AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program, presented with the support of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), is a dedicated strand of sessions designed by and for First Nations practitioners to come together, share ideas and elevate the craft and business of First Nations stories.
Launched in 2019, the Indigenous Creators Program welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners as well as First Nations practitioners from across the globe to AIDC each year. The program is targeted at all experience levels across the documentary and factual sector and is designed to bring together creators working in all forms of nonfiction screen content.
The Indigenous Creators Program includes a yarning circle, welcome networking event and daily sessions around topics such as the art of pitching, storytelling craft, cultural practice, funding and distribution for Indigenous-led stories.
The program takes place alongside AIDC’s yearly conference program, giving First Nations practitioners access to AIDC’s full suite of offerings including industry sessions, marketplace activities and networking events.
“AS THE FIRST STORYTELLERS OF THIS CONTINENT, ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES HAVE BEEN HOLDING TRUE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. IN THE FACE OF SECTOR AND WORLDWIDE 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.”
– LAURRIE MANSFIELD
AIDC FIRST NATIONS CO-PRODUCER
The AIDC 2026 Indigenous Creators Pitch is a returning initiative of the Indigenous Creators Program, proudly supported by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
The Indigenous Creators Pitch is designed to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators with the opportunity to pitch a project in development to a closed room of local and international buyers looking to support Indigenous-led nonfiction stories and secure potential market support for their project. One project will be selected to receive the $5,000 Indigenous Creators Pitch prize presented by AIDC.
AIDC is now inviting submissions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers with a documentary or factual project in development to take their project to the next level. Visit the Indigenous Creators Pitch page to learn more.
“THE AIDC INDIGENOUS CREATORS PROGRAM PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE PLATFORM TO MEET, CONNECT AND COLLABORATE WITH FIRST NATIONS FILMMAKERS AND PRODUCERS FROM ALL AROUND AUSTRALIA, WHILST PLATFORMING OUR STORIES TO INTERNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS AND FINANCIERS AROUND THE WORLD”.
– JOSHUA TREVORROW (NGARRINDJERI)
PRODUCER
To be eligible for the Indigenous Creators Program, simply register for an All Access Pass, Sessions & Networking Pass or Sessions Only Pass to attend AIDC 2026.
Once registered, Indigenous practitioners will immediately be eligible to participate in all the program’s sessions.
To register for AIDC, visit our Passes page.
AIDC also works with Australian State and Territory screen agencies across the country to support Indigenous practitioners to attend AIDC.
Information on how to apply for registration and travel support is outlined below.
AIDC is working with Australian State and Territory screen agencies across the country to support Indigenous practitioners to attend AIDC 2026.
For those applying from Victoria, please contact Sarah Bond at sarah.bond@vicscreen.vic.gov.au
For those applying from New South Wales, please contact Nick Harvey-Doyle at nick.harvey-doyle@screen.nsw.gov.au
For those applying from Queensland, please contact the Screen Queensland content team at: content@screenqld.com.au
Further detail can be found on the Screen Queensland website
For those applying from the Northern Territory, please contact Screen Territory at screen.territory@nt.gov.au
For those applying from Western Australia please contact Irma Woods at irma.woods@screenwest.com.au
For those applying from South Australia please contact the SAFC First Nations Team at firstnations@safilm.com.au
For those applying from Tasmania, please contact PJ Madam at PJ.Madam@screen.tas.gov.au
“THE INDIGENOUS CREATORS PROGRAM MADE AIDC MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ME AS A FIRST NATIONS FILMMAKER ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED ME WITH AN IMMEDIATE SENSE OF COMMUNITY, CREATED SAFE SPACES, AND HELPED SET ME UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL AND EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE AT AIDC”.
– RHIANNA MALEZER
WRITER/DIRECTOR, SUPER FRUITY
AIDC (Australian International Documentary Conference) acknowledges the Wurundjeri/ Woiwurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin nations as the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather for AIDC each year in Naarm / Melbourne. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all nations as the original storytellers of this land.
