Leading Lights is a philanthropic funding initiative designed to enable emerging and diverse practitioners to attend AIDC for the first time and participate in a customised professional development program.
Leading Lights eligibility spans a range of backgrounds and contexts, including 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.
The program provides vital assistance to industry newcomers in establishing themselves as part of Australia’s documentary, factual and nonfiction practitioner community.
Thanks to the contributions of industry donors, over 300 emerging and diverse screen creatives have been able to attend AIDC and participate in Leading Lights since the program’s launch in 2018.
All Leading Lights recipients receive a Sessions Pass to attend AIDC and are eligible to participate in the Leading Lights professional development program, thanks to the support of presenting partner AFTRS.
Applications for the 2026 Leading Lights program are now open.
AIDC’S LEADING LIGHTS PROGRAM HAS HELPED ADVANCE CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF AND MY CAREER. I IMMEDIATELY FELT WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS. I FELT SUPPORTED TO MAKE MEANINGFUL PEER AND INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM … I’M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS EXPERIENCE. THE KEY INSIGHTS FROM KEY DECISION MAKERS AND PRACTITIONERS I GAINED ARE ALREADY FORGING MY CAREER PATH FORWARD. I’M EXCITED TO RETURN AGAIN IN 2026 TO CONTINUE TO NOURISH THESE NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND MAKE EVEN MORE CONNECTIONS!”
– JARRYD DOBSON, LEADING LIGHTS RECIPIENT 2025
Who can apply?
Applicants must be Australian citizens / permanent residents with an interest in documentary and factual content, who have never attended AIDC before, and who identify with one (or more) of the following groups: emerging/early-career*, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse, regional and remote, and/or from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
*early-career = 0-5 years experience in screen or interactive media production
How many recipients are chosen?
The number of recipients chosen is dependent on the level of support provided by our generous Leading Lights donors. Each donation of $705 subsidises one emerging and/or diverse nonfiction practitioner to experience AIDC.
How are recipients selected?
An industry committee of experienced industry professionals will assess applications and create a shortlist.
Fill out an application form on the link below.
2026 Leading Lights applications close 11.59pm (AEDT) Sunday 7 December 2025.
Successful Leading Lights applicants may be eligible for travel support from their representative state or territory screen agencies.
“LEADING LIGHTS IS A POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR EMERGING AUSTRALIAN NONFICTION TALENT – PROVIDING VALUABLE ACCESS TO ESTABLISHED INDUSTRY PRACTITIONERS, MENTORSHIP, AND TRAINING. BOARDWALK PICTURES AUSTRALIA HAS SPONSORED THE PROGRAM SINCE ITS INCEPTION, FACILITATING CREATIVE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE UNITED STATES, THE UK, AND BEYOND. AS AN ASSESSOR ON THE 2025 PITCH PANEL, I WAS ENTERTAINED, ENGAGED, AND INSPIRED BY THE PROPOSALS OF THESE STORYTELLERS. THE LEADING LIGHTS PROGRAM WRITES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE INDUSTRY, AND OF COURSE WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE SPONSORS AGAIN THIS YEAR.”
– MICHAEL HILLIARD, PRODUCER, BOARDWALK PICTURES
AIDC gratefully acknowledges our 2026 Leading Lights donors:
Funds pledged for 7 x Leading Lights recipients
Funds pledged for 3 x Leading Lights recipients
Funds pledged for 2 x Leading Lights recipients
- Paul Wiegard
Funds pledged for 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- Above the Line Accounting
- b00mdone films
- Joany Sze
AIDC believes that inclusivity and diversity in documentary and factual storytelling is vital to a healthy and sustainable nonfiction screen industry.
Want to light the way for the next generation of emerging and diverse storytellers? AIDC is now calling for industry donors as part of our 2026 Leading Lights campaign.
With your support, AIDC can continue to provide vital assistance to industry newcomers in establishing themselves as part of Australia’s documentary and factual community.
Any Australian screen company or individual professional can make a tax-deductible donation to our Leading Lights Fund.
AIDC is committed to delivering an exclusive, bespoke program that provides maximum opportunities for our Leading Lights but can only do this with your donation.
Donation Tiers*:
- $705 – 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- $1,410 – 2 x Leading Lights recipients
- $2,115 – 3 x Leading Lights recipients
- $2,820 – 4 x Leading Lights recipients
- $3,525 – 5 x Leading Light recipients
*Additional donations are welcome in increments of $705.
Leading Lights donors are acknowledged across AIDC platforms and at the conference including:
- AIDC program guide acknowledgment
- AIDC website acknowledgment
- On-screen acknowledgment before every conference session/screening at AIDC
- Donor and Application communications campaigns
AIDC is a registered charity with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. All donations are tax-deductible.
To make a donation at any time, please visit our DONATE page, or contact accounts@aidc.com.au