by FilmInk Staff
The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) has today announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Leading Lights philanthropic funding program, assisting industry newcomers to establish themselves as part of Australia’s nonfiction screen community.
Leading Lights supports emerging, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse, culturally and linguistically diverse, and regional or remote screen creatives to attend AIDC for the first time and receive professional development opportunities.
Since launching in 2018, a total of 258 emerging and diverse screen creatives have been able to attend AIDC and participate in the Leading Lights professional development program, thanks to the support of industry donors.
All selected Leading Lights recipients receive a complimentary Sessions Pass allowing them to attend AIDC 2025 and to participate in the Leading Lights Program, supported by program partner AFTRS.
“I had heard amazing things about AIDC and the Leading Lights Program, but nothing prepared me for the incredible experiences, connections, learning and support I received the moment I landed at ACMI,” said 2024 Leading Lights recipient, Julia Lörsch.
“I was deeply impressed by the quality of the sessions, programming and constant opportunities to connect with top decision-makers, filmmakers and the sector. The curation of panels was excellent, where I learned more than I thought possible, and made more new connections than I expected. Jam-packed with content and rich experiences, AIDC boasts tremendous value, all with a wonderfully welcoming, passionate and engaged community.”
2024 Leading Lights recipient, Kaylene Langford, reports a similar experience: “The team at AIDC weren’t lying when they said to wear your Leading Lights badge with pride and that the other delegates would welcome us with open arms. Being a first-time documentary maker and first-timer at AIDC I felt included, supported and welcomed into the vibrant world of documentary filmmakers.”
“We love that Leading Lights provides an opportunity for so many filmmakers to attend the most important annual documentary conference in Australia,” said Rachel Clements and Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films.
“And it’s particularly fantastic to see so many people being included from the regions and diverse areas of our country.”
Applications for the 2025 Leading Lights Program are open now, with a closing date of Sunday 8 December 2024.
For more information and to apply, visit the Leading Lights.
Additionally, revised and renewed annually, AIDC have revealed the 14 sector leaders on the AIDC 2025 Advisory Committee, whose combined experience and expertise will help shape the AIDC 2025 conference program.
The Advisory Committee contains a range of national and international industry practitioners, executives, and thought leaders, with each contributing ideas for sessions, speakers and trending topics for the AIDC 2025 program.
Advisory Committee contributions ensure that AIDC 2025 will have a highly topical program, offering relevant and practical insights into current opportunities and future developments in the nonfiction sector.
The AIDC 2025 Advisory Committee members are:
Alicia Brown, Commissioning Editor, Stan Originals, STAN. (AUS)
Alison Barrat, SVP, Production & Development, Love Nature / Blue Ant Media (USA) on to help us design a world-class and agenda-setting 2025 conference program!”
Deborah Spinocchia, Head of Unscripted, BBC Studios ANZ (AUS)
Elizabeth Klinck, Visual Researcher, Independent (CAN)
Lucie Kon, Commissioning Editor, BBC Storyville (UK)
Genevieve Grieves, Co-Founder and Creative Director, GARUWA (AUS)
Jane Mote, Editorial Consultant, The Whickers (UK)
Katerina Cizek, Artistic Director, Co Creation Studio, MIT Open Documentary Lab (USA)
Natsu Kawakami, Producer, NHK (JPN)
Nic Meloney, Executive in Charge of Production, Factual & Documentary, CBC/Radio-Canada Indigenous Advisory Council, CBC (CAN)
Patrick Abboud, Writer/Director/Presenter & Founder / Creative Partner, Only Human Productions / Dreamchaser Studios (AUS)
Shane Boris, Founder, Cottage M (USA)
Theresa Navarro, Co-Director and COO, Catapult Film Fund (USA)
Vicki Keogh, General Manager & Executive Producer, Perpetual Entertainment (AUS)
“AIDC is thrilled to welcome this year’s impressive line-up of industry leaders to the 2025 AIDC Advisory Committee representing documentary and factual creators, innovators, archivists, broadcasters, streamers and funds” said AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd.
“As the only industry event in Australia dedicated to documentary and factual storytelling, contributions from this incredible cohort of Advisory Committee members will provide invaluable insights into the local and international nonfiction landscape across craft, business and innovation to help us design a world-class and agenda-setting 2025 conference program!”
Learn more about the committee members HERE
