Panels & Workshops

The International Documentary Association (IDA) brings its popular DOC U seminar series (a long mainstay of the L.A. doc scene) to the West End Cinema in Washington, DC. This special engagement features filmmaker Julia Bacha, a key member of the creative teams behind award-winning documentaries Encounter Point (directed by Ronit Avni, written and co-directed by Bacha) and Control Room (directed by Jehane Noujaim, co-written and edited by Bacha).

The International Documentary Association (IDA) brings its popular DOC U seminar series (a long mainstay of the L.A. doc scene) to the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Boston. This special engagement features filmmaker Julia Bacha, a key member of the creative teams behind award-winning documentaries Encounter Point (directed by Ronit Avni, written and co-directed by Bacha) and Control Room (directed by Jehane Noujaim, co-written and edited by Bacha).

Now what? You’ve just poured your life and life savings into making your film, and you’re wondering, what’s next? What’s the best path to take to get your doc out into the world? Who can you turn it over to so you can get to that next great doc you’re itching to make? How can you really make an impact with your film? Spanning festivals, distribution, domestic and international sales, as well as theatrical release, our panel of doc insiders provide insight and expertise on traditional and non-traditional distribution and exhibition options for documentary films, the state of the marketplace, and what to do–and not do–to get your film seen and sold. Expect frank conversation.

The International Documentary Association (IDA) brings its popular DOC U seminar series (a long mainstay of the L.A. doc scene) to New York's Tribeca Cinema. This special engagement features filmmaker Julia Bacha, a key member of the creative teams behind award-winning documentaries Encounter Point (as writer and co-director) and Control Room (as co-writer and editor).

In this special Doc U session, the multitalented Shearer will show extended clips from the film, and discuss the passion and persistence that went into making it, in conversation with Eddie Schmidt, IDA's Board President and himself an Academy Award nominated documentary filmmaker.

A seminar on WGA benefits, protections and programs for theatrical and television documentary writers and hyphenates.

Join us for a full day workshop with all the theory, structure templates, before & after, and successful real life examples from the book "Trailer Mechanics: A Guide to Making your Documentary Fundraising Demo."

Don't miss this rare opportunity to dialogue with one of the documentary community's most influential and knowledgeable decision makers. Hear the inside perspective on all things Sundance, including documentary fupnding strategies. Ask questions and schmooze with colleagues!

IDA is pleased to announce a special evening with filmmaker, R.J. Cutler who will discuss his latest film and share the story of his extraordinary success.

Join us for a special evening with Composer, Miriam Cutler; and Director, Lisa Leeman who are currently at work on the score for the upcoming feature documentary, One Lucky Elephant, the epic story of one man's determined quest to find a permanent home for Flora, the 26 year-old African elephant he adopted after she was orphaned in a culling.