As part of its commitment to funding documentary filmmaking in Australia, the philanthropic Shark Island Foundation is inviting pitches for feature-length documentaries to share in up to $100,000 in development grants.
The Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch gives producers the opportunity to pitch at AIDC for the chance to receive a development grant to progress a feature documentary project
Producers are invited to submit a feature-length documentary project (75 mins+) in development with a plan for theatrical or streaming release. The story can be of any genre but must be character-driven, have a distinctive point of view, with a creative vision and clear artistic style. Ideally, it should have the potential to shift thinking.
Shark Island Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation committed to supporting Australian stories told by a broad range of filmmakers, from established artists to new voices, across a variety of subjects. The foundation is dedicated to supporting outstanding storytellers who are prepared to explore new ground, investigate, reveal, inspire and entertain. Films should have clearly identifiable audiences and strong engagement strategies, realistic budgets and funding strategies, and the potential to inspire social change.
Shortlisted projects will have the chance to pitch to Shark Island Chair Ian Darling and Foundation Executive Director Kate Hodges during AIDC 2024.
Up to six producers will be given the opportunity to share in $100,000 of development grants from Shark Island Foundation.
Please note: applications for the Shark Island Feature Docs Pitch are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program with applications closing on Sunday 28 January 2024 at 23:59 AEDT.
“SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION IS DELIGHTED TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF UP TO SIX FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH AIDC. SUPPORTING A DIRECTOR’S VISION, AND FUNDING ACROSS DEVELOPMENT, IS CRUCIAL TO STRENGTHENING THE AUSTRALIAN FEATURE DOC SECTOR – AND WE LOVE THAT CUT TO THE CHASE GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET FILMMAKERS AND HEAR STORIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.”
– KATE HODGES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION
To be eligible to apply for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch 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 feature documentary project (75 mins+) in development for consideration;
- If selected, be available to attend an in-person pitching session with Shark Island representatives during AIDC, Melbourne between Sunday 3 – Wednesday 6 March or online between Thursday 7 – Friday 8 March 2024.
If selected to receive a grant, applicants must submit their projects to, and be approved by, Documentary Australia to receive the grant funding. Applicants are not required to have submitted their project to Documentary Australia before submitting their project to AIDC but should ensure that they are familiar with the Documentary Australia requirements to ensure eligibility.
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 Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch.
UPDATE: APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 ARE NOW CLOSED
AIDC is currently accepting applications for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch. Documentary projects (75 mins+) in development stage are eligible to apply.
Applications for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program with applications closing on Sunday 28 January 2024 at 23:59 AEDT.
