More than 50 sessions, screenings and events, more than 100 speakers including Geeta Gandbhir, director of Netflix doco The Perfect Neighbour.
The Australian International Documentary Conference recently announced the full program for the 2026 event – including more than 50 sessions, screenings and events, more than 100 speakers and more than 80 industry decision-makers – in March.
Inspired by the theme Hold True, the AIDC 2026 program showcases talent working at the intersection of every facet of documentary and factual storytelling, including Oscar And Emmy-nominated filmmakers, groundbreaking Australian and international creators, and some of the industry’s most successful business insiders.
The line-up welcomes a high-profile addition to the Spotlight Sessions, with the double Academy Awardnominee Geeta Gandbhir, director of the compelling Netflix release The perfect neighbor (Oscar nominated for Best Documentary 2026) and co-director of The devil is busy (Oscar-nominated for Best Short Documentary 2026).
Inventive filmmaker Adam Bhala Lough, co-director of the hit HBO documentary series Telemarketersalso joins the program to discuss his provocative and irreverent new hybrid doc Deepfaking by Sam Altman, produced by comedian Kevin Hart.
As previously announced, other AIDC 2026 Spotlight speakers include the Emmy Award-winning documentary director-producer-cinematographer Rita Baghdadi, creator of critically acclaimed character-driven documentaries such as the Sundance hit sirens and Nat Geo’s Photographer series installment Muhammed Muheisen: Finding the Light; Head of Documentaries at Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse, Aloke Devichand, discusses his innovative approach to commissioning and producing distinctive global stories; and Tom McDonald, National Geographic EVP Content, who offers an insider’s perspective on working with one of the world’s most recognizable nonfiction brands.
Natasha Gadd, CEO/Creative Director of AIDC, said: “Storytelling is at the heart of documentary and factual filmmaking, driven by the bold, courageous and creative storytellers whose works provide a lens through which we can explore the world in all its diversity, complexity, brutality and beauty.
“In 2026, we find ourselves in an era where the foundations of our storytelling practice are increasingly threatened. Through our 2026 theme ‘Hold True’, we ask: how can we come together in solidarity to protect storytelling that speaks truth to power, advocates change, ignites curiosity and reveals the wonders, challenges and possibilities of the world around us? And, most importantly, how can we stay true to each other, to our creative practice and to the stories that demand told?
“We are excited to unveil our 2026 program of speakers and sessions, all of which are designed to challenge thinking, spark dialogue and inspire action. Together with our industry programme’s impressive line-up of local and international decision-makers and complemented by an original range of market initiatives, AIDC 2026 will support the creation of bold new work, drive new results and build new collaborations.”
Caroline Pitcher, CEO of VicScreen, said: “AIDC returns to Melbourne this March with a new dynamic program to ignite ideas, inspire collaboration and celebrate the power of documentary storytelling. As Australia’s premier documentary and factual event, AIDC provides unparalleled opportunities for Victorian talent to connect with factual filmmakers from around the world. VicScreen is proud to continue our strong partnership with AIDC, showcasing Victoria’s creativity and ambition on the world stage shown – and stories are amplified that shape perspectives and define the future of factual storytelling.”
Seb Chan, Director and CEO of ACMI, said: “Our partnership with AIDC is now in its eleventh year – and in an age of rapid media change, social and political unrest and fake news, it has never been more important. As Australia’s National Museum of Screen Culture, ACMI is committed to strengthening the film sector and celebrating the critical work of our non-fiction filmmakers.”
More than $305,000 in funding for project development, awards, prizes and professional development opportunities for new nonfiction content will also be released by 2026, directly supporting documentary and factual practitioners.
This year’s program also includes the additions of Samoan/New Zealand filmmaker Ursula Grace Williams, director of the hit Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds; multi-talented journalist and documentary maker Patrick Abboud; factual innovator Kirk Docker, co-creator of You Can’t Ask That and I Was Actually There; plus historian and journalist Dr. Esmé Louise James, creator of the extremely popular Kinky History and co-producer of SexTistics with fellow AIDC guest Dr. Naomi Koh Belic.
Other high-profile speakers include ocean documentary specialist Sarah Beard, producer of Paul Rudd-narrated Secrets of the Octopus, producer of National Geographic; prolific radio personality, satirist, documentary filmmaker and author John Safran (Shut Your Big Fat Mouth John Safran), and acclaimed First Nations filmmaker Trisha Morton-Thomas, director of Journey Home, David Gulpilil.
On the market front, a wide range of decision makers from local and international media brands, platforms and broadcasters will participate in person and virtually at AIDC 2026, including ABC, Al Jazeera, American Documentary | POV, ARTE France, Asahi Television Broadcasting, bilibili, Channel 4, EBS Korea/EIDF, Hulu, National Geographic, Netflix, NHK, NITV, Paramount, SBS, TRT World, TVNZ, Whakaata Māori and more.
Sales agents, distributors and production companies including Asian Shadows, Autlook Filmsales, Boardwalk Pictures, CAT&Docs, Dogwoof, Impronta Films, Journeyman Pictures, Love Nature / Blue Ant Media, Madman Entertainment, MetFilm Sales, Mindhouse Productions, Sideways Film, Together Films and TVF International.
In an incredible boost to the local industry, AIDC 2026 will unlock more than $305,000 in project development funding, awards, prizes and professional development opportunities for new non-fiction content, directly supporting documentary and factual practitioners. This investment will be delivered through a range of exciting AIDC Industry Development Program initiatives and key partnerships with pitch partners Shark Island Foundation, The Post Lounge Group, DocPlay and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA); pricing partners AFTRS and Film Finances; FACTory pitch award partners; and Leading Lights program partners AFTRS in addition to 20 Leading Lights industry donors.
The central theme of AIDC 2026 – Hold True – celebrates the solidarity and resilience of the documentary and factual community and is a rallying cry to remain steadfast in the face of challenges and adversity, and a call to action for lawmakers, policymakers and funders to support the sector and drive critical change.
The conference will explore the following subthemes through Spotlight sessions, industry panels, screenings and initiatives: Truth States (truth to power, narrative sovereignty and the future of truth), Forward Focus (innovation, experimentation and alternative paths), Change Agents (field building, sustainability and impact), Field of Vision (storytelling, craft and creative explorations) and Sector States (industry insights, policies and reforms).
AIDC 2026
ACMI in Melbourne/Naarm, March 2-5, 2026
Online only international marketplace March 11-12, 2026.
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