OVERVIEW

UPDATE: Applications for The FACTory 2025 are now closed. Successful projects will be announced in January 2025.


Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2025, The FACTory is AIDC’s international pitching showcase for new documentary and factual projects, proudly presented by VicScreen. 

Do you have a unique documentary or series project in development that has global appeal and is market-ready? Would you like the opportunity to pitch your project to a world-class line-up of Australian and international broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, funders, festivals, and distributors at AIDC 2025?

Applications for the 2025 edition of AIDC’s international pitching showcase for new documentary and factual projects – The FACTory – are open from Wednesday 18 September 2024.

Up to 15 projects with strong market potential will be selected to pitch to international and local decision makers across three strands: Central Showcase, New Talent Showcase and Rough Cut Showcase. Decision makers will include a wide range of representatives from broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, distributors, funders, and festivals. 

In 2025, AIDC welcomes all producers and decision makers to attend the FACTory in-person while still providing the opportunity to participate online if needed.

In 2025, The FACTory will feature: 

  • an enhanced line-up of international decision makers assessing and providing feedback on projects;
  • access to tailored online mentoring conducted by experienced screen practitioners, in addition to group and individual pitch training;
  • greater opportunity for one-on-one meetings with key decision makers by having high visibility and priority in the marketplace.

Over the last nine editions, AIDC has supported 117 project teams to participate in The FACTory. Don’t miss your chance to pitch to the people who can help take your project to new heights!

For all details and deadlines, see below.

HOW IT WORKS

AIDC’s Industry Team works closely with an international assessment committee to shortlist projects for the prestigious FACTory program.

The program will offer tailored feedback and training from industry experts in the lead-up, and increased opportunities for business outcomes by hosting both a live pitch and a tailored one-to-one meeting program with decision makers during AIDC.

Selected projects will pitch and present their trailers over 7 minutes (or 15 minutes for Rough Cuts), and will also be required to submit a pre-recorded pitch ahead of AIDC (with trailer or footage included in this edit), to be made available to decision makers who cannot physically attend.  Select decision makers will then:

  • Request meetings with projects to occur during AIDC
  • Provide feedback on the projects

Entry to the FACTory is competitive, so please ensure your projects are original ideas that will appeal to buyers across Australian and international markets.

CENTRAL SHOWCASE

The FACTory’s Central Showcase is designed to present experienced project teams to international decision makers, including commissioners, funders, streamers, distributors, sales agents, and festivals. Projects in development and production demonstrating strong international potential will be automatically considered for this showcase. 

The FACTory Central Showcase will be held in The Edge amphitheatre at Fed Square. Click ‘Read More’ below for information about Applicant Eligibility and Project Eligibility.

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NEW TALENT SHOWCASE

The FACTory’s New Talent Showcase is designed to present the brightest new screen talents to decision makers and production companies around the world. Projects in development and production featuring a director or producer presenting their first major work will be automatically considered for this showcase.

The FACTory New Talent Showcase will be held in The Edge amphitheatre at Fed Square. Click ‘Read More’ below for information about Applicant Eligibility and Project Eligibility.

Read more

ROUGH CUT SHOWCASE

The FACTory’s Rough Cut Showcase is designed to present projects in late stages and post-production that need to close financing gaps, and secure sales, distribution and festival opportunities.

The FACTory Rough Cut Showcase will take place in ACMI, Fed Square. Click ‘Read More’ below for information about Applicant Eligibility and Project Eligibility

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“WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING PART OF THE FACTORY 2024 COHORT, WHICH WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE THAT ADDED EXTRAORDINARY VALUE TO OUR PROJECT. FROM THE BEGINNING, THE INDUSTRY TEAM WAS SUPPORTIVE, CONSIDERATE AND ENERGETIC. THEY REALLY CREATED SUCH VALUABLE SPACE FOR FIRST-TIME PITCHERS. WE FELT SUPER-PREPARED WALKING INTO OUR DAUNTING LIVE PITCH, WHICH BECAME A KEY PART OF THE PROJECT’S TRAJECTORY. THE FACTORY GAVE US A FANTASTIC PLATFORM WITH WHICH TO LAUNCH OUR DOCUMENTARY. WITH ACCESS TO MANY OF THE KEY INTERNATIONAL DECISION MAKERS. THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR AUSTRALIAN FACTUAL CREATIVES.”  

– ANNA CHARALAMBOUS
GOOD THING PRODUCTIONS

SELECTION PROCESS

All 2025 submissions for the FACTory will be independently assessed by a panel of highly experienced screen professionals hand-picked by AIDC. 

Projects are assessed and shortlisted based on the following criteria:

  • Strength and originality of the project; 
  • The commercial viability of the project in the marketplace; 
  • The project’s international appeal;
  • The track record of the creative team and any finance already in place.

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

MEET THE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

  • Marissa McDowell, Producer, Black & White Films (AUS)
  • Maria Santos, IDA Funds Officer, International Documentary Association (USA)
  • Yukari Misaizu, Senior Producer, NHK Enterprises (JPN)
  • Jim Kolmar, Film Curator, SXSW (USA)
  • Krishan Arora, International Consultant SBS (AUS/UK)
  • Imogen Sutton, Acquisitions & Festivals Manager, Autlook Filmsales (AUT)

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Assessment Committee members.

MENTORING AND PITCH TRAINING

Building on previous offerings of support to FACTory pitching teams, AIDC is increasing the opportunities available to selected projects.  Teams will be paired with a mentor/tutor in the lead-up to AIDC, and sessions will focus on:

  • Story interrogation
  • Budget and finance interrogation (if needed)
  • Pitch training
  • Trailer consultations

2025 FACTory Mentors

Peter Yam, Owner & Producer, 70 Plus Production Company Limited (Hong Kong)

Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director, Women Make Movies (USA)

Grant Keir, Film Consultant, Owner & Producer, Faction North Ltd (Scotland)

Miao Wang, Director, Producer & Founder, Three Waters Films (USA).

Learn more about the mentors HERE.

PITCH PRIZES

Each year, AIDC partners with international documentary industry events to provide FACTory pitch prizes, allowing successful projects to attend and / or participate in other forums and marketplaces.

2025 FACTory Pitch Prizes

“I ATTENDED MY FIRST AIDC CONFERENCE THIS PAST FEBRUARY AND IMMEDIATELY DETERMINED IT IS A MUST-ATTEND EVENT. THE CURATION, INCLUSION AND TOP-NOTCH PRODUCTION MAKE IT, IN MY OPINION, ONE OF THE TOP INTERNATIONAL PLATFORMS FOR NONFICTION WORK. I WAS PARTICULARLY EXCITED TO CONNECT WITH THE INDIGENOUS FILMMAKING COMMUNITIES – A LINK WHICH THE FESTIVAL HAS CLEARLY CULTIVATED WITH INTENTION.”

– OPAL H. BENNETT
SENIOR PRODUCER, POV & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, POV SHORTS (USA)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications open: Thursday 19 September 2024 at 11:00 AEST

Regular Deadline: Wednesday, 13 November 2024 at 23:59 AEDT
Submission cost AUD $55.00 (inc GST) per project*

Late Deadline: Sunday, 17 November 2024 at 23:59 AEDT
Submissions cost AUD $65.00 (inc GST) per project*

Applications for The FACTory 2025 are now closed.

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GETTY IMAGES FREE ARCHIVE OFFER

Submitting to The FACTory?

To help you prepare your best possible pitch, Getty Images have partnered with AIDC to provide you – absolutely free – access to their extensive library of stills and video you can use for your application.

The Getty Images online library has over 25 million clips, including content from leading editorial video producers such as TVNZ, NBC News Archives, BBC Motion Gallery, ITN and Bloomberg.

Content is available for every subject imaginable – from the moments that define humanity, to wildlife, climate change and sustainability, modern and historical change-makers and much, much more.

For more information or to request archive stills or footage, click the link below.

LEARN MORE

AUDIO NETWORK OFFER

Audio Network has partnered with AIDC to grant FACTory applicants free access to their extensive music catalogue, featuring original, high-quality tracks from world-renowned artists and composers—to enhance your AIDC pitch.

Finding the right track for your project is fast and easy with powerful search tools like Prompt Search (type in a scenario to find tracks to suit), Search by Link (drop a link in the search) as well as advanced filters for mood, style, instrumentation & BPM . 

Whether you need an orchestral piece performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra or engaging underscores, Audio Network has you covered. With a wide selection spanning every imaginable genre — and constant new musical additions — you’ll find the perfect music to elevate your pitch’s narrative and emotional impact.

To register for the Free Music Offer, click the link below.

LEARN MORE

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