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Panels & Workshops

Our year-round series of topical seminars led by experts in the documentary field.


Tue. October 24, 2023 @ 2:00 - 3:30pm PT
IDA’s SPECTRES is a two-part forum with documentary producers, directors, academics, and security experts that attempts to demystify digital security and its need within documentary production. This series will culminate in a best practices field guide for documentarians and a burner OS that allows makers to ingest, edit, and communicate securely.

Thu. October 19, 2023 @ 9:30 - 11:00am PT
What are the ethics of using Deep Fakes to anonymize sources in non-fiction media? What are the layers of consent that require consideration? What are the futures, the risks, and the opportunities of these types of manipulations? What strategies can non-fiction media makers (journalists, documentarians, and artists) implement to navigate the complex landscape of these technologies?

Wed. September 27, 2023 @ 2:00 - 3:30pm PT
As our everyday lives become progressively computational, the majority of our actions are increasingly trackable. This presents new challenges, ethical concerns, and emerging production realities that documentary practitioners must navigate. SPECTRES is a two part forum with documentary producers, directors, academics, and security experts that attempts to demystify digital security and its need within documentary production. This series will culminate in a best practices field guide for documentarians and a burner OS that allows makers to ingest, edit, and communicate securely, which will be published in 2024.

Wed. September 20, 2023 @ 10:00am - 12:00pm PT
This workshop titled "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: Getting Started" will guide you through identifying how to position your filmmaking practices and projects for a potential documentary market.

Thu. July 27, 2023 @ 1:00 - 2:30pm PST
Do you want to take the Nonfiction Media Makers with Disabilities Survey but are struggling with the motivation and/or focus to complete it independently? Join IDA staff for a virtual accountability or body doubling survey-taking session.

Thu. July 20, 2023 @ 1:00 - 2:00pm PST
For Disability Pride Month, join artist thai Lu in an interactive sensory workshop. In this 60 minutes workshop, artists Thai Lu will build knowledge around neurodivergence through the everyday ritual of getting dressed. The term Neurodivergence encompasses brain functioning that processes information differently than typically considered. This workshop is open to current and previous IDA members and community supporters.

Wed. July 19, 2023 @ 9:30 - 11:00am PT
Join Emmy®-winning filmmaker Lindsey Dryden and filmmaker & writer Kyla Harris in a workshop on Disability Justice, disabled-led creativity, and accessibility in the film and TV industry.

Fri. July 7 - Mon. July 10, 2023 @ All day PT
From July 7-10, 2023, IDA will bring together a diverse group of researchers, artists, curators, creative technologists, poets, and collectives for an in-person convening in Los Angeles, CA.

Thu. June 29, 2023 @ 9:00 - 10:30am PST
Immersive media vibrates embodiment. It allows the viewer to dissolve into dimensional narratives, making experiences and bodies pliable. The introduction of VR, AR, and interactive exhibitions into practice has given nonfiction media makers new tools to tell expanded narratives. In turn, these same tools, with their capacity to innovate, strengthen the need for accessible storytelling. The disabled community, in particular, calls for a radical restructuring of pre-existing frameworks, from inclusive asset libraries to cripped (accessible) workflows and haptics.

Wed. June 28, 2023 @ 10:00 - 11:30am PT
Join Emmy®-winning filmmaker Lindsey Dryden and filmmaker & writer Kyla Harris in a workshop on Disability Justice, disabled-led creativity, and accessibility in the film and TV industry.