Wes Dening of WD Entertainment Group attended MIPTV, in Cannes, France in April 2013

Nathan Mayfield from Hoodlum attended MIPTV, in Cannes, France from 5-16 April 2013

The 2013 MIPTV market and conference proved yet again to be an excellent opportunity to market Hoodlum and Queensland to a variety of distributors and broadcasters as well as providing an opportunity to meet fellow producers and explore potential creative collaborations.

Margie Brown from Flickchicks attended AIDC, in Adelaide, 25 - 28 February 2013

This was the fourth year we've been to AIDC and it's probably the most successful one for us yet.

It was an intense four days of pitching and networking (we've only JUST recovered!), which has proved to be most productive in progressing and developing our extensive slate of doco projects.

Getting in the ear of the commissioning editors, and meeting them face-to-face is critical for building relationships and quickly determining what they're looking for. You could spend considerable time writing an outline/ synopsis for a proposed story, only to discover that they've already commissioned a similar concept. This way, you can quickly run ideas by them to gauge whether you're onto something good.

The broadcaster sessions and keynote address were, as always, cram-packed with current and future market trends and also excellent for putting a face to a name (as there are always new people to stalk!).

AIDC is a must on the calendar for any documentary maker, irrespective of what stage they're at in their career - we couldn't contemplate NOT going on the annual pilgrimage, it is THAT valuable.

For those of you who haven't been before, here's some hot tips:

• arrange as many meetings as you can WELL before you head down,

• never go down ill-prepared or without a structured game plan

• definitely put a teaser into Trailer Park (it's where we successfully pitched our first commission with the ABC)

• do your research on the people (and their organisation) you're meeting up with – know what they look like and what they've commissioned in the past, and

• don't bail anyone up in the loo or on the dance floor!.

Sarah Scragg of Sarah Scragg Productions attended AIDC, in Adelaide, 24 February - 1 March 2013

This was my first AIDC conference in a very long time and I am very glad I went.  Being fairly removed from the day to day industry as I live in Far North Queensland, the conference provides a fantastic opportunity to mingle with those in my field as well as to meet face to face the commissioning editors and distributors in a relaxed environment.  My project was selected as one of 20 for the Meet Market and this meant that many of my meetings were organised for me.  If you have a project you are working on I would definitely recommend applying for the Meet Market component of the conference.  Meetings are for 15 minutes but if you are ready and organised you can gain a lot from those few minutes.

There were numerous sessions on anything from market trends to new ways of distributing media in this rapidly changing time, and alternate financing options.  Most of the broadcasters held 'snapshot' sessions which gave you an opportunity to sit in a small group and have more of a discussion about their needs and slots.

I was looking forward to the screenings during the last three days of the conference where the films are also open to the public but due to work constraints I had to fly home.  I think to round off a great week, staying on and viewing these films and pondering on what you have heard throughout the conference would be a nice way to finish the time there.

Angela Walsh of Angela Walsh Productions Pty Ltd attended  EFM, in Berlin, Germany pm 7 - 19 February 2013

There seemed to be less people attending the EFM this year but even so it was a good market for me. My official meeting list was not long but it was significant and the outcomes were extremely positive. It is clear that my "darker" projects (contemporary Sci Fi and Supernatural) are of great interest Internationally. However, my main priority right now is the comedy feature so I'm glad that the sales agent is now formally attached.

Ruari Elkington of Antidote Films, attended IDFA (International Documentary Festival Amsterdam) from 14 - 25 November 2012

Nick Hopkin of NickNackTV attended SPAA 2012 in Melbourne, in November 2012

Veronica Fury of Wild Fury attended SPAA 2012 in Melbourne, from 12 - 15 November 2012

SPAA is a very important market for Australian producers. It connects producers with key Australian and International players. Not only does it provide vital opportunities to pitch to broadcasters and distributors, but I could also meet with funding bodies, production companies and facility providers.

While my focus was on pitching, I also met with broadcasters (ABC and SBS), distributors (naked Flame) and producers (Bear Cage and Prospero) and to see what projects are currently in production.

SPAA is great lead in to WCSFP and AIDC. From my meetings I was able to take on feedback and prepare for WCSFP. Especially with regards to trends in dramatisation and talent driven programming.

Phoebe Hart of Hartflicker attended SPAA 2012 in Melbourne, from 13 - 16 November 2012

SPAA is not a doco market, but some interest was able to be bought through assertive public pitching

Pam Collis of Silver Wings Films Pty Ltd attended AFM, Los Angeles, USA from 29 October to 9 November 2012

This was my fourth film market, after attending Cannes in May earlier this year and AFM in LA Nov 2011, and was also my third film market as an independent Producer. I was able to follow up on the contacts made at previous markets as well as focusing on meeting International producers who were looking for Aust Producers to partner with.

I focused on meeting various international funding businesses so as to understand the other side of potential co-pro projects. This was done in the hope of short circuiting the long drawn out assessment periods that can sometimes hamper progress on a project.

I met a number of potential Canadian and Chinese Producing Partners who were keen to discuss and offer projects that could access the Australian Producer offset.