AIDC 2025 Highlights: The Post Lounge Doc Pitch

With AIDC 2025 now behind us, it’s time to take a look at some of the event’s success stories – in particular, the successful projects from The Post Lounge Doc Pitch, presented by premium post-production, VFX and animation house The Post Lounge and held during the Cut to the Chase curated meetings program.

Part of the AIDC Industry Development Program and now in its fourth year, The Post Lounge Doc Pitch initiative supports a selection of projects with up to $30,000 of development investment through strategic post-production services, designed to elevate stories at early development stages.

While the support can take multiple forms, such as post-production for a sizzle, teaser or pilot, the overall aim is to enable filmmakers to move projects toward market-readiness to secure funding and investment, distribution and broadcast deals. 

This year, an additional $5,000 was added towards research and development support through The Post Lounge’s production arm Orange Entertainment Co. 

“We were so inspired by the fresh ideas that were pitched to us at this year’s Doc Pitch. The ones we selected are creatives we not only admire, but teams who demonstrated clear strategic approaches to their projects,” said Georgia Woodward, Chief Operating Officer, The Post Lounge / Orange Entertainment Co.

“Each project addressed the current cultural climate in such new and original ways. AIDC is always a highlight of our year and we can’t wait to start working with the recipients of The Post Lounge Doc Pitch development funding and Orange Entertainment development fund.”

THE SANCTUARY

Awarded $15,000 towards a character reel

Logline: With exclusive access to Tasmania’s Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, follow the dedicated team as they rescue, heal, and release Australia’s iconic animals—capturing their remarkable return to the wild.

Producer: David Elliot-Jones

From the creators of The Zoo and The Aquarium, set in one of the most spectacularly unique, biodiverse places on the planet, The Sanctuary is a global series which embeds at Tasmania’s Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in order to capture its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release Australia’s most iconic and endangered animals.

With the international marketplace firmed up, The Post Lounge / Orange Entertainment Co. will be supporting Walking Fish Productions on the creation of a casting reel (up to $15,000) to support finalising local market discussions.

Partners: Walking Fish Productions, Campfire Studios, Spectral Media

GASLIT

Awarded $10,000 towards GFX for an infographic package

Logline: Exposing the deadly secrets helping fuel the global gas boom.

Co-Directors: Kim Paul Nguyen & Chris Phillips

With the world in the midst of a massive global gas expansion, investigative journalist Kim Paul Nguyen uncovers the secret human and environmental abuses helping fuel the boom. Is gas really the solution to all our energy problems, or are we all being GASLIT? The Post lounge will support the team by contributing $10,000 towards GFX for infographic package.

Production Support: Grain Media

PAID TO PLEASE

Awarded $5,000 towards perfecting audio interviews with reenactments, plus $5,000 towards research and development support through The Post Lounge’s production arm Orange Entertainment Co.

Logline: The intriguing life of a male escort reveals the changing face of modern womanhood.

Director: Vincent Lamberti, Co-Writer / Co-Director: Jen Goggin, Producer: Lisa Albert

Paid to Please follows a male escort over the course of a year, whose intimacy with four very different clients offers a unique lens on the evolving nature of modern womanhood and the booming sexual-wellness industry.

It dismantles stereotypes about male sex work and female sexuality, while exploring themes of secrecy, attachment and the erosion of human connection in a digital world. This documentary will reveal how women of various ages are challenging taboos and traditions to take control of their sexual lives and wellness. 

The Post Lounge will provide $5,000 towards perfecting audio interviews with reenactments, plus $5,000 towards research and development support through Orange Entertainment Co.

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 Post Lounge Doc Pitch

Main Image: Sanctuary