The full program has been unveiled for the 2026 edition of Regionality Sunshine Coast, with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi set to headline the one-day documentary and factual industry event.
Presented by AIDC and Screen Queensland, with the support of Sunshine Coast Council and in association with the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, the event returns to Maroochy RSL on Friday, August 7th, 2026, bringing together documentary filmmakers, factual producers and industry leaders for a day of conversations, networking and professional development.
Leading this year’s program is Vasarhelyi, the Oscar-winning co-director of Free Solo, who will join attendees remotely for an exclusive keynote exploring the art of pushing documentary filmmaking beyond conventional boundaries. Across a career that also includes Meru, The Rescue, Wild Life, Love+War and Lost in the Jungle, Vasarhelyi has become renowned for crafting ambitious stories set in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Her session, Limitless Filmmaking with Chai Vasarhelyi, will explore her creative process, the realities of filming under extreme conditions and what it takes to tell deeply human stories on a global scale.
The evolving landscape of documentary finance will also be in focus through Financing Nonfiction Futures: Impact, Philanthropy and Funding, bringing together Screen Australia’s Sally Chesher, Changer Studios’ Farhad Meher-Homji and Regen Studios’ Anna Kaplan, with Documentary Australia’s Stephanie King moderating. The discussion will examine emerging funding models, philanthropic investment and new opportunities for nonfiction creators looking to sustain ambitious projects.
Queensland’s documentary sector will be celebrated during Bearing Witness: Queensland Documentaries in the Spotlight, where Andy Huang (Replica), Yale MacGillivray (Moblands), Ivan O’Mahoney (Sentient) and Allan Clarke (Hey Brother) will discuss the craft of transforming personal and everyday stories into compelling feature documentaries.
For creators developing episodic nonfiction projects, Play the Next Episode: The Art of Documentary and Factual Series will offer practical insight into today’s commissioning environment. Moderated by ABC commissioning editor Stephen Oliver, the panel features Bettina Dalton (Stuff the British Stole), John Harvey (Empire in Colour) and SBS senior commissioning editor Bethan Arwel-Lewis (The People vs Robodebt), who will share their experiences developing successful documentary series for contemporary audiences.
Networking remains a key part of the Regionality experience, with Regionality Roundtable: Meet the Decision Makers providing attendees the opportunity to hear directly from broadcasters, streamers, distributors and commissioning executives about what they’re currently looking for. The session also complements the returning Doc Chat 1:1 Meetings, giving delegates the chance to connect directly with industry decision-makers throughout the day.
The event concludes with networking drinks at Maroochy RSL, offering attendees the opportunity to continue conversations, forge new collaborations and celebrate Queensland’s documentary community.
“Screen Queensland is proud to partner with AIDC to bring Regionality back to the Sunshine Coast, connecting Queensland practitioners with the people, ideas and opportunities shaping the documentary and factual sector,” said Screen Queensland Executive Director, Content Julie Eckersley. “With Screen Queensland’s Danielle Ah Boo and Ian Lynch joining leading commissioners, producers and industry decision-makers, alongside global voices including Chai Vasarhelyi, the program gives creators direct access to industry insight, practical knowledge and meaningful connections.”
AIDC CEO and Creative Director Natasha Gadd added: “AIDC is thrilled to be returning to Maroochydore for the third edition of Regionality Sunshine Coast thanks to Screen Queensland and the support of Sunshine Coast Council. From a close-up look at the extraordinary work of Chai Vasarhelyi, to uncovering new ways to finance projects, develop successful series ideas and craft character-led documentaries, this year’s program offers another unmissable event for practitioners across the region.”
Tickets are on sale now through AIDC, with registration including access to all sessions, Doc Chat sign-ups and the networking event. Applications for Doc Chat meetings close at 11.59pm on Monday, July 27th.
Regionality Sunshine Coast takes place at Maroochy RSL in Maroochydore, Queensland, on Friday, August 7th, 2026.
