SBS is committing up to $60,000 in development funding for its award-winning single documentary strand Australia Uncovered. Submissions are now open, with the network seeking compelling Australian stories from a diversity of voices with the power to entertain, inspire and captivate the nation.
SBS’s invitation for proposals follows the success of the first three seasons of Australia Uncovered broadcast in 2021, 2022 and 2024. This curated collection of documentaries has showcased the best of contemporary Australian storytelling by some of the nation’s best filmmakers – exploring diverse and surprising stories, tackling some of Australia’s most challenging issues, and gaining widespread audience and critical acclaim.
“SBS is incredibly proud of its premium single documentary strand Australia Uncovered, which has provided some of Australia’s greatest filmmakers the opportunity to create powerful and entertaining documentaries with impact. We are passionate about continuing this legacy, with up to $60,000 of development funding available for new projects,” said Bethan Arwel-Lewis, commissioning editor, factual, at SBS.
“We are seeking bold Australian stories that surprise us, have a sense of ambition and scale, and say something about who we are as a nation – whilst having the power to captivate a broad prime-time audience. Whether you have a new concept in mind or a cutting-edge project underway, we’d love to hear from you”.
Successful projects will continue to build on the exceptional, previously untold stories that have featured in Australia Uncovered to date, ranging from one-hour to feature-length documentaries. Submissions are open until 7 March, 2025.
Applications for Development Funding
- Applicants are required to submit their proposals with ‘AUSTRALIA UNCOVERED PITCH’ in the subject line to [email protected].
- Emerging producers are encouraged to partner with established practitioners before they pitch to SBS.
- SBS will commit up to $60,000 in development funding across selected projects, and pitchers must be eligible for state and federal funding.
- Your proposal (3 pages maximum) must be for an original one-hour or feature-length documentary, and include a title, log line and single paragraph synopsis.
- All proposals must explore and reflect the SBS Charter.
- Reels are a great benefit, but not mandatory.
- SBS is continually commissioning for this strand and will fund development at any point, with a final deadline for submissions by 7 March, 2025.
SBS will be in touch directly with successful applicants.
All previous Australia Uncovered documentaries are available on SBS On Demand.
