AFTRS student documentaries return to SBS On Demand and DocPlay

AFTRS has partnered again with SBS On Demand and Doc Play to showcase 2025 student documentaries.

The announcement:

Following critical and audience success in 2024, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has partnered with SBS On Demand and DocPlay again this year to showcase a selection of curated student documentaries on both platforms.

Fifteen short documentaries produced by AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students will premiere on SBS On Demand and six short documentaries produced by AFTRS Master of Arts Screen: Documentary students and alumni will screen on DocPlay.

One of the films, Chinatown’s Last Emperor, won the Best Australian Documentary Film award at the Doc.Sydney festival and has been submitted for the student category in the Oscars®. Chinatown’s Last Emperor was written and directed by Tyler Kang and produced by Paris Piccolo, both AFTRS BA students. A second film Reel Equality, written and directed by Meisha Lowe and produced by Jasmine Russell, was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the Sydney Women’s International Film Festival; and Empress, directed by Lucien Jones and produced by Chhayly Moek, both AFTRS Masters students, premiered at this year’s Mardi Gras Film Festival.

For the SBS On Demand showcase, AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students were invited to submit short-form documentaries that explore perspectives on contemporary Australia and tell authentic, diverse stories, often from parts of our society underrepresented on screen.

SBS On Demand and World Movies programmer Alex Walkden said: “SBS On Demand is thrilled to continue our ongoing partnership with AFTRS to deliver a collection of bold, boundary-pushing, and distinctly Australian stories. These short films don’t just entertain – they inform, provoke, and challenge expectations with purpose and originality. Each project is a testament to the creativity of emerging Australian documentary makers, and we’re constantly inspired by the distinctive voices and fresh perspectives they bring to the screen. This year’s showcase is no exception – a vibrant lineup that demands attention and promises impact. We’re proud to champion the next generation of storytellers and to offer their work alongside our slate of world-class documentaries and series.”

DocPlay executive Rufus Richardson said: “As Australia’s only dedicated documentary streaming service, DocPlay is thrilled to once again partner with AFTRS in bringing this collection of entertaining and informative short-form documentaries to Australian audiences. The quality of emerging talent in this showcase stood out to us from the start, and the filmmakers have explored a diverse range of topics and issues with empathy, compassion and insight.”

AFTRS discipline lead, documentary, Richard Welch, said: “The dynamic world of documentary filmmaking means it’s crucial that AFTRS provides real world, direct-to-audience pathways that empower students to be future-ready and equipped to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the industry. Collaborating with SBS on Demand and DocPlay – leaders in championing diverse documentary voices – brings these incredible films to audiences across the country, shaping the future of Australian documentary storytelling.”

The films screening on SBS on Demand are:

• • Can I touch Your Hair
    Writer/Director – Saskia Faniis
    Producer – Chiara Hochstadt
  • Chinatown’s Last Emperor
    Writer/Director – Tyler Kang
    Producer – Paris Piccolo
  • Heart and Neo-soul
    Writer/Director – Spencer Dejanovic
    Producer – Elle Charalambu
  • Lines In The Sanctuary
    Writer/Director – Tyler Pease
    Producer – Alex Maxwell
  • Living In Limbo
    Writer/Director – Zabi Malik
    Producer – Meisha Lowe
  • Over The Rainbow
    Writer/Director – Akaysha Morgan
    Producer – Skye Netting
  • Reel Equality
    Writer/Director – Meisha Lowe
    Producer – Jasmine Russell
  • Revolver
    Writer/Director – Charles Perkins
    Producer – Finbar Murphy
  • Street City
    Director – Awdesh Al-Zebaree
    Producer – Tyler Kang
  • Sweet Like Honey
    Writer – Kristin Beukes
    Director – Jordan Fox
    Producer – Kavyaa Gohil
  • That’s How We Roll
    Director – Jemma Tainsh
    Producer – Louis Vahl
  • The Dirty Half Mile
    Writer/Director – Madison McCreath
    Producer – Charlie Varcoe
  • Threads of Identity
    Director – Poppy Grant
    Producer – Louis Cheval
  • Trust
    Writer/Director – Tegan Geelie Rose
    Producer – Chiara “Chess” Metters
  • Wog
    Writer/Director – Paris Piccolo
    Producer – Alex Maxwell

The films to screen on DocPlay are:

• Waves of Change: Saving Sydney’s Sharks

  Directors – Anneke De Bruin/David Priestly

  Producer – David Priestly

• Don’t Call it a Comeback

  Director/Producer – Lucien Jones

• EmpressDirector – Lucien Jones

  Producer – Chhayly Moek

• Red Spice

  Writer/Director – Michelle Kaldy

  Producer – Ricky James

• Messenger of the Bees

  Director/Producer – Anneke de Bruin

• Shane

  Director – Alex Vaughan

Source: TM Publicity