ABC + Screen Australia launch $400k initiative Opening Shot 3 for documentary makers aged 35 and under – Opening Shot 2 films announced

ABC TV and Screen Australia today announced the launch of Opening Shot 3, a $400,000 initiative designed for young documentary makers, aged 35 and under, to create five programs to be shown in prime time on ABC2 in 2014. The selected projects for Opening Shot 2, that will be broadcast later this year on ABC2, have also been announced.

Young filmmakers interested in participating in Opening Shot 3 should head to screenaustralia.gov.au/openingshot and/ or openingshot.abc.net.au/about. The deadline for applications is: 12th April, 2013.

Dr Ruth Harley, Screen Australia’s chief executive, made the announcement at the Australian International Documentary Conference in Adelaide.

Says Dr Harley: “Opening Shot has proved young filmmakers have something important to say and the slate of projects announced today for the second series drives that message home.

“We’re also thrilled to once again partner with the ABC to offer Opening Shot 3, enabling the next generation of documentarians to speak to a prime-time audience.”

Says Stuart Menzies, ABC2 Controller: “The Opening Shot initiative is simply a great and all-too-rare opportunity for today’s young filmmakers. For our second season we were impressed by the tough subjects the filmmakers want to tackle. They demonstrate a craving to understand our attitudes about a range of bigticket issues: parenting; self-image; sexual abuse and death. I’m confident these new voices will deliver a season of films that are adventurous and surprising. It’s exactly what Opening Shot, and ABC2 is all about.

I’m also delighted that we can announce that we’re investing in another series to find more new voices for Opening Shot 3.”

Says Phil Craig, ABC TV head of factual: “It’s great to be able to develop a new generation of filmmaking talent, who are all keen to create lively and thought-provoking prime time programs. We’re thrilled that we have chance to extend this opportunity again to find more young filmmakers keen to develop their skills and bring their stories to the national audience.”

The Opening Shot 2 program, that airs on ABC2 later this year, includes:

Keep Me Safe Tonight: Over the course of one night, three ordinary Australians take us into the heart of a silent national tragedy – suicide. Director Corrie Chen, Writer Michelle Law, Producer Jiao Chen

Growing Up Gayby: While Australia debates if same-sex couples should be able to marry and have kids, director Maya Newell, who herself has lesbian parents, interrogates other ‘gaybies’ about what it’s like to have two mums or two dads. Director Maya Newell, Producer Charlotte McLellan

The Vagina Diaries: The rate of labiaplasty in Australia is increasing. What is it that is driving women to put the most intimate part of their bodies under the knife? Director/Writer Rachael Thompson, Producer Kate Breen

The Final Word: The Final Word explores the question of what would we change about our lives if we knew our time was nearly up. Director Daniel Mansour, Producer Tim Ryan

Our Little Secret: Chas Fisher, a 28-year-old survivor of child sexual abuse, wants to know what drives people to sexually abuse children. Director Monique Schafter, Producer Lee Matthews