ABC Factual and the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) have joined forces to spearhead a development initiative aimed at helping Australian producers create original factual formats.
The ABC Factual Format Initiative will see one Australian production company awarded $15,000 to produce a prime time factual format with the aim (though no guarantee) of being broadcast on the ABC.
Submissions are open until 19 February, with shortlisted applicants invited to pitch their project during AIDC's The FACTory: a structured pitching event for short and long-form documentary to be held at Federation Square’s Deakin Edge on March 2.
A winner will be announced at the day's conclusion.
ABC Factual wants to encourage independent outfits to develop factual multi-part series with format beats that have the potential to apply to foreign territories. Proposals must also have the potential to be long running and returnable and to play in an 8.30pm time slot on the ABC.
ABC TV Head of Factual Steve Bibb said: "At the ABC, we're serious about game-changing factual television. We want to help Australian producers create innovative and compelling factual formats that sell to the rest of the world. The ABC aims to be a catalyst for creative and financial success for Australian producers in factual storytelling".
Submission procedures are available here.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to The FACTory’s one-day "honing your pitch" session on 28 February and are eligible for two AIDC day passes to attend The FACTory on 2 March.
AIDC runs Feb 28 – Mar 2 at ACMI Melbourne.