Vice and Screen Australia launch Pitch Australiana initiative for early career filmmakers
Vice, Screen Australia and the Australian International Documentary Conference have launched a new competition offering filmmakers a chance to win a commission for a short form documentary.
Known as the ‘Pitch Australiana’ competition, Vice’s new initiative is available for filmmakers who have appeared in the production credits of at least one documentary.
The successful applicant will receive $50,000 in funding to create a locally produced film for Vice’s Australiana series in 2018.
Four pitches will be selected to compete for the prize, and the winner will see the short form documentary appearance on Vice’s global digital network and on local TV channel SBS Viceland.
Liz Stevens, head of documentary at Screen Australia said the initiative was an opportunity for a local creative team to tell a story in a “truly multi-platform way”.
“Pitching to the marketplace is such an important part of financing documentaries and Australians don’t often have the opportunity to practise a public pitch on home turf,” Stevens said.
“So not only will there be a chance for a number of teams to hone their pitching skills at AIDC but one of those teams will also be commissioned to produce a short film for VICE’s Australiana slate.”
Katy Roberts, head of video at Vice Australia said the company was committed to be an “ongoing, diverse portrait of modern Australia”.
“We can think of no better way to do that than diversifying the Australian storytellers we work with,” she said.
Alice Burgin, conference director of AIDC announced the 2018 theme would be Southern Exposure.
“Australian stories, new voices, a pool of money – there’s a lot to love about this initiative and AIDC is really excited to be a part of it,” Burgin.
Call for pitch submissions is now open and the deadline for applications is January 11, 2018.
