Join Film In Mind for a reflective hour, an opportunity to reconnect with your project and set intentions to sustain you throughout the next stages of production. This facilitated workshop will invite you to pause, step outside of the demands of production for a moment, and reset.
Here's What Really Happened
No tweeting. No press. No industry. Filmmakers-only conversations revealing personal insights into the art and business of documentary filmmaking.
“Here’s What Really Happened” are signature sessions from IDA's biennial Getting Real Conference that began as a filmmaker-led solution to combat the lack of transparency that continues to plague the community. These intimate conversations allow filmmakers to speak openly about what actually happened in the production, sales and distribution life of a film. The rules are, everything said in the room, stays in the room. Our goal is to create a safe space for discussion that allows filmmakers to have frank, meaningful discussions without the influence of industry in the room. We believe that one of the greatest resources for a filmmaker is another filmmaker.
In building a more knowledgeable and transparent community together, IDA tours “Here’s What Really Happened” sessions to various festivals and conferences around the world. These private conversations have focused on security/surveillance, sales agents, festival strategies, fact-finding, ethics, work/family life balance, truth-seeking in production, and other themes.
Learn what really happened behind-the-scenes in an upcoming session. It’s personal, it’s intimate, let’s get into it.
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On March 12, 2026, join IDA to celebrate the arrival of Documentary magazine’s latest issue. We will gather at All Season Brewing Company for a casual mixer where IDA members can get to know the folks behind Documentary and learn what goes into producing a print publication solely devoted to the
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In this panel, we will address standards for using AI in nonfiction filmmaking, how to disclose it to partners and audiences, and what documentary filmmakers need to consider before choosing to use AI in their productions.
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IDA will host an in-person Core App evening workshop. At the IDA offices, filmmakers in LA seeking to edit and hone their application language are welcome to attend. Submit an Interest Form with a sample of your writing to register for the event.
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Don’t know what E&O insurance is? Seth Cohen and Bob Jellen from HUB International will start with a virtual 30-minute Zoom presentation on insurance for documentaries, during which all of the above questions will be answered.
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In this panel, we will meet leading film bookers working in the U.S. and hear about the strategies and opportunities for placing independent films in theaters.
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In this session, two critically acclaimed filmmaking teams will share the granular details of their working relationship, walking through scenes from meaningful recent films.
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Does the language of mergers and corporate media consolidation leave you confused or unsure of how it may impact you and what you can do about it? To understand more, join this free community teach-in hosted by IDA, Future Film Coalition, and Art House Convergence.
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Join us for "To Create Fearlessly, Assess Risk First: Risk Assessment with Colin Pereira". On Thursday, December 18, Colin Pereira—an experienced risk and journalist-safety expert with more than 20 years in the field—will break down how to assess risk for your documentary projects.
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Join us for a pitching workshop with the IDA Artist Services Manager, Maria Santos. For the first hour, she will share some tips for preparing a pitch and using that process to keep developing your project. Then, we will take a 20-minute break to review the recommendations from the presentation and reset. In the last hour, we will have 3 IDA members pitch to the virtual room.