Successful Projects from AIDC 2023 Post Lounge & Shark Island Foundation Pitches Revealed
Recipients to receive $75,000 in post-production investment and development grants
The good news emerging from AIDC 2023 continues, with this week’s announcement of the successful projects from The Post Lounge Doc Pitch and the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch.
Both initiatives ran as part of the AIDC 2023 Marketplace, with pitches occurring during the Cut to the Chase curated meetings program, presented by Xe Money Transfer.
The Post Lounge Doc Pitch aimed to support a standout project with up to $30,000 worth of development investment through post-production, to be used for a sizzle, teaser or pilot.
The philanthropic Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch sought pitches for feature-length documentaries to share in up to $50,000 in development grants.
The Post Lounge Doc Pitch Recipients
“Of all of the incredible projects pitched to us as part of The Post Lounge’s $30,000 development initiative, two were total stand-outs to TPL, and we are thrilled to offer $15,000 in post-production services to each of these teams,” said Bronwyn Ketels, General Manager, The Post Lounge.
“Both projects offer a fresh voice to stories of diversity, and TPL’s team of editors and artists will provide the finishing touches in post-production to help bring these stories to audiences.”
$15,000 post-production investment
HOUSE OF LOVE
In the late ‘80s Sydney was the undisputed dance capital of the world. At the same time a sexual revolution was shaking the foundations that would change a generation forever.
Director Mark Murphy
Producer Michaela Perske – Pursekey Productions
“Producer Michaela Perske impressed with her infectious enthusiasm and genuine personal connection to the subject matter, which, combined with the impressive access to archive materials and people, the timing coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the Hordern Pavilion, and the huge celebration of queer love that the world is reveling in right now, this project is already in a great place. We can see how TPL’s investment would further elevate the material to create a sizzle reel worthy of international attention, by creating animation and motion graphics to bring the party posters and flyers to life, and a dynamic colour grade would enhance and lift the images. We believe a killer reel will help this film secure funding and move into production very soon.”
$15,000 post-production investment
THE LOVE SEAT (working title)
The Love Seat follows the spine-tingling love stories of people living with life-altering spinal injuries as they find their feet dating, hooking up, and searching for ‘the one’.
Director Isaac Elliot
Producer Gena Lida Riess, Lucy Knox
“Lucy, Gena and Isaac pitched their new series to us, showing us a taste of their previous work, We are Sexual Beings, and knocked our socks off with their immediately engaging protagonists – each in search of a date, a hook up or “the one” – and their take on the “reality but not reality” genre. This format feels fresh, honest, funny and saleable and shines a light on those trying to find their sexuality, while living with life-altering spinal injuries.”
House of Love | Photo credit: Jac Vidgen, Billy Yip, Reno Dal. R.A.T. team (original). Photo by John Webber Siena
The Love Seat (working title) | Photo credit: Jordana Kornfeld
The Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch
“Shark Island Foundation is delighted to offer development grants to three projects submitted through AIDC’s dynamic Cut to the Chase program. Each film addresses an urgent issue in a unique and visually rich way,” said Kate Hodges, Executive Director, Shark Island Foundation.
“The passion, skill and commitment of the filmmakers and their approach to working alongside the participants, at an early development stage, assure us these are going to be compelling, important films told with respect and intimacy. We look forward to supporting the teams as the stories unfold.”
$25,000 grant
CHASING GIANTS
Married couple Steve Pearce and Dr Jen Sanger photograph striking ‘Giant Tree portraits’ around the world on their quest to save Tasmania’s critical Grove of Giants from being lost forever.
Director Joseph Nizeti
Writer Rob Innes, Joseph Nizeti
Producer Rob Innes, Joseph Nizeti
$10,000 grant
STREETSIDE
A young Sydney doctor gains new perspective after establishing a mobile medical service for the homeless.
Directors John-Paul McElwee, Pete Ward
Producer Rebecca Bennett
$10,000 grant
ALL OF US
Young people on the brink of change work with advocate Rosie Batty to learn how we stop family violence before it starts.
Director Amelia Tovey
Producer Sophia Marinos
Streetside | Photo credit: Pete Ward
All of Us | Photo credit: Nisa East
The Cut to the Chase pitch meetings marketplace this year curated an AIDC record of 617 meetings for 125 documentary and factual projects with 106 industry decision makers. A total of 31 projects took part across AIDC 2023’s The Post Lounge Doc Pitch, the DocPlay Originals Pitch, and the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch.
Thanks to AIDC’s industry partners taking part in industry initiatives, AIDC was able to unlock over $350,000 in project and professional development funding, awards and prizes, providing real support for practitioners and elevating documentary and factual storytelling across all forms.
You can learn more about AIDC’s Marketplace HERE.
Main Image: Chasing Giants | Photo credit: The Tree Projects