HEART of OUR STORY DOCUMENTARY AUSTRALIA FOUNDATION REVIEW 2008-2016 HEART of OUR STORY Contents
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D AF HEART of OUR STORY DOCUMENTARY AUSTRALIA FOUNDATION REVIEW 2008-2016 HEART of OUR STORY Contents Documentary Inspires Documentary Australia Foundation 3 Who We Are & What We Do (DAF) understand film, they understand The Big Picture documentary, they also understand what philanthropists care about. 5 Documentary Connects DAF gives a framework to not only drive From the CEO & Chair social change but measure it as well. Documentary Tells A Story Deanne Weir – WeirAnderson Foundation 8 Our Story So Far 10 Documentary Creates Impact Working with DAF on my film was the The Power of Documentary most liberating creative experience that I have ever had. The DAF model is unique 12 Documentary Informs because it brings people to the table Enabling Documentary that really care and want to be involved. Supporting Filmmaking Rebecca Barry – Director & Producer, I Am A Girl 15 Documentary Engages Our Partnerships Bringing philanthropists and filmmakers together 19 Documentary Builds Community to create social change What’s Next? 22 Documentary Figures DAF Financial Year 2014-2015 Snapshot 23 Documentary Drives Change Our People 25 Documentary Makes a Difference Our Supporters Cover image: Gayby Baby. Photography by Amanda James. 2 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 Image left: Call Me Dad. Photography by Sophie Wiesner. Image: Ringbalin River Stories – Uncle Major Sumner, Ngarrindjeri Elder and Founder of the Ringbalin. Photography by Ali Sanderson. DOCUMENTARY INSPIRES Who We Are & What We Do The Big Picture 3 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 DOCUMENTARYImage: Frackman. Documentary by Andrew Quilty, Oculi. INSPIRES Who We Are What We Do Documentary Australia Foundation DAF is a unique and powerful (DAF) is the nation’s only independent, advocate for social change non-profit organisation that creates through storytelling. We inspire social impact through documentary and nurture partnerships between The Big Picture Since 2008 film. Founded in 2008, we make it documentary filmmakers, possible for philanthropists to tax- philanthropists, corporate and effectively collaborate with filmmakers not-for-profit organisations. to tell stories that change lives. $10.8m raised in funds We add value to these partnerships by providing a funding platform, expertise and documentaries approved resources to help them achieve 350 their goals and maximise their social impact. We receive and Recognition manage grants and donations 2286 donors as well as provide pathways for DAF was the recipient of the audiences to engage with issues. 2013 AIDC Stanley Hawes Award for outstanding contribution to We support the production of 2462 donations made Australian documentary and was a films that capture, shape and nominee for the 2015 Sydney Peace profile Australian culture and Prize, acknowledging the power of society and which inspire raised through Good Pitch2 Australia documentary in the pursuit of peace. change on a global level. $6.9m $635k online donations [since2014] In this progress report, a reference to DAF or Documentary Australia Foundation means Documentary Australia Foundation Pty Limited (ABN 12 119 563 941) as trustee for the Documentary Australia Foundation Trust (ABN 11 227 328 793). DAF has established a public fund known as the Documentary Australia Foundation Donations Fund which is endorsed to receive tax deductible donations from donors to support the objectives of DAF, including the sustainable production of documentary films in the cultural life of Australia. Donors may express a preference for the use of these donations. The bona fide nature of the proposed documentary filmmaker recipient is verified by DAF prior to DAF exercising its discretion and making a decision to make a grant. 4 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 4 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 Image: Inside Out. Photography by Steve Cruz Martin. DOCUMENTARY CONNECTS From the CEO & Chair 5 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 5 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 From the CEO When we founded Documentary Australia Since the beginning, the vision and Foundation (DAF) we focused on three main contributions of many have helped us to aims: We wanted to showcase how the stories build strong foundations. We are in a period that documentary films tell are aligned with the of rapid growth and we are well set up to issues that philanthropy addresses. We also fulfill our enormous potential. aimed to shift the focus of filmmakers to what their art could make happen in society. Finally, We are achieving what we imagined in the we wanted to make it appealing and easy for beginning. We are a hub for a like-minded philanthropic individuals and foundations to community, we provide a shared resource and give to documentary production and outreach. we catalyse collective action to bring about positive change. Now is the time for social We set about creating an easy, tax-effective impact documentary. mechanism for giving, with added support and robust governance. We also educate the I look forward to the next chapter and bringing documentary sector on how its work operates you stories that open your hearts, fire your as a powerful catalyst for greater social impact. minds and inspire you to act. Our strengths are a truly collaborative and Dr Mitzi Goldman effective organisational structure and a web Mitzi is the CEO of Documentary Australia platform that makes it easy to access and Foundation and an award-winning director support projects. This ensures that DAF is & producer. Her recent films include nimble in responding to philanthropic Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation, Night Parrot interests and new ideas. Stories and A Common Purpose. In 2016, DAF showcases world’s best practice with a model that others aim to replicate. We see evidence of our impact in many ways: a better understanding of filmmakers and philanthropists flows through to better partnerships, film applications and Now is the time for more powerful social impact campaigns. social impact documentary. Dr Mitzi Goldman – CEO 6 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 6 Heart of the Story | Documentary Australia Foundation Review 2008-2016 From the Chair Having been a founding director of We are continuing to build on We are continuing to build I would like to take this Documentary Australia between 2008 and 2011 the implementation of our new relationships with strategic opportunity to acknowledge under Ian Darling’s visionary chairmanship, national program-based support partners, continuing our support the visionary leadership of our I have had the opportunity to witness strategy. This national strategy of Good Pitch2 as a Presenting CEO, Dr Mitzi Goldman, and the Documentary Australia’s remarkable evolution will unite funders, filmmakers Partner. We are enormously Documentary Australia staff. The over the past 8 years. Returning in 2015 in the and not-for-profit organisations grateful to Ian Darling, Shark organisation would not have its role of Chair has been an enormous privilege, around the specific issue areas Island Institute and the fabulous solid foundation, strong reputation and I am excited by the many opportunities of the Environment, Education/ Good Pitch team for this trusted and clarity of vision without the unfolding for Documentary Australia. Youth, Indigenous Issues, Human and highly rewarding partnership. commitment of Mitzi and her small Rights/Social Justice, Health and but hard working team. It is now well-recognised that a documentary Wellbeing and the Arts. We are also continuing our is a powerful, and at times visceral, way of work around the creation of My thanks to our committed persuading us to change our perception on an We will develop comprehensive an evaluation methodology to Board of Directors and our issue and inspiring us to action, particularly programs around a small slate be shared by filmmakers and Leadership Council, not only when accompanied by a strategic outreach of documentaries in each issue funders to measure the social for welcoming me so warmly as campaign. For not-for-profit organisations, the area, building collaborations impact of a documentary, and Chair, but for their unstinting visual power of a documentary is a strategic and proactively convening to measure our own impact. enthusiasm and generosity in mechanism by which to move an issue from the and managing partnerships We acknowledge the significant sharing their time and many talents with each other and abstract to the tangible, influence public policy between stakeholders from the support and encouragement of with management, helping and access a broad audience. Furthermore, new development stage through the Macquarie Group Foundation to drive the success of the technologies, global access and social media to audience engagement in this regard. organisation. I would also like are creating unlimited opportunities to build a and evaluation. We will also to acknowledge the significant film’s audience and achieve broad and rapid provide specialised training to I would also like to acknowledge 3 year chairmanship of Lisa momentum on an issue. the many philanthropic filmmakers, donor education Cotton, whose commitment is seminars and educational individuals and foundations, Documentary Australia’s overarching strategic whose vital support, both being realised in Documentary strategies to develop curriculum Australia’s many achievements. priority in 2016 continues to be to enhance materials for the use of financial and non-financial, has the capacity of documentary filmmakers to tell documentary as a tool for been critical to the development I look forward to the continued stories that resonate deeply with the community, teachers’ in the classroom. of Documentary Australia over growth and development of and the ability of the not-for-profit sector to the past 8 years. This support Documentary Australia articulate its message and create positive In 2015, we welcomed Screen was leveraged through the Foundation, and through it the social change.