2024 Australian International Documentary Conference panel

PUBLISHED19 Mar 2024

Documentary Australia attend AIDC in 2024

“AIDC 2024 felt like a true return after the difficult years of Covid. There were many excellent sessions, some fine documentaries screened and a dynamic atmosphere with high quality stories pitching for funding and support. Documentary Australia was proud to support two Leading Lights attendees, produce a session on industry advocacy with panellists from Screen Australia, Screen Producers Association and independent filmmaker, Rebecca Barry. We were also particularly pleased to give a preview of DocAccess, a new initiative funded by Screenrights to support regional communities to access documentary storytelling for change, host screenings and develop impactful partnerships. Both sessions were well attended and appreciated. It is always wonderful to reconnect with the documentary sector, listen to their stories and celebrate their work. Bravo AIDC, thank you for bringing us all together.”

– Dr Mitzi Goldman, Documentary Australia CEO

 

“It was wonderful to catch up with our documentary colleagues at this year’s conference and to learn about so many exciting new projects. Congratulations to AIDC for curating such a rich and timely program, and a special thank you to the team for creating the space for us to lead a discussion about the critical policy and advocacy work being done to ensure the sustainability of our sector.”

– Stephanie King, Documentary Australia Impact Director

Documentary Australia was involved in the following sessions and initiatives at AIDC in 2024:

State of Play: Documentary Policy and Advocacy

As streamers increasingly replace traditional platforms as the place Australians go to consume screen content, what role can they play in supporting the pipeline of documentary production? On 5 March, Documentary Australia Impact Director Stephanie King lead a discussion on the current policy and advocacy work being done in the documentary sector. Featuring a panel of industry experts, this was a vital session covering the mechanisms required to ensure a robust and sustainable future for Australian documentary – beginning with the forthcoming regulation of streaming services in 2024.
Panellists included Screen Producers Australia‘s Matthew Deaner, Media Stockade‘s Rebecca Barry and Screen Australia’s Grainne Brunsdon.
Screenrights Cultural Fund and DocAccess Preview
Attendees of the Screenrights Cultural Fund and DocAccess Preview session on 6 March were among the first to see the DocAccess platform, presented by Documentary Australia CEO Dr Mitzi Goldman. Built by Documentary Australia with the support of the Screenrights Cultural Fund, DocAccess is a resource that supports filmmakers and communities to run documentary screenings all around Australia to raise awareness, convene conversations and create impact. This new initiative is due to officially launch later in 2024.
Leading Lights
Documentary Australia is proud to have supported Leading Lights in 2024, 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. Since the launch of Leading Lights in 2018, industry donors have assisted 217 participants spanning a range of backgrounds and contexts to attend AIDC.

Media Mentions

“Documentary Australia to launch DocAccess at AIDC” – IF Magazine – 27 February 2024

“Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) announces 2024 program” – Australian Arts Review – 29 January 2024

Premium Media Mentions

“‘The message has resounded very clearly’: Documentary Sector ready to make itself heard again following regulatory omission” – IF Magazine – 13 March 2024

“AIDC decision makers talk shifts in the documentary market and what they’re looking for” – IF Magazine – 1 March 2024