First Nations-Led Indigenous Creators Program Returns for AIDC 2025
A dedicated strand of sessions and marketplace activities designed by and for First Nations practitioners
AIDC is proud to present the seventh annual Indigenous Creators Program at AIDC 2025, led by AIDC First Nations Producers Laurrie Mansfield and Devina McPherson.
First Nations storytellers create some of the most powerful, creative, entertaining, and impactful documentary and factual work being produced around the globe.
AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program is a strand of sessions and marketplace activities designed by and for First Nations practitioners to come together, share ideas and support the craft and business of First Nations stories. The program has welcomed 394 new and returning participants since its inception in 2019.
Running within the AIDC 2025 program, the sessions provide targeted information to Indigenous practitioners from all skill levels around topics including pitching, storytelling, funding, distribution and more.
2024 Indigenous Creators Program | Photo by Ned Mansfield
Developer, facilitator and producer for the screen arts, Laurrie Mansfield will return for a third year as First Nations Producer at AIDC 2025.
“AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program is an incredibly unique offering across the conference landscape, and I am once again thrilled to take part in producing this exciting opportunity for First Nations People,” says Laurrie.
“In times of upheaval, First Nations perspectives and storytelling remind us of what is important as we look to better our world for future generations, and I cannot wait to see the changemaking projects that arise and develop out of the 2025 AIDC Program.”
A proud Aboriginal-Filipino-Irish and Bi+ / Gender Queer individual, Laurrie splits their time between producing at GARUWA, the 100% Aboriginal-owned, multidisciplinary creative agency, and freelancing as an assessor, developer, facilitator, mentor and programmer.
Laurrie’s experience includes working with leading organisations both locally and globally, such as Screen Australia (First Nations, Enterprise, Content, Online), Netflix (Production and ANZ Grow Creative), Australians in Film (AiF), Arts Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.), Screen NSW, Curious Works, Screenworks and the Sydney Film Festival.
Laurrie Mansfield
For the first time in 2025, Laurrie will be joined in facilitating the Indigenous Creators Program by new AIDC First Nations Producer, Devina McPherson.
Devina is a proud Widi Yamatji and Noongar woman from Western Australia and is currently the Development and Associate Producer at Broome’s RAMU Productions, which has numerous international co-productions currently in development.
“The Indigenous Creators Program at AIDC is such an exceptional and unique opportunity that creates a significant safe space for all First Nations storytellers which in turn creates authentic content that ignites conversation and change,” said Devina.
“This program gives Mob an opportunity to connect with fellow First Nations creators from across Australia and the world. It is such a privilege to be a part of the Indigenous Creators Program for 2025 with Laurrie Mansfield and I look forward to meeting the new delegates and to also see what amazing outcomes they cook up while being immersed and inspired throughout the AIDC program.”
Previously, Devina has also worked as the First Nations Executive at Screenwest for factual and scripted content, and as Series Producer and Production Manager at the Film and Television Institute (FTI), based in Fremantle.
At FTI, Devina was instrumental in completing The Indigenous Community Stories (ICS) project, a hundred First Nations documentary films that went on to be broadcast nationally by the ABC, SBS and NITV, and also became part of the permanent exhibition at the WA Museum.
Devina also freelances as a First Nations screen sector consultant to state and federal arts agencies and is a mentor to numerous emerging First Nations creatives.
Devina McPherson
Indigenous practitioners are encouraged to contact their local state or territory screen agency directly to find out more about travel assistance and registration support to attend AIDC 2025.
The Indigenous Creators Program will be made available to all Indigenous practitioners registered to attend AIDC with a Business Pass, All Access Pass, or Sessions Pass. Program sessions will be announced in early 2025.
Visit the Indigenous Creators Program page for more information about the program and state agency support contacts.
Image Credit: GARUWA x Running Water Community Press, kwatye urrewe (2024), DIR: Kieran Mpetyane Satour, DOP: Ryan Andrew Lee, Iwupataka, Arrernte Country