New funding model to promote Aussie documentaries to the world

It is increasingly difficult for filmmakers to get funding - no matter how compelling the subject. However a new initiative called Good Pitch, matches philanthropists, not-for-profit organisations and even corporate brands with storytellers.

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A new project will expose Australian documentaries to new markets.

Alec Doomadgee has spent the last eight years documenting his son's quest to reconnect with his indigenous roots.

The documentary, Zach's Ceremony, is one of seven movies that has been chosen to participate in Good Pitch.

"Everything that we did with Zach's Ceremony came out of our own pockets,” said Doomadgee.

“We financed it ourselves, we asked for funding everywhere, we tried all the big organisations within Australia and we got knocked back from everything.

“Good pitch is important because it gives filmmakers like myself an opportunity to complete our film”.

Australian actor Damon Gameau went on a 'Super Size Me' inspired adventure of consuming 40 teaspoons of sugar a day for two months.

His movie "That Sugar Film" is complete but needs funding to bring it to a wider audience.

"To know that there is a group of people who are going to take it beyond your theatrical release, it might go to the cinema but Australian films are not doing that well in the cinema at that moment so it might only have a life of a week or two weeks but something like this says we will help you to take it to the people that need to see you film, for us it is school groups, Aboriginal communities and for us it gives it a life that you wouldn't normally get."

The documentaries are at varying stages of development and funding.

Mitzi Goldman, head of Documentary Australia Foundation, was instrumental in bringing the forum here.

"It is massively important for Australian documentary makers,” he said.

“The old model of funding is broken, it is very hard for social impact films to get the financial support they need so this is a whole new funding model."

Five Good Pitch films have already been nominated for Academy Awards.

One of these Australian movies could be next.


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2 min read

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By Emma Hannigan


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