AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program is a dedicated strand of sessions designed by and for First Nations practitioners to come together, share ideas and elevate the craft and business of First Nations stories.
Launched in 2019, the Indigenous Creators Program welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners as well as First Nations practitioners from across the globe to AIDC each year. The program is targeted at all experience levels across the documentary and factual sector and is designed to bring together creators working in all forms of nonfiction screen content.
The Indigenous Creators Program includes a yarning circle, welcome networking event and daily sessions around topics such as the art of pitching, storytelling craft, cultural practice, funding and distribution for Indigenous-led stories.
The program takes place alongside AIDC’s yearly conference program, giving First Nations practitioners access to AIDC’s full suite of offerings including industry sessions, marketplace activities and networking events.
“AS THE FIRST STORYTELLERS OF THIS CONTINENT, ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES HAVE BEEN HOLDING TRUE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. IN THE FACE OF SECTOR AND WORLDWIDE CHALLENGES, WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO CONGREGATE AND CONNECT AS A COMMUNITY AT AIDC 2026 AND FINDING COLLECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOPING AND TAKING OUR STORIES TO AUDIENCES ACROSS THE GLOBE.”
– LAURRIE MANSFIELD
AIDC FIRST NATIONS CO-PRODUCER
The AIDC Indigenous Creators Pitch is an initiative of the Indigenous Creators Program.
The Indigenous Creators Pitch is designed to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators with the opportunity to pitch a project in development to a closed room of local and international buyers looking to support Indigenous-led nonfiction stories and secure potential market support for their project. One project will be selected to receive the $5,000 Indigenous Creators Pitch prize presented by AIDC.
“THE AIDC INDIGENOUS CREATORS PROGRAM PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE PLATFORM TO MEET, CONNECT AND COLLABORATE WITH FIRST NATIONS FILMMAKERS AND PRODUCERS FROM ALL AROUND AUSTRALIA, WHILST PLATFORMING OUR STORIES TO INTERNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS AND FINANCIERS AROUND THE WORLD”.
– JOSHUA TREVORROW (NGARRINDJERI)
PRODUCER
To be eligible for the Indigenous Creators Program, you will require an AIDC registration to attend AIDC 2027.
Once registered, Indigenous practitioners will immediately be eligible to participate in all the program’s sessions.
To register for AIDC, visit our Passes page.
AIDC also works with Australian State and Territory screen agencies across the country to support Indigenous practitioners to attend AIDC.
Information on how to apply for registration and travel support will be outlined below over the coming months.
“THE INDIGENOUS CREATORS PROGRAM MADE AIDC MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ME AS A FIRST NATIONS FILMMAKER ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED ME WITH AN IMMEDIATE SENSE OF COMMUNITY, CREATED SAFE SPACES, AND HELPED SET ME UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL AND EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE AT AIDC”.
– RHIANNA MALEZER
WRITER/DIRECTOR, SUPER FRUITY
