AUTHENTIC ZK: Real Stories from the Torres Strait Islands

AUTHENTIC ZK  IS THE LATEST MICRO SHORT INITIATIVE TO BE DELIVERED BY SCREEN QUEENSLAND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCREENWORKS, TSIMA AND THE ABC.

Applications are now OPEN. Submission deadline is 9.00AM AEST Monday 22 September

Screen Queensland, in partnership with Screenworks, the ABC and Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA), has opened applications for Authentic ZK, a talent development initiative to elevate the skills of emerging filmmakers from the Torres Strait.

If you are a Torres Strait Islander and have a story that celebrates your people and culture, here's an opportunity to tell it on screen. We are looking for factual stories that can be told via interviews and visual exposé. We are looking for filmmaking teams who have some experience. The team could include a camera person, a writer, a director and a producer, you will be asked to provide credits and examples of work from your team. To apply, you will need to submit a story plan that includes a description of the story you want to tell (within 3–5 minutes) and why people would want to watch your story.

The selected filmmaking teams will be supported to produce stylistically compelling projects that celebrate Torres Strait Islander stories, people and culture by profiling a significant local personality. Applicants are asked to submit a short film idea that will uncover unique and untold stories from the people of the Torres Strait as well as showcase the region.

Authentic ZK will provide $5,000 to support three teams of filmmakers to produce original 3–5 minute microfilms. Participants will work closely with Supervising Producer Shontell Ketchell and Producer Ben Southwell alongside the program partners across all stages of the projects, from script approval to production and final edit picture lock. The ABC will provide editorial assistance and oversight to meet ABC standards.

Application requirements:

• Authentic ZK is open to local early-career filmmaking teams Torres Strait Islanders from the Torres Strait region and Far North Queensland.
• Selected stories must have a First Nations theme and production team.
• Applicants must be available to work with the program partners to develop, produce and deliver their microfilms between September 2025 and April 2026.

Applicants must read through the Guidelines and Terms & Conditions before completing the online application materials to submit proposals.

Screenworks will hold an online information session about Authentic ZK to assist potential applicants with more information about the initiative and the application process. Questions will be welcome during the session. 

***Screenworks will hold an online information session THIS FRIDAY 29 AUGUST @2pm about Authentic ZK to assist potential applicants with more information about the initiative and the application process. Questions will be welcome during the session.  Register here to join***

Authentic ZK is an early-career development initiative. Applicants, including all members of the filmmaking team, will be required to meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, aged 18 or over.
• Demonstrate that you have been living in the Torres Strait for a minimum period of 6 months prior to submitting your application.
• Complete all sections of the online application form and submit the application prior to the application deadline of 9.00AM AEST Monday 22 September.
• Be available to produce your film to these broad and key deadlines (subject to change):
  • October – December 2025: Script development, pre-production and production.
  • January 2026: Post-production.
  • February – April 2026: Post-production and delivery.
• We are committed to ensuring diverse representation across all aspects of the production and development process, including differences in gender; age; Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity; cultural and linguistic diversity; disability; sexuality (LGBTQI+), and socio-economic status.
• The project that is the subject of the application must:
  • Focus on factual content, stories, and/or characters from the Torres Strait region
  • Be under 5 mins in length
  • Be aware of/comply with the ABC Act
  • Not be advertorial or intended primarily as advertising or marketing material.

• Please complete the online application form (INSERT LINK). The deadline for submissions is 00AM AEST Monday 22 September. Late submissions will not be assessed.
• Supporting documentation within the application form includes:
  • A story plan that details the episode outline, the subject, script, characters and creative treatment (5 pages max). Download story plan example. Download the story plan template here.
  • Up to a 2-minute pitch video consisting of:
    • characters and brief story summary
    • themes and tone of the project
    • confirmation of your access to the factual content and characters
    • your team and their past experience creating content
    • what is unique and innovative about your project.
  • Current CV for applicant and all crew – including any links to previous works (if any).
  • An outline budget to indicate how your $5,000 will be spent. Download the budget template here.

Please check the full Guidelines and Terms & Conditions before submitting your application.

Screenworks is strongly committed to ensuring equal access to this project. If you require assistance with your application, please contact Screenworks Project Coordinator, Rachel Smith [email protected] 0431 670 783.

Screenworks will manage the online application process and check initial applications for eligibility. All applications will be assessed by a panel including representatives from Screen Queensland, Screenworks, Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) against the following criteria:

• The strength and distinctiveness of the subject and their story.
• The quality of materials submitted.
• The skills, achievements, experience and track record of the applicant(s) and the quality of their previous work if available.
• The potential of the project to contribute to a robust screen industry in North Queensland.

RESOURCES

• Application Form
• Story Plan Template
• Budget Template
• Guidelines
• Terms & Conditions

If you have any questions about this initiative or your application, please contact [email protected] or call 0431 670 783.

Applications close at 9.00AM AEST Monday 22 September

• Each successful filmmaking team will be allocated a budget of $5,000 excluding GST to produce their short film up to a maximum length of 5 minutes.
• All projects must be produced and post-produced entirely in Queensland and have a maximum Australian Classification of MA 15+.
• Funding will be provided as a grant. If you are successful Screenworks will enter into a written agreement specifying the terms of the funding and what you will need to deliver in order to receive payments.
• All projects selected for production will be subject to editorial guidelines and feedback provided by Screenworks, Screen Queensland, TSIMA and the ABC. Any feedback will be consolidated and communicated to each filmmaker through Screenworks.

The successful filmmaking teams will be required to grant Screenworks, Screen Queensland, TSIMA and the ABC a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to publish and broadcast the short film across any media for perpetuity this will include ABC TV, Radio, Digital and social media platforms.

• The ABC reserves the right to the first broadcast window of the films. If successful filmmakers choose to submit their Authentic ZK films into domestic or international film festivals, any entry fees will be their responsibility.
• The successful filmmaking teams will be required to credit Screenworks, Screen Queensland, TSIMA and the ABC in their project.
• Each key deliverable stage, e.g. shooting script, edits and fine cut, will require the approval of the project partners before progressing to the next stage.
• The project partners intend to promote this project through multiple channels including promotion via press releases and on social media channels. Each selected participant will be expected to support and co-operate with this to ensure that it is able to achieve the project promotion objectives set out above.

We also ask that applicants consider inclusiveness, accessibility and diversity when forming their filmmaking teams for any Screenworks initiative.