Screen Australia will provide $2.3 million in direct production funding for eight documentary projects, including CJZ’s Docudrama and the Tony Armstrong Fronted ABC Factual series endgame regarding the Robodebt scandal.
The RobodeBT series, released last September, examines the impact of a liberal-backed scheme that has reclaimed $1.8 billion from more than half a million social welfare recipients who allegedly cut the system between 2015 and 2019. SBS’s New Fact Development Fund supports the project.
Announced as part of ABC’s front of 2025, Armstrong will embark on its mission to find a global solution to the tide of racism in Australia’s sport, encouraging lasting change.
Other projects that receive funding include busy homes, unlocking the psychological complexities the band faced on their journey, and the rise of Patrick Abdo is about participants preparing to compete in the epic LGBTQIA+ ballroom scene in western Sydney.
The funding announcement coincides with the Australian International Documentary Conference held in Melbourne this year, which takes on the theme of future narratives.
Screen Australia documentary Richard Huddleston said today that it will ease sessions on the development process as part of the event, with the selected project being “a reflection of the ambitions, sophistication and creativity of the current Australian documentary sector.”
These projects will boost Australia’s reputation for innovative and premium storytelling and point to an exciting future for global partnerships. โ
The complete list of projects is as follows:
Crowded House: A feature-length documentary that delves deep into a busy journey, unravels the psychological complexities faced by the rise of a meteor, and highlights the evolution of the current lineup, including Neal’s two sons, Liam and Elroy Finn. Weaving from a treasure trove of unprecedented family and band archives and candid interviews, the narrative movements between past, present and dreamy investigation and analysis where Neil Finn’s songwriting genius is at its heart. Crowned House is a co-producer Carthew Neal, who was nominated for Ghost Pictures and Academy Awards, and his production company Fumes. Funded by the New Zealand Film Commission in collaboration with ABC and Vicscreen. Produced with primary wave and nude run support. Co-produced by Australia and New Zealand. The territory of Australia and New Zealand is distributed by the madmen. Rise: With exclusive access to the underground LGBTQIA+ ballroom scene in western Sydney, documentary Rise follows participants preparing to compete with the iconic West Ball. In a world that tries to erase them, Rise portrays which of these strange rebels will ultimately take their moments to the Cutrote stage and change their lives. Written and directed by Patrick (Pat) Abboud and co-executed by Xander Khoury and Jamaica Moana, executive produced by Monique Keller and Billy Russell, and leaders of West Ball Community. The Death of the Shaman: Deep in the Amazon of Ecuador, the famous Shuar shaman chooses as his passive grandson to seek to preserve the wisdom of his tribal ancestors for another generation. Meanwhile, Shaman’s son leads an indigenous uprising that seeks to overthrow the president of Ecuador. What happens next foresees either the preservation or destruction of people. The death of Sherman’s feature-length documentary comes from writer/director/producer Dan Jackson and executive producers Robert Fernandez and Dan Levinson. It is funded in collaboration with Soundfirm, and umbrella entertainment is distributed locally. Silence: A feature film of a stranger than fiction following internationally renowned human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson reveals the tricks and ratios used to enter the courtroom and silence women around the world. The Silence comes from writer/director Selina Miles and producer Breike Hoffman. Jennifer Peedom is executive produced. It is funded in connection with Minderoo Pictures and The ABC, and has support from Screen NSW, Shark Island Foundation and Soundfirm. Local distribution through international sales by Sharmill Films and Together Films. Troublemaker: This feature film follows as slaughter survivor Wendy Skull and South Australian writer/director Jared Nicholson slide through a paranoia rabbit hole to desperately explore comfort and truth. Nicholson will be directed by Ben Lawrence, Rebecca Barry, Scott Baskett, Madeleine Heatherton Mia and Ben Lawrence, along with Chris Kamen and executive produced by Dean Weir. It is funded in connection with the Shark Island Foundation and is supported by the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, the South Australian Film Institute, Screen NSW, and Weiranderson Films. Post, digital and visual effects are supported by South Australian film companies. Digby & Camille: This feature film is an eight-year love story about Sydney artist and documentary co-director Digby Webster and his girlfriend, trainee chef Camille Collins. When they try to take the next step in their relationship, the couple eagerly want to live together and marry. But complicating the dream of marriage bliss is a very real concern and question from those who love and support them most, their parents. Digby will be directed by Trevor Graham, who is also produced with Lisa Wang. Written by Rose Hesp, along with executive produced by Mitzi Goldman, Roger Savage and Jenny Lalor. It is funded in connection with the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premier Fund and is supported by philanthropy through Screen NSW, the Shark Island Foundation, Soundfirm, Andy Inc Foundation, and Documentary Australia. Local distribution based on bonsai films. Robodebt (Working Title): SBS’s three-part series, combining documentary storytelling and drama, reveals how it fought back against the infamous Robodeb scandal that was hit by the heart of Australia’s inequality and social cohesion. It comes from director Ben Lawrence and writer Jane Allen. Executive produced by Paula Bycroft, Michael Cordell and Andrew Farrell. With support from Screen NSW, we are receiving a large production investment from SBS. Endgame: ABC’s three-part series follows Tony Armstrong on a global mission to find solutions to combat the racist currents in Australia’s sport, creating real change for future generations. End Game is an executive produced by Daniel Brown, Steve Bibb and Dean Gibson. With support from ScreenWest and LotteryWest, we have received major production investments from ABC. International sales by ABC Commercial.
Source link
