"Can I see your trailer?" A fundraising trailer can make or break your film. Stop the guess work of what works and what doesn't with this full-day workshop for producers, directors, writers and editors.
Educational Seminars
Our year-round series of seminars, panels and workshops focusing on the art, craft and business of documentary filmmaking. Become an IDA member to access previous seminars online.
With the growing popularity of documentary film, many have admirably seized on the power of non-fiction storytelling to affect change around social and political issues. But in all the discussion about content and impact, have we forgotten to explore documentary as cinema, as art? In a lively conversation about how they mobilize aesthetic choices to generate meaning, filmmakers discuss stylistic strategies, creative inspirations, story structure, and the tension between form and content.
Join moderator Lisa Leeman (One Lucky Elephant, Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trunga) as we look at case studies from filmmakers working in the field and hear from industry experts on the best practices of accounting and business management, with a focus on the impact and things to know when filing your taxes.
What does it take to mount a successful Oscar campaign, and how much does it cost? What does an award really mean for the future of your film and your career? And what do the new rules really mean for doc filmmakers?
Join director/producer/writer Lisa Leeman (One Lucky Elephant; Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trunga), in a conversation with directors Kirby Dick (Outrage, This Film is Not Yet Rated), Ondi Timoner (Dig!, We Live in Public) and David Weissman (The Cockettes, We Were Here) to discuss the art and craft of the successful documentary interview.
Can a documentary really change the world? Learn more about the ways and means of producing documentary films with the potential to effect real change.
Can a documentary really change the world? Learn more about the ways and means of producing documentary films with the potential to effect real change.
Go inside the minds and behind the scenes of five top documentary industry grantors. Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at grant review committees from Tribeca to Sundance? This panel will take you there! Collectively our panelists give away millions of dollars each year. Find out from the source what really gets your film noticed and funded.
Can't find funding? No one wants to invest? Perhaps it's the idea or some aspect of the project/package? Get a doc proposal check up, and tuneup. This daylong workshop is intended to help you decide if that dream doc is worth pursuing and if it's not selling, how to fix it.
Learn to design and get funding to make your documentary. Explore the ins and outs of both for-profit and not-for profit fundraising, distribution, and marketing opportunities. Learn how to best package your work to attract funding, get rights, putting together the strongest package, do presales, structure the right business form, and more.