Impact Producer Program

The inaugural professional development program at Documentary Australia is looking for two professionals in its first year who are interested in expanding their skill set and gain hands-on experience in Impact Producing. The program offers formal learning through specialist designed modules, one-on-one structured mentorship with individual members of the Documentary Australia team and a program of masterclasses from highly respected industry leaders. Participants will then apply their learning to documentaries within our broad slate of films seeking support. All our documentaries tell stories that cover seven key issue areas – Environment, Human Rights/Social Justice, Arts, Women/Girls, Youth, Health & Wellbeing and First Nations stories. Applying the skills gained through the modules, masterclasses and mentorships offer participants in the program the opportunity to gain knowledge of the landscape of the seven issue areas and practise impact producing under the guidance of the Documentary Australia team.

What is an Impact Producer?

An Impact Producer is responsible for designing and implementing strategic impact and education strategies around social impact documentaries. An Impact Producer will place a documentary film as a central tool in a campaign by building collaboration with a broad range of partners across civil society. There is an increasing demand for Impact Producers in the Australian documentary sector as films forge new pathways to audiences beyond broadcast, festival, and theatrical release. Successful participants will receive a stipend of $50k to enable them to take part and dedicate at least 3 days a week over 10 months of the program from February to December 2023. This unique program provides opportunities for professionals to move into this new and rewarding profession and develop their skills within a creative and supportive environment.

Participants will:

• Complete learning modules that encompass impact strategy and implementation, budgeting and fundraising, partnerships, communication and evaluation.
• Be embedded within the Documentary Australia impact department and receive mentorship from team members, including Dr Mitzi Goldman (CEO and Documentary Filmmaker), Lucy Corrigan (Impact and Evaluation Director), Sharlene Dadd (Partnerships and Development Director), Lisa Sherrard (CFO, Producer and Impact Producer), Stephanie King, (Impact Director, Documentary Producer) Lisa Kanani (Senior Impact Producer) as well as Communications and social media strategists.
• Put their learning into practice under the guidance of our Impact and Evaluation Department to develop their skills and experience in a hands-on setting and work on impact campaigns, fundraising, partnerships, and events.

Application Criteria

• Australian residents based in Sydney, NSW or the ability to relocate to Sydney for the duration of the program, if not a resident of Greater Sydney*;
• The Documentary Australia Impact Producer Program will be on-site in Paddington, Sydney, starting in February 2023 and concluding in December 2023;
• Participants will be required to commit for the duration of the program and engage in the program activities at least 3 days a week for 10 months**;
• Applicants are required to provide a cover letter explaining their motivation to apply, a CV and responses to our selection criteria below;
• References and or Letters of recommendation may be sought in the final stage of selection.
• Applications close on 7^th November 2022 ;
• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Australia;
• Experience in social advocacy, fundraising, campaigning and/or documentary is highly desirable. Experience in documentary is not essential.

* A contribution to relocation expenses is not covered in the first year, however we hope to offer this program nationally in future years. **Participants will enter into an agreement with Documentary Australia that outlines expectations for participation in the program.

Essential

• A passion for contributing to positive social and environmental change;
• At least three years’ experience working in a relevant field e.g., documentary, social policy and advocacy, community development and engagement, fundraising, not for profit, media and communications or other campaigning experience;
• Strategic, solutions focussed approach to work;
• Exceptional communication skills, including experience creating compelling written copy and outstanding interpersonal skills;
• Excellent project management skills, with a capacity to manage competing demands;
• Flexible team player comfortable working in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment;
• Experience managing databases and spreadsheets and competent with a range of software including Microsoft Office, google suite of tools and social media.

Desirable

• An interest or experience in documentary storytelling;
• Philanthropic fundraising experience, including experience writing grant applications;
• Partnership management experience, including developing new partnerships;
• Social media and communications/marketing experience;
• Experience with software including Salesforce, Mailchimp and Canva.

Program completion Participants who complete the program to a satisfactory level will be provided with a Certificate of Completion and a written reference from Documentary Australia. Depending on the extent of involvement and contribution to a particular film’s impact campaign, a credit may be negotiated. It is anticipated that participants will have the necessary skill set to secure ongoing work in the sector as a result of the extensive training, experience and endorsement from our organisation.