Documentary Australia



Webinars

Coming Up...
Delikado: Defending the defenders

26 March, 12-1pm AEDT, Via Zoom

Join us for a lunchtime discussion of Emmy Award-nominated feature documentary Delikado, and the land defenders risking their lives to protect native forests and ecosystems in the Philippines and around the world. Hear film director Karl Malakunas, former logger-turned-land defender and film participant Tata Balladares and special guests discuss the critical issues facing land and water defenders in their efforts to preserve our natural resources, and efforts to improve government and corporate accountability.

Wellbeing for Documentary Guide Launch + Q&A

The highly anticipated launch of the Wellbeing for Documentary guide – a vital resource crafted by Screen Well to enhance mental health outcomes within the Australian documentary industry.

This guide identifies common challenges and stressors impacting the mental health of documentary filmmakers and their teams, and provides practical strategies and processes aimed at fostering safer and healthier workplaces and improving mental health in the sector. 

This online Q&A features special guests including filmmaker and Screen Well’s Ben Steel, SANE Australia’s Manager of Lived Experience & Inclusion Anubhav Dhingra, and filmmakers Rebecca Barry and Akhim Dev, and is moderated by Documentary Australia CEO Dr Mitzi Goldman. The group discusses wellbeing as a crucial factor in the workplace. They share and reflect on their personal challenges in creating documentary projects, offering invaluable insights into the strategies they’ve employed to overcome obstacles and improve overall wellbeing. 

Funding for Impact Masterclass: Part 1

PART 1 of 2: The masterclass is hosted by Documentary Australia’s CEO Mitzi Goldman, with a panel consisting of: Andrew Myer AM – Chair of Documentary Australia and Chair of Sidney Myer Fund; Belinda Morrissey – CEO of the English Family Foundation; Duy Huynh and Andrew Kelly – Director/Producer of the documentary, How to Thrive.

This is a chance to ‘meet the funder’ and discover what they are looking for, what makes an application a successful one, and gain an insight into the process, the critical information and the supporting materials required. Learn about funder networks and how to build long-lasting relationships. You will also hear from film teams and impact producers who have effectively raised funds for multi-year impact campaigns and be given practical insights and strategies for success.

Funding for Impact Masterclass: Part 2

PART 2 of 2: The masterclass is hosted by Documentary Australia’s CEO Mitzi Goldman, with a panel consisting of: Andrew Myer AM – Chair of Documentary Australia and Chair of Sidney Myer Fund; Belinda Morrissey – CEO of the English Family Foundation; Duy Huynh and Andrew Kelly – Director/Producer of the documentary, How to Thrive.

This is a chance to ‘meet the funder’ and discover what they are looking for, what makes an application a successful one, and gain an insight into the process, the critical information and the supporting materials required. Learn about funder networks and how to build long-lasting relationships. You will also hear from film teams and impact producers who have effectively raised funds for multi-year impact campaigns and be given practical insights and strategies for success.

Impact & Distribution Masterclass: Part 1

PART 1 of 2: This Masterclass is hosted by Documentary Australia’s CEO Mitzi Goldman, with a panel consisting of: Jonathan Page – CEO Bonsai Films; Anna Kaplan – Co-Founder of Regen Studios and Sustainable Screens, Producer and Impact Producer of That Sugar Film, 2040 & Rachel’s Farm.

In this Masterclass, we will discover insights, lessons learnt, and cautionary tales from award-winning filmmakers and impact producers as we dissect detailed case studies of impact campaigns. We will also hear from professionals in documentary film distribution and learn about different distribution models, the challenges and the opportunities that exist and explore how you can maximise the impact of films through alternative pathways.

Impact & Distribution Masterclass: Part 2

PART 2 of 2: This Masterclass is hosted by Documentary Australia’s CEO Mitzi Goldman, with a panel consisting of: Jonathan Page – CEO Bonsai Films; Anna Kaplan – Co-Founder of Regen Studios and Sustainable Screens, Producer and Impact Producer of That Sugar Film, 2040 & Rachel’s Farm.

In this Masterclass, we will discover insights, lessons learnt, and cautionary tales from award-winning filmmakers and impact producers as we dissect detailed case studies of impact campaigns. We will also hear from professionals in documentary film distribution and learn about different distribution models, the challenges and the opportunities that exist and explore how you can maximise the impact of films through alternative pathways.

Campaigning & Communications Masterclass: Part 1

PART 1 of 2: How can documentary storytelling be harnessed to drive action and meaningful social change? This Masterclass features two campaigners with expertise in high-profile advocacy and campaigning for pressing social issues such as climate justice, gambling harm reduction and animal protection.

Discover key insights into national campaigns and advocacy strategies and discuss the principles of a successful campaign, the key drivers and levers for change, and how campaigners identify stakeholders, build coalitions and amplify their campaign message through communications. Find out how documentary impact campaigns have aided and supported campaign strategies and how storytelling can be vital to a campaigner’s toolkit to drive social change.

In this Masterclass, we will discover insights, lessons learnt, and cautionary tales from award-winning filmmakers and impact producers as we dissect detailed case studies of impact campaigns. We will also hear from professionals in documentary film distribution and learn about different distribution models, the challenges and the opportunities that exist and explore how you can maximise the impact of films through alternative pathways.

Campaigning & Communications Masterclass: Part 2

PART 2 of 2: How can documentary storytelling be harnessed to drive action and meaningful social change? This Masterclass features two campaigners with expertise in high-profile advocacy and campaigning for pressing social issues such as climate justice, gambling harm reduction and animal protection.

Discover key insights into national campaigns and advocacy strategies and discuss the principles of a successful campaign, the key drivers and levers for change, and how campaigners identify stakeholders, build coalitions and amplify their campaign message through communications. Find out how documentary impact campaigns have aided and supported campaign strategies and how storytelling can be vital to a campaigner’s toolkit to drive social change.

In this Masterclass, we will discover insights, lessons learnt, and cautionary tales from award-winning filmmakers and impact producers as we dissect detailed case studies of impact campaigns. We will also hear from professionals in documentary film distribution and learn about different distribution models, the challenges and the opportunities that exist and explore how you can maximise the impact of films through alternative pathways.

Conscious Consumption Q&A

A discussion of Environmental Accelerator films Greenhouse by Joost and Rachel’s Farm, and how we can reduce our environmental footprint through the choices we make as consumers.

The Conscious Consumption Q&A features 2040‘s Damon Gameau, Planet Ark’s CEO Rebecca Gilling, The Good Farm Shop’s Matilda Brown from Rachel’s Farm, chef Jo Barrett from Greenhouse by Joost and climate advocate Joshua Gilbert. Panellists discuss regenerative food systems, reducing waste and the transition to a circular economy.

This Q&A is presented as part of Documentary Australia’s Environmental Accelerator program with support from Intrepid Travel.

Climate Changers: Talking Leadership Q&A

Documentary Australia and TEDxSydney co-presented a special online Q&A during the Tipping Point Film Festival. Join a discussion on forthcoming Tim Flannery documentary Climate Changers, and the pressing global need for leadership in the climate crisis.

Hear producer Mark Forstmann, Climate Council Founder and CEO Amanda McKenzie, former Head of BP turned Climate Councillor Greg Bourne, and Kulkalaig woman and advocate Tishiko King discuss the opportunities for climate leadership in community, industry and political settings, and the next steps we can all take for climate action. The session will be moderated by TEDxSydney’s Head of Curation Caitlin Gibson.

The Tipping Point Film Festival and Q&A are presented as part of Documentary Australia’s Environmental Accelerator program with support from Intrepid Travel.

The Giants: Talking the Tarkine Q&A

A discussion of forthcoming feature documentary The Giants, and how we can protect Australia’s precious Gondwana-era native forests, such as the Tarkine/Takayna in northwest Tasmania. Hear filmmakers Laurence Billiet and Rachael Antony, Bob Brown Foundation Campaign Manager Jenny Weber and Intrepid Travel’s Rachelle Uhlmann discuss the unique values of our native forests, their contribution to biodiversity, water security and climate justice, and the critical next steps to ensure their conservation into the future.

The Seeds of Vandana Shiva Q&A

A discussion on food security, seed sovereignty, biodiversity and environmental justice with Dr Vandana Shiva, an icon of a global movement. Hear Dr Shiva and other guests discuss the documentary The Seeds of Vandana Shivaand how we can build a movement for environmental advocacy and climate action.