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 350 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.
Applications for the 2027 Leading Lights program are open now. See the HOW TO APPLY section below.
“I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A LEADING LIGHT. IT WAS SO SPECIAL TO FEEL PART OF A GENUINE COMMUNITY AND TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE A PASSION FOR DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING – SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SURPRISINGLY HARD TO FIND. THE SENSE OF BELONGING AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE MADE THE EXPERIENCE INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL.”
– ANNEKE DE BRUIN, LEADING LIGHTS RECIPIENT 2026
“I WALK AWAY INSPIRED. THERE’S NO BETTER FEELING.”
– LUKE WINZAR, SHINY, LEADING LIGHTS RECIPIENT AND PITCH PARTICIPANT 2026
Who can apply?
Applicants must be an Australian citizens or 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 $715 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.
2027 Leading Lights applications close 11.59pm (AEDT) Sunday 6 December 2026.
Successful Leading Lights applicants may be eligible for travel support from their representative state or territory screen agencies.
Leading Lights is a philanthropically funded program – dedicated to creating a more inclusive and diverse screen industry.
Want to light the way for the next generation of emerging and diverse doc and factual practitioners and a sustainable, inclusive and diverse screen industry? AIDC is now calling for industry donors as part of our 2027 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 business or individual can make a tax-deductible donation to our Leading Lights program.
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.
- $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.
Donation Tiers* for credit card transaction:
- $727– 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- $1,454– 2 x Leading Lights recipients
- $2,180– 3 x Leading Lights recipients
- $2.907.50 – 4 x Leading Lights recipients
- $3,634 – 5 x Leading Light recipients
*Additional donations are welcome in increments of $727.
Please note: From 1 October 2026, all advertised pass prices are the total price payable and include payment processing costs. No additional card surcharge will be applied at checkout.
Leading Lights donors are gratefully acknowledged across AIDC platforms and at the conference.
AIDC is a not-for-profit organisation with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. All donations are tax-deductible.
To make a donation or to find out more, please contact accounts@aidc.com.au
“WE AT MINT PICTURES LOVE SUPPORTING LEADING LIGHTS AS IT IS A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN EMERGING FILMMAKER TO IMMERSE IN THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTARY DATE IN OUR CALENDARS: AIDC. MOREOVER, THE ORGANISERS ENSURE THESE LEADING LIGHTS COME FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND ALL PARTS OF AUSTRALIA. WE HOPE IT’S GIVING BACK – AND PAYING IT FORWARD.”
– DAN GOLDBERG, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MINT PICTURES
AIDC gratefully acknowledges our 2027 Leading Lights donors:
Funds pledged for 7 x Leading Lights recipients
Funds pledged for 5 x Leading Lights recipients
Funds pledged for 2 x Leading Lights recipients
- Documentary Australia
- Paul Wiegard
Funds pledged for 1 x Leading Lights recipient
- Above the Line Accounting
- Bunya Productions
- Jana Blair
- Joany Sze
- Mint Pictures
- Princess Pictures