Based on the book Tell Me Something by Jessica Edwards, documentary film experts share their advice and tales of numerous film experiences. Panelists include: Doug Block (112 Weddings), Marshall Curry (If a Tree Falls…), Liz Garbus (Before the Spring: After the Fall), and Shola Lynch (Free Angela and All Political Prisoners). Moderated by the author Jessica […]
Television helps documentary filmmakers extend their audience and increase their budgets. Join Molly Thompson (A&E IndieFilms), Vinnie Malhotra (CNN Films), Sara Bernstein (HBO Documentaries), Julie Anderson (WNET), Diana El-Osta (Al Jazeera America Presents) and Lucy Kennedy (Fault Lines on Al Jazeera America) to discuss their involvement in documentary acquisitions. Moderated by Doug Block (The Kids […]
Co-presented by Chicken & Egg Pictures and featuring two Chicken & Egg Pictures supported films both at the final completion phase. This session is geared towards how directors translate – and might even struggle – to explain their ideas to a sound editor and composer. The panel explores what the process looks like, how the […]
Television can often provide documentary filmmakers with substantial parts of their budget as well as bigger audiences than a traditional theatrical release. Find out what broadcasters are looking for, and how they make their decisions to acquire or commission documentaries. Representatives from HBO (Sara Bernstein), A&E (Molly Thompson), POV (Simon Kilmurry), and the recently announced CNN Films (Vinnie Malhotra) […]
In the past few years, filmmakers and other artists have embraced crowdfunding as a legitimate source of support for their endeavors. But with the growing popularity of sites like Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and others, how do projects stand out, and how can filmmakers combat crowdfunding fatigue? Indiegogo founder Slava Rubin, successful crowdfunding filmmaker Gary Hustwit, and others discuss.
Foundations and other grantmakers have proven invaluable in providing needed resources and guidance to innumerable documentary filmmakers. What’s the competition like, and what are grantors looking for? Representatives from Tribeca Film Institute, Cinereach, and more shed light on their process.
A funding source for some documentary filmmakers, often those focusing on projects with the potential to have substantial social impact, is equity investment. What do investors look for, and how can filmmakers find them? Representatives from Impact Partners and filmmakers who have used equity investment share their insight.
Everyone wants to be a director, but do you know what you’re getting yourself into? Acclaimed directors Liz Garbus (Love, Marilyn) and Bart Layton (The Imposter) discuss their films and their working process, from finding their concept and characters and developing their story to assembling and working with their team.
Documentary filmmakers often spread themselves thin wearing too many hats. Working with a strong producer can make the difference between a successful film and a lost opportunity, but emerging directors don’t always fully understand what a producer does. Established producers Jeremy Chilnick (Mansome, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold) and Amy Briamonte (Into The Abyss, Cave Of Forgotten Dreams) explain […]
Cinematographers are instrumental in making films memorable, working with their directors to capture the right moment and to establish a documentary’s look. Noted DPs Tom Hurwitz (The Queen Of Versailles, Valentino) and Alan Jacobsen (Racing Dreams, The Trials Of Darryl Hunt) share clips from their work and insight on documentary aesthetics.