Donovan Chan.
The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) and Singapore-based production company Beach House Pictures have announced the six mentees selected for the 2017 ACCESS@AIDC Early Career Mentorship Program.
Chosen by Beach House’s creative director Donovan Chan, the participants are: Adam Finney (QLD), Bridget O'Shea (VIC), Charby Ibrahim (VIC), Jeff Hann (ACT), Marleena Forward (VIC), and Viviana Petyarre (NT).
The six early-career factual filmmakers will learn directly from established Australian and international pros through mentorship sessions during AIDC 2017.
“We were very impressed with calibre of the ACCESS Applicants and look forward to meeting the successful candidates at AIDC,” said Chan.
As well as Chan, this year’s ACCESS Mentors include Sherpa director Jennifer Peedom; John Battsek, the producer of One Day in September and EP of Searching for Sugar Man; ABC TV’s head of Indigenous, Kelrick Martin; executive director of the Tribeca Film Institute and producer of What Happened, Miss Simone, Amy Hobby; and Ezra Edelman, the director of the acclaimed eight-part O.J.: Made In America, which is screening in full at this year's AIDC.
One participant will also be selected for a four-week paid internship with Beach House Pictures in Singapore, including airfares and accommodation. The winner will be announced at AIDC 2017’s closing drinks on March 8.
Chan said that Beach House was delighted to have made the internship available, and hoped it would be the “first of many opportunities to work with Australian talents.”