AIDC and Screen Queensland, in collaboration with Screenworks, have announced the full session program and speaker line-up for the second REGIONALITY CAIRNS documentary and factual industry event, which takes place at Cairns Performing Arts Centre on Friday 28 July.
This year’s one-day program provides exclusive insights into co-creation and impact campaigns, how to access film funds and ready projects for pitching, a masterclass on wildlife filmmaking, a focus on First Nations factual series, sector networking and curated 1:1 meetings with industry representatives.
Leading the program is Co-creation and Impact with the team from The Territory, an exclusive session with director Alex Pritz and impact producer José Neto from the 2022 Peabody and Sundance Film Festival award-winning National Geographic documentary.
An on-the-ground account of the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, The Territory has proven to be a game-changer in terms of authentic collaborative filmmaking and the generation of tangible, global impact and legislative change. Alex and Jose will reveal how a dynamic team of both local indigenous and international key creatives came together to take a local story to global audiences, creating one of the most powerful films of the year.
Read: What to watch in July: new to streaming, cinemas and film festivals near you
For those seeking inside knowledge of the latest developments in the natural history space, Natural Talent: A Masterclass in Wildlife Filmmaking brings together the production companies and cinematographers deploying new filming technologies in order to capture the lands, seas and skies of Far North Queensland. Richard Fitzpatrick of leading aquatic and natural history production company Biopixel, joins Phil Breslin, host of First Weapons and creator of Built to Survive, and Dr. Teresa Carrette of science communicators Scientific Synergy, to talk about new ways of capturing the unique natural landscapes of the region.
Phil Breslin also joins the special panel Focus On: First Nations Factual Series, celebrating the First Nations storytellers who are working across multiple formats, genres and audiences to create some of this year’s most highly anticipated series. Alongside Bacon Factory Films’ Dean Gibson (Incarceration Nation, First Weapons) and Inkey Media’s Dena Curtis (Back to Nature, Rebel With a Cause), the session will provide an essential deep dive into First Nations storytelling and craft.
For practitioners looking for industry insights and vital practical knowledge to help them get projects positioned for market readiness and ultimately funded, REGIONALITY CAIRNS presents two highly constructive sessions: Pitch Toolbox: The Must-Haves to get you Market-Ready, in which broadcasters ABC and SBS, streaming service DocPlay, and screen agency Screen Queensland, will provide insights into market trends, what they support, and how to pitch to them; and Industry
Roundtable: Meet the Film Funds Making a Difference, featuring representatives from global organisations Doc Society and the International Documentary Association (IDA) revealing local and international opportunities for funding and mentorship.
For filmmakers pitching a project, seeking direct knowledge or wishing to make new connections, REGIONALITY’s Doc Chat 1:1 Meetings program returns, with all delegates eligible to apply for face -time with decision makers and special guests of the event. And to cap off the day, Networking Drinks will see all attendees invited to catch-up with industry peers, make new connections, and celebrate the talented regional and FNQ community of documentary and factual creators.
Screen Queensland Acting CEO Dr Belinda Burns said Screen Queensland is excited to partner on REGIONALITY CAIRNS for the second year in a row.
‘We are delighted to bring this invaluable event with its stellar program back to Cairns for another year. REGIONALITY CAIRNS provides a unique opportunity for local practitioners to connect with national and international industry leaders in the factual space. It’s also a great platform to showcase the flourishing North and Far North Queensland screen industry and its talented and diverse practitioners.’
Regionality Cairns takes place on 28 July at Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC). Find out more.
