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 2025.
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 Fri 31 January 2025 at 23:59 AEDT.
“AFTER A SUCCESSFUL TWO-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH CUT TO THE CHASE AND $200,000 DONATED TO NINE OUTSTANDING FEATURE DOCS IN DEVELOPMENT, SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION IS DELIGHTED TO BE BACK AT AIDC WITH ANOTHER $100,000 OF DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ON OFFER. WE’VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY THE QUALITY OF THE PITCHES AND CALIBRE AND SUCCESS OF THE PROJECTS AND TEAMS SUPPORTED SO FAR. WE LOVE THE BUZZ AND EXCITEMENT OF AIDC AND ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING FILMMAKERS 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 2 – Wednesday 5 March 2024
- Have been approved by Documentary Australia or intend to submit an application to Documentary Australia
If selected to receive a grant, applicants must submit their projects to, and be approved by, Documentary Australia to receive the grant funding. It is recommended but not required that applicants have submitted their project to Documentary Australia before submitting their project to AIDC. The round before AIDC closes on Wednesday 29th January 2025. All applicants should ensure that they are familiar with the Documentary Australia requirements to ensure eligibility. (Documentary Australia application submissions are reviewed four times each year. The Shark Island Foundation grant cannot be paid until your project has been approved by Documentary Australia.)
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.
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 Friday 31 January 2025 at 23:59 AEDT.
“IT MEANS SO MUCH TO BE BACKED BY SHARK ISLAND [FOUNDATION] THROUGH AIDC’S CUT TO THE CHASE, AND THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE WAS A GAME CHANGER FOR US, HELPING TO OPEN DOORS AND ATTRACT MORE FUNDING TO OUR PROJECT.”
– DAVID-ELLIOT JONES
PRODUCER, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FOOD (AWARDED A DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF $15,000 AT AIDC 2024)
