SBS is once again inviting submissions for its $50,000 factual development fund, which this year will explore the theme of societal polarisation. The initiative, launched at the 2024 Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC), seeks innovative and bold factual format ideas, particularly those that delve into the growing divides within Australian society.
The broadcaster is looking for original concepts that consist of 3-4 episodes, each lasting one hour, that align with the SBS Charter. The deadline for submissions is May 4, 2024.
This year’s focus comes on the heels of the inaugural fund recipient, a docudrama on the Robodebt scandal, produced by CJZ, which addressed themes of inequality and social cohesion, in line with last year’s theme. The new round will take its cue from the latest McKinnon Poll, which reveals that over half of Australians believe the nation has become more divided in recent years, with nearly a third citing deep divides on political, economic, and social issues.
SBS Factual commissioning editor Bethan Arwel-Lewis expressed excitement over challenging creatives to present fresh, never-before-seen ideas. “With polarisation emerging as one of the most pressing social issues in the country, we are calling on producers to break new ground and foster an important national conversation,” she said. “We want ideas that confront the cultural, political, and social lines that divide communities, and explore what is causing these rifts, who is most affected, and whether there are ways to bridge these divisions.”
She added that ideas should touch on various topics, from politics to socio-economics, race, religion, gender, or any other issue contributing to societal divides. Submissions should uphold the values of the SBS Charter, with an emphasis on scale, boldness, and ambition.
Proposals must be submitted through the SBS factual pitching portal by emailing [email protected], with the subject line “New Factual Format.” Submissions should not exceed three pages and must include a project title, logline, and a single-paragraph synopsis. All proposals must also meet the eligibility criteria for state or federal documentary funding programs.
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