Screen Australia’s investment in documentaries aims to encourage the presentation of Australian culture, and an Australian viewpoint on international culture, to Australian and international audiences.

Screen Australia invests in both one-off documentaries and series with an Australian free-to-air or subscription television licence fee, except in the case of the Special Documentary Program.

It does not invest in programs such as reality television, infotainment, current affairs, cooking, 'how to' or sports programs.

National Documentary Program (NDP): incorporates the National Interest Program and Making History initiative, aiming to provide a distinctive slate of projects with a sense of cultural ambition and a budget scale that separates them from other documentary investments. Applications for the NDP can be accepted at any time.
Budget allocation 2010/11: $7.5 million (including Making History Initiative).

Domestic & International programs: funding to match a domestic broadcaster's licence fee, or for projects with international marketplace commitment.
Budget allocation 2010/11: $7.5 million (combined pool).

Special Documentary Program: for innovative projects which do not necessarily have a market attachment.
Budget allocation 2010/11: $0.8 million (single tranche).
Application deadline 5 October 2010.

Special Documentary Initiatives: triple jtv docs5 is a joint initiative of ABC TV and Screen Australia that seeks fresh approaches to half-hour and one-hour documentaries that explore contemporary issues, ideas and culture through the eyes of generations X, Y and Z. Budget allocation 2009/10: $0.2 million (single tranche)
Applications closed 5 April 2010.

[Note: For the purposes of these funding guidelines, Screen Australia will have regard to the guidelines compiled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These guidelines are available on the ACMA website.]

Subsequent series will only be financed where the percentage and quantum investment by Screen Australia is substantially lower than for any previous series.

Applicants and projects must meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade, as well as the specific requirements of these guidelines.

Application materials

Applications must be made on the relevant application form, and include all supporting material listed on that form.

Budgets

Format: Budgets must be presented in the A-Z Budget format, available to download here. Fees should comply with industry norms. They will be considered in the context of the budget and track record of the personnel.

Budget allowances for marketing and cross-platform elements:
Screen Australia recognises the need for marketing and multi-platform digital program elements, and for these cross platform elements to be incorporated into a production budget from the outset. To this end Screen Australia will earmark an amount in each production budget of the agency financing for marketing and cross platform elements.

Budget allowance for delivery items:
Allowance must be made for Screen Australia and NFSA delivery items, as well as for sales company deliverables and other delivery items as required.

Study guides:
Screen Australia requires the producer to supply an approved study guide publisher with:
- three DVDs of the finished project;
- a press kit; and
- a post-production script

The cost of the study guide must be included in the production finance budget as a line item of $2500. If the publisher decides not to create a study guide, the $2500 can be applied to marketing expenses.

The producer must seek Screen Australia’s approval of the choice of publisher (ATOM is pre-approved).

Terms of Trade

Details of delivery items, recoupment and other requirements are available in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.

Funding provided as a grant: Note that for all documentary projects approved after 1 March 2010, Screen Australia funding of $200,000 or under will be provided as a grant, rather than recoupable investment, and will not have to be repaid unless the terms of the grant agreement are breached. Screen Australia’s contribution will be agreed upfront and not varied, other than in exceptional circumstances.

‘Screen Australia funding’ in this case means production finance through the National Documentary Program, Domestic & International Documentary programs, the Special Documentary Program, Indigenous Department documentary programs and other initiatives such as jtv docs. If a project has received development funding from Screen Australia or its predecessor agencies, the development funds will be added to the production funds for the purpose of determining whether the $200,000 grant threshold has been reached. Support provided through Screen Australia’s marketing programs is not included.

Screen Australia will hold 1% copyright in all documentary projects where its investment is greater than $100,000.

Theatrical documentary features

Screen Australia will consider financing documentaries designed for theatrical release on a case-by-case basis.

These projects will be considered according to the criteria set down in the Feature Film section of these guidelines.

Documentary co-productions

Projects approved as Official Co-productions are eligible for Screen Australia support.

As well as satisfying all the normal criteria for Screen Australia production investment, the co-production partners must also secure a broadcast licence fee or distribution arrangement in their own territory.

Special initiatives

Special documentary initiatives are offered from time to time. Check the website here for details.

 

[Page updated 20 July 2010.]