02 08 2023 - Media release
Screen Australia announces over $2.2 million for five documentaries
Mozart’s Sister
Screen Australia has announced three documentaries funded through the Commissioned Program and two projects through the Producer Program that will share in over $2.2 million of production funding.
The projects include The Idea of Australia, which explores the nation’s past and raises provocative questions about the future; The C Word tackles how the conversation around climate change has shifted over the years; The Last Goodbye (working title) is about the various ways our nation chooses to farewell and remember those that have passed; Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things follows Armstrong on a mission to build his very own exhibition for the National Museum of Australia; and feature documentary Mozart’s Sister is an investigation into the theory that Maria-Anna Mozart – Mozart’s sister, music partner and creative collaborator - was behind some of the classical works we know and love.
Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary Alex West said, “I’m thrilled that Screen Australia has supported another strong mix of documentaries covering a variety of contemporary conversations steeped in history from Australia and across the globe. These talented teams are delivering high-quality projects that will engage audiences and provoke dialogue.”
The projects funded through the Commissioned Program are:
- The Idea of Australia: This revelatory four-part series for SBS discovers how modern Australia has changed in the last 25 years and how it has produced a social and cultural revolution that is still a work in progress. By exploring our past and inspiring questions about the future, The Idea of Australia asks Australians to understand where the nation has come from and challenges what we might become. The series is from writer/executive producer Julianne Schultz, producer Darren Dale (The Australian Wars), series producer Jacob Hickey (Books That Made Us) and director Benjamin Jones (Our Vietnam War). The Idea of Australia is financed by SBS.
- The Last Goodbye (working title): This three-part series for SBS explores Australia’s changing attitudes and approaches to death and the various ways in which our nation chooses to farewell and remember our dead. The Last Goodbye (working title) is from executive producers Sky Kinninmont (The Mosque Next Door) and Deborah Spinocchia (The School that Tried to End Racism) and writer Allan Clarke, whose credits include The Bowraville Murders and The Dark Emu Story. It is financed in association with SBS, with support from Screen NSW.
- Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things: A five-part series for the ABC, Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things follows Tony in this very personal documentary series, as he goes on the road to learn about the untold history of Australia through everyday Aussies and their not so ordinary objects. Tony’s on a mission to build his very own exhibition for the National Museum of Australia that tells the untold history of our country, through ordinary objects that reveal extraordinary stories. The series will see sentimental possessions placed front and centre as we unravel some of Australia’s most defining moments, one object at a time. From FremantleMedia Australia, Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things is directed and produced by Hayden Guppy (Get Krack!n, Luke Warm Sex), produced by Ash Gibb and executive produced by Josie Mason Campbell (This is Going to be Big) and Sophie Meyrick (Life on the Outside). It is financed by the ABC.
The projects funded through the producer program are:
- The C Word: With Australia poised to act on Climate Change thirty years ago, this feature length documentary for SBS is an archive powered exposé of the key moments in recent human history when science was trumped by misinformation, political will was checked and climate change shifted from fact to fable. From Northern Pictures, The C Word is directed by Tosca Looby and produced by Karina Holden, whose credits include See What You Made Me Do and Strong Female Lead. Rachel Grierson Johns is also attached as editor.
- Mozart’s Sister: This 90-minute documentary tells the story of Mozart’s sister who, as a child, shared equal billing with her brother as music partners and creative collaborators. This new investigation in Mozart’s Sister explores the fascinating theory that Maria-Anna Mozart played a larger role than previously known - and turns our gaze to the unrecognised female creators of our time. Madeleine Hetherton-Miau is attached as director/producer and Rebecca Barry as producer, whose credits include Back To Nature.
The full list of documentary blocklines is available here.
The latest projects funded for documentary development are available here.
ABOUT DOCUMENTARY FUNDING AT SCREEN AUSTRALIA
The Documentary Producer program is designed to give producers the foundational funding required to leverage their projects creatively and commercially. It must have a clear path to audience but marketplace attachment is not required at the application stage.
The Documentary Commissioned program is designed to support the production of a diverse range of quality projects for television broadcast, SVOD or similar. It must offer a compelling vision with a clear and enduring cultural value, and have a local presale with a minimum license fee at application stage.
The Documentary Development program aims to assist documentary makers in achieving planned outcomes for the development of their projects. Screen Australia also supports documentary projects through targeted initiatives such as Fresh Cuts with the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) and Curious Australia with SBS.
Documentary projects that have a primary release on a social media platform are able to apply for funding through the Online Department.
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