Documentary Australia Foundation (DAF) has launched its Indigenous Program designed to foster partnerships between filmmakers, philanthropists and the social sector.
DAF CEO Mitzi Goldman said that this focused program will allow for in-depth engagement across various issues and will have documentary storytelling at its core.
The Foundation will connect filmmakers, philanthropists and not-for-profits to tell stories that cover a broad range of issues relevant to the Indigenous experience, including health, education, employment, culture and youth.
“It’s exciting to connect like-minded funders and not-for-profits with filmmakers to amplify issues experienced by Indigenous Australians through the powerful medium of documentary. Funding a documentary goes hand in hand with making sure it is seen, so a well-planned distribution strategy with an audience engagement campaign will deliver to funders the social impact they hope to see for their philanthropic support.” Goldman said.
Screen Australia and NITV have committed support to this project over two years to enable the roll-out of a number of initiatives including specialist workshops for filmmakers, donor education seminars on working with Indigenous filmmakers, a screening series of films made by or about Indigenous Australians, and support and guidance on how to successfully pitch film projects to potential donors.
NITV Channel Manager Tanya Denning-Orman said: “Indigenous storytelling is at the heart of NITV and we are delighted to partner with DAF and Screen Australia for this initiative. The development of the Indigenous production sector remains a priority for NITV and we look forward to sharing these extraordinary stories with a national television audience.”