AIDC 2023 Unlocks Over $350,000 in Development Funding, Prizes & Professional Development Support

SUPPORTING AND ELEVATING NONFICTION STORYTELLING

We are thrilled to announce that as a result of a suite of exciting industry initiatives with key partners, including Screen Australia, Shark Island Foundation, DocPlay, and The Post Lounge, and Awards partnerships with AFTRS, Deakin Motion Lab and Film Finances, AIDC 2023 will unlock over $350,000 in project development, awards, prizes and professional development opportunities for new nonfiction content and support for documentary practitioners. 

These partnerships and programs are a core part of AIDC’s mission to support and elevate nonfiction storytelling, by actively generating new work, fostering new talent, and establishing new pathways for industry growth. As a result, attending AIDC 2023 will give those working in documentary and factual an array of concrete opportunities to progress projects, skill up, and make lasting professional connections.

AIDC PITCH INITIATIVES

In 2023, the AIDC Marketplace boasts two new industry pitching initiatives for Australian screen creators:

> AIDC and Screen Australia’s first-ever pitch for documentary content for young adult audiences, the Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch, with six projects in the running for up to $30,000 per project in Screen Australia development funds.

> A new pitch for feature documentaries aimed at shifting thinking and bringing about social change, the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch, with up to $50,000 in development grants available. 

The fresh initiatives join two returning pitches supported by esteemed Australian doc sector champions:

> The Post Lounge Doc Pitch for documentary features, one-offs or series across any genre, with up to $30,000 worth of development investment through post-production available, to be used for a sizzle, teaser or pilot.

> The DocPlay Originals Pitch, an opportunity to pitch and partner with streaming platform DocPlay to produce long-form, episodic docu-series.

CUT TO THE CHASE

These opportunities complement the potential commissions, development and sales deals resulting from AIDC’s curated pitch meetings marketplace, Cut to the Chase, presented by Xe Money Transfer, which efficiently matches producers and decision makers for productive meetings.

Over 100 national and international decision makers will participate in AIDC 2023 as they search for new content, including representatives from BBC Storyville (UK), Prime Video (Australia), Participant Media (USA), Dogwoof (UK), Hulu (USA), ARTE (France) Stan (Australia), CBC (Canada), and many more.

We are also pleased to announce the addition of new audio doc decision makers from Spotify and LiSTNR, plus German broadcaster ZDF and sales agency Rise and Shine. 

Delegates must be registered with a Business Pass or All Access Pass to participate in the marketplace and pitch projects in Cut to the Chase, with project submissions closing Sunday 29 January 2023.

AIDC AWARDS PRIZES

The third annual AIDC Awards, to be held on the closing night of AIDC 2023 (8 March), will see cash prizes provided across four categories, acknowledging the outstanding work of Australian nonfiction creators. 

These include a $5,000 cash prize presented by Film Finances for Best Feature Documentary, a $3,000 cash prize presented by AFTRS for Best Audio Documentary, and a $3,000 cash prize presented by Deakin Motion Lab for Best Interactive/Immersive Documentary.

AIDC will also once again present the $5,000 Stanley Hawes Award for outstanding contribution to Australian documentary by an individual or organisation.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

AIDC’s professional development programs continue our commitment to providing career-defining opportunities for diverse voices and perspectives in the nonfiction sector. This year AIDC is proud to offer:

> The Leading Lights Program for emerging, Indigenous, and culturally and linguistically diverse practitioners, providing a donor-funded pathway into the nonfiction screen sector via first-time attendance at AIDC.

> The Indigenous Creators Program, a dedicated strand of sessions and marketplace activities designed by and for First Nations practitioners to come together and elevate the craft and business of First Nations stories.

Professional pitch training and project mentoring is a central element of a number of AIDC programs, including the FACTory International Pitching Showcase, Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch, and Leading Lights Program.

Participation in AIDC’s FACTory International Pitching Showcase also provides practitioners with the chance to take their projects to international marketplaces via prizes provided by Canada’s Hot Docs, the UK’s Sheffield Doc/Fest, and France’s Sunny Side of the Doc.

And finally, access to the full scope of professional development opportunities provided by AIDC is supported by subsidised passes for particular participants, including the 2023 Canadian Delegation, Leading Lights, and state screen agency programs such as VicScreen’s AIDC 2023 First Peoples Creators Passes.  

2023 PROGRAM

Complementing a jam-packed marketplace and array of professional development opportunities, the full AIDC 2023 schedule of sessions, masterclasses, and panels – including the return of public screening program in partnership with ACMI – will be announced on Wednesday 25 January 2023.

High profile speaking guests already announced include Sara Dosa (USA, director of Fire of Love), Shaunak Sen (India, director of All That Breathes), Fatima Salaria (UK, managing director of Naked Television), and Rita Baghdadi (USA/Morocco, director of Sirens), with many more to be revealed. 

A variety of pass types covering access to the marketplace, networking opportunities and the session program are available now.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR AIDC 2023