initiatives such as Opening Shot and Think Big.
However of the money allocated to features, a total of $2.29 million went...
- 12/17/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has released the final guidelines for its new suite of documentary programs, sparking a wave of criticism that little has changed since the draft guidelines were published in September.
Australian Directors Guild executive director Kingston Anderson said, "We are very disapointed. This is a missed opportunity."
Simon Nasht told If, "Documentary has been hit with a totally unjustifed cut of more than $2 million while feature film remains a protected species mired in failure."
Fellow filmmaker Tom Zubrycki said, "Of all the drafts Screen Australia has issued the initial ones issued back in June which recognised the changing nature of documentary production were far preferable to this comprised final version.
.It's very disappointing that the overall allocation for documentary has dropped by $1.1 million. Moreover this figure hides a far greater reduction because feature documentaries are no longer allowed to apply via the feature film production door and instead will...
Australian Directors Guild executive director Kingston Anderson said, "We are very disapointed. This is a missed opportunity."
Simon Nasht told If, "Documentary has been hit with a totally unjustifed cut of more than $2 million while feature film remains a protected species mired in failure."
Fellow filmmaker Tom Zubrycki said, "Of all the drafts Screen Australia has issued the initial ones issued back in June which recognised the changing nature of documentary production were far preferable to this comprised final version.
.It's very disappointing that the overall allocation for documentary has dropped by $1.1 million. Moreover this figure hides a far greater reduction because feature documentaries are no longer allowed to apply via the feature film production door and instead will...
- 11/16/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Documentaries examining cross-cultural love, the education system, indigenous affairs and a highly reclusive Israeli community in Melbourne are among eight projects funded by Screen Australia.
The agency also released the final guidelines for its new suite of documentary programs following nine months of consultation.
The Producer program and the Broadcast program will sit alongside the development support and Producer Equity program. First application deadlines for the new programs are January 23 for development and January 30 for the Producer and Broadcast programs.
.The new guidelines respond to industry.s desire for both certainty and flexibility,. said Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason. .They maintain our strong partnerships with the broadcasters while giving producers opportunities to develop new funding models, reach audiences beyond television and drive more entrepreneurial deals..
In the latest funding round the agency is investing $2.2 million, triggering production worth $5.5 million. The beneficiaries are Cordell Jigsaw Productions, Mint Pictures, Smith & Nasht, Heiress Films,...
The agency also released the final guidelines for its new suite of documentary programs following nine months of consultation.
The Producer program and the Broadcast program will sit alongside the development support and Producer Equity program. First application deadlines for the new programs are January 23 for development and January 30 for the Producer and Broadcast programs.
.The new guidelines respond to industry.s desire for both certainty and flexibility,. said Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason. .They maintain our strong partnerships with the broadcasters while giving producers opportunities to develop new funding models, reach audiences beyond television and drive more entrepreneurial deals..
In the latest funding round the agency is investing $2.2 million, triggering production worth $5.5 million. The beneficiaries are Cordell Jigsaw Productions, Mint Pictures, Smith & Nasht, Heiress Films,...
- 11/15/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
In a single, extraordinary day more than $2 million in donations was pledged to seven Australian feature-length documentaries on Wednesday.
The scale of the financial support stunned the organisers of the first Good Pitch Australia event, which aids social impact documentaries.
Equally surprised were the recipients. .I am speechless,. said producer Marguerite Grey, who is collaborating with director Belinda Mason on Constance on the Edge, which looks at the struggles of a Sudanese refugee, Constance Okot, and her six children in Wagga Wagga.
The docu was the biggest single recipient with pledges of more than $500,000 for the production and an initial outreach strategy which includes hosted regional film screenings and education and training resources.
Screen Australia provided $15,000 for research and development in March and in September Screen Nsw gave $10,000 for filming a trailer for Good Pitch and for broadcasters to help secure project finance.
However the ABC and Sbs rejected the producer's initial requests for investment,...
The scale of the financial support stunned the organisers of the first Good Pitch Australia event, which aids social impact documentaries.
Equally surprised were the recipients. .I am speechless,. said producer Marguerite Grey, who is collaborating with director Belinda Mason on Constance on the Edge, which looks at the struggles of a Sudanese refugee, Constance Okot, and her six children in Wagga Wagga.
The docu was the biggest single recipient with pledges of more than $500,000 for the production and an initial outreach strategy which includes hosted regional film screenings and education and training resources.
Screen Australia provided $15,000 for research and development in March and in September Screen Nsw gave $10,000 for filming a trailer for Good Pitch and for broadcasters to help secure project finance.
However the ABC and Sbs rejected the producer's initial requests for investment,...
- 10/9/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Thanks to the kindness of strangers, Richard Todd.s feature documentary which investigates the impact of the coal seam gas industry on residents' health and food and water resources will get a long and wide exposure around Australia.
Frackman was one of the recipients of the first Good Pitch Australia event in Sydney on Wednesday, which raised more than $2 million in donations for seven docs.
To be released in cinemas by eOne, the film follows Queensland landowner and pig shooter Dayne .The Frackman. Pratzky, who joins a broad coalition of conservative landowners, radical activists and city folk who oppose coal seam gas mining.
.While some of the money raised at Good Pitch goes to production, the majority will be spent on outreach . building audience interest and excitement ahead of the roll out early next year as it starts an innovative campaign across rural Australia in cinemas and community halls and...
Frackman was one of the recipients of the first Good Pitch Australia event in Sydney on Wednesday, which raised more than $2 million in donations for seven docs.
To be released in cinemas by eOne, the film follows Queensland landowner and pig shooter Dayne .The Frackman. Pratzky, who joins a broad coalition of conservative landowners, radical activists and city folk who oppose coal seam gas mining.
.While some of the money raised at Good Pitch goes to production, the majority will be spent on outreach . building audience interest and excitement ahead of the roll out early next year as it starts an innovative campaign across rural Australia in cinemas and community halls and...
- 10/9/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has explained the rationale for the revised guidelines on documentary funding after criticism from the Australian Directors Guild and some filmmakers. Senior manager, documentary, Liz Stevens says the new guidelines are designed to strike a balance between the medium-to-large screen businesses and the true independents.
She acknowledges the Adg.s concerns that the proposed Broadcast program ($9 million.$10 million) reintroduces the funding allocations for domestic broadcasters, with 45% for ABC-backed projects, 40% for Sbs projects and 15% for other platforms. The Adg had argued the funds should be uncoupled from the broadcasters and that the system will not give Screen Australia sufficient oversight over the types of projects commissioned by the ABC.
.We have reinstated the percentages because producers and broadcasters told us they needed certainty,. she said. .They need to know the projects they are developing will go ahead.. In the past five years the ABC received about 50% of the funding for broadcaster-backed projects.
She acknowledges the Adg.s concerns that the proposed Broadcast program ($9 million.$10 million) reintroduces the funding allocations for domestic broadcasters, with 45% for ABC-backed projects, 40% for Sbs projects and 15% for other platforms. The Adg had argued the funds should be uncoupled from the broadcasters and that the system will not give Screen Australia sufficient oversight over the types of projects commissioned by the ABC.
.We have reinstated the percentages because producers and broadcasters told us they needed certainty,. she said. .They need to know the projects they are developing will go ahead.. In the past five years the ABC received about 50% of the funding for broadcaster-backed projects.
- 9/22/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia will be more pro-active in helping producers raise money from the Hollywood studios and other international sources. That was one of the key points to emerge from a Screen Australia forum at the Chauvel Cinema on Tuesday evening, part of a national roadshow following the revised terms of trade, guidelines and funding priorities unveiled in Taking Stock document. Among other issues raised were the agency.s funding for projects from foreign-owned production entities, the need to find a new model for distributing Australian films, changes to the documentary guidelines and the phasing out of support for state film resource bodies. CEO Graeme Mason said, .We as a sector need to find cash and we need to look offshore for that investment.. Mason suggested the Us majors should be a greater source of funds, recalling that when he was with Universal 21 years ago the studio put up half the...
- 8/26/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia.s guidelines for funding documentaries will remain in place for the rest of this year after the agency decided to extend a review of its funding policy.
The reasons for the postponement have been questioned by the Australian Directors Guild and some documentary filmmakers who want the draft guidelines to be implemented.
"It is concerning," Adg executive director Kingston Anderson told If today. "We have been discussing this for the last six months. We think the draft guidelines are a great step forward. We need to know why the process is being delayed." .
Yarra Bank Films' Dr Trevor Graham said, "The draft documentary guidelines composed by Screen Australia were a welcome attempt to address the decline in the one-off documentary in the Oz landscape that resulted from public broadcasters turning their back on them in favour of factual series.
"Screen Australia.s own research acknowledges this decline. And...
The reasons for the postponement have been questioned by the Australian Directors Guild and some documentary filmmakers who want the draft guidelines to be implemented.
"It is concerning," Adg executive director Kingston Anderson told If today. "We have been discussing this for the last six months. We think the draft guidelines are a great step forward. We need to know why the process is being delayed." .
Yarra Bank Films' Dr Trevor Graham said, "The draft documentary guidelines composed by Screen Australia were a welcome attempt to address the decline in the one-off documentary in the Oz landscape that resulted from public broadcasters turning their back on them in favour of factual series.
"Screen Australia.s own research acknowledges this decline. And...
- 7/30/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
International documentary forum brought to Australia for the first time.
Seven Australian documentaries have been chosen to take part in Good Pitch² Australia.
Devised by Britdoc and Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, the international documentary forum has been brought to Australia for the first time by Ian Darling’s Shark Island Institute, in partnership with Documentary Australia Foundation.
On Oct 8 at the Sydney Opera House, Good Pitch² Australia will bring together the film-makers from the seven selected projects with foundations, not-for-profits, campaigners, philanthropists, policy-makers, brand, educators, broadcasters and media.
The seven selected projects are:
Call Me Dad / Director: Sophie Wiesner, Producer: Madeleine HethertonConstance on the Edge / Director: Belinda Mason, Producer: Marguerite GreyFrackman / Director: Richard Todd, Producers: Simon Nasht and Trish LakeGayby Baby / Director: Charlotte Mars, Producer: Maya NewellThe Opposition / Director: Hollie Fifer, Producer: Rebecca BarryThat Sugar Film / Director: Damon Gameau, Producer: Nick BatziasZach’s Ceremony / Director: Aaron Petersen, Producer: Sarah Linton
Commenting on the projects, Darling said: “This...
Seven Australian documentaries have been chosen to take part in Good Pitch² Australia.
Devised by Britdoc and Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, the international documentary forum has been brought to Australia for the first time by Ian Darling’s Shark Island Institute, in partnership with Documentary Australia Foundation.
On Oct 8 at the Sydney Opera House, Good Pitch² Australia will bring together the film-makers from the seven selected projects with foundations, not-for-profits, campaigners, philanthropists, policy-makers, brand, educators, broadcasters and media.
The seven selected projects are:
Call Me Dad / Director: Sophie Wiesner, Producer: Madeleine HethertonConstance on the Edge / Director: Belinda Mason, Producer: Marguerite GreyFrackman / Director: Richard Todd, Producers: Simon Nasht and Trish LakeGayby Baby / Director: Charlotte Mars, Producer: Maya NewellThe Opposition / Director: Hollie Fifer, Producer: Rebecca BarryThat Sugar Film / Director: Damon Gameau, Producer: Nick BatziasZach’s Ceremony / Director: Aaron Petersen, Producer: Sarah Linton
Commenting on the projects, Darling said: “This...
- 5/13/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Screen Australia today announced it will invest $5 million in 13 documentary projects. The National Documentary Program has given the green light to three series and a one-off documentary, Welcome to Puntland, which follows the plight of a group of Somali Australians who return to their homeland in hope of repairing the fractured state. Produced for the Sbs by Andrew Ogilvie and Claire Jager, the project comes from writer/director Victoria Pitt and director/camera operator Tim Wise. Once Upon a Time in Carlton comes after the success of Sbs.s Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta and, subsequently, Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl, which is currently in production. The series, produced by Sue Clothier, will delve into 70 years of Italian migrant history in Carlton, Melbourne. The second series of art + soul will build on its success, offering new insights into contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, art and culture,...
- 12/12/2012
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Joe Hildebrand will return to Australian TV screens in 2013 with a new factual series taking aim at Australia’s belief it is ‘the lucky country.”
The Daily Telegraph journo reunites with Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder, the team behind his previous series Dumb Drunk & Racist for a six part series to air on ABC2.
The series is one of 13 documentary projects announced to receive funding from Screen Australia. The $5m agency investment is expected to trigger nearly $15m worth of production.
Produced by Michael Cordell and Toni Malone, and directed by Ivan O’Mahoney, “The Daily Telegraph’s rebel-rousing columnist travels the lucky country, shattering our myths, bursting our bubbles and slaughtering some sacred Australian cows,” according to a press release.
Dumb Drunk & Racist delivered a decent audience for ABC2, it’s debut episode rating 266,000.
Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder has also received funding for Two Men in China, the continuing environmental buddy series...
The Daily Telegraph journo reunites with Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder, the team behind his previous series Dumb Drunk & Racist for a six part series to air on ABC2.
The series is one of 13 documentary projects announced to receive funding from Screen Australia. The $5m agency investment is expected to trigger nearly $15m worth of production.
Produced by Michael Cordell and Toni Malone, and directed by Ivan O’Mahoney, “The Daily Telegraph’s rebel-rousing columnist travels the lucky country, shattering our myths, bursting our bubbles and slaughtering some sacred Australian cows,” according to a press release.
Dumb Drunk & Racist delivered a decent audience for ABC2, it’s debut episode rating 266,000.
Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder has also received funding for Two Men in China, the continuing environmental buddy series...
- 12/12/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Hit musical drama The Sapphires has scored 12 nominations at the 2012 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) Awards including in the coveted best feature film category.
The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.
Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main Aacta ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.
Not Suitable for Children...
The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.
Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main Aacta ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.
Not Suitable for Children...
- 12/3/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The Sapphires has led the Academy of Australian Cinema and Television Arts Awards nominations being nominated in 12 categories.
Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.
The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and best adapted screenplay as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.
Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthre Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.
Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.
Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.
The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and best adapted screenplay as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.
Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthre Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.
Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.
- 12/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
A three-part documentary series about the effects of the drug Ritalin on children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder leads a list of four documentaries funded by Screen Australia.
Kids On Speed, produced by Essential Media and Entertainment for the ABC, looks at attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and the prescription of Ritalin and similar drugs. Directed by Max Bourke, the show will, with a team of clinicians and educators, attempt to improve the lives of six kids showing symptoms of Adhd without the use of the drugs.
Produced by Alan Erson and Sonja Armstrong, the funding comes to Essential Media and Entertainment through Screen Australia’s General Documentary Program.
The investment from the national screen agency is $1m with the expectation to trigger $2.8m in production.
Bourke will also direct Ten Bucks a Litre, a Smith & Nasht production, which will ask ‘What are Australia’s options as...
Kids On Speed, produced by Essential Media and Entertainment for the ABC, looks at attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and the prescription of Ritalin and similar drugs. Directed by Max Bourke, the show will, with a team of clinicians and educators, attempt to improve the lives of six kids showing symptoms of Adhd without the use of the drugs.
Produced by Alan Erson and Sonja Armstrong, the funding comes to Essential Media and Entertainment through Screen Australia’s General Documentary Program.
The investment from the national screen agency is $1m with the expectation to trigger $2.8m in production.
Bourke will also direct Ten Bucks a Litre, a Smith & Nasht production, which will ask ‘What are Australia’s options as...
- 10/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia will invest more than $1 million across three one-off documentaries and a series.
The Vasectomist follows a urologist from Florida who attempts to save the planet from overpopulation by spreading the "gospel of vasectomy". The documentary is directed by Jonathan Stack and produced by Simon Nasht and Ruth Cross for Sbs Television.
Kids on Speed is a three-part ABC series which will examine the current medical treatments for children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Ten Bucks a Litre, which follows well-known Australian Dick Smith as he explores Australia.s energy options given the radical changes coming down the pipeline, will also screen on the ABC.
The final documentary, Gisela Kaufmann's Shark Girl, will tell the story of a young Australian conservationist who has changed her life to protect sharks in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Park.
The $1 million in total investment will trigger more than $2.8 million in production,...
The Vasectomist follows a urologist from Florida who attempts to save the planet from overpopulation by spreading the "gospel of vasectomy". The documentary is directed by Jonathan Stack and produced by Simon Nasht and Ruth Cross for Sbs Television.
Kids on Speed is a three-part ABC series which will examine the current medical treatments for children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Ten Bucks a Litre, which follows well-known Australian Dick Smith as he explores Australia.s energy options given the radical changes coming down the pipeline, will also screen on the ABC.
The final documentary, Gisela Kaufmann's Shark Girl, will tell the story of a young Australian conservationist who has changed her life to protect sharks in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Park.
The $1 million in total investment will trigger more than $2.8 million in production,...
- 10/3/2012
- by Staff reporter
- IF.com.au
This article originally appeared in If Magazine #148 (Aug-Sept 2012). Since Storm Surfers 3D was released on August 14, it has become the eighth highest grossing local feature documentary of all time.
The tight-knit group behind Storm Surfers saw the production of a 3D feature film as a necessary step in their quest to create a truly international brand and they paid for it, in part, by leveraging the interest of 3D television channel operators.
.The benefit of using television pre-sales to finance the feature and other properties is that it is non-recoupable finance and the producer ends up with a bigger equity position,. said Marcus Gillezeau, who produced the latest chapter in the Storm Surfers franchise with life and business partner Ellenor Cox.
"Television pre-sales are licenses, so they don't take an equity position in the finance package whereas theatrical distributors or sales agents provide a minimum guarantee (Mg) which is recouped in first position.
The tight-knit group behind Storm Surfers saw the production of a 3D feature film as a necessary step in their quest to create a truly international brand and they paid for it, in part, by leveraging the interest of 3D television channel operators.
.The benefit of using television pre-sales to finance the feature and other properties is that it is non-recoupable finance and the producer ends up with a bigger equity position,. said Marcus Gillezeau, who produced the latest chapter in the Storm Surfers franchise with life and business partner Ellenor Cox.
"Television pre-sales are licenses, so they don't take an equity position in the finance package whereas theatrical distributors or sales agents provide a minimum guarantee (Mg) which is recouped in first position.
- 9/25/2012
- by Sandy George
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has invested almost $750,000 across five one-off documentary projects.
The projects, which will trigger over $2.1 million in production, include 10 Days That Shocked the Nation, an online Sbs documentary which will tells the story of the events that occurred in the lead-up to and consequent Cronulla Riots, and Canberra Confidential, an ABC program which uncovers a century of secrets from inside the nation.s capital.
Screen Australia.s documentary Manager Liz Stevens said: .Both these documentaries will make a significant contribution to the national dialogue. 10 Days That Shocked the Nation joins other recent Ndp-funded award-winning online properties Big Stories, Small Towns and Asylum: Exit Australia. Canberra Confidential will be broadcast to coincide with Canberra.s Centenary in early 2013..
The projects also include biographical film, Peter Sculthorpe, A Journey Through My Life, about one of the world.s greatest living composers. Writer/director Gregor Jordon.s Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer...
The projects, which will trigger over $2.1 million in production, include 10 Days That Shocked the Nation, an online Sbs documentary which will tells the story of the events that occurred in the lead-up to and consequent Cronulla Riots, and Canberra Confidential, an ABC program which uncovers a century of secrets from inside the nation.s capital.
Screen Australia.s documentary Manager Liz Stevens said: .Both these documentaries will make a significant contribution to the national dialogue. 10 Days That Shocked the Nation joins other recent Ndp-funded award-winning online properties Big Stories, Small Towns and Asylum: Exit Australia. Canberra Confidential will be broadcast to coincide with Canberra.s Centenary in early 2013..
The projects also include biographical film, Peter Sculthorpe, A Journey Through My Life, about one of the world.s greatest living composers. Writer/director Gregor Jordon.s Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer...
- 6/28/2012
- by Staff reporter
- IF.com.au
An ABC documentary about Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe directed by Gregor Jordan is one of the films to receive funding from Screen Australia.
Jordan, who directed Ned Kelly and Two Hands, followed Thorpe as the swimmer made his failed comeback for the 2012 London Olympics.
The project, Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer is produced for the ABC by Jordan Helen Panckhurst, Michael Hilliard, Simone Kessell and executive producer Rob Galluzzo.
Five documentaries have received funding from the national screen agency, two from the National Documentary Program and three from the General Documentary Program.
The $750,000 investment is expected to trigger $2.1m in production.
Also slated for funding is 10 Days That Shocked The Nation, about the 2005 Cronulla riots, to be broadcast on Sbs Online; the life story of music composer Peter Sculthorpe for the ABC; 1960s pop artist Martin Sharp called The Sharp End; and Canberra Confidential – a hundred years inside the nation’s capital.
Jordan, who directed Ned Kelly and Two Hands, followed Thorpe as the swimmer made his failed comeback for the 2012 London Olympics.
The project, Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer is produced for the ABC by Jordan Helen Panckhurst, Michael Hilliard, Simone Kessell and executive producer Rob Galluzzo.
Five documentaries have received funding from the national screen agency, two from the National Documentary Program and three from the General Documentary Program.
The $750,000 investment is expected to trigger $2.1m in production.
Also slated for funding is 10 Days That Shocked The Nation, about the 2005 Cronulla riots, to be broadcast on Sbs Online; the life story of music composer Peter Sculthorpe for the ABC; 1960s pop artist Martin Sharp called The Sharp End; and Canberra Confidential – a hundred years inside the nation’s capital.
- 6/27/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has announced a second batch of documentary investment within a week.
The national screen agency today announced $2.6m investment in eight documentaries.
The investment is expected to result in over $8m in production.
Of the investment, Liz Stevens, Screen Australia’s documentary manager said: “The stories coming to our screens in this mix of science, history and social contemporary documentaries are incredibly exciting, reflecting the enormous talent and scope of the filmmakers.”
Last week Screen Australia invested in $1m in five documentaries.
Last week also saw Screen Australia invest $500,000 in feature script projects.
The various documentaries are scheduled to air on ABC, Sbs, Stvdio and Foxtel.
National Documentary Program
A History of Mining
3 x 54 mins
Renegade Films
Producer/Writer: Alex West
Series Producer: Jacob Hickey
Directors: Sara Tiefenbrun, Jacob Hickey
Broadcaster Sbs
I Can change your mind… about climate
60 mins
Smith & Nasht
Producer/Writer: Simon Nasht
Writer/Director:...
The national screen agency today announced $2.6m investment in eight documentaries.
The investment is expected to result in over $8m in production.
Of the investment, Liz Stevens, Screen Australia’s documentary manager said: “The stories coming to our screens in this mix of science, history and social contemporary documentaries are incredibly exciting, reflecting the enormous talent and scope of the filmmakers.”
Last week Screen Australia invested in $1m in five documentaries.
Last week also saw Screen Australia invest $500,000 in feature script projects.
The various documentaries are scheduled to air on ABC, Sbs, Stvdio and Foxtel.
National Documentary Program
A History of Mining
3 x 54 mins
Renegade Films
Producer/Writer: Alex West
Series Producer: Jacob Hickey
Directors: Sara Tiefenbrun, Jacob Hickey
Broadcaster Sbs
I Can change your mind… about climate
60 mins
Smith & Nasht
Producer/Writer: Simon Nasht
Writer/Director:...
- 12/20/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Eight screen productions have been selected to take part in a multi-platform and transmedia clinic in November, organised by Screen Australia.
The Digital Ignition Multi-platform clinic is a week long workshop designed to “support the development of production ready multi-platform strategies.”
The clinic will be run by Gary Hayes, co-founder of StoryLabs who also wrote Screen Australia’s How to write a Transmedia Production Bible.
The announcement follows the first round of All Media program recipients.
Mike Cowap, Investment Manager, Screen Australia said: “The Digital Ignition Multi-platform Clinic falls within the suite of support offered through our All Media Program, which seeks to ignite and strengthen digital understanding, expertise and activity within the Australian screen content sector. We’re thrilled to be working with Gary Hayes and his StoryLabs network to make this as rich and practical a workshop as possible.”
Of the eight, two feature films, one TV show,...
The Digital Ignition Multi-platform clinic is a week long workshop designed to “support the development of production ready multi-platform strategies.”
The clinic will be run by Gary Hayes, co-founder of StoryLabs who also wrote Screen Australia’s How to write a Transmedia Production Bible.
The announcement follows the first round of All Media program recipients.
Mike Cowap, Investment Manager, Screen Australia said: “The Digital Ignition Multi-platform Clinic falls within the suite of support offered through our All Media Program, which seeks to ignite and strengthen digital understanding, expertise and activity within the Australian screen content sector. We’re thrilled to be working with Gary Hayes and his StoryLabs network to make this as rich and practical a workshop as possible.”
Of the eight, two feature films, one TV show,...
- 10/25/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The first round of announcements has been made for Screen Australia’s newest initiative, the All media program.
The All Media program supports the development of narrative content that across digital platforms, in both linear and non-linear forms as part of the digital ignition strand.
Seven projects were announced ranging from games, an app for touch screen devices, an online documentary, two short form series for TV and online broadcasts and a multi-platform comedy drama including a six-part television series.
Screen Australia CEO Ruth Harley said in a statement: “There are some terrific projects in the mix, representing the broad range of genres and types that the All Media Program hoped to encourage. We have new talent through to established players collaborating and telling stories through interactive documentary, games, web series, apps and multi-platform television.”
Eighty applications were received for the program, 24 of which were All Media Production and 56 for Digital Ignition.
The All Media program supports the development of narrative content that across digital platforms, in both linear and non-linear forms as part of the digital ignition strand.
Seven projects were announced ranging from games, an app for touch screen devices, an online documentary, two short form series for TV and online broadcasts and a multi-platform comedy drama including a six-part television series.
Screen Australia CEO Ruth Harley said in a statement: “There are some terrific projects in the mix, representing the broad range of genres and types that the All Media Program hoped to encourage. We have new talent through to established players collaborating and telling stories through interactive documentary, games, web series, apps and multi-platform television.”
Eighty applications were received for the program, 24 of which were All Media Production and 56 for Digital Ignition.
- 10/20/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The Australian Directors Guild has published its list of nominees for this year’s awards, with Jeremy Sims, Rachel Perkins, David Michod, Claire McCarthy and Robert Connolly competing in the feature film category.
Television nominees include Tony Tilse for Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 and Amanda Brotchie for Lowdown; there are also nominations for environmental efforts and online projects.The wiinners will be announced on September 23 at Star City, Sydney.
This is the full list of nominees:
Feature Film
Beneath Hill 60 Jeremy Sims Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins Animal Kingdom David Michôd The Waiting City Claire McCarthy Balibo Robert Connolly
Television Mini series
East West 101: Atonement Peter Andrikidis The Circuit II: Sorry Business Steve Jodrell The Circuit II: Of Mice and Men James Bogle
Documentary Feature
Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia John Hughes Three Boys Dreaming Michael Cordell The Burning Season...
Television nominees include Tony Tilse for Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 and Amanda Brotchie for Lowdown; there are also nominations for environmental efforts and online projects.The wiinners will be announced on September 23 at Star City, Sydney.
This is the full list of nominees:
Feature Film
Beneath Hill 60 Jeremy Sims Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins Animal Kingdom David Michôd The Waiting City Claire McCarthy Balibo Robert Connolly
Television Mini series
East West 101: Atonement Peter Andrikidis The Circuit II: Sorry Business Steve Jodrell The Circuit II: Of Mice and Men James Bogle
Documentary Feature
Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia John Hughes Three Boys Dreaming Michael Cordell The Burning Season...
- 8/30/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The Nsw Government has used almost a quarter of its recently announced $25m budget for the film industry to fund five features, four TV series, one telemovie, 12 docos and one cross-platform project.
The projects include Mei Mei, an Australia/China co-production starring Guy Pearce, and The Hunter, with American actor Willem Dafoe.
The biggest winner is Joanna Werner’s children’s drama Dance Academy, with $500,000 towards production of season two.
Vincent Sheehan’s production The Hunter will be shot in Tasmania and China, with a majority of crew from Nsw and post-production also taking place in this state – it will receive $400,000 from the Government.
The production expenditure of these projects is expected to reach $62m.
These are the projects receiving funds from the Nsw Government in this round:
Features
Mei-mei
Production Company: Portal Pictures Finance: $200,000 Writers: Martin Edmond, Pauline Chan, Philip Dalkin. Producers: Penny Carl-Nelson, Pauline Chan, Lesley Stevens,...
The projects include Mei Mei, an Australia/China co-production starring Guy Pearce, and The Hunter, with American actor Willem Dafoe.
The biggest winner is Joanna Werner’s children’s drama Dance Academy, with $500,000 towards production of season two.
Vincent Sheehan’s production The Hunter will be shot in Tasmania and China, with a majority of crew from Nsw and post-production also taking place in this state – it will receive $400,000 from the Government.
The production expenditure of these projects is expected to reach $62m.
These are the projects receiving funds from the Nsw Government in this round:
Features
Mei-mei
Production Company: Portal Pictures Finance: $200,000 Writers: Martin Edmond, Pauline Chan, Philip Dalkin. Producers: Penny Carl-Nelson, Pauline Chan, Lesley Stevens,...
- 8/4/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested $4.5m in 20 documentaries, with a production volume worth $15m.
The agency said the demands on this month’s round of the domestic documentary program were high, with ABC, Sbs and pay TV “using close to their full allocation for the financial year”. Therefore, Screen Australia will pool its funds across the domestic and international programs for a total alloction of $7.5m.
The next two rounds in the 2010/11 year will be worth $1.8m each.
The approved projects are:
Wide Open Road
Bombora Films and Music Producer/Director Paul Clarke Broadcaster ABC TV Sales & Distribution ABC Commercial, Roadshow Synopsis An Australian social history of the 20th century – viewed through the windscreen of the cars that we so cherished.
Arthouse
Paalma Pty Ltd Producer/Writer Marian Bartsch Director Britt Arthur Broadcaster ABC Sales & Distribution ABC Content Sales Synopsis ArtHouse looks at the changing face of architecture, innovation and design...
The agency said the demands on this month’s round of the domestic documentary program were high, with ABC, Sbs and pay TV “using close to their full allocation for the financial year”. Therefore, Screen Australia will pool its funds across the domestic and international programs for a total alloction of $7.5m.
The next two rounds in the 2010/11 year will be worth $1.8m each.
The approved projects are:
Wide Open Road
Bombora Films and Music Producer/Director Paul Clarke Broadcaster ABC TV Sales & Distribution ABC Commercial, Roadshow Synopsis An Australian social history of the 20th century – viewed through the windscreen of the cars that we so cherished.
Arthouse
Paalma Pty Ltd Producer/Writer Marian Bartsch Director Britt Arthur Broadcaster ABC Sales & Distribution ABC Content Sales Synopsis ArtHouse looks at the changing face of architecture, innovation and design...
- 7/27/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The Australian Writers’ Guild has announced the nominations for the Awgie Awards.
Beneath Hill 60, Lou, Animal Kingdom and the still unreleased Griff the Invisible compete for best original feature screenplay, while Rush dominated the TV series category with three of its episodes going against one of Spirited. Underbelly’s second and third series monopolised the mini-series adaptation category.
The ceremony will take place at Peninsula, Melbourne, on August 20.
The nominees are:
Television: Series
Rush Ep 210 – Armoured Car by David Caesar and Adam Todd Rush Ep 208 – Boy in the Bush by Michelle Offen Spirited – The Man Who Fell To Earth by Jacquelin Perske Rush Ep 222 – Water by Adam Todd
Television: Mini Series Adaptation
Underbelly: The Golden Mile by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick, Kris Mrksa and Felicity Packard Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick, Kris Mrksa and Felicity Packard
Television: Serial
Home and Away Ep...
Beneath Hill 60, Lou, Animal Kingdom and the still unreleased Griff the Invisible compete for best original feature screenplay, while Rush dominated the TV series category with three of its episodes going against one of Spirited. Underbelly’s second and third series monopolised the mini-series adaptation category.
The ceremony will take place at Peninsula, Melbourne, on August 20.
The nominees are:
Television: Series
Rush Ep 210 – Armoured Car by David Caesar and Adam Todd Rush Ep 208 – Boy in the Bush by Michelle Offen Spirited – The Man Who Fell To Earth by Jacquelin Perske Rush Ep 222 – Water by Adam Todd
Television: Mini Series Adaptation
Underbelly: The Golden Mile by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick, Kris Mrksa and Felicity Packard Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick, Kris Mrksa and Felicity Packard
Television: Serial
Home and Away Ep...
- 6/22/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
'Addicted to Money', a new three-part series starting Tuesday 6 October on RTÉ, is set to explore the causes of the financial meltdown, what lies ahead, and what we all need to do now to create a sustainable economy. The series is co-written/presented by economist and social commentator David McWilliams (In Search of the Pope's Children). The co-writer and director of the project is Simon Nasht (Tasmanian Devil – The Fast and Furious Life of Errol Flynn, Constructing Australia: The Bridge) and the series is produced by Andrew Ogilvie and Andrea Quesnelle. The series will run over three x one hour episodes. 'Addicted to Money' is produced by Australian production company Electric Pictures, in association with the ABC Australia, RTÉ Ireland and S4C UK.
- 10/5/2009
- IFTN
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.