- Australian International Documentary Conference
The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) was established in Adelaide in 1987, with the first conference being held in the
Clare Valley , north of Adelaide. It was held biennially from 1987 (with a gap in 1989), but became an annual event in 2003. It is described as being 'run by the industry for the industry'. [ [http://www.safilm.com.au/content.aspx?p=185 A Word from Joost den Hartog] ] It functions as both a conference and marketplace, that is, it aims to support both the creative and commercial needs of the industry. [ [http://2007.aidc.com.au/aboutaidc/ouraims.html About AIDC - Our Aims] ]Outline
The conference rotates around different regions of Australia, mostly being held in capital cities. It has grown from being a small conference, with a few international guests, to being a major event on the international calendar for documentary film and television and, as technology has changed, for the newer digital and interactive formats. [ [http://2005.aidc.com.au/aboutaidc/whoshouldattend.html Australian International Documentary Conference Who Should Attend] ] The Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal describes it as follows: "It provides a market place 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. [ [http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/wsd/2857.htm Australian International Documentary Conference AIDC: Website information: Australia's Culture and Recreation Portal ] ]
Its program regularly includes screenings, masterclasses, and discussion panels, as well as competitions. It encourages and attracts a diverse national and international audience, drawn from filmmakers, academics and archivists, administrators and bureaucrats, commissioning editors, broadcasters, and distributors and exhibitors. Conferences in the 2000s attracted 500-800 delegates.
What's in a name
The name of the conference has changed over the years of its existence. The first conference was called the Australian National Documentary Conference. [ [http://www.safilm.com.au/content.aspx?p=185 A Word from Joost den Hartog] ] The fourth conference, held in Melbourne in 1995, was advertised as the International Documentary Conference and Film Festival, [ [http://home.vicnet.net.au/~jonnyb/doco/dwelcome.htm Documentary Conference Home Page 1995] ] but the name Australian International Documentary Film Conference was confirmed at that conference. [ [http://2005.aidc.com.au/2004/about%20AIDC/about_h1995.html About AIDC 2005] ]
The current Conference Director is Joost den Hartog. The conference will take place in Fremantle, WA from February 20 - 22, 2008.
The Stanley Hawes Award
The annual Film Australia
Stanley Hawes Award for contribution to the documentary in Australia is announced at the AIDC.Further reading
* [http://esvc001106.wic016u.server-web.com/contents/03/25/aidc1.html Campey, Philippa (2003) "The 2003 Australian International Documentary Conference: A Report"] Accessed:
2008-01-19
* [http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/03/25/aidc2.html Sunderland, Kerry (2003) "The 2003 Australian International Documentary Conference: A Report"] Accessed:2008-01-19 External links
* [http://www.aidc.com.au/home/introduction Home Page for 2008 Conference]
References
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