FRESH CUTS DOCUMENTARY PITCH

The selected projects for Fresh Cuts 2023 are:

Bimbo Biology Body Breakdown
Your favourite bimbo biologist, Dr Naomi Koh Belic, presents a hyper feminine TikTok series that empowers you with health knowledge and an appreciation of your body.
Australia | Producer: Dr Naomi Koh Belic

Dying to Succeed
After losing everything, a double cancer survivor sets out to rebuild and re-define the success he once had before turning 30.
Australia | Director: Yasmin Suteja; Producer: Jordana Johnson | Culture Machine Pty Ltd Australia; Sweater Weather

Glitter Gang
Breaking stereotypes and burning rubber across the country, Australia’s thrill-seeking women challenge the notion of the male-dominated motorsport industry by creating Australia’s first all-female drift racing team.
Australia | Director: Lyndal Redman; Producer: Dan Clarke | Redman Media; Ad Hoc Docs

The Real Meaning Of Pleasure
A terminal cancer patient living with aspergers and his asexual, autistic sister set out to discover the true meaning of pleasure in a neurotypical world.
Australia | Director: Laneikka Denne; Producers: Adam Finney; Gabriel Murphy

Replica
Chinese women in their 20s and 30s explore an alternative approach to intimate relationships with their artificially intelligent companions.
Australia, China | Director: Chouwa Liang; Producer: Andy Huang | Axel Rise Films

The selected project teams will now receive pitch training and mentoring from industry experts prior to presenting their pitch live at AIDC 2023 to a world class line-up of local and international decision makers seeking content for young audiences. 

The five successful applicants/teams will each receive:

• The opportunity to participate in a live pitch to market at AIDC in March 2023 to domestic and international industry decision makers representing a wide range of online platforms, broadcasters, funding bodies, and channels.
• Complimentary Day Passes to attend AIDC 2023 at ACMI in Melbourne on Sunday 5 March to present their pitch.
• Travel and accommodation for interstate finalists, supported by Screen Australia.
• Pitch training and mentorship from experienced industry practitioners prior to AIDC (via Zoom).
• Following a successful pitch at AIDC 2023, applicants will be invited to apply for up to $30,000 in documentary development funding for their project from Screen Australia.

FRESH CUTS MENTORS

• Charlie Phillips, Head of Stories, LYFTA (UK)
• Anu Hasbold, Filmmaker & Podcast Producer (Australia)

FRESH CUTS DECISION MAKERS

• Lee Naimo, Head of Online, Screen Australia (Australia)
• Chloe Cassidy, Executive Producer, ABC Factual & Culture, ABC (Australia)
• Christine Kecher, Senior Commissioning Editor, Op-Docs, The New York Times (USA)
• Hollie Fifer, Director Of Australian Programs, Doc Society (Australia)
• Brendan Kennedy, VP Of Development, VICE News, Vice Media (USA)
• Daniella Ortega, Development & Investment Manager, Documentary, Screen Australia (Australia)
• Winnie Wang, Industry Coordinator, Hot Docs (Canada)

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Fresh Cuts Mentors and Decision Makers.

We are inviting ideas for documentaries in development that shine a spotlight on stories that reflect a diversity of interests, concerns, dreams and desires that will appeal to and engage young adult audiences. We are looking for bold stories told with a fresh perspective, distinct voice and unique style.

FORMAT

Proposed pitches must be for factual/documentary (i.e. un-scripted) content suitable for a wide range of online and digital platforms, broadcast and / or streaming and aimed at audiences aged 15-35.

There is no minimum length of content, but projects must not exceed 30 minutes. 

A wide range of formats are acceptable, including:

• Shorts
• Single/One-off
• Web series
• Broadcast
• Online

Please note: Audio docs (podcasts) XR, immersive or interactive works are NOT eligible for submission.

STYLE

There are no restrictions on visual style, aesthetics, or treatment. Projects could be:

• Observational
• Experimental / Hybrid / Poetic
• Animated Documentary 
• Presenter-led / Participatory
• Investigative

Applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria for Screen Australia funding in the Terms of Trade.

The following specific requirements also apply:

• Applications may come from individuals or teams.
• Applicants or one key creative in the team, must be able to demonstrate they have created at least one documentary or factual title as screen content which is readily available to Australian audiences via widely used platforms.
• Applications should demonstrate a focus on nonfiction (documentary and factual) subject matter that seeks to connect to younger adult audiences and present a clear pathway to find the target audience.
• Proposed content should follow the principles and practices of authentic storytelling.
• Applications from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. This can include First Nations practitioners; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; Deaf and/or hard of hearing; people with disabilities; gender diverse identities; LGBTQIA+; people located in regional and remote areas.
• Successful applicants must be available to attend (via video link if necessary) a minimum of two of the AIDC pitch training and mentorship sessions to be scheduled between Monday 23 January and Thursday 23 February  2023, and in person at the final live pitching event to be held in Melbourne on Sunday 5 March 2023.

Each application will be jointly assessed by AIDC and Screen Australia executives, with external experts taking into consideration the criteria below:

• Creative strength, originality of the project.
• Nature and quality of submitted video materials.
• Capacity of the individual/team to manage and deliver the project.
• The structure and practicality of the proposed development budget. 
• The viability of the applicant’s approach to reaching their target audience.
• Where appropriate, how the project (including the team /or individual) reflects principles of inclusive and authentic story-telling. 

UPDATE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE FRESH CUTS DOCUMENTARY PITCH ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2023