SBS and NITV open applications for new Digital Originals intake as five projects secure development backing
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia are once again searching for the next wave of emerging screen talent, officially opening applications for the seventh edition of the Digital Originals initiative.
The announcement comes as five projects from the 2025 cohort move into the next phase, securing development funding to continue work on their scripted short-form series.
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Created as a pathway for emerging creatives, the initiative focuses on helping underrepresented voices develop original projects for audiences across SBS and NITV. Participants are given access to industry mentoring, development opportunities and production support aimed at turning early-stage concepts into completed short-form scripted series.
Over recent years, the program has built a growing reputation within the Australian screen sector, with several previous projects gaining international and local recognition.
Among them is Homebodies, which received a Special Mention from the jury in the Short Form competition at Series Mania, while Moonbird screened in competition at the same event in 2025. Another former project, Night Bloomers, won the Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Best Web Series in 2024.
The latest group of projects advancing into funded development includes stories spanning romance, crime, comedy and regional Australia.
Bump Into You, created by Nathan Borg, Sam Martin, Scarlett Koehne and Jessica Smith, follows hard-of-hearing character James after a chance romantic encounter with a Deaf British traveller leads him to reassess both his identity and family expectations.
Good Boy, from Rebecca Metcalf and Anu Hasbold, centres on a lonely woman who becomes romantically involved with a man in prison before attempting to imitate a crime in a bid to prove his innocence.
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In the Northern Territory-set Rogue One, creators Mema Munro, Cian McCue and Rebecca Parker explore community policing in the Top End, where local knowledge and youth culture often outpace official authority.
Musket, developed by Jack Steele and Bronte Gosper, follows two Koori teenagers forced into an overnight mission after disposing of a stolen colonial-era musket, navigating tensions at a rural boys’ school along the way.
The fifth project, SCAMMERS, from Mehhma Malhi, Xavier Hazard and Paige Wharehinga, tells the story of a retiree who teams with her aged-care worker to target scammers after losing her savings in a fraud scheme.
SBS head of scripted Nakul Legha said the initiative had become an important platform for new and diverse voices within the Australian television industry.
“At a time when it’s harder than ever to break through, we’re immensely proud of its continued success and I congratulate the talented 2025 Digital Original teams whose projects have received development funding.
“I can’t wait to see the next generation of storytellers step forward with their stories.”
NITV head of Indigenous commissioning and production Dena Curtis said the latest cohort included strong First Nations representation, with two Indigenous-led projects progressing to development.
“Digital Originals is an important pathway for First Nations practitioners to break into the industry, providing the tools and mentorship to create powerful scripted series that amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.”
Screen Australia director of narrative content Louise Gough said the funded projects reflected the distinct storytelling approach the initiative had become known for.
“I’m excited to see them take this next step to continue to grow their creative vision and bring their unique stories to Australian audiences.”
Applications for Digital Originals 7 will remain open until 5pm AEST on July 2, with details available through the Screen Australia website.
Digital Originals 7 applications close at 5pm AEST on July 2 through Screen Australia, with the initiative continuing across SBS and NITV.
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