Screen Australia announces $2 million for 10 new documentaries

Screen Australia has announced $2 million of production funding for eight documentaries through the Producer program and two through the Commissioned program.

The slate includes a feature documentary about the unsolved Bowraville Murders; Dr Michael Mosley examining Australia’s diabetes epidemic in a new series for SBS; and River, the highly anticipated feature documentary follow up from the award-winning team behind box office hit Mountain.

“This is an exciting line up of documentaries that will provide fascinating insights into contemporary Australia on themes of the environment, health and human behaviour, as well as examining aspects of our history. We’re particularly thrilled to support a number of Indigenous stories in this slate.” said Bernadine Lim, Head of Documentary at Screen Australia.

“Even under normal circumstances, the timeframe between a project being funded and it actually going into production can be lengthy. Although the impacts of COVID-19 are evolving, I want to reassure the documentary sector that our funding programs remain open for applications. We will work with individual funded productions if they need to change their shoot plans.”

Industry members should ensure they receive Screen Australia’s fortnightly newsletter for updates.

The Commissioned projects are:

  • Australia’s Health Revolution with Dr Michael Mosley: A three-part series for SBS presented by renowned science journalist Dr Michael Mosley and local sports physiologist, health educator and Kamilaroi man Ray Kelly, who will investigate a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Together they will travel around the country to trial a special diet in an attempt to reverse Australia’s diabetes epidemic. To be made by Western Australia’s Artemis Media, this project is produced by Nia Pericles (Storm in a Teacup) and executive produced by Celia Tait (Every Family Has a Secret), with series director Russell Vines (Who Do You Think You Are?). It is financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest and SBS.
  • Untitled Book Series: A three-part series for the ABC from Blackfella Films, the award-winning production company behind Filthy Rich & Homeless
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