AIDC is thrilled to reveal that for its 40th anniversary edition in March 2027, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) will be the new host city for theAustralian International Documentary Conference (AIDC), with support from Screen NSW as the Principal Partner for the event.
The premier industry event for documentary and factual storytelling in the Southern Hemisphere, AIDC attracts global buyers - including broadcasters, streamers, distributors, film festivals and funds - as well as screen industry representatives and practitioners from across Australia and around the world.
After 11 successful editions in Melbourne, Victoria, 2027 will mark the 40th year of AIDC’s existence and the first time the event has been hosted in NSW in over 20 years.
Taking place from Monday 8 March – Thursday 11 March in Sydney, NSW, on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the event will be held across the Art Gallery of New South Wales, State Library of NSW and Botanic Gardens of Sydney. These three iconic locations will create a unique precinct close to Sydney CBD for all delegates and attendees.
An online international marketplace, incorporating industry representatives participating remotely in AIDC’s curated producer-decision maker meetings program, will also take place over two days from Tuesday 23 March to Wednesday 24 March 2027.
The world-class annual event is aimed at driving creativity, collaboration and innovation, unlocking market and industry development opportunities and elevating the craft and business of nonfiction storytelling to contribute to a vibrant, diverse and sustainable screen industry ecosystem.
The 2027 program will include sessions covering craft, business and innovation, networking events, and screenings and a globally renowned marketplace for documentary and factual content featuring a central pitching forum, curated pitch meetings, and roundtables.
AIDC 2027 will also deliver a suite of bespoke industry and professional development programs for all career levels, including emerging, diverse and First Nations practitioners, as well as a national AIDC Awards program to recognise excellence in Australian documentary and factual content.
Early bird registration for AIDC 2027 – with a 25% discount on full price passes – is now open for a limited time or until sold out, with the first lineup of guest speakers and industry representatives for the event to be announced in October 2026, followed by the full event program in late January 2027.
AIDC’s new partnership with Screen NSW will shine a spotlight on New South Wales as a destination for interstate and international screen leaders and the Asia-Pacific hub for screen business.
For AIDC – which is a national organisation and has presented the event around the country since its first edition in 1987 in McLaren Vale, South Australia – including one edition in Sydney in 1993 – the current move represents an exciting evolution for the conference and its delegates.
AIDC CEO / Creative Director Natasha Gadd said:
“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.”
“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.”
“Held on Gadigal Country across the Art Gallery of New South Wales, State Library of NSW and Botanic Gardens of Sydney, AIDC 2027 will create a refreshed setting and a unique conference precinct to champion and inspire new ideas, stories, collaborations and project outcomes.”
“We extend our thanks to our new Principal Partner Screen NSW as well as Presenting Partner Screen Australia, Major Partners ABC and SBS and all of our industry collaborators, to ring in this exciting new era for AIDC and our tenacious, creative and innovative documentary and factual sector.”
“We look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary with you all for AIDC 2027.”
For more information about AIDC and updates for the 2027 event, please visit AIDC website.