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Panels & Workshops

Our year-round series of topical seminars led by experts in the documentary field.


Tue. June 27, 2023 @ 10:00 - 11:30am PT
In this panel, moderated by filmmaker Charlie Shackleton, representatives from an array of archives will discuss these challenging issues, while also highlighting the ways in which archives can serve the independent filmmaking community.

Sat. June 10, 2023 @ 11:00am - 12:30pm PT
Can film advance and energize Black Women’s Wellness? If so, how?

Thu. June 8, 2023 @ 10:00am - 12:00pm PT
A very small number of film festivals seem to hold an enormous amount of sway over a film’s sales and distribution prospects, as well as the filmmakers’ chances at creating a sustainable living through filmmaking. This perception drives many filmmakers to pin their hopes on just a handful of market-driven festivals that are most important in their region, whether it’s North America (where Sundance looms large), Europe (Cannes, which accepts very few documentaries), Asia (A-list festivals like Busan or Singapore) or elsewhere. In reality, there is a vast ecosystem of film festivals that can all contribute to the healthy life of a documentary film project, and distribution that doesn’t rely on the catalyst of perceived film festival success.

Wed. June 7, 2023 @ 10:00 - 11:30am PT
Join Emmy®-winning filmmaker Lindsey Dryden and filmmaker & writer Kyla Harris in a workshop on Disability Justice, disabled-led creativity, and accessibility in the film and TV industry.

Thu. May 11, 2023 @ 10:00am - 12:00pm PT
In this two-hour workshop, entertainment attorney Chris Perez will clarify and simplify questions about fair use. Chris, who is a partner at Donaldson Callif Perez, current co-president of the IDA Board, and co-writer of Clearance and Copyright, 5th Edition and The American Bar Association’s Legal Guide to Independent Filmmaking, will use his extensive experience helping documentary filmmakers navigate clearance issues to break down the do’s and don’ts of fair use. He will also walk filmmakers through new updates in the law regarding the use of photographs, as well as international issues that need to be considered.

Wed. May 10, 2023 @ 9:00 - 10:00am PT
Join Ranell Shubert, IDA Nonfiction Access Initiative (NAI) Funds Program Manager, and Keisha Knight, Director of Funds and Advocacy, to discuss the NAI program and launch of the NAI Nonfiction Media Makers with Disabilities Survey. Ranell and Keisha will present information about the survey, discuss how it was developed, and answer any questions.

Tue. May 9, 2023 @ 10:00am - 12:00pm PT
In this IDA members’ only workshop, veteran marketing expert and researcher Fred Greene will give a brief presentation on different moments filmmakers can position and present themselves in their projects. Greene will follow this talk with a series of short strategy sessions with pre-selected projects workshopping their written materials and conclude with an audience Q&A.

Thu. May 4, 2023 @ 9:00 - 10:30am ET
This 90-minute event is developed through IDA’s Getting Real Fellowship and will bring together filmmakers from Bangladesh and Taiwan who have experience negotiating the international film circuit. Facilitated by programmer Pei-hua Chung (Taiwan International Documentary Festival), filmmakers Huang Yin-yu (Green Jail) and Farid Ahmad (Waiting for Winter) will share a film with event registrants ahead of their conversation around shared concerns. They will discuss this complicated landscape, touching on topics from international co-productions, the assumptions behind ideas of universality in narrative structures, and the unsaid challenges of being platformed. This event is presented in partnership with Dhaka DocLab, TFAI and Taiwan Docs.

Wed. April 12, 2023 @ 10:00 - 11:30am PT
A 90-minute workshop with Maya E. Rudolph, Vice President of Non-Fiction at Louverture Films.

Tue. March 14, 2023 @ 10:00 - 11:30am PT
Please note that this event is postponed and the new date will be announced here. All existing registrants will be able to join us at the new set date. Please also check your emails for further notices.