New FACTory Assessment Committee Members & Pitch Prizes Announced
More Expert Project Assessors, and More Opportunities to Take Your Project to the World
Applications are now open for the 12th edition of AIDC’s centrepiece pitching event for new documentary and factual projects, The FACTory International Pitching Forum, proudly presented by Screen NSW.
As part of AIDC 2027’s move to Sydney for its 40th Anniversary, The FACTory will take place in a spectacular new location: the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
AIDC is now calling for compelling new documentary features, singles and series projects from around Australia and the world to enter submissions for The FACTory’s Central Showcase, New Talent Showcase, and Rough Cut Showcase. Up to 15 projects will be selected to pitch.
FACTORY ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
Project submissions will be assessed by a panel of international experts, including newly announced members Chloe Walters-Wallace (Director of Regional Initiatives, Firelight Media, USA) and Josie Mason Campbell (Producer, Independent, Australia)
They will join the previously announced Jason Ryle (International Programmer, TIFF, Canada), Margje de Koning (Director, Movies That Matter, The Netherlands), Gunny (Gune) Hyoung (Artistic Director, EIDF & K-Docs, South Korea), and Zoe Stinson (Acquisitions and Productions Manager, TVF International, UK), in assessing submissions and shortlisting projects.
Entry to The FACTory is competitive, and assessors will consider criteria like originality, marketplace viability, and international appeal.
Chloe Walters-Wallace
Josie Mason-Campbell
FACTORY PITCH PRIZES
We are also pleased to announce that all projects participating in The FACTory at AIDC 2027 will be in the running for a host of international pitch prizes – with three confirmed and more to be announced. The first round of prizes include:
→ Docs by the Sea 2027 FACTory Prize (Indonesia) – includes two complimentary passes to participate and invitation to participate in a development lab.
→ DMZ Docs Industry 2027 FACTory Prize (South Korea) – includes two complimentary passes to participate, a waiver on project submission fees, 1:1 meetings with participating decision makers, and 3-4 nights accommodation if attending in-person.
→ Sheffield DocFest Networking Award 2027 (UK) – includes two complimentary festival passes and a waiver on MeetMarket submission fees.
The regular submission deadline for projects is Sunday 1 November. Projects submitted by the late deadline of Sunday 8 November, will incur an additional fee. Applicants can find Submission Guidelines on The FACTory webpage, and submit through the FACTory online portal.
Successful applicants will be offered a 10% discount on AIDC 2027 All Access Passes as FACTory participants. (An All Access Pass is required for participation in The FACTory). Refer to relevant Submission Guidelines for further details.
AIDC 2027 will take place 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, followed by an online international marketplace 23-24 March. Early Bird passes are on sale now. For more information, visit www.aidc.com.au
Main Image: The FACTory Central Showcase 2026, The Edge, Fed Square | Photo by William Hamilton-Coates