About Us

A Philanthropic Initiative

Documentary Australia is a private initiative to provide information and resources to philanthropic grantmakers, charitable organisations and documentary filmmakers in order to explore, share and enhance their mutual objectives of creating a better society.

Foundations ask: “How can we create a better society?” Their grantmaking strategies aim to find concrete and creative answers to this question. Documentary filmmakers ask many of the same questions as foundations. Like foundations and charities, filmmakers aim to make a difference.

Film, television, radio and the internet are the central and most effective communication tools of our time. Media shapes our lives, culture, politics and society. Foundations in the United States are increasingly recognising the potential of the media, particularly documentary films, to add leverage to their philanthropic initiatives, while most foundations in Australia are yet to fully embrace it.

The Documentary Australia website is designed as a portal to bring together the worlds of philanthropy and documentary filmmaking. It includes extensive references, examples, case studies and answers to frequently asked questions. We highlight to grantmakers how documentaries can increase the effectiveness and reach of their gift-giving programs, and we provide documentary filmmakers with a guide on how to apply for private funding.

Documentary Australia is not a “dating agency” that brokers relationships between filmmakers, charities and grantmakers. Nor is it an initiative to replace government funding. It is a resource to inspire grantmakers to consider documentary as a tool to enhance the work they already do and to assist them in considering documentary projects. It is equally a guide for documentary filmmakers into the world of charity and philanthropy.

Board of Directors
Ian Darling	Chairman
Dr Mitzi Goldman	Executive Director
Susan MacKinnon	Executive Director
Penny Richards	Director
Kel Fitzalan	Director
Sally Fryer	Director
Sam Meers	Director
Michael Traill	Director
Jack Heath Jane Kenny	Director Director
Michael Hanavan	Company Secretary
Mary Macrae	Administrative Officer

Much work has gone into this initiative. We would like to gratefully acknowledge the valuable assistance from the many who have contributed to this site.