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NITV Commissioning Guidelines
NITV commissions content to tell premium and authentic First Nations stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, for all Australians.
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Image: (L-R) NITV Commissions: The Beach, True Colours, Little J & Big Cuz (NITV)
About NITV Commissions
Our ambition is to support high impact First Nations stories that kick start national conversations, bring a Black lens to topical issues, and explore history with a First Nations context.
NITV elevates First Nations voices by providing strong editorial leadership for filmmakers. Our Commissions Team draws on best practice approaches to First Nations screen storytelling and is recognised for creative excellence and innovation.
NITV attracts the best Indigenous screen storytellers and premium Australian and International partners in building a prestigious pipeline of programming and talent. We deliver original content that entertains and engages a national audience, and garner acclaim, awards and commercial success.
Warwick Thornton's The Beach (2020) Source: NITV
NITV Commissions Team
Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Productions, Dena Curtis
Dena Curtis is a Warlpiri, Warumungu and Arrernte woman from Central Australia.
She joined NITV in 2024, as the Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, overseeing NITV’s original content slate. In this role Dena manages both Commissions and Internally produced content through NITV Entertainment and Events and NITV Sports.
Dena’s background is Producing and Directing. Her work includes the acclaimed children’s series Grace Beside Me, Comedy Series 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, Vampire hunter series Firebite, documentaries Ella, A League of Her Own, Back to Nature and Rebels with a Cause which premiered at MIFF, Factual Series’ Shadow Trackers and First Weapons, which took out GOLD at the New York Festivals Film and TV Awards in 2024.
Commissioning Production Supervisor, Debbie Gamble
Debbie started her TV career as a studio Director's Assistant in commercial networks before moving to SBS and training as a Production Manager on the program, Insight. From there, Debbie spent 20+ years as a freelance Production Manager working at various broadcasters and production houses across documentary, lifestyle and reality TV genres for the Australian, US and UK markets.
NITV Senior Commissioning Editor, Cieron Cody
Wiradjuri man, Cieron Cody is a development and production executive with experience in Agency and Broadcast settings.
With a focus on project and slate management Cieron has overseen the development, finance, production and completion of over 100 titles across animation, children’s content, games, VR, shorts, feature films, and limited and return series in documentary, fiction and factual entertainment.
Cieron has supported a range of award-winning and record-breaking productions with some of Australia’s and the world’s most recognised market players and talent.
NITV Commissioning Editor, Joseph Meldrum
Joseph Meldrum is a proud queer, Ghungalu writer, director, producer and production executive, who was born and raised in Northern and Central Australia and with a diverse background in the screen industries spanning across North America and Australia.
Joseph’s career started out in Canada where he worked in various production roles for Discovery Channel, HBO, Netflix, Lionsgate, AMC Plus, Paramount Plus and CBS.
More recently Joseph has been at Screen Australia and Screen Queensland and his passions are for empowering bold and under-represented voices and supporting his community.
NITV Original Content Coordinator and Team Assist, Susannah Miller
What we are looking for
We aim to commission world-class Indigenous stories that are Black, broad and entertaining. We have a diverse and dynamic slate across unscripted and scripted content, including a focus on factual one-offs and formats, children’s series and co-commissioned limited scripted series.
We are looking for innovative, contemporary, creatively ambitious ideas based on subjects that are:
- Stories that are told from a First Nations perspective
- Engage, entertain and inform a broad audience.
- Open audiences to Indigenous voices across Australia.
- Reflect the diversity Australia’s First Nations communities.
Strait to the Plate. A documentary hosted by Aaron Fa'aoso (2020) Source: NITV
Eligibility
Do I need to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
Two of the three key creative roles (writer, director or producer) must be filled by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Do I need to apply through a production company?
Yes. NITV commissions programs from independent production companies, not individuals.
If you're an individual with an idea, you’ll need to make your pitch to a production company before bringing it to NITV.
Can I submit a proposal for development funds?
Yes, we will consider projects for development.
We strongly encourage you to speak with a Commissioning Editor about your concept before submitting.
You can submit your development proposals via the online form.
Can I submit a proposal to be commissioned?
Commissioning opportunities are competitive. You are not able to submit a commissioning project via the portal.
You will need to speak with a Commissioning Editor about your project who will advise of next steps.
Note: Projects wanting to be considered as commissioned content should be well developed. Your proposal should be budgeted, include all necessary creative materials, finance plan – indicating finance partners, production schedules, chain of title documents and CVs of Key Creatives (2 out of 3 key creatives need to be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander practitioners).
Little J & Big Cuz (2017) Source: NITV
How to submit a proposal
The form requires the following documentation:
- One page pitch document and
- A full treatment/outline or script, if available
- Audience statement
- Development budget
- Development schedule
- CVs of key creatives (writer, director and producer)*
- Draft Finance Plan
- Sizzle Reel, if available
*Two of the three key creatives roles filled by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
NITV Commissioning invites screen practitioners to submit proposals throughout the year.
Incarceration Nation (2021) Source: NITV
The submission process
NITV commissioning decisions will be subject to the requirements of the SBS Charter, SBS Act and SBS Codes of Practice, and Editorial Guidelines
Assessment:
Due to the high volume of emails we receive, we’ll acknowledge receipt of your application via the Online Portal within approximately 5 business days.
Editorial assessments of proposals will take between 6 to 8 weeks. During that time, we will read your application and make the final decision at our monthly editorial meeting.
If we have questions or need more information about your proposal, we will contact you.
Applicants should be aware of any outstanding commitments to NITV. Your application will not be considered until they are cleared. If you are unsure of any outstanding commitments, get in touch with the Commissioning team before applying.
If the proposal is successful:
If NITV decides to develop the project, the channel will enter into an agreement with you. The agreement will include the following:
- Development Budget
- Summary of NITV’s investment
- Details of Development Deliverables
- Drawdown schedule
- Terms and Conditions
- How to credit NITV
Little J & Big Cuz behind the scenes. Miranda Tapsell voices protagonist Little J (2017) Source: NITV
Links and Resources
Screen Australia has useful resources for program makers, including those starting out in the industry. Explore them here.
The Greater Perspective — Protocol and guidelines for the production of film and television on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
SBS Editorial Guidelines — The principles that guide SBS's editorial processes, including editorial responsibility, conflicts of interest, and commercial and external funding relationships. Two of these guidelines are specific to NITV, relating to in-language and children’s programming.
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