FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why make grants to documentaries?
Documentary filmmakers are generally interested in the same areas of focus as foundations such as; education, the arts, health and welfare, environment, indigenous issues, social justice etc and through their work, aim to make a difference to our community. Documentaries raise awareness about issues and inspire change. Making a grant to a documentary will increase the reach and effectiveness of the donation through the outreach of the film into community and educational institutions. Supporting documentary adds value to existing grant-making practices.
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Why don't Australian donors make grants to documentaries?
Historically there hasn't been a culture of philanthropic giving to media in Australia. Foundations have not been made aware of the importance and effectiveness of documentary and Australian filmmakers have not highlighted the ways in which their aims intersect with those of many grantmakers. Local foundations have not been offered simple mechanisms for giving to documentary projects and filmmakers have not provided compelling educational and outreach strategies. All of this is changing through the guides offered by Documentary Australia.
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Why do Foundations in the USA support documentaries?
The impact that documentaries have made has been realised through a series of compelling case studies. See the Case Studies section of the Documentary Australia website for evidence of this in films such as An Inconvenent Truth and Legacy. Filmmakers have been more proactive in the USA in highlighting the effectiveness of the documentary and have given emphasis to the outreach and education sector. Several organisations including the Council on Foundations and Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media provide support and education to the grant-makers on the economics, role and importance of documentary. Foundations in the USA either have the expertise to assess the merit of subject matter of the film or they engage a consultant to help with evaluation.
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Why should I give money, when the Government is already funding documentary projects?
Most of the areas already supported by foundations such as the arts, education, environment, indigenous issues, health etc are currently receiving differing levels of government funding, so co-funding is already a common practice. In the area of documentary, government funding is extremely low and relatively few films are funded, particularly documentaries that have an avowed social aim over a commercial one. Funding bodies and broadcasters are commercially and ratings driven rather than driven by a desire to inspire change or make a social impact. Even if a network buys a completed film for broadcast the price they offer is less than 5% of the total production budget of the film. There is no incentive for the funding agencies to maximise the non commercial life and potential of the film. As a result, educational outreach has never been financially supported. If foundations become involved as partners with documentary filmmakers it will lead to greater freedom for the filmmaker and potentially stronger films being made.
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Why won't the Government treat philanthropic grants as a substitute for government funding?
The documentary sector struggles to survive within the overall film industry. A recent government review made sweeping changes to the film financing structures for feature films but with a one size fits all strategy, failed to address the particularities of documentary filmmaking. Documentary filmmaking is not a commercial venture and even though government subsidy exists in recognition of this, it does not adequately support the sector. For this reason legislation has been introduced to encourage filmmakers to seek private funding. Like other areas of philanthropy, the documentary film sector would thrive on a business/community model, encouraging both the private sector and the government to play a role in keeping this significant art form alive. Many filmmakers work for nothing and have invested their own life savings into the completion of their films.
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How can I assess a documentary proposal?
The key elements will be largely the same as any proposal a foundation receives. A foundation will need to examine what the film is about, the aims and objectives of the project, why the film is made, who is making the film, how the success and effectiveness of the film will be measured, the budget and timeframe of the film project and most importantly whether the film is being made for the benefit of the community. The Documentary Australia Foundation website provides examples of documentary budgets and some rules of thumb to assess the scale and scope of different documentaries.
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How can I make a tax deductible grant to a documentary in Australia?
Progress has been made, and there is still a way to go, in order to make it easier for foundations and individuals to give to documentaries and receive a tax deduction. For example giving through:
- Documentary Australia Foundation
- Through a Charity
- The Australia Cultural Fund which is operated by the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) in accordance with the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
- Through a Charitable Organisation with DGR status.
- The individual behind a Privately Prescribed Fund (PPF) may make a personal donation and receive a tax deduction through the Documentary Australia Foundation.
- Aurora Television Fund. See Documentary Australia Foundation website for more details at www.documentaryaustralia.com.au
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How can I give? Do I give directly to the filmmaker?
At the moment it is not possible for grant-makers to give directly to the filmmaker if they wish to receive tax deductibility for their grant. An organisation with charitable status needs to be the initial recipient of the grant, which is then passed onto the filmmaker. Documentary Australia Foundation has been set up to assist grantmakers to easily give grants to documentaries.
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How do I know that the grant will be used appropriately? What safeguards are in place?
As with any grant, the donor will need to do a degree of research regarding the track record of the filmmaker and the legitimacy of the project. The grant will be made to meet specific objectives, to produce programs and to undertake projects in collaboration with others for the long-term benefit of all involved. Regular reporting throughout the period of production will be enough to determine whether the grant is being used for the purpose for which it was given. At the completion of the documentary a final screening and presentation of the ongoing outreach strategy, with regular follow up reporting requirements, should be enough to illustrate that the expectations of the partnership are being met.
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How do I read a documentary budget?
Please see the provided section in resources for grantmakers and charities titled Understanding a Documentary Budget. All definitions and standard costs are covered with further links for resources and consultation. www.documentaryaustralia.com see resources.
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How much should I give?
We believe a grant to a documentary should be treated like any other grant in the gift giving portfolio of a foundation or an individual. There are many levels and ways a grant to a documentary can be made. Just like a traditional grant to a charity, the donation can be made for all or part of the project. The donor can be the solo donor, or equally be a part of a partnership of several donors (including a mix of private and government funders).
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How can we make grants to documentary films when they are in our list of exclusions?
We would encourage your foundation to join the ranks of leading foundations in the USA who make grants to documentaries. With a greater level of understanding of the merits of giving to documentaries, together with a greater understanding from the filmmakers about what foundations are looking for when making a grant, the case to remove documentaries from the list of exclusions will be easier to make.
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How do I know that the filmmakers will fulfil their obligations?
Like any grant, thorough research, reference checks, track record will be important. In many ways, the more developed the film the less risk there is for failing to complete the project. As with traditional philanthropy, the risks are always greater when giving development capital to a new project. When giving a completion grant, there is a much higher probability that the film will be completed. Providing a grant to the education and outreach strategy once the film is complete, offers an even lower level of risk. As with anything, the rewards of following a film through from development to completion will probably provide the greater rewards, but also comes with a higher level of risk. The network and sharing of ideas amongst the foundations in Australia is strengthening every day. Cross checking with other foundations who have given to documentaries or have an understanding of the industry is an essential part of the process. Making grants to effective, professional and ethical filmmakers is an essential part of minimising the risk of the grant. Include in your agreement clear timelines and agreed principles for dealing with changes that may occur. Effective communication in scheduled meetings tied to the project's cash flow is a standard way of regulating expectations.
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How can I measure the success and effectiveness of the grant?
Measuring the success and effectiveness of any grant can be difficult. In the philanthropic space the greatest rewards are often intangible (ie putting a smile on a child's face). A foundation will typically have its own set of criteria, as will the professional filmmaker, who has had success with raising private funds. The key element is to see that the filmmakers clearly outline their objectives, strategy and desired outcomes in their application. If they simply want to make an award winning film, the filmmaker's objectives are unlikely to match the objectives and desired outcomes of the foundation. Measuring the success varies from project to project. The documentary may educate school children across Australia and the world, it may raise awareness about a particular issue, it may be a project in itself that simply involves the participants, it may be a catalyst for government action, it may act as a fund-raising tool. The more effort that is put into education and outreach, the more visible the outcomes will be, making it easier to measure the effectiveness of the grant.
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How are the objectives of the filmmakers and grantmakers aligned?
Foundations exist for many reasons, but ultimately because they want to make a difference to the needs of community. Private foundations typically make grants to areas that the government doesn't reach or in areas where additional funding is required. These areas typically include the arts and culture, environment, indigenous issues, health/medicine/science, education, social welfare, justice, etc. It is in these very areas where many documentaries find their stories. Documentary filmmakers in general care about our society. Through telling a story to a broad audience filmmakers believe they are helping to make the world a better place. Well made documentaries have the ability to entertain as well as the power to educate, inform, empower, raise awareness and create meaningful social change.
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How can I justify a grant when filmmaking is a for profit activity and not a charity?
The documentary industry in Australia is heavily subsidised and under funded. Evidence suggests that less than 10 documentary films in Australia have made a profit. Given the rates broadcasters pay for documentaries, the business model is not sympathetic towards documentaries making a profit. As with existing arts based activities, extra assistance is required. A theatre or opera company sell tickets, an art gallery charges entry fees, yet both rely heavily on support from philanthropic grants in order to survive.
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How do government funding bodies deal with private grants?
In general government film funding agencies welcome private donations as part of the financing plan. See agency endorsements in Our Community/World of Documentary at www.documentaryaustralia.com.au
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Who will apply?
Documentary producers wanting their films in whole or in part funded will apply. The films will be at all stages (development, in production, post-production, completion, education and outreach), and across all budgetary extremes, from big budget over $1million documentaries, to small $10,000 short documentaries. Experienced filmmakers through to students may apply.
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Who can inform me about how to assess a documentary proposal?
In most instances, assessing a documentary proposal will require the same set of skills as assessing a traditional proposal from a charity. The web site has a guide for assessing a documentary proposal. Philanthropy Australia, AFTRS, and a variety of other institutions, in conjunction with Documentary Australia, will be hosting a series of educational seminars about how to assess documentary proposals.
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Who will screen the documentary?
It is important to establish with the filmmaker who their intended audience is and where they aim to screen the film. The ABC and SBS are the main broadcasters who screen documentaries on television in Australia. If they are involved with the production from the outset they will guarantee a screening. If approached after the film is complete, the chances of a screening are lower and the price they pay is extremely low (typically between $5000-$10,000). A documentary with a budget of $10k-$20k, designed for a local community, is more likely to focus on screenings in local community halls, through DVD distribution, the educational market and festivals. Where the filmmaker is working closely with a charitable organisation, the charity should become involved in the films outreach and educational distribution. Charities can access audiences and extend the life of the film. Some documentaries find an audience in the cinema.
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What should I look for in a documentary proposal?
Grant makers should initially look at a documentary proposal in the same way they look at any of their traditional funding proposals. The elements include: Title, synopsis, need for the project, objectives, desired outcomes, measurement of success, sustainability, outreach and education strategy, budget, quality of people involved.
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What part of a documentary should I give to (development, production, post-production, outreach)?
In traditional grant making, foundations and individuals give in many ways. Some foundations give to start up organisations (venture philanthropy), whilst others only give to large established organisations. Some give designated gifts to a program within a charitable organisation, whilst others give to the entire organisation. Levels of risk tolerance will depend on the objectives of the foundation or individual donor. In philanthropy, the risk/reward is similar to investment. If a foundation gives a grant to establish a new homeless shelter, and the charity folds after one year, the value of the donation is lost. If however, the shelter flourishes and many lives are saved, the return on the grant is significant, and more meaningful (but more risky) than a donation to a large endowment fund. Equally, with regard to documentary, the greatest risk to a grant is that the film isn't completed. Therefore, development money is more risky than completion money, or funds for education and outreach, which are made after the documentary is finished. However, development money may be extremely crucial to getting the project off the ground and hence a more valuable and rewarding grant.
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What happens if the film isn't made?
Unfortunately if the film isn't made, the value and success of the grant will be limited. In philanthropy, not every grant will hit its mark, and foundations are aware of this. Foundations typically apply a portfolio approach to their giving, and attempt to ensure that most of their grants add value and make a difference. If a film isn't completed, the value and success of the grant will be limited. If a foundation only gives to outreach and education once a film is complete, the risk of non-completion is obviously very limited. Other foundations, however, will see the value of making grants at every stage of the project and their support and involvement will maximise the chance of the ensuring the film is made. It is rare that once a documentary has begun that it is left unfinished, unless the finance has been impossible to raise. Many documentary filmmakers finish the work even when they are unfunded.
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What can I ask for in return for my grant?
Grantmakers obviously cannot ask for their grant to be returned or interest earned from it. It is not an investment, it is a non-refundable grant. At the very least, a grantmaker should expect an annual written report on the project, a copy of the film (DVD or video), invitations to screenings and events, acknowledgement of the grant in the credits and in all promotional material, a thank you letter from the producer and director, a signed contract of understanding with the filmmaker and the grantmaking body which outlines all expectations (and these obligations on the filmmaker should always be met).
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What am I supporting here, the documentary industry or the individual films and the causes behind those films?
Whilst the documentary industry is extremely under-funded and a worthy recipient of private money, in this instance, foundations are supporting the individual films and in effect the causes behind those films. The objective and interests of philanthropic foundations and the objectives and desires of documentary filmmakers are extremely closely aligned. Foundations which regularly make grants to documentaries are attracted to the subjects of the films and the effectiveness of the medium.
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What are the best examples of documentaries that have made a difference?
See Case Studies at www.documentaryaustralia.com.au
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Where will the film be available?
Documentaries screen on television and sometimes in the cinema and have a long life in the educational sector. Increasingly documentaries are available on DVD in video stores and sold via the internet. They can also be made available through partnerships with charitable organisations.
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Where can I find information about the filmmakers?
There is an industry directory called the Encore directory that is available through all film industry agencies including the library at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (which has the best library for documentaries and associated texts in the country). Other avenues are the internet and the Documentary Australia Foundation website which has case studies of many local filmmaker's work and a section in Our Community called the World of Documentary which contains links to many other relevant sites. Over time, a network amongst the foundations will develop where good and bad experiences will be exchanged.
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