The Indigenous Department Documentary Development program seeks to provide emerging and experienced practitioners with the opportunity to create appropriate written and/or visual materials to ensure that projects are as strong as possible when competing for production finance.

Emerging Indigenous producers are encouraged to apply.

Funding is for

The development of a more detailed outline, treatment and/or script for one-off documentaries or documentary series, including, where appropriate, script and project development, research, securing production financing and, in some instances, for preliminary shooting.

Eligibility

All applicants and projects must meet the general Indigenous Department eligibility criteria, in addition to the following specific eligibility requirements:

• Individuals or teams may apply.
  
• The producer or director must have at least one documentary screen credit (broadcast and/or screened at a recognised film festival) in their respective role. Applicants with a substantial drama track record will be considered on a case-by- case basis.
  
• For applications for documentaries longer than 30 minutes in length, the director must have a produced documentary credit.
  
• Where the request includes shooting material, a director must be attached.
  
• For series development, a written expression of interest or commitment from a broadcaster or distributor is an essential requirement.

Funding recipients must deliver

A more detailed script or treatment, rushes (if funded for preliminary shooting).

Pitching materials for raising production finance such as a proposal document, and/or selected rushes assembly. Budget and Schedule.

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, Screen Australia uses the following criteria:

• The strength and distinctiveness of the idea and concept.
  
• The skills and capacity of the team to undertake the project as evidenced by previous work.
  
• The capacity of the project to attract further marketplace development or production finance after this stage of development.

Assessment process

Applications will be assessed by a combination of Screen Australia executives and industry specialists/peers as required. Screen Australia will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application, providing a written statement of reasons on request.

Application materials

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

Recoupment

Where Screen Australia subsequently invests in the production, its investment in the development phase will be added to the production financing amount and the total investment recouped in accordance with the terms of trade for production financing.

Note that Screen Australia funding of $200,000 or under will be provided as a grant, rather than recoupable investment, the Indigenous Programs overview for more details.