Call for Entries: Indigenous Documentary Placement

The Australian International Documentary Conference has partnered with Northern Pictures and the ABC for an Indigenous Documentary Placement.

The initiative will provide one mid-career Indigenous practitioner with an opportunity to undertake an extended placement to further develop their skills in documentary, factual development and production within the context of both a public broadcaster and a production company.

Michael Carrington, ABC Director Entertainment & Specialist said: “The Indigenous Documentary Placement initiative, with Northern Pictures and AIDC, will help give a voice to the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers, by developing their skills within the ABC’s award-winning Factual & Culture team. The ABC has a proud history of backing Indigenous creatives and content on the national stage. This initiative, alongside our new Diversity & Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines, will support emerging diverse and dynamic talent, on and off screen.”

Peter Anderson, Northern Pictures, Managing Director said, “Northern Pictures is thrilled to be part of the Indigenous Documentary Placement program. This program will provide a wonderful opportunity to help an emerging Indigenous filmmaker further develop and hone their skills. During their placement at Northern Pictures they will be immersed within our award-winning creative team lead by Karina Holden, our head of factual.”

Alice Burgin, AIDC CEO and Conference Director, said: “This specialised program and placement will help create meaningful employment pathways for Indigenous practitioners and continue to support practitioners to build on their professional connections, share their own experiences and stories. We thank our wonderful friends at Northern Pictures and ABC for making such an opportunity possible.”

Applications for the Indigenous Documentary Placement are open until Wednesday 10 March 2021.

AIDC’s Indigenous Creators Program will feature an information session including Kelrick Martin (Head of Indigenous, ABC) and Karina Holden (Head of Factual, Northern Pictures) as well as a spotlight session with New Zealand heavyweight Chelsea Winstanley.

The Australian International Documentary Conference will run 28 February – 3 March as an online event.