Indigenous Creators Pitch

Applications are now open for documentary or factual projects in development that present bold, distinctive and authentic stories by Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander filmmakers across any genre, style and subject matter. 

FORMAT

Applications must be for documentary or factual projects suitable for online, broadcast, theatrical and / or streaming.

The following formats are acceptable but must be over 20 minutes in duration, including:

• Shorts
• Singles/One-offs
• Features
• Series

Please note: Shorts under 20 minutes in duration, audio docs (podcasts), XR, immersive or interactive works are NOT eligible.

STYLE

There are no restrictions on visual style, aesthetics, or treatment. Projects could be:

• Observational
• Experimental / Hybrid / Poetic
• Animated Documentary 
• Presenter-led / Participatory
• Investigative

Four projects will be selected to take part in the Indigenous Creators Pitch at AIDC 2025 and project representatives (up to 2 per project) will receive a suite of mentoring and marketplace support prior to and during AIDC 2025 including:

• The opportunity to present a live pitch at AIDC 2025 to a closed room of local and international industry decision makers including online platforms, broadcasters and funds seeking to support Indigenous-led projects, as well as Indigenous Creators Program participants
• Online pitch training session with AIDC representatives including the AIDC’s Industry Manager and First Nations producer
• Pitch training and mentorship prior to AIDC 2025 (2 x 1:1 online sessions) with an industry mentor to develop and finesse their seven-minute pitch and prepare their AV materials
• The opportunity to participate in follow-up 1:1 meetings with Industry Decision Makers through AIDC’s curated Cut to the Chase meetings program
• The opportunity for one project to be selected to receive a $5,000 pitch prize presented by AIDC
• Complimentary All Access passes for pitching representatives (up to 2 per project) to attend AIDC 2025 in person and to participate in the Indigenous Creators Program and Pitch as well as Cut to the Chase

All submissions for the Indigenous Creators Pitch will be assessed by a panel of experienced screen professionals. 

Projects are assessed and shortlisted based on the following criteria:

• Creative strength and originality of the project 
• Access to engaging and compelling characters and / or story 
• The nature and quality of the submitted video materials as proof of concept
• Capacity of the individual/team to meet the creative vision and manage and deliver the project
• The practicality of the proposed finance plan 
• The market viability of the project
• The team’s commitment to principles of inclusive and authentic storytelling and cultural appropriateness

Applicants must provide visual materials (trailer, teaser, or footage from the project) as part of their submission. 

To be announced, check back soon.

To be announced, check back soon.

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION

Before AIDC 2025, all select Indigenous Creators Pitch participants will be invited to attend an online session which will include advice on:

• The format of the pitch and what to expect on the day
• Structure of a good pitch
• When and how to use your trailer to complement your pitch
• Important elements to include in your pitch, including: story & characters; director’s intent, access and urgency/timeliness; style & format; impact; production plans; and articulating what you need from buyers
• Common questions you’ll receive in the feedback portion of the pitch and how to respond effectively

PITCH TRAINING, MENTORING AND TRAILER CONSULTATIONS

Each project will be paired with an experienced First Nations practitioner for two 1:1 mentoring sessions focusing on story interrogation, pitch training and trailer consultation through February to get pitch and market-ready. These sessions are self-directed, with pitch teams having the opportunity to outline other parts of their pitch or project they’d like to explore with a mentor.

THE INDIGENOUS CREATORS PITCH AT AIDC

The Indigenous Creators Pitch will be held at AIDC 2025 on Tuesday 4 March as part of the Indigenous Creators Program. The four project teams will pitch their projects in a roundtable format to a closed room of industry decision makers as well as the Indigenous Creators Program participants. 

Each project will have seven minutes to pitch (including a verbal pitch and teaser) with five minutes of feedback from the panel of experts on how to take projects to the next level.

INDIGENOUS CREATORS PITCH 1:1 MARKETPLACE MEETINGS 

Following the Indigenous Creators Pitch, AIDC’s Industry team will coordinate meetings between pitching teams and relevant buyers seeking Indigenous-led projects for 15-minute meetings as part of AIDC’s Cut to the Chase Program. Buyers will include broadcasters, festivals, funds, grants, sales agents and distribution professionals looking to meet with First Nations producers to support the development of new documentary and factual work. These meetings are curated by AIDC’s Industry team to ensure the best chance of successful business and creative outcomes for all participants.

PRIZE

One project will be selected to receive the $5,000 Indigenous Creators Pitch prize presented by AIDC.

Applicant Eligibility

To be eligible for the Indigenous Creators Pitch:

• Applicants must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander practitioners 
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or over
• Individuals or teams may apply 
  • An individual applicant must be an Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander practitioner in a key creative role including as a director and /or producer
  • For teams, the project must have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander practitioners in key creative roles including as a director and producer
• Applicants must be the rights holder of the idea
• Applicants, or one key creative in the team, must demonstrate they have created at least one short documentary readily available to Australian audiences via widely used platforms
• Successful applicants must be available to attend a one-hour online introductory session as well as 2 x 1:1 online mentoring sessions with a selected mentor in early February (exact dates to be confirmed)
• Successful applicants must be able to pitch their project live as part of the Indigenous Creators Pitch at AIDC on Tuesday 4 March 2025. Preference is for teams to take part in person at AIDC in Melbourne, however, consideration may be given to participants who need to take part virtually upon written approval. 

Project Eligibility

• Entry is open to shorts, singles/ one offs, features and series over 20 mins in duration intended for online, broadcast and/or theatrical distribution
• Projects need to be clearly recognised factual or documentary formats. The Australian Content Standard defines documentary as ‘a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than a news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine, infotainment or light entertainment program’. For more info, visit the ACMA website. 
• Applications for each project must be submitted via the Indigenous Creators Pitch portal.

Applications open: Thursday 9 January 2025 at 11:00 AEDT

Submissions close: Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 23:59 AEDT

APPLY NOW

Submission Guidelines (.pdf)
Submission Guidelines (.docx)

Terms & Conditions (.pdf)
Terms & Conditions (.docx)