by FilmInk Staff
PRESENTED BY AIDC AND SCREEN QUEENSLAND, WITH THE SUPPORT OF SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SUNSHINE COAST SCREEN COLLECTIVE
AIDC and Screen Queensland, with the support of Sunshine Coast Council and in association with Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, are proud to reveal the full session program and speaker and decision maker line-up for this year’s Regionality Sunshine Coast documentary and factual industry event, taking place at Maroochy RSL on Friday 7 August 2026.
The inspiring one-day program will provide exclusive insights into crafting compelling feature documentaries, tips for how to thrive in the current financing landscape, expert advice on successful series creation, and how leading nonfiction creators are navigating careers that defy genres and formats. All alongside Regionality’s essential insider access to broadcasters, streamers, funds and distributors via roundtables, structured meetings and networking – providing a fully-rounded program catering to Queensland-based doc and factual practitioners.
Leading the program is the Academy Award®-winning co-director of Free Solo, Chai Vasarhelyi, with an exclusive session on documentary filmmaking that defies the limits of form, technical craft, and even gravity. Alongside creative collaborator Jimmy Chin, Chai’s prolific body of work includes climbing expedition chronicle Meru and multiple acclaimed projects for National Geographic, such as The Rescue (a gripping account of the Tham Luang cave rescue), Love+War (focusing on war photographer Lynsey Addario), Lost in the Jungle (about the search for four young plane crash survivors in the Colombian rainforest), and Wild Life (detailing the decades-long love story of conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins). In the session, titled Limitless Filmmaking with Chai Vasarhelyi, Chai will join us remotely to share invaluable insights into her creative practice, the power and perils of filming in extreme environments, and her methods for crafting complex global stories that have reached and resonated with audiences around the world.
For documentary and factual creators seeking to maximise their financing, funding and revenue opportunities, a panel including screen agencies, impact leaders, philanthropists and online specialists will come together for the session Financing Nonfiction Futures: Impact, Philanthropy and Funding. Featuring Sally Chesher (Screen Australia), Farhad Meher-Homji (Changer Studios), and Anna Kaplan (Regen Studios) in a discussion moderated by Documentary Australia’s Stephanie King, the session will look at current and emerging financing and monetisation opportunities and pathways for nonfiction content.
A panel of creators helming powerful character-led documentary stories will front the session Bearing Witness: Queensland Documentaries in the Spotlight. Join Andy Huang (Replica), Yale MacGillivray (Moblands), Ivan O’Mahoney (Sentient) and Allan Clarke (Hey Brother); as they share insights into how they elevate ordinary lives into extraordinary stories through their feature documentary craft.
For practitioners wanting tips on nailing series development amidst an evolving commissioning and audience landscape, the illuminating session Play the Next Episode: The Art of Documentary and Factual Series will see some of Queensland’s finest series practitioners help build a blueprint for a successful series development process. Moderated by ABC commissioner Stephen Oliver (Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator), the panel is made up of Bettina Dalton (Stuff the British Stole), John Harvey (Empire in Colour) and SBS senior commissioner Bethan Arwel-Lewis (The People vs Robodebt) as they share invaluable insights and feedback into the art of documentary and factual series development.
For filmmakers pitching a project or wanting to make new connections, Regionality Roundtable: Meet the Decision Makers will introduce the attending broadcasters, streamers and distributors to illuminate their current commissioning or acquisitions priorities and provide insight into what they’re seeking and how to collaborate with them. The session will be of particular importance to delegates participating in Regionality’s returning Doc Chat 1:1 Meetings program, which provides attendees with the opportunity to apply for vitally important face-time with decision makers and industry guests of the event.
To cap off the packed day’s program, Networking Drinks at Maroochy RSL will see all attendees invited to catch-up with industry peers, make new connections, and celebrate South East Queensland’s talented documentary and factual creators.
The Regionality decision maker and industry expert line-up is confirmed to include Sally Chesher (Investment & Development Manager, Documentary, Screen Australia), Stephen Oliver (Commissioning Editor, ABC), Bethan Arwel-Lewis (Senior Commissioning Editor, Factual, SBS), Danielle Ah Boo (Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, Screen Queensland), Ian Lynch (Content Director, Screen Queensland), Stephanie King (Impact Director, Documentary Australia), Erin Rosenberg (Marketing & Partnerships Executive, DocPlay), Bettina Dalton (Executive Producer / Principal Wildbear Entertainment), Farhad Meher-Homji (Co-Founder, Changer Studios), Louise Hayse (Secretary, Sunshine Coast Screen Collective), and Dan Munday (Executive Producer & Co-Founder, Sunny Coast Showdown).
Screen Queensland Executive Director, Content Julie Eckersley said, “Screen Queensland is proud to partner with AIDC to bring Regionality back to the Sunshine Coast, connecting Queensland practitioners with the people, ideas and opportunities shaping the documentary and factual sector. With Screen Queensland’s Danielle Ah Boo and Ian Lynch joining leading commissioners, producers and industry decision-makers, alongside global voices including Chai Vasarhelyi, the program gives creators direct access to industry insight, practical knowledge and meaningful connections.”
AIDC CEO / Creative Director Natasha Gadd, said, “AIDC is thrilled to be returning to Maroochydore for the third edition of Regionality Sunshine Coast thanks to Screen Queensland and the support of Sunshine Coast Council. From a close-up look at the extraordinary work of Chai Vasarhelyi, to uncovering new ways to finance projects, develop successful series ideas, and craft character-led documentaries, this year’s bold program of speakers, sessions and networking offers another unmissable event for practitioners in the region.”
Tickets for Regionality Sunshine Coast are on sale now through AIDC, priced at $110 inc GST, or $90 inc GST for AIDC, Screen Collective and Screenworks members, and $80 inc GST for full-time students and concession card holders, and provide access to all sessions, Doc Chat sign-ups and networking drinks. Doc Chat sign-ups are open now, and close 11.59pm Monday 27 July.
Regionality Sunshine Coast takes place Friday 7 August 2026 at Maroochy RSL, Maroochydore, Queensland. Visit aidc.com.au for more information.
About AIDC Established in 1987, AIDC is a leading not-for-profit organisation for the documentary and factual sector in Australia, committed to supporting and elevating nonfiction storytelling and storytellers to create a vibrant, diverse and sustainable industry ecosystem. AIDC presents the Australian International Documentary Conference – the premier documentary and factual event in the Southern Hemisphere – along with bespoke regional events and a suite of tailored industry development programs and initiatives.
