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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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Fundraising & Fiscal Sponsorship Event Poster
IDA Fiscal Sponsorship is happy to present a webinar featuring Patrick Creadon to discuss fundraising as an independent filmmaker. We will also delve into the ins and outs of our program and what you should know about fiscal sponsorship.
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IDA Teach Out banner
How much does it really cost to make a documentary? What does sustainability look like? What changes do we need to make for the well-being of the field?
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TBC
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In this workshop, IDA’s Director of Artist Programs Abby Sun will walk filmmakers through the process of developing a film festival strategy that takes the particular expectations, needs, and prospects of your individual film into account. Guest speaker Chase Whiteside (América, co-directed with Erick Stoll) will provide a case study drawing on his own experiences navigating the film festival circuit with and without a sales agent.
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IDA Teach Out: Tax Incentives for Doc Makers 101 banner
Karin Chien from Distribution Advocates will walk us through a scan of the distribution landscape and talk with independent filmmakers Stephen Maing (Untitled Amazon Union Documentary, Crime + Punishment) and Emma D. Miller (What We Leave Behind, Untitled Mistress Dispeller Project) to shed some light the seemingly shadowy and intimidating world of distribution.
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IDA Teach Out: Tax Incentives for Doc Makers 101 banner
(12pm)
This panel takes a step by step approach to demystifying tax incentives and helping documentary filmmakers better understand how to utilize them.
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Film still from 'We Need To Talk About Cosby' courtesy of Showtime.
Writer/director W. Kamau Bell’s exploration of Bill Cosby’s descent from “America’s Dad” to alleged sexual predator. Comedians, journalists and Cosby survivors have a candid, first of its kind conversation about the man, his career and his crimes.
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Dr. Orna Guralnik, PsyD is a white woman with dark hair sitting across from her patients in a couples therapy session. Film still from 'Couples Therapy' courtesy of Showtime.
'Couples Therapy' brings viewers into therapy sessions with Dr. Guralnik, as she deftly guides couples through the struggles–and extraordinary breakthroughs–typically hidden behind closed doors. This season features four new captivating couples working through intense conflicts.
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Sheryl Crow, a white female American musician with blonde hair, plays guitar and sings on a large stage.
A documentary portrait of the singular storyteller who’s lived it all and seen it all but never told it all – until now. From humble beginnings to sold out world tours Sheryl Crow’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary. Whether battling sexism in the music industry, mourning ill-fated romances or surviving a well-publicized battle with breast cancer, Crow has always found a way to turn even her darkest experiences into captivating, timeless work– creating a legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations.
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'The Big Conn' title in bold black text with a yellow background. Courtesy of Apply TV+.
Eric C. Conn was a lawyer living a little too large in eastern Kentucky... until two whistleblowers realized he was at the center of government fraud worth over half a billion dollars, one of the largest in U.S. history. And that was just the beginning
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'Our Great National Parks' title in white text with a black background. Image courtesy of Netflix.
Get an exclusive screener and hear from the team in a digital conversation feat. Executive Producer/Series Director Asif Kapadia, Executive Producer James Gay-Rees, Executive Producer/Editor Chris King and Director James Rogan; moderated by film critic Lisa Kennedy.