New docos funded for ABC, SBS.

Nine new documentaries for ABC and SBS have been funded by Screen Australia.

They include docos on Alberts records label, Australia’s passion for poker machines, how we repurpose public spaces, the Vietnam War and the daily work in the Emergency Department of an outback hospital.

Screen Australia has also announced its documentary guideline review process will be extended to accommodate further industry consultation.

CEO Graeme Mason said, “We don’t have the resources to fund every documentary so it is critical that we take the necessary time to further review our policy settings.”

Australia: Spaces Between Buildings
4 x 60 mins
Fremantle Media Australia Pty Ltd
Executive Producers Cathie Scott, Anna Gregory
Producer Linda Gregoriou
Director Bruce Permezel
Writer Mark Davis
Broadcaster ABC
Sales Fremantle Media International / ABC Commercial
Synopsis A 4 x 1-hour series that explores one of Australia’s most valuable commodities – Public Space – how we design, develop and repurpose shared spaces to accommodate our expanding population.

The Expendables (working title)
3 x 52 mins
Joined Up Films Pty Ltd
Producers Jacqueline Willinge, Daniel Brown, Anthony Willinge
Director Mike Bluett
Broadcaster SBS
Sales SBS
Synopsis The Vietnam War through the eyes of the Australians and the South Vietnamese who fought it together.

Ka-Ching! The Rise And Rise Of The Pokies
57 mins
Ka-Ching! Ka-Ching! Pty Ltd
Executive Producer Neil Lawrence
Producer Mitzi Goldman
Director Jane Manning
Writers Neil Lawrence, Andrea Lang, Jane Manning
Broadcaster ABC
Sales Looking Glass Pictures Pty Ltd
Synopsis Exploring Australia’s passion for the pokies. Are we a nation of gamblers or are these machines designed to addict?

Let There Be Rock: The Story Of Alberts Sound
2 x 57 mins
Beyond Screen Production Pty Ltd
Executive Producers Ron Saunders, Paul Clarke, Mikael Borglund
Producer Martin Fabinyi
Writer/Director Paul Clarke
Broadcaster ABC
Sales Beyond Entertainment
Synopsis Alberts is Australia’s Motown and, like Motown, they developed their own sound, their music spoke for a generation, they sold millions of records and were incredibly influential.

The Angry Mile
3 x 52 mins
Cordell Jigsaw Productions Pty Ltd
Executive Producers Nick Murray, Michael Cordell
Producers Rick McPhee, Toni Malone
Writer Michael Cordell
Broadcaster SBS
Sales Cordell Jigsaw Distribution Pty Ltd
Synopsis The Angry Mile reveals who we are, what we talk about and how we say it as we simultaneously follow the lives of the owners, the staff and the community that surrounds two fast food shops in two Australian cities.

Making Families Happy
3 x 57 mins
Heiress Films Pty Ltd
Producer Jennifer Cummins
Broadcaster ABC
Sales ABC Commercial
Synopsis Can a team of elite psychologists transform the lives of three dysfunctional families in just eight weeks?

Firing The Magic Bullet (Sequel)
56 mins
Rymer Childs Films Pty Ltd
Producers Judy Rymer, Lois Harris
Writer/Director Judy Rymer
Broadcasters SBS and BBC Scotland
Sales Off the Fence
Synopsis Two Australian scientists embark on a David and Goliath struggle to commercialise their discovery which has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of cancer.

Outback ED
8 x 25 mins
Screentime Pty Ltd
Executive Producers Jennifer Collins, Simon Steel
Producer Tony De La Pena
Writers Simon Steel, Jennifer Collins
Broadcaster ABC
Sales Banijay International
Synopsis Following the daily work lives of the nurses and doctors in the Emergency Department of an outback hospital.

Razzle Dazzle: The Hidden Story Of Camouflage
57 mins
Jonnie & Kate Films Pty Ltd
Executive Producers Lucy Maclaren, Joe Connor, Ken Connor
Producer Kate Pappas
Writer/Director Jonnie Morris
Broadcaster ABC
Synopsis Razzle Dazzle: The Hidden Story of Camouflage uncovers a world of design, where cubism, cuttlefish and warships collide.