APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE FACTORY
Proudly presented by Film Victoria, AIDC’s pitching showcase for new documentary and factual projects – The FACTory – has returned for its sixth edition. This showcase will spotlight the most fascinating new projects from around the world, while providing exclusive access to key local and international decision makers looking for content.
Traditionally AIDC’s centrepiece event, The FACTory has been reconfigured to take place online in 2021. Shortlisted teams will have the opportunity to present their work in front of the largest ever contingent of international decision makers ever to participate in AIDC – including leading funders, streamers, and broadcasters, as well as key sales agents and distributors.
Alice Burgin, AIDC CEO and Conference Director, said: “We are exceptionally pleased that we can continue to grow and expand The FACTory in 2021. We know so many brilliant creative teams have been working hard over the last year to develop their slates and that they are hungry to pitch to the world’s best buyers. We can’t wait to see the incredible projects that will be unearthed and to support them on their journey to being made!”
Applications are open for projects including features, singles, and series (limited and returnable) across three key showcases: the Central Showcase, which has been designed to present experienced project teams to international decision makers, including commissioners, funders, streamers, networks, distributors, and sales agents; the New Talent Showcase, which presents the brightest new screen talents to decision makers and production companies around the world; and the Rough Cut Showcase, which has been designed to present projects that need to close financing gaps and secure sales, distribution and festival opportunities.
All submitted projects will be assessed by AIDC’s international assessment committee, including Abigail Priddle, (Commissioning Editor, BBC, UK), David Amiel (Commissioning Editor, France Télévisions, France), Ianeta Le’i (Senior Manager, Indigenous Program, Sundance Institute, USA), S. Leo Chiang (independent producer/director, Walking Iris Media, Taiwan/USA) and Jane Mote (Consultant Editor, The Whickers, UK).
Selected participants will have access to extensive online pitch training conducted by experienced screen practitioners, before having the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with key international and local decision makers.
Each year, selected AIDC partners award prizes to the strongest pitches presented as part of The FACTory across all showcases. In 2021, the prizes include:
The FINCH Prize, which recognises and supports quality documentary storytelling from culturally diverse filmmakers. The prize comprises four weeks of in-kind post production facilities and/or services by FINCH in Sydney – including grade, online and mastering to the value of $45,000 AUD.
Doc Edge (New Zealand), providing two complimentary All Access Passes to Screen Edge Forum; Hot Docs (Canada), providing a complimentary pass for one project to the 2021 event; and Sheffield Doc/Fest (United Kingdom), providing two complimentary industry accreditations for one project to the next festival, which will be delivered in a hybrid format in June 2021. All accreditations will be valid for online or physical attendance.
In 2021, there will also be a separate prize for the New Talent Showcase, in which one team will be awarded two complimentary passes to Sunnyside of the Doc (France), plus a 2-hour online mentoring session.
To help applicants prepare their best possible pitch, Getty Images have partnered with AIDC to provide applicants – absolutely free – the footage clips they need to help make their application successful. The Getty Images online library has over 8 million footage clips on every subject imaginable – from movements and protests that define humanity, to wildlife, climate change and much, much more. Users can search by keywords, filming technique, viewpoints and composition, among other options. The Getty Images offer is available to all teams pitching in The FACTory as well as all live pitching sessions at AIDC 2021.
Since The FACTory began in 2016, international and local decision makers have backed a diverse range of projects across multiple genres with AIDC supporting more than 60 project teams to participate in the pitching showcase.
The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) is Australia’s premier event for documentary and factual content servicing the screen and digital media industries. A not-for-profit established in 1987, the organisation remains committed to the sustainability of non-fiction storytelling. Serving both the commercial and creative needs of the industry, AIDC organises a marketplace for documentary and factual product, showcases the work of Australian and international producers, and creates a forum to discuss content, craft, technology and future directions. AIDC’s goal is to connect creators, purveyors and viewers of non-fiction screen and digital media content in ways that promote business, inspire creativity and ignite social change.
The next AIDC will run 28 February – 3 March 2021.