Frequently Asked Questions

Fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement we enter into with quality, approved documentary projects that enables filmmakers to raise philanthropic funding for their project through Documentary Australia.

Our Fiscal Sponsorship program is open to documentary projects that are consistent with our charitable purposes. Projects may be at any stage — from development through post-production, impact and outreach — from emerging and established filmmakers alike.

Projects can apply for our Fiscal Sponsorship program at any stage, including development, production, post-production, outreach or impact. 

We are happy to accept projects in early development and understand that plans might be evolving, but we do still assess the story being proposed – even if it is an early statement of intent. If story elements are unconfirmed, you should indicate the direction you expect the story might take in your application. We understand that things often change. 

For projects that are still a concept, theme or issue, without key characters or a proposed narrative arc or structure, we recommend waiting to apply until your story is more fleshed out.  

Yes. However, the project must have an applicant with an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian bank account, with the right to carry out the project that is the subject of the application. The applicant will be required to enter into a grant agreement with Documentary Australia.

No. Applicants are not required to provide visual materials as part of their application. However, if visual materials such as a teaser or pitch trailer are available, we recommend including them as they can strengthen your application and help communicate your vision and creative approach. 

No. However, the Applications Committee does consider the project’s pathway to audience, whether that be traditional distribution or non-traditional, grassroots or direct approaches to reaching audiences.

We accept applications from first-time filmmakers, however we do assess the strength of the materials and feasibility of the proposal, which in some cases includes the creative team.

We cannot match-make people who have ideas for projects with filmmakers who can make them, and are unable to provide suggestions or referrals. We recommend researching potential collaborators on the Screen Australia and Documentary Australia websites. 

We also cannot provide advice on how to make documentaries, however we recommend exploring the Australian Film, Television and Radio School’s courses.  

Unfortunately, we cannot offer phone calls, take meetings or offer advice on pitch or application materials. The best thing is to read these application guidelines thoroughly, and take the time to research and prepare your materials. 

We also cannot consider email attachments, unless they have been specifically requested by the Applications Committee.  

Unlike other organisations you might apply to, we publish a project page for approved documentary projects on the Documentary Australia website, so we assess the written and visual materials provided with that in mind. 

A strong application will propose a compelling story with a clear creative vision, underpinned by a well-researched summary of the social issue or need, and a clear vision of the project’s intended impact.  

The proposal will be realistic and achievable, built on a feasible fundraising proposal where the budget, format, finance plan, fundraising goal, fundraising strategy and experience or skills of the creative team all align.

Any statements or claims made in the written and visual materials should be evidence-based and fact-checked to appear on our public-facing website, should the project be approved.

We are proud to support documentary practitioners at all stages of their careers, from emerging to established.

For ambitious projects, such as a feature documentary or series for television or streaming platforms, we may consider the experience of the team in executing a project of this scale as a factor in assessing the feasibility of the applicant’s proposal.

For first-time filmmakers with ambitious projects, we recommend working with an experienced producer who can help navigate the production and distribution process – for instance, supporting production budgeting, financing, contracting and legals, and charting a realistic pathway to your audience.

For projects based on a filmmaker’s lived experience, we recommend working with an experienced producer who can help develop and implement a duty of care plan to provide support.

We cannot provide suggestions or referrals, but recommend researching potential collaborators on the Screen Australia and Documentary Australia websites.
 
We may also consider the connection of the creative team to any communities being depicted in the project, and look favourably on applications from teams that feature key creatives (director, writer or producer) from those communities. 

It’s important to make sure you nominate the right person in your team as the administrator. The ‘administrator’ is considered the applicant for your project, and will become the main point of contact for all communications regarding the project.

The administrator is often the producer, or the team member providing the ABN and corresponding bank account details. They must have the right to carry out the project that is the subject of the application, including any relevant copyright and appropriate clearances from participants, and are typically the contracting party with Documentary Australia. 

Please identify when you realistically expect to finish each stage. It is OK to approximate and to deviate from this timeline, as plans inevitably change. If your project is approved, you will have the ability to update this on your project page on the Documentary Australia website.

No. Our applications portal doesn’t allow changes to be made to projects that have been submitted but not yet been assessed, and we cannot consider email attachments.

However, you should email any major changes in circumstances including your project’s key creatives (writer, director, producer), access to key participants or funders to [email protected].

Approved projects will have the chance to edit their written materials before their project page is published on the Documentary Australia website. 

We take conflict of interest seriously. All members of the Applications Committee disclose any conflicts or connections to a project before it is discussed, and do not participate in project assessment or deliberations about the project outcome. 

Applicants are informed of the outcome of their application approximately 6 weeks after each application round’s deadline.

You will receive an email to the email address you provided as the ‘administrator’ when submitting your application.

Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] as these occasionally go to people’s junk folder.