AIDC’s First Nations-led Indigenous Creators Program & Indigenous Creators Pitch to Return in 2026
A dedicated strand of sessions and marketplace activities designed by and for First Nations practitioners, presented by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)
We are pleased to announce that the AIDC Indigenous Creators Program will run for its eighth year at AIDC 2026, led by returning AIDC First Nations Co-Producers Laurrie Mansfield and Devina McPherson and proudly supported by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
Within the program, AIDC 2026 will also host the second Indigenous Creators Pitch for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers, presented by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
First Nations creators are responsible for some of the most powerful, iconoclastic, and impactful documentary and factual work being produced around the globe.
Reflecting this growing body of work, AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program is a strand of sessions and marketplace activities designed by and for First Nations practitioners to come together, share ideas and support the craft, business and cultural practice of First Nations stories.
Established in 2019, the program has welcomed 478 new and returning global First Nations participants since its first appearance, making it an invaluable screen industry program bringing together First Nations documentary and factual storytellers from across the lands and seas.
Running during AIDC 2026: Hold True, from 2-5 March at ACMI in Naarm, the Indigenous Creators Program will include a yarning circle, welcome networking event and daily sessions covering topics like the art of pitching, storytelling craft, funding and distribution for Indigenous-led stories.
“As the first storytellers of this continent, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been holding true for thousands of years,” affirms AIDC First Nations Co-Producer, Laurrie Mansfield.
“In the face of sector and world wide challenges, we look forward to another opportunity to congregate and connect as a community at AIDC 2026 and finding collective solutions to developing and taking our stories to audiences across the globe.”
2025 Indigenous Creators Program session: Our Craft, Our Way | Photo by Max Roux
Laurrie Mansfield, AIDC First Nations Co-Producer
Devina McPherson, AIDC First Nations Co-Producer
Indigenous Creators Pitch Returns
As part of the program, AIDC 2026 is proud to host the second annual Indigenous Creators Pitch, presented by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
Exclusive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers with a documentary or factual project in development, the initiative provides an opportunity to pitch to a closed room of local and international buyers looking to support Indigenous-led nonfiction screen stories.
One project will be selected to receive the $5,000 Indigenous Creators Pitch Prize provided by AIDC.
Applications are now invited by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander practitioners looking to take their new, bold and distinctive stories to the next level. Four projects will be selected to pitch and receive mentoring and marketplace support prior to and during AIDC 2026.
“I’m incredibly excited that the Indigenous Creators Pitch is returning for AIDC 2026,” says returning AIDC First Nations Co-Producer Devina McPherson.
“This unique session and opportunity gives First Nations nonfiction creatives a platform in a culturally safe space to pitch their innovative and impactful documentary and factual projects from authentic perspectives, allowing them to captivate the hearts of the national and international market and commissioners that will ultimately provide support.
“I’m so proud of the successful pitches from last year’s project teams, and I look forward to discovering this year’s cohort and their inspiring projects.”
The Indigenous Creators Pitch has been equally well received by filmmakers, with participants acknowledging the real benefits of the unique AIDC program.
“It’s been incredible to see the Indigenous Creators Pitch come into being at AIDC”, says Geneview Grieves, Producer of Crystal Love, 2025 Indigenous Creators Pitch recipient of the $5,000 AIDC cash prize.
“Previously, we haven’t had a dedicated space to showcase our projects and seek meaningful support, so having this platform created specifically for First Nations storytellers is truly heartening. For us, it was an amazing opportunity to present our project to national and international broadcasters, gain valuable feedback and insights, and fortunately, receive early financial support. That seed funding allowed us to take an idea at its very early stage and begin developing it in a real, tangible way”, she continues.
“The pitch also led directly to broadcaster interest . We now have a partner attached and are actively developing the project together. The opportunities that emerged from this pitch played a vital role in helping us begin bringing this project to life.”
AIDC 2025 Indigenous Creators Pitch | Photo by Max Roux
Genevieve Grieves, pitching Crystal Love at the AIDC 2025 Indigenous Creators Pitch | Photo by Max Roux
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Support
AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program was conceived as a groundbreaking initiative for First Nations documentary and factual storytellers, and the consistent growth of participation in the program is a testament to its success.
The relevance of a First Nations-led program devoted to documentary and factual production was recognised by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) as strongly aligned with their mission to assist and enhance the economic development opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia,
The organisation first came on board in 2025 to support the Indigenous Creators Program and the inaugural Indigenous Creators Pitch, acknowledging the potential of both initiatives to drive new creative and business outcomes for First Nations producers and production companies.
After a successful first year of collaboration, IBA’s returning support in 2026 will again encompass the Indigenous Creators Program and the Indigenous Creators Pitch. We are delighted to have them back on board.
Indigenous Creators Program | Photo by Ned Mansfield
Indigenous Creators Program | Photo by Ned Mansfield
Indigenous practitioners are encouraged to contact their local state or territory screen agency directly to find out more about travel assistance and registration support to attend AIDC 2026.
The Indigenous Creators Program will be made available to all Indigenous practitioners registered to attend AIDC with a Business Pass, All Access Pass, Sessions & Networking Pass, Sessions Only Pass, or Day Pass (Day Passes are on sale 29 January 2026).
New opportunities for the Indigenous Creators Program will be announced in early January with the full suite of sessions and events revealed Wednesday 29 January 2026.
Visit the Indigenous Creators Program page for more information about the program and state agency support contacts, and the Indigenous Creators Pitch page to learn how to apply.
QUICK LINKS
Main Image Credit: Dreaming Big (2025), courtesy of NITV & Wirrim Media, Dir. Abraham Byrne-Jameson | Photo by Tom Hoy
AIDC 2025 Indigenous Creators Program Yarning Circle | Photo by Kelli Morris