PRESS RELEASE
The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) today opened applications for the 2024 FACTory International Pitching Showcase, presented by VicScreen. Australia’s most significant pitching forum for new documentary and factual projects, The FACTory will take place during AIDC 2024 at The Edge, Fed Square, Melbourne.
The FACTory provides a platform for the most exciting new feature documentary and series projects from around Australia and the world. Up to 15 teams will be selected to present their work to a world-class line-up of Australian and international commissioners, sales agents, funders, and distributors at AIDC 2024.
In 2024, The FACTory will feature an extensive line-up of in-person and online international decision makers assessing and providing feedback on projects; access to expert-level mentoring and pitch training conducted by experienced screen practitioners; and expanded opportunities for one-on-one meetings with key international decision makers.
Applications are now being accepted for projects including features, singles, and series (limited and returnable) across three strands: Central Showcase, New Talent Showcase, and Rough Cut Showcase.
Project submissions will be assessed by a panel of international experts, including Theresa Navarro, Co- Director & COO, Catapult Film Fund (USA); Alexandre Marionneau, Commissioning Editor & Head of International Co-productions, ARTE France (France); Lindsay Monture, Festival Director of imagineNATIVE (Canada); Patrick Hurley, Head of Distribution & Business Affairs, Sandbox Films (USA); and Jia Zhao, Director Co-production & Sales (Asia), Off the Fence (China/Netherlands).
Entry to The FACTory is competitive, and assessors will consider criteria like originality, marketplace viability, and international appeal.
Since its inception in 2016, over 100 projects have been pitched in The FACTory, including acclaimed documentaries Mystify: Michael Hutchence, Under the Volcano, No Time For Quiet, There’s No ‘I’ in Threesome, Delikado, The Last Daughter (Netflix), The Black Hand (ABC), Hot Docs Best International Documentary winner, Blue Island, and AACTA Awards Best Documentary nominees Clean and Franklin.
AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd, said, “AIDC’s FACTory International Pitching Showcase has a proud history of selecting highly original and engaging documentaries and series to pitch on the world stage, garnering support from our panel of industry representatives and going on to be realised. With so many impressive projects in development across the globe, we can’t wait to welcome this year’s suite of bold, creative and courageous projects to receive mentorship and training, and to pitch to our line-up of world-class decision makers.”
Plus, as a special bonus to help FACTory applicants prepare the best possible pitch, Getty Images have partnered with AIDC to provide free access to their extensive library of over 25 million clips and stills for every subject imaginable for use in applications.
The regular submission deadline for projects is Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Projects submitted by the late deadline of Sunday, 19 November 2023, will accrue an additional fee. Applicants can submit projects and find out more about the Getty Images library offer through the FACTory portal at https://www.aidc.com.au/pitches-marketplace/the-factory-2/
AIDC 2024 will take place 3-6 March 2024 at ACMI and Fed Square in Melbourne / Naarm, followed by an online international marketplace, 7-8 March 2024. www.aidc.com.au
