Shannon Owen’s left writing hook packed a punch at the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) Awards on Wednesday in Melbourne.
Owen worked with boxing instructor and trauma survivor Donalyon in the film. This explores how boxing’s physicality, combined with the emotional power of creative writing, can create spaces for seven survivors of childhood sexual abuse to release their memories, regain their bodies, and imagine a new life for themselves.
The left write hook had its world premiere before it was released nationwide in October at last year’s Melbourne International Film Festival.
In a statement, the ju judge said the film had sparked a “universally surprising and passionate response.”
“Coach Shannon Owen, who works with the distinctive Donna Lyon and her incredible group of participants, has created a powerful document of strong strength and resilience that touches many people beyond the original program’s pages and boxing rings,” they said.
Boxing was also at the heart of Tough, the best documentary/de facto single winner from season 38 of ABC’s Compass. This episode focuses on Daryl Gardiner. Daryl Gardiner believes the sport has saved him from a life of crime and now teaches positive masculinity.
The second season of ABC title companions won the best documentary/facts series for British Theft Theft.
The Australian-Canadian co-produced by Wooden Horse, Wild Beer Entertainment and Cream Productions follows creator, writer, director and executive producer Mark Fennell, exploring from the Egyptian desert to the depths of the Amazon River, taking viewers from shipwrecks deep in the Aegean Sea to the heights of the Robot Labrater.
This was one of Fennel’s two awards and it won the best audio documentary as this is not a game.
As previously reported, Artemis Media co-founder and managing director Celia Tait received the second AIDC Southern Light Award for outstanding contributions to non-fiction screens, digital and/or audio media.
The Wednesday ceremony, hosted by Melissa Leon, concluded the four-day meeting for the documentary and factual industry.
Over 780 representatives participated in the 2025 event, featuring programs of 60 sessions, events and screenings.
Find the complete list of winners below:
Best feature documentary
Left writing hook
2024 | Sweet Shop & Green | Director: Shannon Owen | Producers: Gal Greenspan, Alice Virgin, Rachel Forbes
Best Documentary/Fact Series
Packing the British Theft Series 2
2024 | Wildbear Entertainment, Wooden Horse, Cream | Creator/Writer/Director/Executive Producer: Marc Fennell | Producer: Alan Arson | Executive Producer: Richard Finlayson, Kate Harrison Calman
Best documentary/de facto single
Not tough
2024 | ABC Compass | Director: Matt Davis | Editor: Peter O’Donoghue | Executive Producer: Amanda Collinge
Best Short Form Documentary
Mahika Kai
2024 |Garwa, Monster Children, Lake Wanaka |Director/Producer: Kieran Mpetyane Satour (Gurundji/Malngin, Pertame Arrernte, Worimi & Baloch (Afghan)) |Producer: Jamie Brewer, Gizel Regan, Ramona Telesikan
The best audio documentaries
This is not a game
2024 | BBC Studios, Audible | Author: Mark Fennel.
Best Interactive/Immersive Documentaries
Las Asichas
2024 | UNF, King’s College London | Film Futures/Creative Technist: Violeta Ayala | Interaction Design: Daniel Fall Show | 3D Artist: Brian Condrimalza
Pitch Award
Indigenous Creator Pitch Award Winner
The pitch prize pool for Indigenous creators doubled by anonymous donors on the day of awards, winning the $10,000 awarded to three project teams.
Crystal Love – $5,000 prize
Pitch Team: Libby Collins
Hunting Tidda Style – $2,500 Prize
Pitch teams: Kate Ten Boulen, Kimberly Benjamin, Jody Bell
Abolished – $2,500 Award
Pitch Team: Daniel King and Genmelander
Post lounge dock pitch winner
Post Production House Post Lounge has increased its promised prize pool of $30,000 in post-production investments and added $5,000 to research and development support through Production Arm Orange Entertainment Co.
Sanctuary – $15,000 for the character Reel Gaslit – $10,000 infographic package will be happy to pay for GFX – $5,000 for $5,000 for completing the audio interview with reenactment, plus $5,000 for research and development support
The Shark Island Foundation features pitch winners in the document
The Charitable Shark Island Foundation features documents awarded $80,000 in development grants for four projects. The pitch was made as part of AIDC 2025’s Cut to the Chase Cureated Meetings program.
Known Greatness – $15,000 The Last Nomad of Pintopi – $20,000 Marliya – $20,000 Dollars of Dying – $25,000
Project Ashley’s class was also invited to apply for production grants.
Factory Pitch Award Winner
Dok Leipzig Award
Winner: Focused
Director: Barat Ali Batoor & Joseph Nizeti; Producer: Leeanne Torpey
Chaos & Co. Productions (Australia)
Two Passes to Participate in Dok Leipzig 2025 (Leipzig, Germany)
Doc Edge Prize
Winner 1: Myth of the Monster
Director: Beatrice Leon. Producer: Panuksmi Hardjowirogo
M’go Films (Singapore, Malaysia)
Two passes to participate in Doc Edge 2025 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Winner 2: Atomic Paradise
Director: John Harvey. Producer: Sally Aitken; Executive Producer: Aline Jacques
Sam Content (Australia)
Two passes to participate in Doc Edge 2025 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Sheffield Docfest Award
Winner: Testimony
Director: Maya Newell. Producers: Barbara Eveey, Larissa Bellend, Sophie Hyde, Lisa Sherrard, Alex Kelly
Closer production (Australia)
Two festival passes to participate in Sheffield Docfest 2025 (Sheffield, UK)
DMZ Docs Industry Award
Winner: Myth of the Monster
Director: Beatrice Leon. Producer: Panuksmi Hardjowirogo
M’go Films (Singapore, Malaysia)
