SESSIONS

Mstyslav Chernov - Standing Ground

Explore the perils and possibilities of frontline filmmaking with the director of 20 Days in Mariupol, Mstyslav Chernov, whose on-the-ground footage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine became his Oscar®-nominated debut feature.

The Cutting Edge with This Machine's R.J. Cutler and Trevor Smith

Join prolific industry stalwarts R.J. Cutler and Trevor Smith (Big Vape; Billie Eilish; Belushi) in this sweeping keynote, as they provide insight into producing compelling documentary features and series.

Rachel Perkins: Truth to Power

Join us for an unmissable spotlight session with one of Australia's most accomplished filmmakers, Rachel Perkins, director of trailblazing series The Australian Wars and First Australians and founder of Blackfella Films.

Reconstructing Memory with Kaouther Ben Hania

Join Oscar®-nominated director Kaouther Ben Hania for an in-depth exploration of her creative approach to fact, memory and reconstruction in the daring hybrid documentary, Four Daughters.

The Art of Composing for Documentary with Nainita Desai

Nainita Desai is behind the scores of numerous documentaries, including the Oscar®-nominated For Sama. The award-winning composer offers insights into her artistry, and the unique power of score in documentary filmmaking.

Editing the Extraordinary with Luke Lorentzen and Ashleigh McArthur

A Still Small Voice is the Oscar®-shortlisted latest from Luke Lorentzen (Midnight Family). Join Lorentzen and co-producer/additional editor Ashleigh McArthur as they reveal their process of editing profoundly intimate stories.

The Future of Factual with Shaminder Nahal

Channel 4’s Head of Specialist Factual, Shaminder Nahal, brings her wealth of experience to the Australian stage. With audience habits constantly evolving, we ask: what does the future hold for factual storytelling?

Brave New World: Documentary and Artificial Intelligence

With the rise of AI we are at an irrevocable turning point. Join a stellar panel of industry representatives as they probe the power and perils of AI in the nonfiction sector.

Verifying Eyewitness Generated Content with Human Rights Watch Digital Investigations Lab

Join Human Rights Watch Digital Investigations Lab for crucial insights into ensuring factual accuracy, authenticity and veracity when drawing on eyewitness-generated content of global conflicts and crises.

First Nations Co-Creation, Collaboration & Truth-Telling

Join this stellar panel representing diverse First Nations perspectives - including GARUWA co-founder Gen Grieves - as they explore the ways in which the wider documentary sector can learn from First Nations knowledges.

Embodied Realities in VR

Immersive artist Ben Joseph Andrews delves into his innovative experiential practice, exploring the ways XR technologies act as a reflexive lens through which to understand and express his own experiences of disabled embodiment.

Breaking Boundaries: Pushing Form in Nonfiction

A timely conversation on challenging documentary tropes led by Patrick Abboud with fellow genre bending storytellers D. Smith (Kokomo City), John Harvey (Still We Rise) and Sally Aitken (Every Little Thing).

Dispatches from the Frontline: Filmmaker Safety and Wellbeing

Documenting the complexities of real world experiences places an enormous toll on nonfiction creators. This session explores the associated risks and, importantly, the strategies and support structures for how to mitigate them.

Pathways to Audience: The Current Landscape of Documentary Distribution

Join experts from Film Art Media, Madman Entertainment, Sundance Film Festival and Autlook Filmsales as they provide insights into pathways to audience for the ever-evolving landscape of documentary distribution.

State of Play: Documentary Policy and Advocacy

The Australian documentary sector is at a crossroads, with 2024 bringing new regulation for streaming platforms. We discuss the current policy and advocacy work being done to ensure the sector’s sustainability.

Global Connect: Meet the Internationals

Hear from some of AIDC's international guest decision makers as they reveal what they are looking for from Australian projects and how to cut through a crowded landscape to reach global audiences.

The Collaborative Dynamics of International Co-Productions

As part of our 'French Focus', this session delves into the collaborative dynamics of co-productions with leading production companies SAM Content and ZED.

The French Connection - Australia x France

A panel of esteemed French buyers representing broadcasters, markets and distribution provide a platform for Australian producers to learn how to collaborate with the French market.

Turn up the Volume - The Rise of the Music Biography

In this electric session, creators of music documentaries making noise on the global stage share insights into crafting the biggest hits of the last year, including EGO, Finding the Voice and OneFour.

Tuned In: Crafting Long-Form Audio Investigations

Discover the art of the long-form investigation, as journalist and filmmaker Marc Fennell delves into two recent award-winning audio documentaries - You Have Been Told A Lie and Nobody Dies Here.

All Aboard - Access and Inclusion with Bus Stop Films

An exploration of inclusive filmmaking in practice, helmed by Bus Stop Films CEO Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM, and featuring the teams behind Rewards for the Tribe and This is Going to be Big.

You Can('t) Clear That! A Deep Dive into Archive Clearances

All your burning questions about clearances, copyright and fair dealing for your nonfiction projects are answered in this session featuring perspectives from independent filmmakers alongside leading archive experts.

Screen Australia - Meet the Team

A chance to hear from Screen Australia's new CEO Deirdre Brennan and Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston about their observations on the documentary landscape and the initial priorities for their respective roles.

I Want You Back: The Key to Creating a Returnable Format

Returnable formats are a golden unicorn, but can you plan for repeatability? The ABC leads this session on how to ensure long term viability in series.

Sessions

Cutting Through with SBS and NITV

Commissioners often raise the need for creative cut-through, but what does it mean in practice? Join SBS and NITV as they reveal how to achieve this, what they’re looking for and current commissioning opportunities.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: How to Successfully Collaborate with International Partners

As global broadcasters unite to create formats and combine funding, the ABC lead this session on the do's and don'ts of international co-productions.

Sessions

Anatomy of Risk with SBS

Every broadcaster says they take risks but what do they really mean? Join us for this vital session exposing the benefits and dangers of taking a risk for both the producer and the broadcaster.

Indigenous Creators Program: Yarning Circle

To open the 2024 Indigenous Creators Program, we welcome all First Nations Practitioners from Australia and across the globe to come together with hosts Kelrick Martin, Douglas Watkin and Laurrie Mansfield.

Indigenous Creators Program: Meet the Buyers Seeking Indigenous-Authored Stories

An opportunity for Indigenous Creators Program participants to hear from and have an informal yarn with decision makers seeking Indigenous-authored stories.

Indigenous Creators Program: Visionaries - Crafting Excellence

First Nations visionaries reveal their unique creative processes in the art of First Nations documentary storytelling and craft.

Indigenous Creators Program: Opportunities for Impact

First Nations-authored projects are inherently impactful, but how can we dream bigger for our communities?

Behind the Lens: Editorial Integrity and Authentic News Coverage with Getty Images

A behind the scenes look at Getty Images’ editorial content coverage, stories and visuals from the field, and the importance of sourcing trustworthy content amid emerging AI technologies.

Screenrights Cultural Fund and DocAccess Preview

Screenrights' Cultural Fund supports initiatives that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content. Find out about recent recipient Documentary Australia and their project, DocAccess.

Design for Documentaries

Join 21-19 Creative Director, Dom Bartolo, as he shares insights into his studio's approach to design in documentary and how design plays a critical role in your next project.

Doc.Lab.Interact Workshop

As part of Doc.Lab.Interact, world-class creative duo Ben Joseph Andrews and Emma Roberts will guide project teams in developing a blueprint for a new non-linear or interactive work.

Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch

Presented with Screen Australia, the Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch spotlights six teams pitching projects that reflect the hopes, dreams and desires of the young adult experience.