AIDC 2025 Highlights: Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch
Four projects to share in $80,000 of development grants
Last year, Australian producers were invited to submit projects for the third Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch as part of their application for AIDC 2025’s Cut to the Chase marketplace, with up to $100,000 in development funding on the table.
Shark Island Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation dedicated to funding documentary filmmaking in Australia. Through the pitch – a key initiative in AIDC’s Industry Development Program – the foundation seeks to support films with clearly identifiable audiences and strong engagement strategies, realistic budgets and funding strategies, and the potential to inspire social change.
Following meetings with shortlisted projects during AIDC 2025’s Cut to the Chase meetings, four projects were selected to receive development funding, with a fifth invited to apply for a Production Grant.
To learn more about the successful projects in the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch, you can read Shark Island Foundation Executive Director Kate Hodges’ comments below.
Shark Island Foundation Executive Director, Kate Hodges, announcing funding recipients at the 2025 AIDC Awards | Photo by Max Roux
GREATNESS KNOWN
Grant: $15,000
Logline: The largest all-abilities choir in the world are preparing for their most ambitious act to date: An original concert accompanied by Australia’s leading orchestra.
Director: Lachlan McLeod, Producer: Naomi Ball, Executive Producer: David Elliot-Jones
“The Shark Island Foundation is delighted to support Walking Fish Productions for the second time at AIDC. We’re excited by the co-creation experience – this relationship between the filmmakers and Find Your Voice Choir, and the opportunity for audiences to see the creative activism at work in the performances.”
THE LAST NOMADS OF PINTUPI
Grant: $20,000
Logline: The last Indigenous family to make contact with white Australia reunite to retrace their journey.
Director / Producer: Chadden Hunter
“We were captivated by the stunningly beautiful approach to this fascinating story. We’re so pleased to be able to support the Pintupi who are generously sharing their stories and offering audiences a deep connection to the past and future.”
MARLIYA
Grant: $20,000
Logline: A First Nations youth choir blends cultural heritage, activism, and breathtaking music as they prepare for their first international performance, confronting personal and collective challenges that test their identity and resilience.
Director: Stephen Page, Producer: Ewan Cutler, Executive Producer: Shontell Ketchell
“A spine-tingling pitch from a brilliant creative team. We know Stephen Page will craft a powerful story of resilience and empowerment. Shark Island are pleased to be supporting a film from the inaugural Indigenous Creators Pitch.”
THE ACT OF DYING
Grant: $25,000
Logline: In the face of aggressive terminal cancer and with just six months to live, actor Ian Smith – Harold Bishop on Neighbours, plans to end his life on his own terms.
Director: Vincent Lamberti, Producer: Lisa Albert
“Ian Smith’s journey through voluntary assisted dying will be in safe hands with Vincent Lamberti and Lisa Albert, a team known for their sensitive, thoughtful and intimate portrayals of people at their most vulnerable.”
THE CLASS OF ASHLEY
Invited to apply for a Production Grant.
Logline: A passionate young woman takes a job at a remote Tasmanian detention centre, but after uncovering horrific crimes against children, she becomes a whistleblower, battling government corruption and cover-ups.
Director: Rhys Graham, Producer: Celyren Leckie, Executive Producer: Gal Greenspan
“This chilling story of crime, power and corruption should force change at the highest levels. Rhys Graham and Sweetshop & Green are the right team to tell this complex story centring duty of care with visually rich storytelling. Shark Island Foundation supported this project at early development and have invited the team to apply for a production grant.”
In 2025, Cut to the Chase curated 579 meetings arranged for 151 documentary and factual projects with 100 industry decision makers
Thanks to AIDC’s industry partners taking part in industry initiatives, AIDC was able to unlock over $250,000 in project and professional development funding, awards and prizes, providing real support for practitioners and elevating documentary and factual storytelling across all forms.
Learn more about AIDC’s Marketplace and the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch
Main Image: Marliya