ADVERTISEMENT

SBS calls for unique single documentaries for ‘Untold Australia’

Untold Stories: Outback Rabbis.

SBS is inviting pitches of one-hour observational documentaries for the fifth season of Untold Australia, which unearths some of the most fascinating and unreported stories from Australia’s diverse communities.

The brief is broad and documentary makers are encouraged to submit a range of ideas that explore contemporary, character-led worlds and celebrate Australia’s diverse and multicultural communities.

The pitches must include a 3-5 page proposal for an original one-hour documentary and a 2-5 minute teaser character reel.

After a competitive live pitching session at the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) next March, SBS will commit a total development funding of up to $60,000 for the successful projects.

SBS head of documentaries Joseph Maxwell said: “Untold Australia is a returning strand on SBS that allows a diversity of voices and stories to be explored. We are, once again, looking for more surprising and moving stories that give an insight into modern multicultural Australia.

“SBS is known for commissioning bold and fascinating documentaries and the aim of Untold Australia is to shine a light on some of the people we don’t get to see on our screens so often and hear their amazing stories.”

AIDC CEO/conference director Alice Burgin said: “We hope that through this opportunity, AIDC and SBS will be able to provide even greater visibility for these important works, while giving all our delegates a look at the mysterious world of commissioning.”

In 2018 Untold Australia featured a range of stories including Lebanese Beauty Queens, Outback Rabbis, Australia’s Forgotten Island and Behind the Blue Line.

The new season of up to 4 x 1 hours will screen on SBS in 2019.