New documentary initiative Sovereign Shorts empowers First Peoples stories on screen

Sissy Austin in Young Mob, written and directed by Tarneen Onus and Paul Gorrie.

Following the historic signing of Victoria’s Statewide Treaty with First Peoples in November 2025, a new documentary initiative is set to amplify First Peoples voices and stories.

Sovereign Shorts will give Victorian-based First Peoples screen storytellers the chance to make short documentaries that explores Treaty as a lived experience, capturing what this historic event means for individuals and communities.

The joint initiative by VicScreen, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), provides mentorship and resources for First Peoples screen storytellers to produce a 10–15-minute documentary. 

Applications are encouraged from Victorian-based First Peoples directors and writers at all stages of their careers, including those with experience in other creative fields such as theatre.

The content, tone and style of the short films are entirely up to the creator, including hybrid, experimental, observational, personal or essayistic approaches.

To enter, filmmakers are being asked to submit a short film treatment responding to the brief.

Up to four films will be selected to go into production with a production budget of up to $40,000 per film.

The Sovereign Shorts films will have a gala world premiere screening at the 74th Melbourne International Film Festival in August, before being broadcast on NITV and streaming on SBS on Demand.

Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 8 February 2026.

To find out more and enter, visit www.miff.com.au/sovereign-shorts

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “We’re proud to collaborate with MIFF and NITV to platform Victorian First Peoples screen storytellers as they explore what Treaty means to them. We’re looking for authentic, emotionally resonant, and distinctive stories that go beyond the news, and we encourage creators to experiment and push the boundaries of documentary storytelling.”

MIFF CEO Damien Hodgkinson said, “At a pivotal moment in Victoria’s history, Sovereign Shorts champions First Peoples voices telling their own stories. MIFF is proud to partner with VicScreen and NITV to support Victorian First Peoples filmmakers bringing these stories to screen with care and courage.”

NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production Dena Curtis said, “NITV is proud to be partnering with VicScreen and MIFF on Sovereign Shorts. This is an exciting initiative for us to support the development of Victoria’s First Peoples creatives. Each film will explore stories that ignite conversations about what Treaty means, how it’s understood, negotiated and imagined. We look forward to these powerful documentaries connecting and resonating with audiences on NITV and SBS On Demand." 

Learn more about VicScreen's funding and support programs.