SBS puts out a call for one hour documentaries for Untold Australia

SBS is looking for one hour documentaries that explore hidden multicultural worlds. These can be hidden subcultures, unexplored areas of multicultural Australia, or an unexpected way of tackling issues.  What they will all have in common is that they will be character-led worlds with contemporary, untold stories that will surprise and occasionally shock.

Season one of Untold Australia ranged from looking for love in the Australian-Indian community (Indian Wedding Race), an ultra-orthodox Jewish community in the heart of Melbourne Strictly Jewish, and Norfolk Island’s unique culture and its changing relationship with Australia (A Modern Mutiny).

SBS head of documentaries, Joseph Maxwell said: “The first season of Untold Australia was very well received by audiences who had the opportunity to explore and engage with unexplored and unexpected parts of Australian culture. This is an important season for SBS and reaffirms our commitment to single documentaries.”

SBS are looking for a variety of tones and encourage proposals which are celebratory as well as issue-based. They will be observational documentaries and led by strong engaging characters. A short character reel is vital.

This season of up to 4 x 1 hours will screen on SBS from 2017.

SBS Documentaries welcomes proposals of a 3-5 pages and they must have accompanying pitch reels, (ideally 2-5 minutes) including a short statement about the online potential of the idea.