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Call for Entries: Art Bites

ABC will again showcase arts docos from emerging Australian filmmaking teams.

ABC arts documentary initiative Art Bites, will return for a third year.

ABC will again showcase four 6 x 5 minute documentaries from emerging Australian filmmaking teams on iview in 2019.

The announcement was made by ABC and Screen Australia yesterday at the Australian International Documentary Conference.

“We are excited to announce the third instalment of the successful Art Bites initiative,” said Richard Buckham, the ABC’s Manager – Arts. “This is a terrific opportunity for emerging filmmakers to tell stories about the arts and artists to Australian audiences in bold and innovative ways.”

“Art Bites is a highly desirable career escalation opportunity that not only gives emerging documentary filmmakers a broadcast credit, but also contacts at the ABC and Screen Australia that can open doors to other opportunities down the line,” said Liz Stevens, Senior Manager of Documentary at Screen Australia. “With this year’s intake we’re particularly interested in applications with a unique or playful approach to form – for example proposals that go beyond artist profiles and explore an unfolding narrative structure.”

Designed to nurture early career filmmakers, this initiative provides teams with the production funds to bring to life an original and compelling idea for a documentary series that will contribute to the national cultural conversation around art, and in turn secure a broadcasting credit to further their career. Innovative approaches to the documentary form are highly encouraged.

A total of $240,000 in grants will fund four projects, with the ABC and Screen Australia committing $120,000 each. A Screen Australia Investment Manager and an ABC Arts Commissioning Editor will also provide support to each team.

As with the 2017 intake, state and territory screen agencies have pledged to support the selected projects if any of the successful applicants are from their jurisdictions. Create NSW, Film Victoria, Screen Queensland, Screen Territory, Screenwest and the South Australian Film Corporation will contribute up to an additional $30,000 per project, bringing the total potential pool of funds per team to $90,000.

 

The four series funded in 2016 are currently available on iview: Home: The Art of Ian Strange (WA); The Glass Bedroom (NSW); Shock Art (WA) and The Wanderers (QLD).

The four series funded in 2017 – Carla and Lisa’s Countdown of Australian Art (NSW), Lessons from a Middle Class Artist (SA), Mirror (QLD) and Unboxed (SA) – will be available on iview later in 2018.

The success of Art Bites led to Love Bites, a one-off LGBTQI initiative to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. All 10 projects funded through Love Bites debuted on iview ahead of this year’s Mardi Gras festival.

Early career filmmakers are highly encouraged to apply for this initiative.

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