ABC AND AIDC ANNOUNCE RECIPIENT OF 2026 INDIGENOUS DOCUMENTARY PLACEMENT

The ABC and AIDC are pleased to announce Theo McMahon as the recipient of the 2026 Indigenous Documentary Placement.

In its fifth year, the ABC-AIDC initiative offers documentary makers the opportunity to build their skills and experience within the ABC’s Documentary & Specialist and Indigenous teams.

Theo McMahon is an independent filmmaker, producer and emerging director working in non-scripted storytelling. A proud Bundjalung man based in Melbourne, he has helped develop observational documentary projects with a focus on First Nations storytelling.

“I’m excited for the incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best people in Australian storytelling while contributing to work that has real cultural impact,” said Theo. 

“As an Indigenous filmmaker, I’m looking forward to deepening my understanding of how meaningful stories are developed and shared through a platform with such reach and responsibility.”

Theo’s work includes The Art of Incarceration (Netflix 2022), Faceless (MIFF 2025) and No Prior Opportunity (MIFF 2025), and is shaped by a strong commitment to Indigenous stories, research-led development and community-grounded filmmaking.

“Theo is a great example of the calibre of Indigenous talent coming through and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the ABC through this initiative with the AIDC,” said ABC Head of Indigenous, Kelrick Martin. 

“The Indigenous Documentary Placement identifies and nurtures outstanding Indigenous creative talent and opens up real pathways within the documentary and factual space for First Nations storytellers.”

Past participants in the ABC-AIDC program include director and producer Dylan Nicholls, filmmaker Daniel King, writer and director Perun Bonser, and cinematographer Anna-Marie Harding.

“Well deserved congratulations to Theo as the recipient of this year’s Indigenous Documentary Placement! We are very proud to co-present the placement with the ABC for a fifth year, and to continue our commitment to supporting career pathways and industry opportunities for First Nations filmmakers,” said AIDC CEO and Creative Director, Natasha Gadd. 

“Based on the impressive outcome for previous placement recipients Dylan, Daniel, Perun, and Anna-Marie, Theo will no doubt contribute to, and glean a lot from his experience with ABC Indigenous and we can’t wait to track the next steps in his career as a result.”

Theo’s placement is for four months, starting on June 29, with VicScreen providing support for travel between Melbourne and Sydney.

Read more about the Indigenous Documentary Placement program.

Main Image: Theo McMahon | Photographer: Celeste de Clario