🌟 Help us spot the next AIDC Southern Light Award winner 🌟
This prestigious award recognises entrepreneurship and vision as reflected by the nominee’s body of work or their contribution to the screen sector over a period of at least 10 years. It includes a $5,000 cash prize from AIDC and an invitation to speak at the 2026 AIDC Awards Presentation.
🏆 Prior recipients include award-winning producer and factual television trailblazer, Karina Holden (2024), Head of Factual at @northernpictures, and co-founder and managing director of @artemismediaau, Celia Tait (2025).
Nominations are simple and free of charge for current AIDC members.
Deadline for submissions is 23:59 AEDT Sunday 11 January 2026.
Are you an independent feature documentary maker with a project you plan on self-releasing? Would you like the opportunity to secure AUD $10,000 towards boosting your theatrical screening campaign rollout ?
If you have a project with a distinct connection to a community or interest group and a considered pathway to reach those audiences, apply for the DocPlay Indie Booster initiative, presented by leading documentary streaming platform @docplaynow and new for AIDC 2026.
Applications for the DocPlay Indie Booster are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program, closing Friday 23 Jan (early) / Friday 30 Jan (late).
Learn more on link in bio 🚀
Image Credit: Still from Road to Patagonia (2024) Never Never Studios | Photo by @matty_hannon
✈️ Welcome to: New Zealand’s delegation at AIDC 2026 ✈️
AIDC is pleased to welcome acclaimed New Zealand documentary producers and directors to AIDC 2026, thanks to the proud support of the New Zealand Film Commission Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga.
The group comprises filmmakers behind critically acclaimed feature documentaries like `Mister Organ`, `Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds`, `There is no "I" in Threesome` and many more.
All official delegates have current projects in development with or have recently received production funding from @nzfilm .
WELCOME: Jasper Caverly joins AIDC as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator - former AIDC Leading Light program participant and 2025 AIDC Awards finalist as producer for the short documentary ‘While We Still Have Time’.
🔄 FAMILIAR FACES IN NEW POSITIONS Alex Morris → Awards & Leading Lights Coordinator Jessa Shields → Programming Coordinator
Melanie DiMattina also returns for her eighth year as AIDC’s Event Manager!
The AIDC team is taking a short break until the new year. You can expect more announcements from us as we move toward the 2026 conference date, including our full program launch on 29 Jan.