Gordon Quinn, producer and campaigner, finds the heart of verite for AIDC 2020

Is it skill, strength or virtue? Gordon Quinn, known as the Documentary Buddha, reveals some secrets about being him.

Gordon Quinn sits quietly at the Australian International Documentary Conference, obviously older, poised and patient. He is invited to the podium and navigates himself cautiously up the steps, staring at the ground, suddenly unsure. He is 78 years old and has been a pioneer of the US indy documentary movement for 60 years. 

He talks and time is suspended and age disappears. He found the mature essence of documentary long ago and we are transported by his clips.

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David Tiley was the Editor of Screenhub from 2005 until he became Content Lead for Film in 2021 with a special interest in policy. He is a writer in screen media with a long career in educational programs, documentary, and government funding, with a side order in script editing. He values curiosity, humour and objectivity in support of Australian visions and the art of storytelling.