Screen Australia has announced it is giving $2.2 million to five Australian productions, all of which cover “contemporary conversations” from around Australia and the world.

Three projects that are funded through the Commissioned Program and the two through the Producer Program will share the lump sum of production funding, Screen Australia said.

Among the projects is The Idea of Australia, which examines how modern Australia has changed over the past 25 years, and Tony Armstrong’s five-part series for the ABC.

“I’m thrilled that Screen Australia has supported another strong mix of documentaries covering a variety of contemporary conversations steeped in history from Australia and across the globe,” Screen Australia’s head of documentary Alex West said.

These talented teams are delivering high-quality projects that will engage audiences and provoke dialogue.”

The Commissioned Program projects

Screen Australia explained the Documentary Commissioned program supports the production of a “diverse range of quality project” for TV, SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) or similar.

“It must offer a compelling vision with a clear and enduring cultural value, and have a local presale with a minimum licence fee at application stage,” it explained.

Three projects from the program will share the funding, along with the other two from the Producer Program.

The Idea of Australia

The four-part “revelatory” series for SBS unearths how Australia has changed in the past 25 years and how an ongoing social and cultural revolution was produced.

“By exploring our past and inspiring questions about the future, The Idea of Australia asks Australians to understand where the nation has come from and challenges what we might become,” Screen Australia said.

Julianne Schultz wrote the book of the same name and is the executive producer.

Darren Dale, who produced The Australian Wars, is also producing the series, along with Jacob Hickey, who will serve as the series producer.

The two worked together on Books That Made Us.

The Idea of Australia is directed by Benjamin Jones.

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The Last Goodbye

The Last Goodbye is a working title for a three-part SBS series that explores how Australian attitudes and approaches to death are changing.

It will also look at how Australia farewells and remembers the dead.

Sky Kinninmont (The Mosque Next Door) and Deborah Spinocchia (The School that Tried to End Racism) are serving as the series’ executive producers.

Allan Clarke, who worked onThe Bowraville Murders and The Dark Emu Story, is attached as the writer.

SBS has funded the series with the support of Screen NSW.

Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things

The five-part “very personal” ABC series will follow Tony Armstrong on the road as he learns about the “untold history of Australia through everyday Aussies and their not-so-ordinary objects”.

“Tony’s on a mission to build his very own exhibition for the National Museum of Australia that tells the untold history of our country, through ordinary objects that reveal extraordinary stories,” Screen Australia said.

“The series will see sentimental possessions placed front and centre as we unravel some of Australia’s most defining moments, one object at a time.”

The series is directed and produced by Hayden Guppy (Get Krack!n, Luke Warm Sex) and produced by Ash Gibb.

Josie Mason Campbell (This is Going to be Big) and Sophie Meyrick (Life on the Outside) will serve as executive producers.

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The Producer Program projects

Through the Documentary Producer program, producers are given foundational funding to leverage their projects.

“It must have a clear path to audience but marketplace attachment is not required at the application stage,” Screen Australia said.

The C Word

This feature-length documentary for SBS will explore how Australia was “poised to act” on climate change 30 years ago.

The “archive-powered exposé will delve into key moments where “science was trumped by misinformation, political will was checked, and climate change shifted from fact to fable”.

The C Word is directed by Tosca Looby and produced by Karina Holden, whose credits include See What You Made Me Do and Strong Female Lead.

Mozart’s Sister

This Madeleine Hetherton-Miau-directed documentary will tell the story of Mozart’s sister, who shared equal billing with her brother as music partners and creative collaborators when she was a child.

This new investigation in Mozart’s Sister explores the fascinating theory that Maria Anna Mozart played a larger role than previously known – and turns our gaze to the unrecognised female creators of our time,” Screen Australia explained.

Joining Hetherton-Miau is Rebecca Barry as producer.