Editor

It’s become one of the most popular events on the celluloid circuit – the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) hits the road and returns to Perth, Western Australia in February 2008.

From February 20-22, filmmakers, producers, commissioning editors, sales agents and distributors from around the globe will converge at the Esplanade Hotel in the port city of Fremantle, Western Australia for three days of intense discussion and debate, deal making, ideas swapping and screenings.

A highlight of AIDC 2008 will be the traditional AIDC DOCUmart, at which documentary makers pitch their stories to a panel of international commissioning editors. Over the last two years a number of projects have been commissioned directly via DOCUmart including Black Road: Inside the War in Aceh (Electric Pictures – Western Australia), Errol Flynn: A Life at Sea (Flaming Star Films-Australia) and Sounding the Future: The Music of Tristam Cary (Porthmeor Productions-Australia).

Western Australia is renowned for its world class documentary production with recent hits including Air Australia, Pipe Dreams and the soon to be released World of Colours. Chief Executive of ScreenWest Ian Booth is ecstatic to be hosting the event in Perth after a four hear hiatus.

“The relaxed and creative hub that is Fremantle will be the perfect backdrop for delegates to pitch their projects and mingle with the dynamic Western Australian documentary sector,” said Mr Booth.

Conference Director Joost den Hartog, whose first conference in Adelaide this year was an outstanding success, is planning another dynamic and informative event in February. On next year’s conference Joost said, "AIDC 2008 will have a special focus on storytelling. Through out the program the art and craft of storytelling will be highlighted discussed and displayed. Australia is the home of the oldest living tradition of storytellers. A recent trip to Australia's Central Desert made me aware of the enormous wealth of stories that are out there. I'm looking forward to engage deeply into the art of storytelling together with our national and international delegates".

The 2008 Australian International Documentary Conference will be one of the event highlights of the Western Australian summer calendar. Mark your diaries now to attend from February 20-22, 2008.

Program and registration details will be available online soon. Look out for our Early Bird registration discounts.

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