Proudly presented by Screen NSW, The FACTory is AIDC’s international pitching forum for new documentary and factual projects.
Do you have a unique documentary or series project in development that has global appeal and is market-ready? Would you like the opportunity to pitch your project to a world-class line-up of Australian and international broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, funders, festivals, and distributors at AIDC 2027?
Applications for the 2027 edition of AIDC’s international pitching forum for new documentary and factual projects – The FACTory – are now open.
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. Decision makers will include a wide range of representatives from broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, distributors, funders, and festivals.
In 2027, AIDC welcomes all producers and decision makers to attend the FACTory in-person while still providing the opportunity to participate online if needed.
In 2027, The FACTory will feature:
- an enhanced line-up of international decision makers assessing and providing feedback on projects;
- access to tailored online mentoring conducted by experienced screen practitioners, in addition to group and individual pitch training;
- greater opportunity for one-on-one meetings with key decision makers by having high visibility and priority in the marketplace.
Over the last 11 editions, AIDC has supported 146 project teams to participate in The FACTory. Don’t miss your chance to pitch to the people who can help take your project to new heights!
“ATTENDING AIDC 2026 AND PARTICIPATING IN THE FACTORY ROUGH CUT SHOWCASE AND CUT TO THE CHASE MEETINGS WAS A HUGE BOOST TO MY CURRENT PROJECT AND POTENTIALLY FUTURE DOCUMENTARIES. THE OPPORTUNITY OPENED MANY DOORS WITH FESTIVALS, FUNDERS, AND DISTRIBUTORS, AND OFFERED ON-GOING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.”
– KIM WEBBY
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, KIMIHIA FILMS (NEW ZEALAND)
AIDC’s Industry Team works closely with an international assessment committee to shortlist projects for the FACTory program.
The program will offer tailored feedback and training from industry experts in the lead-up, and increased opportunities for business outcomes by hosting both a live pitch and a tailored one-to-one meeting program with decision makers during AIDC.
Selected projects will pitch and present their trailers over 7 minutes (or 15 minutes for Rough Cuts), and will also be required to submit a pre-recorded pitch ahead of AIDC (with trailer or footage included in this edit), to be made available to decision makers who cannot physically attend. Select decision makers will then:
- Request meetings with projects to occur during AIDC
- Provide feedback on the projects
Entry to the FACTory is competitive, so please ensure your projects are original ideas that will appeal to buyers across Australian and international markets.
The FACTory’s Central Showcase is designed to present experienced project teams to international decision makers, including commissioners, funders, streamers, distributors, sales agents, and festivals. Projects in development and production demonstrating strong international potential will be automatically considered for this showcase.
Click ‘Read More’ for details on applicant eligibility.
Applicant Eligibility
- Australian and international filmmakers are eligible to apply.
- Individuals, teams or companies may apply.
- Applicants must be the rights holder in the work.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
- There is a fee to cover handling and administration of your application.
- Entry for each project must be submitted via the FACTory portal (see below).
Project Eligibility
- Entry is open to feature films, singles, and series.
- Projects should be at development or production stage (projects in post-production may be eligible for the FACTory’s Rough Cut Showcase – refer to the submission guidelines below for this strand).
- Projects need to be recognised factual or documentary formats intended for broadcast and distribution. The Australian Content Standard defines documentary as ‘a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than a news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine, infotainment or light entertainment program’. For more info, visit the ACMA website.
Successful applicants will be offered a 10% discount on AIDC 2027 All Access Passes as FACTory participants. (An All Access Pass is required for participation The FACTory). Refer to relevant Submission Guidelines for further details.
The FACTory’s New Talent Showcase is designed to present the brightest new screen talents to decision makers and production companies around the world. Projects in development and production featuring a director or producer presenting their first major work will be automatically considered for this showcase.
Click ‘Read More’ for details on applicant eligibility.
Applicant Eligibility
- Australian and international filmmakers are eligible to apply.
- Individuals, teams or companies may apply.
- Applicants must be the rights holder in the work.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
- There is a fee to cover handling and administration of your application.
- Entry for each project must be submitted via the FACTory portal (see below).
Project Eligibility
- Entry is open to feature films, singles, and series.
- Projects should be at development or production stage (projects in post-production may be eligible for the FACTory’s Rough Cut Showcase – refer to the submission guidelines below for this strand).
- Projects need to be recognised factual or documentary formats intended for broadcast and distribution. The Australian Content Standard defines documentary as ‘a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than a news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine, infotainment or light entertainment program’. For more info, visit the ACMA website.
Successful applicants will be offered a 10% discount on AIDC 2027 All Access Passes as FACTory participants. (An All Access Pass is required for participation in The FACTory). Refer to relevant Submission Guidelines for further details.
The FACTory’s Rough Cut Showcase is designed to present projects in late stages and post-production that need to close financing gaps, and secure sales, distribution and festival opportunities.
Click ‘Read More’ for details on applicant eligibility.
Applicant Eligibility
- Australian and international filmmakers are eligible to apply.
- Individuals, teams or companies may apply.
- Applicants must be the rights holder in the work.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
- There is a fee to cover handling and administration of your application.
- Entry for each project must be submitted via the FACTory portal (see below).
Project Eligibility
- Entry is open to feature films, singles, and series.
- Projects should be at post-production or rough cut stage.
- Projects need to be recognised as factual or documentary formats intended for broadcast and distribution. The Australian Content Standard defines documentary as ‘a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than a news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine, infotainment or light entertainment program’. For more info, visit the ACMA website.
Successful applicants will be offered a 10% discount on AIDC 2027 All Access Passes as FACTory participants. (An All Access Pass is required for participation The FACTory). Refer to relevant Submission Guidelines for further details.
All 2027 submissions for the FACTory will be independently assessed by a panel of highly experienced screen professionals hand-picked by AIDC.
Projects are assessed and shortlisted based on the following criteria:
- Strength and originality of the project;
- The commercial viability of the project in the marketplace;
- The project’s international appeal;
- The track record of the creative team and any finance already in place.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide visual materials (trailer, teaser, or footage from the project) as part of their submission.
2027 FACTORY ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
- Zoe Stinson (Acquisitions and Productions Manager, TVF International, UK)
- Jason Ryle (International Programmer, TIFF, Canada)
- Gunny (Gune) Hyoung (Commissioning Editor, EBS & Artistic Director, EIDF, South Korea)
- Margje de Koning (Director, Movies That Matter, The Netherlands)
Plus more to be announced.
“I HAD AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE ATTENDING AIDC. THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THE VIBRANT FILMMAKERS AND DECISION MAKERS FROM AUSTRALIA AND BEYOND IN THE MOST CASUAL AND OPEN ATMOSPHERE IS UNPRECEDENTED. IT OWES ITS EXCELLENCE TO THE MOST DEDICATED ORGANISERS AND THE STAFF WHO HELP CONNECT PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY NOT ONLY DURING, BUT ALSO BEFORE AND AFTER THE EVENT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ATTENDING THIS REMARKABLE EVENT FROM OVERSEAS.”
– KEIKO TSUNEKI
SENIOR PRODUCER, NHK ENTERPRISES (JAPAN)
Applications open: Wednesday 16 September 2026
Regular Deadline: Sunday 1 November 2026 at 23:59 AEDT
Submission cost AUD $65.00 (inc GST) per project*
Late Deadline: Sunday 8 November 2026 at 23:59 AEDT
Submissions cost AUD $75.00 (inc GST) per project*
Please note: To complete your FACTory submission form you will first need to register for a free MY AIDC account (or login to your existing account). The form link above will prompt you to login to your MY AIDC account before you are able to access and complete your form. Please contact info@aidc.com.au if you encounter any issues.
