Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production and development funding for 47 documentaries that bring distinctive Australian voices and perspectives to the screen, supporting both established and emerging creative teams.
Among the funded projects are several featuring LGBTIQA+ stories and perspectives, including a documentary about the legendary Leigh Bowery and a film about a woman hoping to reconnect with her transgender sibling.
Screen Australia Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston said the projects balance local storytelling with global relevance.
“The funded documentaries reflect Screen Australia’s commitment to supporting stories that are both local and globally relevant. From emerging to established creatives, they showcase an ambitious documentary sector finding new ways to collaborate and connect with viewers, from significant international co-productions to exciting direct-to-audience partnerships.”
Huddleston highlighted the recent Screen Currency 2026 report which found 71% of Australians have taken some form of action after watching local screen content, saying it spoke to the importance of documentaries as a catalyst for social change and shared understanding.
Leigh Bowery: Eternal Sunshine
Among the funded projects is Leigh Bowery: Eternal Sunshine, a feature documentary exploring the life and legacy of trailblazing Australian artist, performer and cultural provocateur Leigh Bowery.
Directed by Ilinca Calugareanu, created and produced by Elinor Hughes, and produced by Vee Shi, Michael McMahon and Ned Williams, the film will uncover the Australian roots of a creative force whose radical vision transformed London’s underground scene and established Bowery as a global cultural icon.
Bowery was born in Sunshine, Melbourne, and moved to London at the age of 19, quickly becoming part of the city’s art and club scenes. Bowery created striking, flamboyant and sometimes controversial costumes and performances, and also designed costumes for the Michael Clark Dance Company.
Bowery was also a muse and model for painter Lucien Freud. His club night, Taboo, ran for 18 months from 1985 and later inspired a musical created by Boy George.
Estranged
Olivia Martin-McGuire will create a deeply personal project with Estranged. The documentary follows Olivia and her trans sibling, Jack, as they reconnect after two years of estrangement and embark on a global road trip, exploring queer community perspectives on healing separation.
Principal production funding for the project comes from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest.
