Are you an independent feature documentary maker with a project you plan on self-releasing? Would you like the opportunity to secure $10,000 towards boosting your screening campaign rollout with the DocPlay Indie Booster?
As part of its commitment to local documentary filmmaking, leading documentary streaming platform DocPlay is looking to support two independently-produced Australian or Australia-New Zealand documentary features with a share of up to $20,000 to boost their in-cinema theatrical releases. This P&A-designated (promotion and advertising) cash prize is designed to strategically reach and increase audiences for the film’s theatrical rollout.
DocPlay is inviting pitches from producers with feature documentaries at any stage from development to completion. The films must be planning an independent release (ie must not have local distribution in ANZ attached), and should have SVOD rights available).
DocPlay is particularly keen to work with producers whose films have a distinct connection to specific communities or interest groups, and a considered pathway to reach those audiences.
Applications for the DocPlay Indie Booster are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program with applications closing on Friday 29 January 2027 at 23:59 AEDT
DocPlay is the dedicated streaming home of documentary content in Australia and New Zealand, bringing audiences Academy Award winners, festival favourites, breakout sensations and cult hits. Developed by the team at Madman Entertainment, one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading independent distributors of documentaries and quality films, DocPlay hosts over 2000 documentary features and series from the Madman vault, as well as a growing range of titles from the world’s best content creators and distributors.
“AS THE THEATRICAL LANDSCAPE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE, WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO RETHINK HOW AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARIES REACH AND CONNECT WITH AUDIENCES. THIS INITIATIVE IS ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR THRIVING DOCUMENTARY CULTURE AND COMMUNITY, CHAMPIONING BOLD INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS, AND GIVING POWERFUL LOCAL STORIES NEW PATHWAYS FOR DISCOVERY, CONNECTION, AND CONVERSATION.”
RUFUS RICHARDSON
– DOCUMENTARY EXECUTIVE, DOCPLAY
Image Credit: The Lost City of Melbourne, photographer Pierre Robin, courtesy of Royal Historical Society of Victoria.
To be eligible to apply for DocPlay Indie Booster, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or over;
- Have at least one Australian team member with an Australian ABN to be eligible to apply;
- Submit a documentary feature film in development, production, post-production or completion stages for consideration;
- Submit a brief statement identifying the project’s target theatrical audience;
- If selected, be available to attend an in-person meeting(s) with DocPlay representatives during AIDC 2027 in Sydney between Monday 8 March – Thursday 11 March 2027.
All applicants must register for an AIDC Business Pass / Online Business Pass or an All Access Pass / Online All Access Pass and apply through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program to be eligible for the DocPlay Indie Booster.
AIDC is currently accepting applications for the DocPlay Indie Booster. Documentary feature films at any stage from development to completion are eligible to apply. Applications for the DocPlay Indie Booster are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program with applications closing on Friday 29 January 2027 at 23:59 AEDT
Main Image: Mosquitoes (in production) | Photographer: Emmaline Zanelli
