Sector Support

The Labs

The Labs was a 12-month early development mentorship offered to 6 Australian film teams in 2018. Each was supported through a combination of residential storytelling workshops and industry sessions lead by the team at Shark Island Institute and a network of global and local screen leaders. More >

The film teams developed their stories and impact campaigns supported by industry professionals: Kristen Feeley (Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program), Jenny Raskin (Impact Partners NYC), Mark Monroe (Screenwriter & Producer ‘Icarus’, ’The Cove’) and Philippa Bateman (Producer ‘Jindabyne’)

The year-long mentorship offered an extraordinary opportunity for filmmakers to hone their stills as independent storytellers and social impact filmmakers.

Three of the projects developed through the labs have been successfully released to national and international acclaim.

Carbon
— the Unauthorised Biography
Carbon — the Unauthorised Biography

Directors: Daniella Ortega & Niobe Thompson
Producers: Niobe Thompson & Sonya Pemberton

Unseen Skies
Working title: The Investigative Artist
Unseen Skies

Director: Yaara Bou Melhem
Producer: Ivan O’Mahoney

Big Deal
Working title: Democracy for Sale
BIG DEAL

Director: Craig Reucassel
Producer: Aline Jacques

Other films have been reimagined as shorts or continue in development.

Reclaim
Working title: Monuments

30-minute short film. More info.
Directors: Laura Murphy Oates & Rani Chaleyer
Producer: Mitchell Stanley

Life After Juvie

Continues to be developed.
Director/Producer: Charby Ibrahim
More info.

Between Us

The co-directors of Between Us
chose not to continue with
the development of the story.