Screen Australia
23 February 2023
Maddie Walsh

SCREEN AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES $4.6 MILLION FOR 21 DOCUMENTARIES

Screen Australia has announced two documentaries through the First Nations Department, 12 documentaries through the Producer Program and seven projects through the Commissioned Program that will share in $4.6 million of production funding.

This includes feature documentary Rose Gold following the star-studded Australian “Boomers” basketball team, Breakaway Femmes about the women’s Tour de France, Devil’s Last Stand on the realities faced by Tasmanian Devils, plus a second season of NITV’s Our Law narrated by Deborah Mailman.

Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary Alex West said, “We’re pleased to announce this latest mix of documentaries which explore various chapters of Australia’s history, highlight where we may be headed in the future and shine a light on Australians making a difference. In doing so, I hope this extensive offering will also provide viewers with insights on topics including art, health and science, our environment, gender and multiculturalism – which can help add to important contemporary conversations.”

Projects funded through the Producer Program include:

After School (working title): This documentary for the ABC is a humorous and heart-warming coming of age story that unfolds when a cast of neurodiverse teenagers confront their own challenges, dreams and desires as they prepare for their first high school musical. With unique and unprecedented access to Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School, this film is a poignant insight into the emotional worlds of these students. After School (working title) is directed by Thomas Hyland (How to See Through Fog), with Catherine Bradbury attached as producer alongside producers and executive producers Jim Wright (Goodnight Sweetheart) and Head of Unscripted at Fremantle Media Australia, Josie Mason Campbell. It is financed in association with the ABC, VicScreen and the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund.

Read more here.