AIDC 2020: Australia Uncovered new docos

Three single documentaries pitched this week at the Australian International Documentary Festival have been funded by SBS for its Australia Uncovered showcase.

Mint Pictures / Jumping Dog Productions’ The Bowraville Murders (working title) has received  a full commissioning budget while development funding  goes to Northern Pictures’ A Strong Female Lead and Princess Pictures’ Why Do People Hate Jews?

Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries at SBS, said: “Single documentaries are an effective way of exploring the reality of Australia today, through often untold stories from a diversity of voices. They remain an important part of SBS’s documentary offering and we’d like to thank all of the teams for their submissions and participation.

“We were thrilled with the calibre of the shortlisted pitches presented at AIDC. The three selected projects all promise to tackle big issues in Australia with innovation, showcasing the ambition and quality of this new strand.”

All three will broadcast in 2021.

The Bowraville Murders (working title)
The Bowraville Murders investigates one of Australia’s most prominent unsolved serial murder cases – the murder of three Aboriginal children and a thirty-year battle for justice.
Production Company: Mint Pictures & Jumping Dog Productions
Key Creatives: Allan Clarke (Director), Dan Goldberg & Stefan Moore (Producers and Co-writers), Susan Lambert & Adam Kay (Executive Producers), Mark Middis (Editor)

A Strong Female Lead
Using archival footage, A Strong Female Lead explores the gender politics during the term of Australia’s first and still only female prime minister, examining the response and tone of media commentators, the Australian public and within parliament itself.
Production Company: Northern Pictures
Key Creatives: Tosca Looby (Director), Karina Holden (Producer)

Why Do People Hate Jews?
John Safran learns what drives racism, through true crime stories.
Production Company: Princess Pictures
Key Creatives: John Safran (Creator/writer/presenter), Laura Waters & Mike Cowap (Executive Producers)

In addition to the selected projects, Documentary Australia Foundation will separately provide development funding for Marhaba Films’ Life After Juvie. In the ongoing commentary surrounding youth offending, where seven out of 10 young people return to prison after release, this documentary hears directly from the offenders to present a fresh perspective on the issue.