Wrapping Up Regionality Sunshine Coast 2026

Documentary and factual practitioners gathered in Maroochydore on Friday 7 August for the third Regionality Sunshine Coast event, bringing together local and international talent for a wide-ranging one-day program.

Presented by AIDC and Screen Queensland, with the support of the Sunshine Coast Council and in association with the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, the event drew 146 delegates, including 22 national and international speakers and industry guests, to the Maroochy RSL for a packed day of panels, meetings, and networking.

The day opened with a joyous Welcome to Country by Jhudungah elder of the Kabi Kabi nation Aunty Bridgette Chilli and her grandson, followed by an introduction to the scheduled sessions by AIDC CEO / Creative Director Natasha Gadd and Screen Queensland Content Director Ian Lynch.

The first session of the day – Limitless Filmmaking with Chai Vasarhelyi – saw the Oscar®-winning US filmmaker giving candid insights into her wildly successful career, including making the iconic Free Solo and acclaimed National Geographic documentaries The Rescue and Love+War with her collaborator Jimmy Chin under the Little Monster Films banner.

After the morning tea break, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli gave a special warm welcome to delegates before the second session, Regionality Roundtable: Meet the Decision Makers, alerted attendees to the types of content currently being sought by ABC, SBS, NITV, and DocPlay. The session was especially useful for delegates participating in the afternoon’s Doc Chat 1:1 Meetings, featuring representatives from those organisations and more.

Financing Nonfiction Futures: Impact, Philanthropy and Funding brought together Stephanie King (Documentary Australia), Anna Kaplan (Regen Studios), Farhad Meher-Homji (Changer Studios), and Sally Chesher (Screen Australia) to discuss where the next generation of funding is coming from, with guidance on how to continue to connect documentary and factual stories with financiers, funders and revenue.

A welcome lunch break then provided plenty of opportunities for informal networking among general delegates alongside scheduled Doc Chat 1:1 Meetings between producers and decision makers in a busy breakout room.  

After lunch, Screen Queensland Program Manager, Online Content, Jesse McCart, introduced Bearing Witness: Queensland Documentaries in the Spotlight, featuring filmmakers from or working in Queensland and making waves in the documentary space, including Allan Clarke (Hey Brother), Andy Huang (Replica), Ivan O’Mahoney (Sentient), and Yale MacGillivray (Moblands).

The final session of the day – Play the Next Episode: The Art of Documentary & Factual Series – brought together moderator Stephen Oliver (ABC) and speakers Bethan Arwel-Lewis (SBS), Jacqueline Lippett (Wildbear Entertainment), Jo-anne McGowan (Stranger Than Fiction Films) and John Harvey (Brown Cabs) for a lively session on the development of successful long-form and returnable documentaries and factual series.

The day’s proceedings closed with a casual Networking Drinks catch-up outside the conference room at the Maroochy RSL, with delegates enjoying the chance to decompress, catch-up and connect on a beautiful Sunshine Coast evening.

“AIDC Regionality is such a great opportunity for factual filmmakers – both experienced and new to the industry – who are not in major cities, to meet decision makers who can make a real difference to their chances of seeing ideas come to life,” said Regionality guest speaker Ivan O’Mahoney, Sunshine Coast resident and Co-Founder / Managing Director of In Films (producers of Sentient, Surviving Malka Leifer and Unbreakable).

“And for commissioning editors, screen agency investment managers and distributors, it’s also pretty vital to know and hear what’s happening outside of Sydney and Melbourne. Everyone wins.”

We would like to extend our genuine thanks to all participants of the 2026 edition of Regionality Sunshine Coast in Maroochydore, and in particular, our partners Screen Queensland, the Sunshine Coast Council, and the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective.

AIDC is committed to supporting documentary and factual practitioners across Australia by facilitating highly engaging programs and meaningful industry connections through our ongoing Regionality program.

Learn more about Regionality Sunshine Coast HERE.

MAIN IMAGE: Regionality Sunshine Coast 2026 audience. All photos by Amanda Gooch Photography