Panels & Workshops

2010 saw some encouraging advances and even a few outright victories in this struggle in the areas of net neutrality, a federal shield law that protects documentary filmmakers, and a landmark exemption for documentary filmmakers under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The exemption provides documentary filmmakers with access to previously "locked" DVD content for fair use in their productions. Find out at IDA’s February 21 edition of Doc U, where those who have been fighting these battles and filmmakers who have felt their impact first hand will discuss the current state of the struggle, let you know what your legal rights are right now, and show you how to protect yourself when taking on powerful corporations in a documentary.

In the home stretch of this year’s awards season, IDA brings together a group of doc insiders with a variety of perspectives on the process to ask and answer this question and many more. What are the chances you’ll win? What does it take and how much does it cost? And what does an award really mean for the future of your film and your career?

Can a documentary really change the world? These days it seems as though more and more doc-makers are giving it a try. But if you're hoping to use the power of film to advocate for solutions to complex social issues and to urge people to take action, how can you make sure that your documentary has the greatest possible impact? What kinds of outreach and marketing campaigns are the most effective? How can you best partner with non-profits to get your message out? What do funders and broadcasters expect from documentary filmmakers? And what's the best way to build a successful social action campaign? The panel of filmmakers, funders and communication experts we've assembled for the December 2010 Doc U will address all of these questions and many more. What they have to say could change the way you think about changing the world.

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."