Jurors Announced for 2026 AIDC Awards
Featuring 17 local and international creators and decision makers across six categories
AIDC is very proud to announce the jurors for the 6th annual AIDC Awards, featuring 17 renowned local and international creators, producers, and executives from across the documentary and factual industry.
The AIDC Awards will be presented on Thursday 5 March at ACMI, Melbourne / Naarm during AIDC 2026, and acknowledge outstanding Australian documentary and factual works from the last year across six categories: Best Feature Documentary, Best Documentary/Factual Series; Best Documentary/Factual Single; Best Short-Form Documentary, Best Audio Documentary, and Best Interactive/Immersive Documentary.
Winners across selected categories will also receive prizes presented by AIDC partners, including the $5,000 Best Feature Documentary Prize, presented by Film Finances and $2,000 Best Short-Form Documentary Prize, presented by AFTRS.
The 2026 AIDC Awards jurors were appointed for their extensive knowledge and industry experience in their respective categories.
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
- Raul Niño Zambrano – Creative Director, Sheffield DocFest (UK)
- Kyas Hepworth – Screen & Media Specialist (AUS)
- Paul Struthers – International Documentary Programmer, Sydney Film Festival (AUS)
BEST DOCUMENTARY / FACTUAL SINGLE
- Electra Manikakis – Executive Producer, Wild Pacific Media (AUS)
- Katrina Lucas – Creative Producer (AUS)
- Michael Hilliard – Executive Producer, Boardwalk Pictures (USA/AUS)
BEST DOCUMENTARY / FACTUAL SERIES
- Keoni Kailimai – Director of Programs, Pacific Islanders in Communications (USA/HAWAII)
- Lexi Landsman – Development Executive, BBC Studios Productions (AUS)
- Marc Fennell – Journalist, Documentary Storyteller (AUS)
BEST SHORT-FORM DOCUMENTARY
- Erika Dilday – Executive Director, American Documentary Inc & Executive Producer, POV (USA)
- Spiro Economopoulos – Film Curator, ACMI (AUS)
- Marlikka Perdrisat – Filmmaker (AUS)
BEST AUDIO DOCUMENTARY
- Daniel James – Co-Host / Executive Producer 7AM Podcast, Solstice Media (AUS)
- Zoe Ferguson – Journalist / Producer, ABC Radio National (AUS)
- Patrick Abboud – Reporter / Producer / Presenter / Documentary Filmmaker, Only Human Productions & Dreamchaser Studios (AUS)
BEST INTERACTIVE / IMMERSIVE DOCUMENTARY
- Brooke Collard – Producer, Goguljar Yok (AUS)
- Jana Blair – General Manager & Partnerships, Regen Studios (AUS)
For more information about each jury member, visit the AIDC Jury profiles.
“The number and quality of submissions for the 2026 AIDC awards demonstrate an incredibly impressive output of documentary and factual productions over the last year,” said AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd.
“ This all-star line-up of jurors bring extensive industry experience from across all areas of the sector and will no doubt have a difficult task ahead in selecting this year’s nominees and winners. We thank all jury members for their extensive viewing and listening time and their contributions to all awards adjudications.”
The nominees for the 2026 AIDC Awards will be revealed on 12 February 2026.
On the same date, we also announce the winner of the third AIDC Southern Light Award – a $5,000 prize presented by AIDC to an Australian industry professional for their outstanding contribution to nonfiction screen, digital and/or audio media.
The winner of the AIDC Southern Light Award will be invited to speak at the AIDC Awards presentation at ACMI on Thursday 5 March 2026.
To attend the 2026 AIDC Awards presentation and closing night party, register for an AIDC 2026 Business Pass, All Access Pass, or Sessions & Networking Pass.