The Australian International Documentary Conference, the leading Southern Hemisphere gathering and marketplace for doc and factual content, revealed November 9 the first confirmed guests and theme for the 2024 conference. The event 2024 will take place in-person 3-6 March, followed by an online international marketplace 7- 8 March 2024. $235K Australian (€140,000) up for grabs in prizes.
AIDC 2024: FRONTLINES
The AIDC 2024 program will “explore the integrity, urgency, and creative potential of non-fiction storytelling via the theme Frontlines: Shaping the Future of Documentary & Factual Storytelling. The 2024 theme highlights how practitioners, industry leaders and advocates are actively shaping what’s to come, while also defending against challenges to the very foundations of practice. Reflecting our mission to support and elevate all forms of documentary and factual, AIDC 2024 turns its lens to the Frontlines – where we strive to secure the future of the sector, ensure its sustainability, and pave the way for unique, bold and engaging nonfiction stories,” organisers write.
AIDC CEO / Creative Director Natasha Gadd, said, “In a time of radical change – where each dawn poses new challenges and possibilities in the pursuit of truth and courageous and
Under the umbrella of Frontlines, AIDC 2024 will explore the following subthemes through spotlight sessions, industry panels, screenings and initiatives: Edge of Reality (innovation, new technologies and future visions); Courage of Conviction (frontline storytelling, impact and changemaking); Future of Truth (authenticity, integrity and truth-telling); Persistence of Vision (craft, creative nonfiction and experimentation in form); Depth of Field (access, inclusion and representation); and State of Play (policy change, sector reform and sustainability).
AIDC CEO/Creative Director Natasha Gadd, comments: “In a time of radical change – where each dawn poses new challenges and possibilities in the pursuit of truth and courageous and authentic representations of the world around us – documentary and factual storytelling has never been more vital. At the frontlines of our sector we champion our most daring, inventive and surprising ideas. It is where we are emboldened to take risks, experiment and test new ground. And it is also a site of resistance, where we question, challenge and advocate. We’re thrilled to announce this incredible first lineup of speakers, decision makers and initiatives for AIDC 2024 as we bring the future into sharp focus and explore new ways of navigating truth, editorial integrity, innovation and creative expression.”
First announced speakers include Mstyslav Chernov, director of 20 Days in Mariupol (Ukraine) and Nainita Desai, composer on The Deepest Breath; For Sama and The Reason I Jump.
INCREASED PITCH OPPORTUNITIES
AIDC 2024’s market will host an expanded Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch, returning for its second year now with up to $100,000 in development grants for feature documentaries. Doubling its initial commitment of $50k, the Shark Island Foundation seeks “to support projects with the potential to shift thinking and inspire social change via the pitch.” Pitch meetings will take place through Cut to the Chase, AIDC’s curated meetings program for Business Pass and All Access Pass-holders.
NEW OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In 2024, AIDC will also debut the Southern Light Award, celebrating luminaries of the Australian documentary and factual industry. Expanding the eligibility scope of the pre-existing Stanley Hawes Award, presented from 1997 – 2023, the Southern Light Award is a new $5,000 cash prize presented by AIDC to an Australian industry professional for their outstanding contribution to nonfiction screen, digital and/or audio media. Nominations can be made by AIDC members, and are open now.
AIDC MARKETPLACE & INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
Confirmed attendees include representatives from high profile broadcasters, streamers, distributors, sales agents and funding bodies like: 3Boxmedia International Sales (Germany), ABC (Australia), ARTE G.E.I.E (France), CAT&Docs (France), CBC (Canada) DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (South Korea), Doc Society (Australia), EBS Korea/EIDF (South Korea), Espresso Media International (UK), Getty Images (New Zealand), Hot Docs (Canada), Hulu (USA), In-Docs | Docs By the Sea (Indonesia), International Documentary Association (IDA) (USA), Impact Partners, (USA), Journeyman Pictures (UK), Limonero Films (UK), Madman Entertainment (Australia), NITV (Australia), POV (USA), Prime Video (Australia), Red Bull Studios (Austria), Sandbox Films (USA), SBS (Australia), Shark Island Foundation (Australia), Sheffield DocFest (UK), Sideways Film (UK), Sky New Zealand (Aotearoa/New Zealand), Sundance Film Festival (USA), Sunny Side of the Doc (France), The New York Times Op-Docs (USA), The Post Lounge (Australia), The Whickers (UK), Time Studios (USA), and TRT World (Turkey) with many more yet to be announced.
AIDC’s centrepiece international pitching showcase, The FACTory, presented by VicScreen, is currently accepting submissions, with projects sought across three strands; the Central Showcase (for projects in development with international potential); New Talent Showcase (for projects by early-career filmmakers); and Rough Cut Showcase (for projects seeking sales, distribution, and exhibition opportunities). Selected projects will pitch live to decision makers during AIDC 2024.
Meetings between industry guests and accredited producers will again take place via Cut to the Chase, AIDC’s curated meetings program for Business Pass and All Access Pass- holders. Now open for submissions, Cut to the Chase matches producers and their projects to the most relevant commissioning editors, acquisitions executives, distributors, sales agents, financiers and funders, with local meetings taking place during AIDC and international meetings arranged online.
AIDC is also partnering with The Post Lounge for a third year on the The Post Lounge Doc Pitch designed to support standout documentary and factual projects with a share in up to $30,000 of equity investment through post-production. Producers are now invited to submit projects in development across any nonfiction genre via AIDC’s Cut to the Chase program.
Combined with the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch and the recently-announced return of Screen Australia-presented Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch for stories that appeal to younger audiences (which will see the national screen agency support three projects with up to $30,000 each in development funding), AIDC 2024 has already unlocked over A$235,000 in project development funding and prizes for delegates.
AIDC AWARDS
Nominations are also sought for the prestigious 4th annual AIDC Awards, recognising outstanding completed works of new Australian documentary and factual content across six categories: Best Feature Documentary (with a $5,000 cash prize presented by Film Finances), Best Documentary/Factual Series, Best Documentary/Factual Single, Best Short-Form Documentary, Best Audio Documentary (with a $3,000 cash prize presented by AFTRS), and Best Interactive/Immersive Documentary (with a $3,000 cash prize presented by Deakin Motion Lab).
VicScreen continues “its long-running and welcome support of AIDC,” having announced a further two years of funding at AIDC 2023 and ensuring the event stays in Victoria. VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher, commented, “AIDC is set to shine the spotlight on Melbourne this coming March, with today’s first look revealing another year of epic programming. From the renowned FACTory pitch day to curated business meetings, AIDC creates significant opportunities for our homegrown talent to connect with some of the best international minds in factual storytelling. VicScreen is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with AIDC, recently committing to another two years of funding for the conference, solidifying AIDC’s home in Melbourne for both 2024 and 2025.”
