SBS On Demand & DocPlay to Showcase AFTRS Docs

A selection of student documentaries from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) will be showcased on SBS On Demand and DocPlay.

Fifteen short documentaries produced by AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students will premiere on SBS on Demand, and six short documentaries produced by AFTRS Master of Arts Screen: Documentary students and alumni will screen on DocPlay.

This includes Chinatown’s Last Emperor, which won the best Australian documentary film award at the Doc.Sydney festival and has been submitted for the student category in the Oscars. It was written and directed by Tyler Kang and produced by Paris Piccolo, both AFTRS BA students.

Empress, directed by Lucien Jones and produced by Chhayly Moek, both AFTRS Masters students, will stream on DocPlay.

Other titles coming to SBS On Demand are Can I Touch Your Hair from writer/director Saskia Faniis and producer Chiara Hochstadt; Heart and Neo-soul from writer/director Spencer Dejanovic and producer Elle Charalambu; Lines In The Sanctuary from writer/director Tyler Pease and producer Alex Maxwell; Living In Limbo from writer/director Zabi Malik and producer Meisha Lowe; Over The Rainbow from writer/director Akaysha Morgan and producer Skye Netting; Reel Equality from writer/director Meisha Lowe and producer Jasmine Russell; Revolver from writer/director Charles Perkins and producer Finbar Murphy; Street City from director Awdesh Al-Zebaree and producer Tyler Kang; Sweet Like Honey from writer Kristin Beukes, director Jordan Fox and producer Kavyaa Gohil; That’s How We Roll from director Jemma Tainsh and producer Louis Vahl; The Dirty Half Mile from writer/director Madison McCreath and producer Charlie Varcoe; Threads of Identity from director Poppy Grant and producer Louis Cheval; Trust from writer/director Tegan Geelie Rose and producer Chiara “Chess” Metters; and Wog from writer/director Paris Piccolo and producer Alex Maxwell.

Other titles coming to DocPlay are Waves of Change: Saving Sydney’s Sharks from director Anneke De Bruin and director/producer David Priestly; Don’t Call it a Comeback from director/ producer Lucien Jones; Red Spice from writer/director Michelle Kaldy and producer Ricky James; Messenger of the Bees from director/producer Anneke de Bruin; and Shane from director Alex Vaughan.

The documentaries will be available to stream for free beginning on June 26.

“SBS On Demand is thrilled to continue our ongoing partnership with AFTRS to deliver a collection of bold, boundary-pushing and distinctly Australian stories,” said Alex Walkden, programmer for SBS On Demand and World Movies. “These short films don’t just entertain—they inform, provoke and challenge expectations with purpose and originality. Each project is a testament to the creativity of emerging Australian documentary makers, and we’re constantly inspired by the distinctive voices and fresh perspectives they bring to the screen. This year’s showcase is no exception—a vibrant lineup that demands attention and promises impact. We’re proud to champion the next generation of storytellers and to offer their work alongside our slate of world-class documentaries and series.”

Rufus Richardson, executive at DocPlay, commented, “As Australia’s only dedicated documentary streaming service, DocPlay is thrilled to once again partner with AFTRS in bringing this collection of entertaining and informative short-form documentaries to Australian audiences. The quality of emerging talent in this showcase stood out to us from the start, and the filmmakers have explored a diverse range of topics and issues with empathy, compassion and insight.”

“The dynamic world of documentary filmmaking means it’s crucial that AFTRS provides real world, direct-to-audience pathways that empower students to be future-ready and equipped to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the industry,” added Richard Welch, documentary discipline lead at AFTRS. “Collaborating with SBS on Demand and DocPlay—leaders in championing diverse documentary voices—brings these incredible films to audiences across the country, shaping the future of Australian documentary storytelling.”