As part of its commitment to funding documentary filmmaking in Australia, the philanthropic Shark Island Foundation is inviting pitches for feature-length documentaries to share in up to $100,000 in development grants, as well as four placements to participate in a new Shark Island Kangaroo Valley Development Lab set to launch in 2026.
The Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch gives producers the opportunity to pitch at AIDC for the chance to receive a development grant of $25,000 and to participate in a four-day creative residency at Shark Island Kangaroo Valley to progress a feature documentary project.
Producers are invited to submit a feature-length documentary project (75 mins+) in development with a plan for theatrical or streaming release. The story can be of any genre but must be character-driven, have a distinctive point of view, with a creative vision and clear artistic style. Ideally, it should have the potential to shift thinking.
Shark Island Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation committed to supporting Australian stories told by a broad range of filmmakers, from established artists to new voices, across a variety of subjects. The foundation is dedicated to supporting outstanding storytellers who are prepared to explore new ground, investigate, reveal, inspire and entertain. Films should have clearly identifiable audiences and strong engagement strategies, realistic budgets and funding strategies, and the potential to inspire social change.
Shortlisted projects will have the chance to pitch to Shark Island Chair Ian Darling and Foundation Executive Director Kate Hodges during AIDC 2026.
Up to four projects will be selected to receive a $25,000 development grant and a placement to participate in the inaugural Shark Island Kangaroo Valley Development Lab.
The Lab launches in 2026 as a four-day creative residency. Two members from each team will work closely with acclaimed filmmaker and story consultant Joseph Nizeti and the Shark Island team, who will provide tailored guidance to help shape and elevate their stories.
For more information about Shark Island Kangaroo Valley see sharkisland.com.au
Please note: applications for the Shark Island Feature Docs Pitch are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program with applications closing on Friday 23 January 2026 at 23:59 AEDT (or late deadline Friday 30 January 2026).
“SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION AND CUT TO THE CHASE HAVE ALREADY SUPPORTED 13 POWERFUL FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES WITH $275,000 IN DEVELOPMENT FUNDING. WE’VE ALSO INVITED THREE PROJECTS TO APPLY FOR PRODUCTION FUNDING, UNLOCKING A FURTHER $300,000 IN FUNDS. WE’RE THRILLED TO RETURN IN 2026 TO DISCOVER EVEN MORE INSPIRING PROJECTS. THIS YEAR, WE’RE ESPECIALLY EXCITED TO ADD MORE VALUE THROUGH OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT LABS AT OUR ARTS HUB, SHARK ISLAND KANGAROO VALLEY, AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEAMS TO STEP AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY AND DIVE DEEPLY INTO THEIR STORIES, WORKING CLOSELY WITH JOSEPH NIZETI AND THE SHARK ISLAND TEAM.”
– KATE HODGES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION
To be eligible to apply for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or over;
- Have at least one Australian team member with an Australian ABN to be eligible to apply;
- Submit a feature documentary project (75 mins+) in development for consideration;
- If selected, be available to attend an in-person pitching session with Shark Island representatives during AIDC, Melbourne between Monday 2 – Thursday 5 March 2026
- Have been approved by Documentary Australia or intend to submit an application to Documentary Australia
- Two team members to be available to participate in the Shark Island Kangaroo Valley Development Lab, a four-day creative residency in Kangaroo Valley 12 – 15 May 2026
If selected to receive a grant, applicants must submit their projects to, and be approved by, Documentary Australia to receive the grant funding. It is recommended but not required that applicants have submitted their project to Documentary Australia before submitting their project to AIDC. The round before AIDC closes on Tuesday 27 January 2026. All applicants should ensure that they are familiar with the Documentary Australia requirements to ensure eligibility. (Documentary Australia application submissions are reviewed four times each year. The Shark Island Foundation grant cannot be paid until your project has been approved by Documentary Australia.)
All applicants must register for an AIDC Business Pass / Online Business Pass or an All Access Pass / Online All Access Pass and apply through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program to be eligible for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch.
AIDC is currently accepting applications for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch. Documentary projects (75 mins+) in development stage are eligible to apply.
Applications for the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch are made through AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program with applications closing on Friday 23 January 2026 at 23:59 AEDT (or late deadline Friday 30 January 2026).
“THE LAST NOMADS OF PINTUPI IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AUSTRALIAN STORIES TO BRING TO THE SCREEN … AT AIDC 2025 WE WERE ABLE TO BREATHE FRESH LIFE INTO THE PROJECT THROUGH THE CUT THE CHASE PROGRAM … SHARK ISLAND FOUNDATION SAW THE NATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF THIS INCREDIBLE STORY – THE LAST INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN FAMILY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WESTERN WORLD – AND PROVIDED THE VITAL INVESTMENT WE NEEDED TO REVISIT THE VAST BEAUTY OF THE GREAT SANDY DESERT AND CONTINUE RECORDING THE ELDERS’ REMARKABLE TALE … THE GRANT ALSO HELPED US BROADEN THE FIRST NATIONS PRODUCTION TEAM AND INCORPORATE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN AND NORTHERN TERRITORY SCREEN AGENCIES.”
– CHADDEN HUNTER, DIRECTOR / PRODUCER, THE LAST NOMADS OF PINTUPI (AWARDED A DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF $20,000 AT AIDC 2025)
