AIDC 2025

“Thank you AIDC for another gathering of the documentary family. It was a solid program showcasing an astounding number of documentaries in development and production. The screening program was a highlight with some of this year’s best international documentaries on show.

It is always extraordinary and humbling to meet so many dedicated and genuine filmmakers working extremely hard over many years to get their stories made and seen. There is such commitment to the subjects and participants in the films and no matter how hard it is and how long it takes, documentary filmmakers are the true believers and champions of change. I am honoured to serve this community.

The session I moderated on philanthropy in Australia, USA and UK with Ian Darling from Shark Island Foundation, Debra Zimmerman from Women Make Movies and Hollie Fifer from DocSociety was fantastic and highly rewarding.

DA Impact Director, Steph King also moderated an inspired advocacy session with Screen Australia, Screen Producers Australia and Screenrights.

We met filmmakers in Cut to the Chase and I sat on a pitching panel for the Leading Lights pitch session. The Factory pitch showcased excellence with some Documentary Australia- supported projects in the mix. Overall, a whirlwind of ideas, connection, support and inspiration.”

– Mitzi Goldman, CEO

“Another year sees another brilliant AIDC delivered by Natasha Gadd and her amazing team, this time centred around the theme of Future Telling. There were some excellent sessions, with a particular highlight being the interactive session, ‘A Vision for the Future of Documentary,’ led by Alex Kelly and Hollie Fifer with Prash Naik, Ian Darling, Kimberley Benjamin, Mitch Nivalis and Eliorah Malifa sharing bold and energising ideas, and inviting generative, solutions-focussed discussion.

I enjoyed moderating ‘DokPolitik: The State of Play for Policy and Advocacy’ with bright minds Grainne Brunsdon (Screen Australia), Matt Deaner (Screen Producers Australia) and James Dickinson (Screenrights) reflecting on developments of the last year, and the advocacy priorities as we look to a federal election. I was also heartened to see Celia Tait’s bold acceptance speech for the Southern Light Award extend this discussion further, with many timely and necessary provocations put to the documentary marketplace and decision makers in the room. With truth and journalism under fire globally, it has never been a more important time to fight for the critical role of independent documentary.

Cut to the Chase was another highlight for me this year – it is always such a pleasure to meet with both emerging and experienced documentary filmmakers, and to be infected with their passion for their projects. I was pleased to see the four projects awarded development grants in the Shark Island Foundation Feature Docs Pitch, and look forward to having these projects up on the Documentary Australia website.

And finally, it was wonderful to see director Shannon Owen and producers Gal Greenspan, Alice Burgin and Rachel Forbes’ film Left Write Hook take out the best feature documentary award! Big congratulations also to Impact Producer Program Alumni Andrea Foxworthy who has worked so tirelessly on the impact campaign to empower victim-survivors of child sexual abuse.

Congratulations to the AIDC organising team, session producers, guest speakers and of course, documentary filmmakers, who all contributed to another incredible AIDC.”

– Stephanie King, Impact Director

Documentary Australia was involved in the following sessions and initiatives at AIDC in 2025:

Accessing Philanthropic Funds Locally and Globally

Moderated by Documentary Australia CEO, this session explored the evolving landscape of global philanthropy and documentary filmmaking with an extraordinary panel of industry leaders including Ian Darling (Shark Island Foundation), Debra Simmerman (Women Make Movies) and Hollie Fifer (DocSociety.)

DokPolitik: The State of Play for Policy and Advocacy

As we look to the 2025 federal election, the panel discussed the broad role of government across many areas, and what the sectoxr needs to shore up the sustainability of documentary storytelling into the future with  Grainne Brunsdon (Screen Australia), Matt Deaner (Screen Producers Australia) and James Dickinson (Screenrights)

Leading Lights

Documentary Australia is proud to have supported Leading Lights again in 2025, funding two spots in the program for emerging and diverse practitioners to attend AIDC for the first time. The program provides assistance to industry newcomers in establishing themselves as part of Australia’s documentary, factual and nonfiction practitioner community.