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Educational Seminars

Our year-round series of seminars, panels and workshops focusing on the art, craft and business of documentary filmmaking. Become an IDA member to access previous seminars online.


Hear about a spectrum of field-led research efforts and the activism it inspires. Researchers and activists will discuss a range of research methods and strategies for putting the results to work for change.

In this documentary grant writing workshop, IDA’s Program Officer, Dana Merwin will demystify the process and discuss authorship’s role in documentary projects with IDA grantees, Meena Nanji and Zippy Kimundu.

Learn what's new for the Oscars documentary categories and how they impact the entire film awards season.

Firelight Media, IDA, and ITVS invite you to an hour-long webinar to learn the basics of applying for the various SBA programs.

Firelight Media, IDA, and ITVS invite you to an hour-long webinar to learn the basics of applying for the various SBA programs.

Firelight Media, IDA, and ITVS invite you to an hour-long webinar to learn the basics of applying for the various SBA programs.

Firelight Media, IDA, and ITVS invite you to an hour-long webinar to learn the basics of applying for the various SBA programs.

Join IDA and IMAX's Mo Rhim, Sandy Itkoff, and Patricia and David Keighley to learn the kinds of projects IMAX is looking to produce and what stories work best on the IMAX big screen format.

Join us for a free information session with Leslie S. Klinger, VP of the Motion Picture and Television Tax Institute, who specializes in tax and business law. Klinger will explain the specifics of the AB5 and will take questions on how you can protect yourself.

Join IDA and BADWest for a special evening Master Class with celebrated director Stanley Nelson. One of America’s most acclaimed filmmakers and a chronicler of the African-American experience.