When documentary filmmakers seek experimental forms of nonfiction storytelling, we often look to experimental films and moving image work. But there are other forms of documentary practice, such as in music. In this hybrid workshop, artists Claire Rousay and Lucy Liyou will talk through and
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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The “traditional” distribution landscape is in a state of disruption - often leaving independent filmmakers on their own to find new and creative solutions to ensure their films reach audiences in an impactful way. In this IDA Insight workshop, Jon Reiss will outline fundamental principles and real
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Join us for a gathering at the IDA office in honor of the first annual LA Climate Week! We are thrilled to be in conversation with Indigenous climate justice activists about how they use media to weave together gender justice, racial justice, and climate justice.
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Call for Entries for the 2024 IDA Documentary Awards are open until August 5, 2024. Ask all of your questions about the application and process to our team during this YouTube live event.
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The panel discussion will delve into the differences between television/broadcast content and international festival documentaries and how funding works in these different spaces around the world. What does it mean to have broadcast partners versus festival partners? Does one offer more creative freedom than the other? How can we negotiate the drawbacks and best use the opportunities these different forms offer? The conversation will examine broadcasters' priorities and ways they evaluate content that might drive them to co-produce, buy, or broadcast certain films instead of others.
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Filmmakers of color often encounter pushback from the industry around how to tell our stories our way. We are nudged to sacrifice our vision, our creativity, and sometimes even the truth, in the name of commercial viability and mass audience appeal. How can we be supported to tell stories outside of the dominant gaze, if most formative spaces for international artists are trying to make a film “accessible” to a mass audience?
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In recent years, “creative documentaries,” especially those from India, have soared to new heights globally, carving out a unique space in world cinema. What exactly are "creative documentaries," and how do they intersect with Indian and Western audiences? India has experienced a rise in successful documentaries, yet many of these projects are primarily made possible through support from Western funding bodies and institutions. This dynamic prompts reflection on the tenets by which decisions to fund these films are made.
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We strongly encourage you to watch the Open Call Info Video Series before attending this Office Hours session. During this session, the IDA Funds team will be able to answer individual questions about your application and any questions you may have about whether or not your project is eligible to
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If you live outside the United States, reviewed the Open Call Info Video Series, and still have questions about the Open Call Applications, then these Office Hours are perfect for you! As non-USA applicants, you may have questions about eligibility, our guidelines, how we evaluate projects, and how
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Many filmmakers believe that only a handful of prestigious festivals hold the key to success in selling their films and making a living from their craft. They often focus on big-name festivals like Sundance, Cannes, or Busan. However, there's a wide range of festivals that can help a documentary thrive without relying solely on these top-tier events. At our IDA member-exclusive Festival Strategy event, Abby Sun, IDA’s Director of Artist Programs, will offer 20-minute strategy sessions to selected filmmakers who fill out the project intake form.