Fundraising for Impact Masterclass: Online

Join us for the next instalment of the Impact Producer Program Masterclass series - Fundraising for Impact.

This masterclass will take place on Tuesday 10 September 2024 from 10-11.30am AEST. Register now for the online event which will be held live via Zoom.

Note: This event will be recorded. If you can not make it to the live event, please register for the event to receive the follow-up correspondence with the link to the recording.

Moderated by Documentary Australia CEO Dr Mitzi Goldman, this panel discussion will feature:

• Ivan O’Mahoney – Award-winning filmmaker and founder of production company In Films
• Ben Ferris – Co-founder of production company Breathless Films, Board Director of the Ferris Family Foundation, Documentary Australia Board Director
• Sharlene Dadd – Head of Partnerships & Communications, Documentary Australia

This masterclass will allow you to hear directly from film industry and fundraising experts who have successfully secured funding for social impact documentaries and their campaigns. Learn what funders are looking for and get practical advice and strategies for success as our panellists delve into real-world examples.

About the panel

Ivan O’Mahoney is the founder of In Films, the production company behind projects such as Hitting Home, Revelation and Folau. Ivan’s work includes the production of feature documentaries, which has led to engagement with the philanthropic community, in addition to traditional players like broadcasters, funding agencies, streamers and distributors. Projects that have benefited from philanthropic funding included Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra, Unseen Skies and two feature documentaries currently in production: Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story and Revealed: Malka Leifer.

Ben Ferris is an internationally acclaimed film writer, director and an AACTA-nominated producer. He is a current Board Director of Documentary Australia and Board Director of the Ferris Family Foundation. In 2020 he co-founded Breathless Films, which has since produced its first five feature films: Birdeater (Best Narrative Feature, SFF 2023), Tennessine (SFF 2023), Love Road (SFF 2023), The Longest Weekend (SFF 2022) and Lonesome (SFF 2022). Ben has also directed the documentaries In(di)visible, Great Observers and 57 Lawson. He was one of the founders and then Artistic Director of the Sydney Film School (2004-2018).

Sharlene Dadd is the Head of Partnerships & Communications at Documentary Australia. Sharlene joined Documentary Australia after leading WWF-Australia’s Impact Partnerships team and securing significant funding from Philanthropy, Corporate Partnerships, Grants (Government, Private and Corporate Foundations) and Bequests. With previous roles in the disability, agriculture, wine and tourism sectors, her strengths lie in setting and achieving strategic objectives, generating and growing lasting relationships for sustainable financial support, developing high-performing teams and establishing collaborative, transformational partnerships.

The Fundraising for Impact Masterclass is presented as part of the Impact Producer Program which is supported by its major partners, The Snow Foundation, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Minderoo Foundation and Dyson Bequest, plus venue partner Shark Island Institute.