Screen Australia’s First Nations Department is partnering with Network 10 on First Facts: First Nations Factual Showcase, a new initiative for First Nations documentary filmmakers. Applications are now open for filmmakers with ideas for bold, engaging and thought-provoking short documentaries to screen on 10 Play and Network 10’s social media channels.
Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations Angela Bates said, “We are thrilled to partner with Network 10 to nurture First Nations talent and help emerging and mid-career filmmakers to develop their skills in documentary filmmaking. First Facts is a great opportunity for these creators to reach a wide audience with their original projects on 10 Play, and attain a valuable screen credit to help them advance their careers. I can’t wait to see what exciting projects come through.”
Daniel Monaghan, Senior Vice President Content and Programming, Paramount Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), parent company for Network 10 said, “We’re very proud to partner on meaningful industry opportunities and pathways to help develop Australian filmmakers, especially First Nations content creators. Producing fresh, diverse, unique and engaging stories is the core of our business, so we’re very excited to see the ideas submitted to the First Facts initiative and can’t wait to screen them on 10 Play.”
Eight to 10 successful projects will receive $5,000 of development funding and the opportunity to develop their project at a three-day workshop in Sydney in June 2023.
Following the workshop, each team will pitch their project to a panel of industry professionals. Six successful teams will then be selected to receive up to $70,000 of production funding to make their 10-minute documentary for Network 10.
Teams must include a writer, director and producer. To be eligible, the writing and directing roles must be held by applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and the project idea needs to be conceived by a First Nations person. Writers and directors must also be available to attend the workshop from 14 – 16 June 2023.
Guidelines and applications can be found here. Applications are now open and close at 5pm AEDT Thursday 23 March 2023.
First Facts is supported by Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screenwest, the South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen.