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Screen Australia partners with The Guardian in online documentary initiative

Screen Australia and The Guardian have locked in an agreement to commission and distribute three locally produced online documentaries.

The new initiative aims to provide Australian filmmakers with the opportunity to reach an international audience.

Guardian Australia and Screen Australia will provide a funding pool of up to $126,5000, with The Guardian contributing a fixed amount of $36,500 and Screen Australia providing between $36,500 and $90,000.

Each documentary will look to provide new perspectives on important global contemporary stories, and will run across The Guardian in Australia, United Kingdom, United States, and other international sites.

Liz Stevens, senior manager of documentary at Screen Australia, said the initiative allows local filmmakers to have international reach.

“The recent success of Casting Jon Benet, That Sugar Film and Barbeque demonstrate that global stories told through a unique Australian gaze are resonating with audiences around the world,” Stevens added,

Lenore Taylor, editor at Guardian Australia, added: “I’m very happy that our international scale combined with local insight and documentary expertise can offer a platform for Australian talent and Australian stories to reach global audiences.”

The documentaries will be exclusive to The Guardian for three years, after which filmmakers can distribute the films as they wish.

All projects will be supported by the Guardian’s head of documentaries, and a Screen Australia investment development manager.

The deadline for applications is 3 November 2017, with successful applicants to be announced in February 2018.

A month ago, Screen Australia and The Australian announced a partnership for new vodcast documentary series, The Queen & Zak Grieve.

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