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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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Join us for an Extended Reality (XR) Master Class with VR editor and producer Jennifer Tiexiera. Learn how to utilize new technology to tell an experiential story and develop effective strategies for funding and distribution.
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Join us in LA for the return of legendary director Werner Herzog as we delve into his prolific career and riveting new film, Meeting Gorbachev.
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Join us for a lively conversation between Sam Green and Kim Yutani, Director of Programming at the Sundance Film Festival. As a special addition to the evening, Green will present a rare live documentary performance of his short piece on jazz legend Louis Armstrong.
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Join us for a revealing seminar breaking down the do’s and don'ts of grant writing.
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Join us on IDA's Facebook Thursday from 2:00-3:00pm PDT for a live-stream online conversation with IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund Director, Carrie Lozano, and Program Officer, Dana Merwin!
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IDA & New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) present a special east coast conversation with female documentary editors features film editors Mary Manhardt (Making a Murderer, Street Fight), Carla Gutierrez (RBG, Reportero) and Maya Mumma (OJ: Made in America; Daughters of Destiny).
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Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to delve into the fascinating behind-the-scenes stories that illuminate both Susan Lacy’s legendary career and the craft of telling the stories of great American artists.
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We are teaming up with Austin Film Society to provide a free two-hour grant writing workshop including a case study with filmmaker Jenifer McShane (Ernie & Joe, 2019 SXSW Premiere) and an opportunity for feedback on your project synopsis.