The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) is an Australian conference for the promotion documentary, factual and unscripted screen content.
Based at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne and featuring a three-day marketplace, forum and screening program, AIDC attracts a diverse mix of broadcasters, storytellers, entrepreneurs and documentary enthusiasts from Australia, the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
AIDC is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the sustainability of documentary, factual and unscripted storytelling. Its goal is to connect creators, purveyors and viewers of non-fiction screen content in ways that promote business, inspire creativity and ignite social change.
First established in 1987, AIDC began life as a biennial conference. Over time the event has moved to several different regions in Australia, mostly being held in capital cities. Over the years it has grown from being a small conference with a few international guests, to being a major annual international event. Serving both the commercial and creative needs of the industry, the conference provides a marketplace for documentary product for national and international buyers and distributors, showcases the work of Australian and international documentary makers, and creates a forum to discuss content, craft, technology and future directions.
It was as a result of the first AIDC, held in 1987 at McLaren Vale, in the heart of South Australia’s wine growing region, that the ABC introduced its pre-sale commissioning system.
The 2017 conference will take place in ACMI and Federation Square’s Deakin Edge Auditorium from 5 – 8 March 2017.
The annual Stanley Hawes Award for contribution to the documentary in Australia is announced at each AIDC.
The Stanley Hawes Award was established in 1997 to honour Stanley Hawes as first Producer-in-Chief of the Australian National Film Board and Commonwealth Film Unit. The award recognises the significant support he gave independent filmmakers in the documentary sector and is awarded to a person that makes an outstanding contribution to the documentary sector in Australia.