AIDC 2025 Leading Lights Applications Open

The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) is proud to open applications for the 2025 Leading Lights philanthropic funding program, assisting industry newcomers to establish themselves as part of Australia’s nonfiction screen community. 

Leading Lights supports emerging, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse, culturally and linguistically diverse, and regional or remote screen creatives to attend AIDC for the first time and receive professional development opportunities. 

Since launching in 2018, a total of 258 emerging and diverse screen creatives have been able to attend AIDC and participate in the Leading Lights professional development program, thanks to the support of industry donors.

All selected Leading Lights recipients receive a complimentary Sessions Pass allowing them to attend AIDC 2025 and to participate in the Leading Lights Program, supported by program partner AFTRS. 

 “I had heard amazing things about AIDC and the Leading Lights Program, but nothing prepared me for the incredible experiences, connections, learning and support I received the moment I landed at ACMI,” said 2024 Leading Lights recipient, Julia Lörsch. 

“I was deeply impressed by the quality of the sessions, programming and constant opportunities to connect with top decision-makers, filmmakers and the sector. The curation of panels was excellent, where I learned more than I thought possible, and made more new connections than I expected. Jam-packed with content and rich experiences, AIDC boasts tremendous value, all with a wonderfully welcoming, passionate and engaged community.”

2024 Leading Lights recipient, Kaylene Langford, reports a similar experience: “The team at AIDC weren’t lying when they said to wear your Leading Lights badge with pride and that the other delegates would welcome us with open arms. Being a first-time documentary maker and first-timer at AIDC I felt included, supported and welcomed into the vibrant world of documentary filmmakers.”

AIDC would like to extend a huge thanks to Leading Lights program partner AFTRS, and our early donors who have contributed 22 places already: ABC, Above the Line Accounting, Brindle Films, Boardwalk Pictures Australia, Chemical Media, Documentary Australia, Media Stockade, Paul Wiegard, SBS and Tilt Media.

“We love that Leading Lights provides an opportunity for so many filmmakers to attend the most important annual documentary conference in Australia,” said Rachel Clements and Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films. 

“And it’s particularly fantastic to see so many people being included from the regions and diverse areas of our country,”

Applications for the 2025 Leading Lights Program are open now, with a closing date of Sunday 8 December 2024.

For more information and to apply, visit the Leading Lights page. 

LEADING LIGHTS

Potential Donors: to donate to Leading Lights, please visit our Donate page, or contact accounts@aidc.com.au at any time.