SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION FEATURE DOCS PITCH
A $100,000 pitch initiative offering up to four projects a $25,000 development grant plus an immersive four-day Shark Island Kangaroo Valley DocoLab Development Lab
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AIDC 2027
8-11 MARCH | ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, STATE LIBRARY OF NSW, BOTANIC GARDENS OF SYDNEY | ONLINE INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE: 23-24 MARCH
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PITCHES
APPLY FOR THESE PROJECT SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CUT TO THE CHASE
Learn MoreLATEST NEWS
#AIDC
The FINAL DEADLINE for 2027 FACTory International Pitching Forum project applications is coming up this Sunday 8 November 2026 at 23:59 AEDT.
Submit your market-ready doc feature or series project today for the chance to present it to a world-class line-up of Australian and international broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, funders, festivals, and distributors at AIDC 2027.
Up to 15 projects with strong market potential will be selected to pitch to international and local decision makers across three strands:
• Central Showcase (for projects with strong international appeal)
• New Talent Showcase (for first major work)
• Rough Cut Showcase (for projects in late- or post-production)
Start your application and learn more about this year’s project assessors, pitch mentors, and international pitch prizes on the AIDC website’s FACTory page (link in bio). The FACTory is proudly presented by @screennsw
Image: 2026 FACTory Central Showcase | Photo by @will.hamiltoncoates
🎞️ We`re thrilled to announce the theme and first guests for AIDC 2027, our 40th Anniversary edition in Sydney!
Through a curated program of industry sessions, spotlight speakers, screenings and initiatives, AIDC 2027: REFRAMED will offer new ways of seeing our craft, our stories and each other.
📢 First speakers:
• @pohsiteng (USA), director of @americandoctorfilm
• Darren Dale (AUS), MD, @blackfellafilms
• @tamarakotevska (MKD), director of `Honeyland`
• Rachel Antell (USA), co-founder, @archivalproducersalliance
• Basil Tsiokos (USA), senior programmer, @sundanceorg
• Mandy Chang (UK), CEO, @docfilmcouncil
💼 Decision makers include BBC Storyville, @catndocs, Sundance Film Festival, @whickerawards, @tvfinternational, Foxtel / Binge, bilibili, @nhkworldjapan, @madmanfilms and @espn, with more to come.
🌟 Three development initiatives return:
• Shark Foundation Feature Docs Pitch: up to $100K funding + Shark Island Kangaroo Valley Doco Lab Development Lab @sharkislandinstitute
• Post Lounge Group Doc Pitch: share in up to $35K equity investment @thepostlounge
• DocPlay Indie Booster: up to $10K per project for two indie features` theatrical campaigns @docplaynow
Plus the 12th FACTory International Pitching Forum, presented by Screen NSW. Final submissions due this Sunday 8 Nov!
Huge thanks to Principal Partner @screennsw, Presenting Partner @screenaustralia, and Major Partners @abcaustralia and @sbs_australia.
📍 8-11 March, Sydney, on Gadigal land of the Eora Nation: @artgalleryofnsw, @statelibrarynsw & @botanicsydney Online marketplace 23-24 March. Details via the link in bio.
Credits:
1. Iron Winter (2025), dir. Kasimir Burgess 📷 Benjamin Bryan / @repeater_productions
2. Rodeo Dreams (2026), dir. Rhian Skirving, W.A.M. Bleakley, 📷 Al Serafini / @goodthingproductions
3. Sukundimi Walks Before Me (2026), dir. Matasila Freshwater, Lachlan Mcleod, 📷 Benjamin Bryan / @bsagprods and @walkingfishpro
4. Replica (2026), dir. @chouwaliang, 🎥 Xiaoguan Shi / Axel Rise Films
#AIDC2027 #REFRAMED #documentary #nonfiction #documentaryfilmmaking
The early deadline for 2027 FACTory project applications is coming up this Sunday 1 November 2026 at 23:59 AEDT.
If you have a market-ready documentary or series project with global appeal in development, don’t miss your chance to present it to a world-class line-up of Australian and international broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, funders, festivals, and distributors at AIDC 2027.
Up to 15 projects with strong market potential will be selected to pitch to international and local decision makers across three strands: Central Showcase, New Talent Showcase and Rough Cut Showcase.
If you miss this weekend’s deadline, you’ll have one more chance to apply by 8 November 2026 (with late fee).
Start your application and learn more about this year’s project assessors, pitch mentors, and international pitch prizes on the AIDC website’s FACTory page. The FACTory is proudly presented by @screennsw
Image: 2026 FACTory Central Showcase | Photo by @will.hamiltoncoates
Meet the Advisory Committee helping shape AIDC 2027 - our 40th Anniversary edition in Sydney! 🎬
Ten industry leaders from across Australia and the world, bringing expertise in broadcasting, festivals, creative practice, archives, First Nations storytelling, technology and more.
International
🌟 Basil Tsiokos (Sundance Film Festival, USA)
🌟 Denise Barren (@whickerawards, UK)
🌟 Stephanie Jenkins (@archivalproducersalliance, USA)
🌟 Mandy Chang (Undeniable Productions / @docfilmcouncil, UK)
🌟 Janine Thomas (BBC Storyville, UK)
Australian
🌟 Camilla Mazzaferro (@_songbirdstudios_)
🌟 Darren Dale (@blackfellafilms)
🌟 Joseph Nizeti (Independent)
🌟 Dr Naomi Koh Belic (Umami Media)
🌟 Prash Naik (Creators Counsel / Doc Society)
📍 Art Gallery of NSW | State Library of NSW | Botanic Gardens of Sydney
📅 8–11 March 2027
Learn more about the committee members on link in bio! 🎟️
AIDC 2027 is presented by Principal Partner @screennsw Presenting Partner @screenaustralia & Major Partners @abcaustralia & @sbs_australia
Pitch mentors revealed - and more prizes added for The FACTory International Pitching Forum at AIDC 2027! 🎬🏆
(Plus, a reminder, the early deadline is almost here: Sunday 1 November.)
The mentors:
⭐ Mandy Chang (Undeniable / @docfilmcouncil, UK)
⭐ Denise Barren (@whickerawards, UK)
⭐ Eric Nyari (Cineric Creative, Japan/USA)
⭐ Doel Trivedy (Riverbank Studios / @greenstoriespitch, India)
Prizes now confirmed from:
🏆 Doc Edge (New Zealand)
🏆 Hot Docs (Canada)
🏆 Visions du Réel (Switzerland)
🏆 Docs by the Sea (Indonesia)
🏆 DMZ Docs Industry (South Korea)
🏆 Sheffield DocFest (UK)
Have a doc/factual project in development with international appeal? Apply now across three showcase strands: Central, New Talent & Rough Cut.
Presented by @screennsw | Art Gallery of NSW | 8–11 March 2027
⏰ Early deadline: 23:59 AEDT Sunday 1 November
Late deadline: 8 November (additional fee)
Link in bio to apply - don’t leave it too late! 🔗
