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Docos on Racism for SBS and more Opening Shot films for ABC

Good news in the Documentary genre for SBS and ABC.

2014-12-22_0009Screen Australia has announced funding for new TV documentaries with two docos on Racism for SBS, plus another round of the Opening Shot series for ABC.

From Joined Up Films, controversial documentary Is Australia Racist? will receive support through the General Documentary Program. Using a variety of exposing methods, the film will uncover the nation’s position on the contentious issue. Writer Mike Bluett, producers Daniel Brown and Anthony Willinge along with director Sally Aitken will make the film to be broadcast on SBS.

Mindful Media will tackle racism from a different perspective in Are You Racist? A passionate expert embarks on a journey to discover the extraordinary new science being used to understand and change racism. Supported through the National Documentary Program, writer/executive producer Paul Scott and producer/director James Knox will make the film to screen on SBS.

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said, “It has been a tremendous year for documentaries. We have seen five documentaries invited to the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam (IDFA), the world’s leading documentary festival, and an outstanding result from the progressive and innovative approach by Good Pitch2 to support the documentary form through new sources of support. And stories with high cultural impact, such as First Contact, have been delivered to Australian audiences.”

Is Australia Racist?
52 mins
Joined Up Films Pty Ltd
Producers Daniel Brown, Anthony Willinge
Executive Producer Jacqueline Willinge
Writer Mike Bluett
Director Sally Aitken
Broadcaster SBS
Sales SBS International
Synopsis In this ground-breaking show, using a number of incredibly revealing methods, we’ll finally get to the bottom of this highly controversial issue… Is Australia Racist?

Are You Racist?
57 mins
Mindful Media Pty Ltd
Producer/Director James Knox
Executive Producer/Writer Paul Scott
Broadcaster SBS
Sales Off the Fence
Synopsis A passionate expert undertakes an immersive journey to discover the extraordinary new science being used to understand and change racism.

ABC TV Head of Factual, Phil Craig said, “In its first three series, Opening Shot has told some remarkable stories and launched some promising careers. These films are regularly amongst the most watched, most talked about and most shared stories on ABC2, so I’m thrilled that we’re about to start the process all over again with OS4”.”

Screen Australia’s Senior Manager of Documentary, Liz Stevens said, “It’s such a pleasure to be working with the ABC on another series of Opening Shot. The first three seasons introduced Australian audiences to a collection of bold documentaries and passionate filmmakers through this exceptional initiative. It’s great to give new filmmakers the opportunity to establish a working relationship with the ABC and Screen Australia as they take their opening shot.”

ABC2 will commission up to six one-off films that look at stories that matter to younger Australians. Applicants can apply for up to $80,000 for each half-hour documentary.

www.screenaustralia.gov.au/openingshot

www.abc.net.au/openingshot

 

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