The Documentary Development Program supports content makers to develop documentary projects for Theatrical, Television and Direct-to-Audience release (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (XR) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms).

The aims of the Documentary Development Program are to support:

• distinctive storytelling for a range of budgets and audiences across local and global paltforms; and
• content makers at different career stages who reflect the breadth of Australia in service of cultural, creative and economic outcomes.

Applicants may apply for any amount up to $30,000. 

Eligibility 

Applicants and projects must meet Screen Australia's Terms of Trade, any general eligibility or other requirements set out on Screen Australia's website (see Information for Applicants and Information for Recipients), as well as the specific eligibility criteria set out in these guidelines.

Specific requirements apply to projects which involve First Nations participation or content.

Specific requirements may apply to projects which involve participation or content with the following communities: d/Deaf, disabled, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+, or those from other under-represented groups.

Applicant Eligibility:

This program is open to individuals (either alone or as part of a team of co-applicants) and Australian companies:

• An individual applicant must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident (holding a permanent visa).
• An applicant company must be an incorporated company conducting business in Australia, with its central management and control in Australia.
• For international co-productions, applications must be made by the Australian applicant.

Applicants must also:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN); and
• be registered for GST if required by law
• demonstrate, with the exception of anticipated Official Co-Productions, that the project is written and directed by Australian citizens or permanent residents and that any non-Australian producers do not prevent the project from meeting the requirements of Screen Australia's other eligibility requirements.
• control the rights to the project that is the subject of the application (including any relevant copyright and appropriate clearances from all significant participants). This means that:
  • applicants must have, or be in a position to acquire on appropriate terms, an assignment of all underlying rights, including copyright, required to develop, produce and commercially exploit the project and any sequels, spinoffs and remakes (including a format).
  • where the application is based on an underlying work, Screen Australia will expect, at the least, an appropriate option and purchase agreement (to which the applicant or co-applicants must be party), with an option period of at least 18 months from the date of application to Screen Australia (inclusive of any possible extension period/s).
  • where the rights are shared between multiple parties, all such rights-holders should be included as co-applicants (note that this will not apply to anticipated Official Co-Production projects, for which the applicant will be the Australian co-producer).
  • For anticipated Official Co-Production projects, Screen Australia expects that the ownership and control of the rights be shared between the relevant co-producers, provided that such proportional ownership and control aligns with an existing co-development agreement or heads of agreement between the co-producers. During development, Screen Australia generally requires the Australian co-producer in an anticipated Official Co-Production to (i) hold no less than 50% of the rights in and to the development materials; and (ii) have the final say over creative decisions on the project.

• Phone: 1800 507 901
• Email: documentary@screenaustralia.gov.au