⏰ Reminder: Leading Lights applications are open until 7 December 2025

Thinking about attending AIDC for the first time in 2026? The Leading Lights program provides funded conference access and professional development opportunities to early career, Indigenous, diverse and/or regional and remote creative practitioners.

Recipients can also apply for the Leading Lights Pitch, exclusive to the program and reserved for four outstanding projects in development to receive feedback, gain valuable insight and create new industry connections.

Supported by donors of the Leading Lights philanthropic fund and @aftrs

🗓️ Applications close: Sunday 7 December 2025

🔗 Link in bio to apply

Image Credit: Leading Lights Pitch 2025 | Photo by @maxroux__

#AIDC2026 #LeadingLights #Documentary #ScreenIndustry #EmergingFilmmakers #Diversity #AustralianFilm

📣 First round of decision makers for The Showroom announced!

This unique slate-pitching marketplace is designed for Australian production companies working in documentary and factual content with 3-5 projects in development.

Now in its third year, The Showroom 2026 ensures access to high-level decision makers from @natgeo, @channel4 and @povdocs + more to be announced soon.

The first round of 2026 Showroom decision makers includes:

✨ Erika Dilday, American Documentary / POV (USA)
✨ Tom McDonald, National Geographic (USA)
✨ Charlie Parsons, National Geographic (USA)
✨ Anna Miralis, Channel 4 (UK)
✨ Jason Ryle, TIFF (CAN)
✨ Kate Lemberg, Points North Institute (USA)
✨ Inka Achté, Raina Films, Docpoint (FIN)
✨ Kazz Basma, Sideways Film (UK)

🔗 Applications open now through link in bio.

#AIDC2026 #documentary #factualtv #theshowroom #australianfilm #pitching

🏆 2026 AIDC Awards - Features & Series Submissions - Early Deadline Reminder ⏰

Have you worked on a new or recent feature documentary or documentary/factual series that deserves recognition? If so, submit it for 2026 AIDC Awards consideration - the only dedicated awards for Australian documentary and factual production.

The first deadline for submission is coming up this SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER (Submissions accepted until 23 November, with late fee).

Prior feature documentary winners include exceptional Australian works like `Left Write Hook` (2025), `This is Going to be Big` (2024), and `Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow` (2023).

Equally impressive doc/factual series winners include `Stuff the British Stole` Series 2 (2025), `Never Let Him Go` (2024), and `The Australian Wars` (2023).

The 6th annual AIDC Awards will celebrate the incredible talent and expertise of our storytellers and acknowledge the importance of Australian stories that demand to be seen and heard.

Don’t miss your chance to submit. Both features and series can be submitted on link in bio 🔗

Image Credits:
1. ‘Left Write Hook’ director Shannon Owen with the award for Best Feature Documentary, AIDC 2025 | Photo by Melissa Butters
2. 2025 AIDC Awards trophy | Photo by Max Roux
3. 2025 AIDC Awards host Melissa Leong with Marc Fennell of Best Documentary/Factual Series Award winner ‘Stuff the British Stole’ Series 2 | Photo by Melissa Butters

#AIDC2026 #AIDCAWARDS #BESTFEATUREDOCUMENTARY #BESTDOCUMENTARYSERIES

AIDC 2026: Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch 🎬✨

During AIDC 2026, AIDC and Shark Island Foundation will mark a long and successful collaboration with the fourth edition of the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch, held as part of AIDC`s Cut to the Chase documentary and factual marketplace meetings program.

Up to 4 projects can secure $25K development grants + access to the NEW Shark Island Kangaroo Valley Development Lab.

📊 The impact so far:
• 13 projects supported
• $575K+ in funding unlocked
• Stories that shift thinking

NEW for 2026: A 4-day creative residency with filmmaker @josephnizeti at Shark Island Kangaroo Valley (12–15 May)

Supporting character-driven feature documentaries with distinctive points of view, creative vision and the potential to drive change.

Find out more + how to apply 🔗 Link in bio

Image Credits:
1. 2025 Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch funding recipient ‘The Last Nomads of Pintupi’, photo by Chadden Hunter
2. @sharkislandinstitute founder Ian Darling announcing pitch funding recipients at the 2024 AIDC Awards, photo by @will.hamiltoncoates
3. Barat Batoor pitching ‘In Focus’ to Shark Island Foundation CEO Ian Darling and Executive Director Kate Hodges during Cut to the Chase at AIDC 2024, photo by Ned Mansfield
4. Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch meeting during Cut to the Chase at AIDC 2024 | Photo by Ned Mansfield
5. ‘The Act of Dying’, 2025 Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch funding recipient
6. ‘How to Save a Forest’, FKA ‘Chasing the Last Giants’, 2023 Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch funding recipient
7. ‘Streetside’, 2023 AND 2024 Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch funding recipient

#AIDC2026 #documentary #australianfilm #filmmaking #socialimpact #sharkislandfoundation #docmakers #filmfunding