Field leaders Jamie Dobie (Represent Justice), Kelsey Koenig (Impact Partners), Lailanie Gadia (Asian American Documentary Network), and Sarah Rachael Wainio (Documentary Producers Alliance) will share candid insights into the challenges and successes of fundraising for documentaries today, offering step-by-step guidance on developing an effective strategy. Learn how to identify potential funders, diversify funding sources, and build strong relationships. The session will include live workshopping of fundraising strategies, and digital resources will be provided, including outreach templates, financial planning tools, and prospecting tips.
10-11 am
The Current Fundraising Landscape: An Overview
A dynamic panel discussion exploring the current fundraising landscape and the essential components of a strong fundraising plan. Topics covered include navigating different funding sources, setting realistic financial goals, and developing a strategic approach to securing support for your documentary.
Raised on Guam, Lailanie Gadia is a Filipina American community builder, producer, and financial professional based in Los Angeles. Serving as the Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc)’s Operations Director, Lailanie finds purpose in supporting and empowering underrepresented voices. She is an Associate Producer on Tadashi Nakamura’s Third Act, a 2022 LEAP Impact alum and graduated from Loyola Marymount University.
Jamie is the COO of Represent Justice, a nonprofit that builds narrative power for formerly incarcerated filmmakers, film participants, and activists. As a founding steering committee member of GIPA she is co-leading an effort to preserve impact-related exhibition rights in distribution deals. As a director/producer her work has screened at MoMA, Full Frame, and AFI DOCS, among other festivals.
Sarah Rachael Wainio is one of the industry’s most sought after storytellers. Her credits include The Food Network, Magnolia Network, Netflix, TLC, and HBO. She produced the first three seasons of MTV’s seminal show “Teen Mom: Young + Pregnant,” bringing the real-life consequences of unplanned teen pregnancy to a national audience. She earned an MFA in Social Documentary Film from the School of Visual Arts and has a degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Fordham University. Sarah is Secretary of the Documentary Producers Alliance and co-chairs the ethics task force. She lives in NYC with her cats Theodora and Tovah.
Kelsey has worked in independent documentary for over a decade and is currently the VP of Production at Impact Partners, a fund that supports powerful documentary films addressing pressing social issues. Since joining IP, she has been involved with the development of 100+ projects and has spoken on panels about funding, distribution, and impact at industry events around the world.
11-11:45 am
Creating a Revenue Strategy
Jamie Dobie will lead an in-depth discussion on building a sustainable revenue strategy and identifying the right funders for your documentary. This session will break down key funding sources, strategic approaches to securing financial support, and practical steps to align your project with prospective backers.
Jamie is the COO of Represent Justice, a nonprofit that builds narrative power for formerly incarcerated filmmakers, film participants, and activists. As a founding steering committee member of GIPA she is co-leading an effort to preserve impact-related exhibition rights in distribution deals. As a director/producer her work has screened at MoMA, Full Frame, and AFI DOCS, among other festivals.
12-12:45 pm
How to Forecast Your Funding
Kelsey Koenig will deep dive into forecasting and securing funding across various sources, including foundations, individual donors, earned income, and equity. This session will also explore strategies for structuring equity and financing to support your documentary’s long-term sustainability.
Kelsey has worked in independent documentary for over a decade and is currently the VP of Production at Impact Partners, a fund that supports powerful documentary films addressing pressing social issues. Since joining IP, she has been involved with the development of 100+ projects and has spoken on panels about funding, distribution, and impact at industry events around the world.
1:45-2:30 pm
Creative Fundraising Strategies
Sarah Rachael Wainio will explore innovative approaches to fundraising, focusing on small-dollar donors and creative strategies to sustain and grow your documentary project.
Sarah Rachael Wainio is one of the industry’s most sought after storytellers. Her credits include The Food Network, Magnolia Network, Netflix, TLC, and HBO. She produced the first three seasons of MTV’s seminal show “Teen Mom: Young + Pregnant,” bringing the real-life consequences of unplanned teen pregnancy to a national audience. She earned an MFA in Social Documentary Film from the School of Visual Arts and has a degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Fordham University. Sarah is Secretary of the Documentary Producers Alliance and co-chairs the ethics task force. She lives in NYC with her cats Theodora and Tovah.
2:30-3:15 pm
Supporting the Whole Filmmaker in the Fundraising Journey
Lailanie Gadia will dive into time management, organization, fundraising confidence, and sustaining long-term funder relationships. With a focus on filmmaker sustainability, it explores building a support system to navigate industry challenges.
Raised on Guam, Lailanie Gadia is a Filipina American community builder, producer, and financial professional based in Los Angeles. Serving as the Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc)’s Operations Director, Lailanie finds purpose in supporting and empowering underrepresented voices. She is an Associate Producer on Tadashi Nakamura’s Third Act, a 2022 LEAP Impact alum and graduated from Loyola Marymount University.
3:15-4 pm
Ask Us Anything Q & A
4-6 pm
Drinks and Conversation at The Half Pint
We’re excited to have you join us at The Half Pint! Drinks will be available for purchase. The location is 76 West 3rd Street (Greenwich Village) which is a 5 minute walk from the IFC Center.
Early bird tickets to the Real Talk on Funding Day are $85 ($70 for IFC members) through April 7 and $99 ($80 for IFC members) after April 7. Save money and purchase a conference ticket for all three days for $250 ($210 for IFC members). Tickets are non-refundable.
If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Navigating distribution in today’s landscape requires a strategic approach. This interactive workshop will explore the complexities of hybrid distribution, focusing on real-world applications. Discover strategies tailored to your film, featuring insights from Pulkit Datta (Israelism) and Mars Verrone (Union), along with two new resources from Christie Marchese (Kinema) and Emily Best (Seed & Spark). This is a collaborative workshop where you’ll create distribution plans specifically for your film. Together, we’ll discuss clarifying your audience, honing your vision, and how you define success. We’ll also explore building your team, crafting effective marketing, and understanding distribution avenues. Bring your questions and ideas, and leave with a clearer, more confident approach to sharing your film.
10-11 am
New Tools, New Strategies
Kick-off the day withChristie Marchese (Kinema) and Emily Best (Seed & Spark) who will introduce two key resources for filmmakers: The Distribution Playbook and The Independence Partnership. The Distribution Playbook provides strategies, case studies, and financial insights for crafting distribution plans. Filmmakers can leverage The Independence Partnership’s tools and resources to navigate the entire filmmaking process, from funding to audience reach, and this session will specifically address its distribution benefits.
Christie Marchese is the founder and CEO of Kinema. Kinema is a global film distribution and exhibition platform that leverages the power of community and social interaction to screen and stream films. She was previously the founder and CEO of the award-winning impact agency Picture Motion. Prior to PicMo, she ran impact for Righteous Pictures, led digital strategy for the social action group at Participant Media, and handled program coordination and social media at Norman Lear’s GOTV nonprofit Declare Yourself.
Christie is also the co-author of The Distribution Playbook and won several industry recognitions, including being named one of Fortune’s Rising Female Founders in 2023 and Fast Company’s Most Creative People in 2021. She’s currently on the board of Subject Matter and The Reinvent Stockton Foundation, and on the Capacity Council for Brown Girls Doc Mafia.
Emily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, a platform that makes entertainment more diverse, inclusive, connected and essential. Seed&Spark’s platform and national education program have helped thousands of bold storytellers raise millions to bring to life entirely new stories, and Seed&Spark delivers those stories into workplaces for employee training, engagement, and intelligence through an enterprise SaaS platform Film Forward. In 2023, CNBC named Seed&Spark one of the top 200 fintech companies in the world. She serves on the Advisory Board for a variety of early stages startups and the Board of Film Impact Georgia. In 2024, alongside Christie Marchese at Kinema, Emily spearheaded an effort to launch The Distribution Playbook, a free and open- sourced field guide for independent filmmakers to succeed in distribution. She has produced films, VR, shorts and series that have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance, Tribeca and more. She is currently touring with a feature documentary she produced called Ratified about the 100+ year struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment.
11-12 pm
Clarifying Your Audience, Vision, and Measures of Success
Defining an audience and setting clear goals are essential for successful hybrid distribution. A filmmaker must first ask three crucial questions: Who is my audience and how do I build it? What do I want the film to accomplish? How do I define success? Our guest filmmakers will guide the audience through this process to inspire each of us to start answering these questions to craft a distribution plan that maximizes reach and resonance.
Pulkit Datta is a producer, director, and film programmer, based in New York. Over fifteen years, he has worked on a wide range of scripted films, documentaries, commercials, short films, music videos and multimedia campaigns. His films have screened at festivals such as Toronto, Tribeca, Atlanta, Cinequest, Fantasia, LAAPFF, Cleveland, and OutFest. As a producer with Tikkun Olam Productions, he has co-produced the feature documentary ISRAELISM (Big Sky, CPH:Dox, Brooklyn Film Festival), and is currently producing climate activism doc series VS. GOLIATH. Pulkit is also a producer on INVISIBLE, a feature documentary about fibromyalgia (Amazon Prime, Tubi), and the gun-violence themed short documentary DO WE BELONG? (The Atlantic, 2018 IDA Doc Award shortlist). Pulkit has been a Producing Fellow at Center for Asian American Media as well as Impact Partners, and is an alum of IFP/Gotham Project Market.
1-2:30 pm
Building Your Team and Amplifying the Message
Israelism, led by producer Pulkit Datta, is a compelling case study in building a team and amplifying a film’s message. The filmmakers brought in advisors, student organizations, and community organizers to guide outreach and shape strategy. They leveraged grassroots networks, organic press, and community screenings to spark dialogue and build a hybrid distribution release, ensuring the film reached diverse audiences and had a lasting impact.
Pulkit Datta is a producer, director, and film programmer, based in New York. Over fifteen years, he has worked on a wide range of scripted films, documentaries, commercials, short films, music videos and multimedia campaigns. His films have screened at festivals such as Toronto, Tribeca, Atlanta, Cinequest, Fantasia, LAAPFF, Cleveland, and OutFest. As a producer with Tikkun Olam Productions, he has co-produced the feature documentary ISRAELISM (Big Sky, CPH:Dox, Brooklyn Film Festival), and is currently producing climate activism doc series VS. GOLIATH. Pulkit is also a producer on INVISIBLE, a feature documentary about fibromyalgia (Amazon Prime, Tubi), and the gun-violence themed short documentary DO WE BELONG? (The Atlantic, 2018 IDA Doc Award shortlist). Pulkit has been a Producing Fellow at Center for Asian American Media as well as Impact Partners, and is an alum of IFP/Gotham Project Market.
2:30-4 pm
Distribution Avenues and Strategies
In today’s shifting distribution landscape, getting your film seen takes strategy, creativity, and persistence. Union, a Sundance 2024 Special Jury Prize winner, screened at 100+ festivals and made the Oscars Shortlist. Like many political docs, it struggled to land mainstream streaming. Its producers took control with a hybrid release—blending theatrical runs, TVOD, and impact screenings. Union producer Mars Verrone will dive into the realities of distribution today, offering insights on navigating roadblocks, identifying the right platforms for your film, and building a release plan that maximizes reach and impact. Whether you’re securing partnerships or designing your own rollout, this conversation will help you think strategically about getting your film seen.
Mars Verrone is a filmmaker, musician, and educator from Los Angeles, CA. Their first feature as producer, Union (dir. Stephen Maing & Brett Story), premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won a special jury prize. They are a Sundance Producers Fellow, NBC Original Voices Artist Mentor and Fellow, Producers Guild of America Fellow, and Brown Girls Doc Mafia Fellow.
4-6 pm
Drinks and Conversation at The Half Pint
We’re excited to have you join us at The Half Pint! Drinks will be available for purchase. The location is 76 West 3rd Street (Greenwich Village) which is a 5 minute walk from the IFC Center.
Early bird tickets to the Hybrid Distribution Day are $85 ($70 for IFC members) through April 7 and $99 ($80 for IFC members) after April 7. Save money and purchase a conference pass for both days for $250 ($210 for IFC members). Tickets are non-refundable.
If you have questions about registration, please emailticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please emailaccessibility@docnyc.net.
NOTE: This workshop will not move forward as planned and may be rescheduled for a later date. We will be in touch with anyone who purchased a ticket.
Join Columbia University professor and veteran documentary producer Maureen A. Ryan (Man on Wire, Dick Johnson Is Dead) for an in-depth, hands-on seminar covering the fundamentals of scheduling and budgeting for documentary feature films. Using a case study film, participants will gain practical, step-by-step experience in breaking down a script, structuring a production schedule, and drafting a budget—key components in setting up a successful documentary shoot. Maureen will walk attendees through industry-standard best practices, sharing real-world insights into balancing creative ambitions with financial realities.
10-12:30 pm
Scheduling for Documentary Production
The morning focuses on what you need to know to create a script breakdown and schedule for documentary feature films. Using a case study film, we will discuss general scheduling principles and break down a written treatment to create an overall schedule using a simple spreadsheet.
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen Ryan
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen A. Ryan is a producer based in New York concentrating on narrative and documentary feature films. She is the co-producer of James Marsh’s Man on a Wire, a documentary that won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Her other co-producer credits include Dick Johnson Is Dead, Becoming and Project Nim. Her producer credits include Wisconsin Death Trip, Stanistan, The Gates and Bomber. Ryan is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and is a Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s MFA Film program and her books include “Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low Budget, Independent Film Producing” and “Film+Video Budgets”. She received her MFA degree in Film from Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
1:30 – 4 pm
Budgeting for Documentary Production
The afternoon focuses on how to create a first draft budget for documentary feature films. Working from the same case study film schedule, we will discuss general principles for budgeting documentary feature productions using a simple spreadsheet template.
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen Ryan
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen A. Ryan is a producer based in New York concentrating on narrative and documentary feature films. She is the co-producer of James Marsh’s Man on a Wire, a documentary that won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Her other co-producer credits include Dick Johnson Is Dead, Becoming and Project Nim. Her producer credits include Wisconsin Death Trip, Stanistan, The Gates and Bomber. Ryan is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and is a Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s MFA Film program and her books include “Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low Budget, Independent Film Producing” and “Film+Video Budgets”. She received her MFA degree in Film from Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
4- 6 pm
Drinks and Conversation at The Half Pint
We’re excited to have you join us at The Half Pint! Drinks will be available for purchase. The location is 76 West 3rd Street (Greenwich Village) which is a 5 minute walk from the IFC Center.
Early bird tickets to the Budgeting and Scheduling Day are $85 ($70 for IFC members) through April 7 and $99 ($80 for IFC members) after April 7. Save money and purchase a conference pass for all three days for $250 ($210 for IFC members). Tickets are non-refundable.
If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Post-production professionals play a crucial role in shaping documentary narratives, often spending countless hours with emotionally intense footage. This deep engagement—whether as an editor, sound designer, or colorist—can take a serious emotional toll. Join Malikkah Rollins and therapist Rebecca Day (Film In Mind) for a deep dive conversation on recognizing the signs of secondary trauma, understanding its impact, and developing strategies to safeguard your well-being while working with challenging material.
Tickets are $35 ($28 for IFC Center members). Tickets are non-refundable.
Please notethis is a 3-hour session with a short break midway through. To encourage open discussions and a space for filmmakers to ask questions freely, this event won’t be recorded. A summary of the event will be emailed to all registrants a few business days after the event.
Keep the Conversation Going: Don’t stop the learning! Head straight to a separate Zoom room (link shared during the event) for an exclusive post-event discussion with Malikkah and fellow attendees.
Special Offer: All PRO registrants are invited to a separate, complimentary, peer-to-peer consulting session. Engage in small group consultations where filmmakers walk away with concrete insight into a current dilemma. It’s a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and meaningful exchanges. A follow-up email with joining details will be sent to all registrants.
Questions? If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Freelancing in the documentary world comes with financial challenges – from managing irregular income, to budgeting and saving for the long haul. Led by financial advisor Guli Fager, CFP®, MPH (Toler Financial Group), this session breaks down essential financial strategies to help you build stability and plan for the future. We’ll cover retirement savings options, helping you prepare for the long term while balancing the unpredictability of freelance work. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your money management, this conversation will give you the tools to take control of your finances.
Tickets are $19 ($14 for IFC Center members). Tickets are non-refundable.
To encourage open discussions and a space for filmmakers to ask questions freely, this event won’t be recorded. A summary will be sent via email within a few business days after the event.
Keep the Conversation Going: Don’t stop the learning! Head straight to a separate Zoom room (link shared during the event) for an exclusive post-event discussion with Malikkah and fellow attendees.
Special Offer: All PRO registrants are invited to a separate, complimentary, peer-to-peer consulting session. Engage in small group consultations where filmmakers walk away with concrete insight into a current dilemma. It’s a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and meaningful exchanges. A follow-up email with joining details will be sent to all registrants.
Questions? If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
DOC NYC PRO is co-presented by:
Note: Toler Financial Group provides advisory services through Rossby Financial LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Rossby Financial LLC does not offer tax or legal advice.
Ever wonder what really goes through a grantor’s mind when they’re reviewing applications? In this session, Zeshawn Ali (Points North), Jin Yoo-Kim (Bay Area Video Coalition), and Julian Etienne (Doc Society), will break it down in real-time. They will walk through actual grant proposal sections and share what catches their attention, raises red flags, and explain how decisions are made. You’ll get an inside look at the process—no guesswork, no vague advice—just straight talk on what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve your chances.
Tickets are $19 ($14 for IFC Center members). Tickets are non-refundable.
All registrants can join the live session and will receive the recording, transcript, chat, and slides (if available). All materials will be sent via email within a few business days after the event.
Keep the Conversation Going: Don’t stop the learning! Head straight to a separate Zoom room (link shared during the event) for an exclusive post-event discussion with Malikkah and fellow attendees.
Special Offer: All PRO registrants are invited to a separate, complimentary, peer-to-peer consulting session. Engage in small group consultations where filmmakers walk away with concrete insight into a current dilemma. It’s a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and meaningful exchanges. A follow-up email with joining details will be sent to all registrants.
Questions? If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Submitting your film to festivals can feel like a mix of strategy, luck, and mystery—but it doesn’t have to. This session will break down the key factors to consider when deciding where to submit and how to assess which festivals are the best fit for your film. Festival strategist Nancy Collet (Cinema Collet), filmmakers Contessa Gayles (Songs from the Hole), and Kyla Harris (Patrice: The Movie) will share their personal experiences with moderator Liz Nord (NYU Production Lab), offering insight into their own festival strategies—what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they had done differently. Whether you’re navigating submissions for the first time or looking to refine your approach, this conversation will provide practical advice to help you craft a strategy.
Tickets are $19 ($14 for IFC Center members). Tickets are non-refundable.
All registrants can join the live session and will receive the recording, transcript, chat, and slides (if available). All materials will be sent via email within a few business days after the event.
Note: There will not be a post-event gathering for this session.
Special Offer: All PRO registrants are invited to a separate, complimentary, peer-to-peer consulting session. Engage in small group consultations where filmmakers walk away with concrete insight into a current dilemma. It’s a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and meaningful exchanges. A follow-up email with joining details will be sent to all registrants.
Questions? If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Getting into a film festival is exciting—but what comes next can make the experience even more rewarding. Join filmmakers Andrew Nadkarni (Between the Earth & Sky), Kirstine Barfod (Black Snow), and strategist Chris Albert (Albert Media Group) as they share insights on how to navigate your festival run, from advice on connecting with industry folks and marketing your film to insights on working with the festival programming team and the press to maximize opportunities.
Tickets are $19 ($14 for IFC Center members). Tickets are non-refundable.
All registrants can join the live session and will receive the recording, transcript, chat, and slides (if available). All materials will be sent via email within a few business days after the event.
Keep the Conversation Going: Don’t stop the learning! Head straight to a separate Zoom room (link shared during the event) for an exclusive post-event discussion with Malikkah and fellow attendees.
Special Offer: All PRO registrants are invited to a separate, complimentary, peer-to-peer consulting session. Engage in small group consultations where filmmakers walk away with concrete insight into a current dilemma. It’s a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and meaningful exchanges. A follow-up email with joining details will be sent to all registrants.
Questions: If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Save with an In-Person Pass, good for BOTH In-Person PRO events scheduled for April 10 & 26, 2024!
DOC NYC PRO announces its Spring 2024 Season of in-person events for filmmakers at all stages of their careers, taking place at IFC Center in NYC.
Your ticket guarantees admission for (1) to the day-long events as well as the post-event happy hours (more details to be provided closer to the event date).
Live ASL interpretation and CART services are available upon request. To inquire about accessibility for any DOC NYC events, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Save with a Season Pass, good for all 4 virtual PRO events scheduled for April 17- May 8, 2024!
DOC NYC PRO returns for Spring Season 2024 with a new line-up geared towards filmmakers and anyone interested in learning about the documentary industry. Embark on a multifaceted exploration spanning the spectrum of documentary filmmaking.
New Offer: All Spring 2024 PRO attendees are invited to wrap up the season with an exclusive peer-to-peer consulting session. Engage in small group consultations where filmmakers walk away with concrete insight into a current dilemma. It’s a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and meaningful exchanges.
The Spring 2024 Season consists of four events presented on Wednesdays, April 17-May 8 in self-contained, 75-minute online sessions. Attendees may purchase individual tickets or a discounted Spring 2024 season pass good for all four sessions (plus the special peer-to-peer consulting session).
If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Accessibility
Live ASL interpretation and CART services are available upon request. To inquire about accessibility for any DOC NYC events, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
