documentary · australia
australian documentary filmmaker
We make documentaries that have something to say — long-form, short-form, broadcast and independent. Based in the Blue Mountains, working nationally.
Documentary filmmaking is at the core of what we do. It's where the discipline of real storytelling — patience, observation, genuine curiosity — shapes everything else we produce, including our corporate and commercial work.
Our feature documentary American Candy — a story about basketball, identity and the distance between a dream and the place you call home — is now streaming nationally on SBS On Demand. It was shot across Australia and the united states and represents the kind of ambitious, character-driven work we believe in.
what makes a documentary work
The best documentaries aren't about subjects — they're about people. The subject might be basketball, or climate change, or a family business, or a disappearing craft. But what keeps audiences watching is always the same: a person we care about, navigating something real.
We approach every documentary project with this in mind. Before we pick up a camera, we spend time understanding who our characters are, what they want, and what stands between them and it. That foundation — what documentary makers call the 'story engine' — is what separates a compelling film from an interesting topic.
our documentary services
- Feature documentary development and production — from concept through to broadcast-ready deliverable
- Short-form documentary — 5 to 30-minute documentary content for online, festival and broadcast
- Documentary series — episodic content for streaming platforms and broadcasters
- Branded documentary — long-form brand storytelling that operates as genuine documentary content
- Documentary consulting — story development, structure, fundraising strategy and pitch preparation
the australian documentary landscape
Australia has a strong and distinctive documentary tradition — from the early films of the Australian film commission to contemporary work on ABC, SBS and Stan. Screen Australia and the various state screen agencies (including Screen NSW) continue to fund ambitious documentary work, and the appetite for Australian stories on global streaming platforms is genuinely growing.
Navigating this landscape — understanding funding pathways, broadcaster relationships and the development process — is something we have direct experience with, and something we can help other filmmakers and organisations understand.
documentary consulting for organisations
Many organisations — councils, not-for-profits, universities, cultural institutions — have stories worth telling as documentary but don't know how to approach the form. We work with organisations to develop documentary concepts, identify suitable formats and funding pathways, and produce finished work that reaches genuine audiences rather than sitting in a hard drive.
SBSbroadcast partner
AUnationally streaming
NSWblue mountains based
frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a documentary?
A short-form documentary (under 30 minutes) typically takes three to twelve months from development to delivery, depending on access, funding and complexity. Feature documentaries routinely take two to five years. The timeline is driven by the story, not the format.
How do documentaries get funded in Australia?
Australian documentaries are funded through a combination of Screen Australia, state screen agencies (like Screen NSW), broadcasters (ABC, SBS), international co-production partners and private investment. The funding pathway depends heavily on the subject, format and intended audience. We can advise on this as part of a consulting engagement.
Can organisations commission documentaries about their work?
Yes, and it's often underutilised. A well-made documentary about an organisation's work or community can reach audiences that traditional communications never touch. The key is committing to genuine storytelling rather than promotional content — audiences can tell the difference.
What's the difference between a documentary and a brand film?
Intent and editorial control, primarily. A documentary follows the story where it leads and gives subjects genuine voice. A brand film is shaped around a predetermined message. The best branded documentary work sits somewhere between the two — genuinely interesting stories that happen to reflect well on the commissioning organisation.
Do you work with first-time documentary subjects?
Yes. Working with people who have never been filmed before is actually one of the most rewarding parts of documentary production. We invest significant time in building trust with subjects before cameras appear — it shows in the final work.