Join the International Documentary Association and DCTV on Friday, April 24, for the DocuClub work-in-progress screening of the film Dissidents. We will be joined by director Yi Chen and producer Titi Yu for a moderated audience feedback session.
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.
Image
-
A 90-minute workshop with Maya E. Rudolph, Vice President of Non-Fiction at Louverture Films.
Image
-
When presented with a seemingly infinite number of possibilities, documentary filmmakers sometimes find themselves frozen in indecision about the direction of their project. In those moments of indecision, the emotional core of the film can get lost. In this 2-hour event, dual Emmy award-winning filmmaker Geoffrey Smith will help attendees to unearth “the beating heart of their film story, and to draw the most clarity, emotion, and drama from it.”
Image
-
Have questions about the Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Grant or Checklist specific to your project? The Funds Team is now offering two sessions to address applicant questions. This session is for IDA Members and IDA Fiscally Sponsored Projects only. If you need additional assistance or an
Image
-
Have questions about the Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Grant or Checklist specific to your project? The Funds Team is now offering two sessions to address applicant questions.
Image
-
The Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Grant application will open on March 2nd! In preparation for the open call, the IDA Funds Team will be holding a public info session and give a general overview of the fund. The last 30 minutes will be reserved for questions.
Image
-
A four-part virtual summit that collaboratively explores the disparate yet interconnected fields of visual journalism and documentary film — and best practices that lie at the intersection of both.
Image
-
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.
Image
-
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.
Image
-
How do you make a film about the experience of incarceration? Given the complexities of consent and power, what are the ethics this work requires? What is an ethic of narrative reparation? With an introduction from filmmaker Anyé Young, filmmaker Adamu Chan thinks through these questions with award-winning filmmakers Brett Story, Jasmín Mara Lopez, and co-host and co-producer of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated podcast “Ear Hustle” Rahsaan Thomas.