Become a Donor to AIDC’s Leading Lights Initiative
Help us usher in the next generation of documentary and factual storytellers
Launched in 2018, Leading Lights has grown to become one of AIDC’s most highly-regarded initiatives providing vital talent development opportunities and industry pathways for participants.
A unique philanthropic funding initiative supported by the contributions of industry donors, Leading Lights enables emerging and diverse practitioners to attend AIDC for the first time and participate in a customised professional development program.
Securing over $214,000 in donations since its launch, Leading Lights has enabled 356 emerging and early-career, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse, regional and remote, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) nonfiction practitioners to join the industry community at AIDC.
Most recently, 21 screen organisations and individuals donated places for a record-high 50 practitioners to attend AIDC 2026 and participate in the Leading Lights program.
The program itself has grown to include an alumni program, project development and information sessions, networking with donors, and an exclusive Leading Lights Pitch with professional pitch mentorship.
We are now calling on organisations and individuals to continue to donate for 2027, with 18 places for Leading Lights recipients already secured thanks to the contributions of early donors.
“A Powerful and Important Program for Emerging Australian Nonfiction Talent”
The opportunities that the Leading Lights program offers have resulted in a range of outcomes for participating practitioners.
These include collaborating with established production companies to move projects into production, progressing projects to AIDC’s FACTory pitch to secure Screen Australia funding, receiving invitations to international markets like Cannes Docs Marché and development programs like Extática Cine’s International Cinema Workshop with Werner Herzog, and securing major international premieres at festivals like SXSW and Hot Docs.
“AIDC and Leading Lights was an excellent opportunity for me and my team to connect with the industry,” affirms 2026 Leading Lights Recipient, Tess Brading.
“As emerging filmmakers, half the battle is just getting in the room with people who can provide the guidance, feedback, support and connections to make it possible to bring your work to life. Our time at AIDC helped us clarify important directions for our feature film and gave us valuable connections. Without the support of Leading Lights, we would not have been able to attend. We hope to return next year to reconnect with all of the amazing people we met and to showcase our lessons learned from this year in the form of a market-ready project!”
The impact of Leading Lights is equally acknowledged by donors, who see the value in bringing a flow of new talent and ideas into the sector.
“Leading Lights is a powerful and important program for emerging Australian nonfiction talent – providing valuable access to established industry practitioners, mentorship, and training,” said Michael Hilliard, Managing Director / Producer with Boardwalk Pictures Australia.
“Boardwalk Pictures Australia has sponsored the program since its inception, facilitating creative connections between Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the UK, and beyond. [It] writes a bright future for the industry.”
LEADING LIGHTS MEET & GREET, AIDC 2026 | PHOTO BY NED MANSFIELD
How to Donate
AIDC is committed to delivering a program that provides vital assistance to industry newcomers in establishing themselves as part of Australia’s documentary, factual and nonfiction practitioner community.
However, we can only do this with your donation. AIDC is a not-for-profit organisation with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status, and all donations are tax-deductible.
Leading Lights Donation Tiers*:
- $715 – 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- $1,430 – 2 x Leading Lights recipients
- $2,145 – 3 x Leading Lights recipients
- $2,860 – 4 x Leading Lights recipients
- $3,575 – 5 x Leading Light recipients
*Additional donations are welcome in increments of $715.
Join Our Growing List of 2027 Donors
Funds for 2027 have already been pledged by:
- SBS for 7 x Leading Lights recipients
- Minderoo Pictures for 5 x Leading Lights recipients
- Paul Wiegard for 2 x Leading Lights recipients
- Above the Line Accounting for 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- Bunya Productions for 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- Jana Blair for 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- Princess Pictures for 1 x Leading Lights recipient
Leading Lights donors are acknowledged across the AIDC website and program, with onscreen acknowledgment before every conference session/screening at AIDC.
To find out more, visit the Leading Lights page, and to make a donation directly, contact accounts@aidc.com.au.
The 2027 Leading Lights program will take place as part of AIDC 2027, 8-11 March in Sydney, NSW, on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, State Library of NSW and Botanic Gardens of Sydney. For more information, visit www.aidc.com.au
Main Image: AIDC 2026 Leading Lights Pitch | Photo by William Hamilton-Coates