resources for documentary filmmakers

A guide to our resources for documentary filmmakers including funding, marketing and publications.

Funding Programs

Funding programs relevant to documentary makers include:

• Development Support
• National Documentary Program
• General Documentary Program
• International program
• Signature Documentary Program
• Other programs

Indigenous

Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department is interested in investing in documentary projects which not only exhibit strong original ideas and a skilful grasp of documentary form and storytelling, but also provide professional development opportunities for key team members.

All Media

Through its All Media Program, Screen Australia supports narrative content in both linear and non-linear forms that pushes the envelope of creative storytelling.

Enterprise

Screen Australia’s Enterprise Program provides funding over a three-year period to support a small number of production companies that have identified opportunities to develop and expand their business in terms of turnover, range and number of projects and/or the range of business activities undertaken to enhance the company’s sustainability.

INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTIONS

A documentary approved as an official co-production is regarded as a national production of each of the co-producing countries. This means it is eligible to apply for any benefits or programs of assistance available. Find out more.

PRODUCER OFFSET

Screen Australia administers the Producer Offset, a refundable tax offset (rebate) for producers of eligible Australian programs. The Offset is worth 20 per cent of Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE) incurred on non- feature documentaries, or 40 per cent of QAPE on feature documentaries. Find out more.

Marketing FUNDs

Marketing funds relevant to documentary makers include:

• Theatrical P&A - funds to enhance a theatrical documentary’s marketing campaign and increase both audience and revenue.
• Festival and Marketplace Travel – grants to practitioners to attend a range of international events.
• International Festival Materials – grants to enable creation of the screening and promotional materials required when films are selected to screen at key festivals.

• International festival profiles
• International markets

Screen Australia also hosts stands at a number of international markets including the European Film Market (EFM) Berlin, Cannes Film Market, MIPCOM and MIPTV. Find out more about Screen Australia marketing.

Documentary-related REsources

Statistics The Documentary Report (February 2011 - first published February 2004, revised annually) This report is published online and in hard copy for annual release at the Australian International Documentary Conference (usually late February). It provides a summary of the comprehensive statistics on production, funding, distribution and exhibition of Australian documentaries available online in our Research section.

Find a Film database The Screen Australia website has a searchable film database with over 4,000 Australian documentary titles since 1980, with credits, synopses, sales contacts and subjects.

Documentaries 2011 (PDF 5mb) (February 2011) The latest catalogue of stand-out Australian documentaries - previews of some upcoming titles as well as recent award-winners or titles honoured with selection at high-profile international festivals.

Budgeting A-Z Documentary Budgets Screen Australia’s A-Z Budgets are Excel templates designed to provide a guide to preparing budgets in the form required by funding bodies. The Documentary Budget has been revised giving an indication of the QAPE (Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure) status for Producer Offset applicants.

Getting Started Getting Started in the Film, Television and Interactive Digital Media Industry (PDF 865kb) A guide to training courses, attachments and finding work. I’ve Got a Great Idea for a Film (PDF 325kb) What to do if you have a great idea for a film or have written a script and don't know what to do next. Information for Filmmakers (PDF 476kb) A guide to organisations and information sources for film and television production in Australia. What is a Synopsis? An Outline? A Treatment? (PDF 100kb) A short and simple explanation of synopses, outlines and treatments for drama and documentary.