SBS and Screen Australia Shortlist Nine Projects
The Digital Originals programme selects nine teams to develop content focusing on Australia's underrepresented voices.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Language Learning
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SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia have announced nine projects shortlisted for the seventh year of the Digital Originals initiative. These teams will now enter an intensive development workshop to refine their storytelling.
Why it matters
The programme aims to elevate narratives from underrepresented communities across Australia. It serves as a vital pipeline for diverse talent to reach national screens.
The Digital Originals programme received 180 applications this year. It will eventually provide further development funding to up to five of the nine shortlisted projects.
The players
SBS
SBS is an Australian public service broadcaster that provides multilingual and multicultural radio and television services.
Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the federal government agency charged with supporting the development, production, and promotion of Australian screen content.
NITV
NITV is an Australian television channel that broadcasts content produced by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The details
Selected projects include Boychick, which explores a transgender rabbi's child, and RORRIM, which features an Aboriginal scientist. Other works cover diverse themes such as Muslim theatre performance and the intersections of disability and dementia.
Timeline
2026: The development phase for the nine shortlisted projects takes place.
Coming months: SBS and NITV will broadcast Miss Sultanah and Fish Boi.
2027: The scheduled release of the series Mangrove Mansion, Tantrum and Pretty Deadly.
Culture Shift
The Digital Originals initiative marks the seventh year of this programme supporting diverse talent on Australian screens. It reflects a shift toward institutional funding that prioritises authentic representation over traditional commercial formats.
The public can expect to see the fruits of this development process when the selected series premiere on SBS and NITV in the coming years. Viewers gain access to a broader range of authentic Australian narratives that reflect the diversity of the community.
The takeaway
Aspiring creators can monitor these development cycles to understand the evolving criteria for state-funded narrative support. The success of this programme highlights the ongoing demand for diverse perspectives in the modern media landscape.
Further reading
Explore more initiatives and storytelling resources in the Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IF Magazine.
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Should government bodies prioritize funding original storytelling from underrepresented communities in the creative arts?
