Adelaide film production and post-production studio Kojo is extending its commitment to the industry by partnering with the Adelaide Film Festival, Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and the National Film and Sound Archive in an Indigenous feature documentary initiative.
In this first of its kind programme, established Indigenous filmmakers with a production-ready project will have the chance to make a feature-length documentary that will premiere at the 2017 Adelaide Film Festival.
Kojo CEO Dale Roberts said, “ I am delighted Kojo can provide a major contribution in the development of an indigenous creative team. We have built our business around creating stories that connect with audiences and I am excited to see what projects this initiative will discover."
The initiative seeks documentaries with innovative observational and/or social justice themes with a strong creative vision such as The Tall Man (2011 Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund) or the 2014 Sundance Grand Jury Prize–winner, Rich Hill.
Mr Roberts said that is a rare opportunity for an Indigenous feature documentary to receive up to $738,000 in funding, which includes:
– $600,000 combined funding from Screen Australia and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund.
– in-kind post-production support from Kojo up to the value of $78,000
– access to the NFSA archives to the value of $60,000.
Marketplace commitment is not required, but the project must have an Indigenous writer and an Indigenous director attached.
Roberts continues, “There is real potential to tell an indigenous story that may not have been seen before. Kojo has a legacy of supporting new producer, writer and director talent and this is an opportunity to support and develop an indigenous creative team.”
“Getting a film developed, financed and in to production can be incredibly challenging, so I hope our contribution of almost $80,000 in services will help bring a compelling story to the screen.”
The deadline for applications is Friday June 26.