PUBLISHED01 Oct 2024
Environmental Accelerator Impact Program – Call For Projects
Are you a filmmaker or impact producer working on an environmental documentary project with high potential for impact?
Call For Projects
We’re looking for two documentary projects with strong impact visions to join the Environmental Accelerator Impact Program, where you can work with our strategists to refine your impact strategy, be matched with potential partners for your campaign, and access guidance on fundraising for impact.
Launched in 2022 with support from Intrepid Travel, the Environmental Accelerator supports documentaries to increase awareness and accelerate action on a range of pressing environmental issues. The program contains four key streams, including our impact program, screenings and events, audience action campaign and strategic partnerships.
Through the Environmental Accelerator Impact Program, we offer pro bono impact campaign support to a slate of 8 documentary projects, working collaboratively with film teams to maximise documentary releases, outreach and impact.
This includes:
– supporting the design of impact strategies
– providing guidance on fundraising for impact
– identifying impact or corporate partnership opportunities
– providing guidance on impact campaign implementation
– designing evaluation frameworks and supporting analysis and reporting
– amplifying documentary releases
– presenting impact screenings and events
Approaching its third year, the Environmental Accelerator Impact Program has now supported six environmental documentaries to maximise their impact. While much of that work has occurred behind the scenes, you can read more about some of our public-facing work, such as:
– the launch of the program with Greenhouse by Joost in the Sydney Morning Herald
– the NSW parliamentary screening of Climate Changers
– the launch of Stay Tuned To Our Planet at TEDxSydney Youth
– the online Environmental Accelerator Film Festival presented with ACMI
What we’re looking for
We are looking for two documentary projects with strong impact visions to join the Environmental Accelerator Impact Program, for impact campaign support from late 2024 into 2025.
Eligibility and selection criteria
To be eligible, projects can be documentary films, one-off programs or series of any duration and must:
– be in production or post-production and releasing in 2024-2026
– feature environmental themes or stories
– have a clear and feasible release plan or pathway to audience in Australia (including online or non-traditional approaches)
– be available in a format suitable for event screenings (at minimum, ProRes H264)
– have team members available and intending to implement impact activities
– committed to working with Documentary Australia to evaluate the project
– be approved projects on the Documentary Australia website*
*First Nations filmmakers are exempt from this requirement and encouraged to apply. Please reach out to us for more information on how to waive this requirement at info@documentaryaustralia.com.au
Preference will be given to projects that:
– are releasing in 2025
– showcase strong creative vision and visual storytelling
– demonstrate a strong impact vision in line with environmental and climate research and movements
– demonstrate inclusive, responsible and consultative practices
– have the ability to create professional communication assets
Additional factors, such as the project team, timeline and partners, the thematic coverage of the program slate, and Documentary Australia’s capacity to add value to the project will also be taken into consideration.
How to apply
We will be assessing projects based on the information on their Documentary Australia project page, in addition to a short expression of interest form, so it is critical that the information on your Documentary Australia page is up-to-date and reflects your current status, plans and ambitions.
Step 1: Log into your Documentary Australia dashboard, and update your project information*:
Film team and bios, including:
– producer
– director
– if applicable, impact producer
Production details, including:
– production stage
– type / format
– length
– trailer
– link to rough cut or screener
Story and impact, including:
– synopsis and log-line
– issue summary
– impact vision
– outcomes / what you hope to achieve
– project timeline
Step 2: Submit an Environmental Accelerator Impact Program expression of interest form here.
* For First Nations filmmakers exempt from having an existing Documentary Australia project page, please reach out to us at info@documentaryaustralia.com.au for more information on how to submit these project details.
Please note that decisions are final, and we are not able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Timeline
26 September, 2024 – Call for applications opens
9 October, 2024 – EA Applications Info Session (via Zoom) – more information below
23 October, 2024 – Call for applications closes at 11.59pm AEDT
22 November, 2024 – Applicants notified
Environmental Accelerator Applications Info Session
Got questions about the Environmental Accelerator Impact Program or applications process?
Join us for an informal chat over Zoom at 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, 9th October. Register here.
Contact
If you have any further questions after reviewing the information above and the expression of interest form, please email info@documentaryaustralia.com.au