The Australian International Documentary Conference is returning to Sydney in 2027, after a significant stretch hosted in Melbourne.
With support from Screen NSW, the annual conference will be hosted across the Art Gallery of New South Wales, State Library of NSW and Botanic Gardens of Sydney from 8 to 11 March, with panels and talks taking place around this precinct.
AIDC 2027 – quick links
‘Unlocking opportunities’ for Australian documentary makers
As in years prior, AIDC 2027 is intended to serve as a meeting space and education hub for those working within the documentary and factual storytelling space in Australia. It invites global buyers – including broadcasters, streamers, distributors, film festivals and those offering grants to connect with local documentary makers – to share insights and collaborate.
Per the organisation team, next year’s event includes an ‘agenda-setting program’ to drive ‘innovation and creativity, cross-sector collaboration, and unlock market opportunities for Australian documentary and factual storytelling, both locally and internationally’.
The 2027 program will focus on all aspects of documentary-making, including ‘craft, business and innovation, networking events and screenings’. The event will also feature professional development programs for those on all career levels, as well as an awards program to celebrate those creating excellent work within the field.
The first line-up of guest speakers will be announced in October.
Screen NSW is supporting the upcoming event as part of its commitment to the NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy, which looks for opportunities to elevate the local screen and games industry in New South Wales.
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A space for the Australian screen industry to gather
AIDC CEO and Creative Director Natasha Gadd promised a new chapter for the conference as it heads to Sydney in 2027, with the location providing an essential opportunity for Australia’s screen industry to gather together.
‘As AIDC celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2027, we are thrilled to be ushering in our next chapter in the heart of Sydney, home to the highest representation of documentary and factual practitioners, production companies and industry buyers in Australia,’ Gadd said.
‘At this time of significant change for our sector, funding from Screen NSW will support AIDC to continue to enhance the broader documentary and factual ecosystem and to create vital opportunities for truth telling, diverse perspectives and bold storytelling.’
Screen NSW Executive Director Kylie Munnich said: ‘Documentary and factual storytelling is vital and timely, sparking conversations and offering new and different world views for audiences. It’s important the sector is well supported and connected so they can continue to deliver and explore these compelling stories.’
Munnich added: ‘As the leading industry event for the documentary and factual sector in the Southern Hemisphere, I’m proud that NSW will be home to the Australian International Documentary Conference for its 40th anniversary in 2027, with support from Screen NSW.
‘Our iconic NSW cultural institutions will provide the perfect backdrop for the conference, and I’m thrilled to have the Art Gallery of New South Wales, State Library of NSW, along with Botanic Gardens of Sydney, on board as host venues.’
