by FIlmInk Staff<\/p>\n
Screen Australia has today announced the Above the Line Documentary Accelerator program, a national initiative designed to upskill producers developing premium, original Australian documentary content with global appeal. With a focus on limited and returnable series, the new initiative supports content across heritage, streamer and online\/direct-to-audience platforms. Up to 10 mid-career practitioners from around Australia will hone their producing skills, build experience across project ideation and development, while also establishing local and international industry networks.<\/p>\n
Successful applicants will participate in a three-week intensive program led by Fatima Salaria, Executive Chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Head of Factual at Dance Ledge Productions and former Managing Director of Naked Television. A globally renowned creative leader, Salaria has overseen a wide-ranging and distinctive slate spanning premium documentaries, returnable factual formats and popular entertainment, with credits including\u00a0The Rap Game UK,\u00a0The Apprentice,\u00a0Grand Designs,\u00a0Charles Bronson: Fit to Be Free,\u00a0Brian Cox: How We Earn and Spend,\u00a0and\u00a0Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne.\u00a0Fatima also led VicScreen\u2019s highly successful Originate Factual initiative, which resulted in the commissioning of factual series\u00a0The State of Man,\u00a0The Animal Sanctuary\u00a0and other soon-to-be-announced projects, including with a global streaming platform.<\/p>\n
The accelerator program will be held in-person in Melbourne from\u00a01-20 November 2026.\u00a0Over a series of masterclasses, pitch training, audience insight and project ideation sessions, participants will cultivate a wide range of skills required to create successful documentaries in the local and international landscape.<\/p>\n
At the end of the program, participants will pitch to leading industry decision-makers, with the opportunity for one project to secure a development grant from the ABC.<\/p>\n