We Don't Need to Reinvent the Wheel: Connecting to Audiences

When thinking about getting our films seen, many filmmakers are focused on getting into a big film festival to land a big broadcast or streaming deal because we believe that is what will connect our films with audiences. Most times, this belief doesn't lead to a genuine connection with the public. Furthermore, for the majority of films that are not offered those deals, filmmakers can feel discouraged by what we imagine to be Do-It-Yourself solutions that involve lots of labor on the ground, little real support, and limited audience attention spans. Yet filmmakers and allies have been building audiences for our films since long before the streaming bonanza. Now more than ever, there are resources to connect audiences to our films, and models that emphasize cooperation instead of competition. In this panel, we will hear from on-the-ground examples of entities building a public for documentaries and finding innovative ways to get audiences invested in our films.

Moderator: Winnie Wang (Hot Docs)
Panelists: Pulkit Datta (Tikkun Olam Productions), Lucas Rosant (Marrakech's Atlas Station), Elizabeth Woodward (WILLA), Paula Ossandón (Miradoc)