DOC SOCIETY

In collaboration with DOC SOCIETY, we are looking for documentary producers to attend International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in November to explore co-producing opportunities and expand their networks. Apply here: https://theb.fi/3RY8atr

The Doc Society Climate Story Unit is five years old! The Unit is a global, systems-level intervention for new climate narratives; a petri dish for the field that illuminates possibilities in making climate a priority in culture. The community has learned so much and we’ve tried to capture and share it in our newly updated website, with many more insights to come. https://lnkd.in/egN2MqzZ We know the mainstream is influenced from the fringes - it’s why we champion independents working across all mediums and genres. Since 2020, we have granted over $4 million directly to storytellers, impact producers and cultural institutions rooted primarily in Global Majority communities. We plan to grant an additional $1.5 million in 2024. To date there have been 18 editions of Climate Story Labs in communities ranging from Amazonia to Lebanon to Scandinavia that are building regional ecosystems of climate practitioners and storytellers; 34 Climate Story Fund grantees telling award winning stories that capture Visions of Climate Just Futures and deploying innovative approaches to reach new audiences; numerous experiments in the Climate Story Kitchen testing new models in distribution with broadcasters and filmmaker collectives alike; and 300+ interdisciplinary practitioners part of the Global Climate Storyteller Network -  and this is just a small reflection of the exponentially growing interest from artists who want to tell new climate narratives, and audiences who are craving them. Take a whirl around the website to immerse in how we think about understanding the impact of cultural strategy, the perspectives of practitioners on the most important climate narratives from their region, and creative approaches to how storytelling can lead to lasting climate action.   This effort would not have been possible without the multi year support from our founding funder collective, including: IKEA Foundation, Porticus, Perspective Fund, Skoll Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Climate Justice Resilience Fund, Ford Foundation, Esmee Fairban, The British Council, UMI Fund, Global Strategic Communications Council, CIFF, and many more. Want to get involved with the Unit? Let’s chat soon.

We are still buzzing from our time at the Skoll World Forum, and the amazing community response to the "SoapBox for the Future of the Information Ecosystem". Our dynamic space travelers helped us visualize how we can succeed in creating more robust, pluralistic and decolonized information ecosystems. What happens when we channel the energy of Earth, justice, and communal power to dismantle extractive systems (Andrea Ixchíu of Culture Hack Labs), when Afrodreamers shape their own narratives (Judy Kibinge of DOCUBOX EADFF). When new business models and regulation strengthen independent journalism, especially in Global Majority communities (Nishant Lalwani of International Fund for Public Interest Media), when Indigenous, ancestral and generational wisdom are the core buildings blocks of AI (J. Bob Alotta of Mozilla). And when stories and media platforms foster belonging, helping us all become active participants in all aspects of civic life (Stephanie Valencia of Equis Research). Catch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gsmVhh9E. And thank you to Lindsey Platt Ojok, Jess Fleuti, and the Skoll Foundation team for embracing our DOC SOCIETY shenanigans and hosting this conversation at #SkollWF.

If you're at #GettingReal this week, make sure to tune into DISCO's session on "Collective Performance: Our Declaration of Independence" 💥 This session invites storytellers to connect to their inner performers and take part in an interactive performance of the DISCO network’s Declaration of Independence, drawn from 51 verbatim interviews with filmmakers from all over the world describing the significance of independent documentaries to their lives, to culture, society, and democracy. Together we will speak and sing their words and add our own to create a living manifesto for the support of independent documentary film 💫 Taking place TOMORROW 17 April at 7pm PT! 📅 The DISCO network (Ambulante, AFLAMUNA, DocsMX, DOCSP, Docubox, Doc Society, In-Docs) initiated the Independence Project to advocate for the unique importance of independent documentary to culture, society and democracy. Unless we do, our space to operate may be extinguished before anyone out there realises the damage done. If we are successful, we may be able to strengthen field cohesion, reinforce existing allyship and win new partners. Learn more at independence-project.org 👏 #docsgetreal

See you soon at Skoll World Forum! Doc Society is excited to be back at the Skoll World Forum where we'll be hosting a conversation about how to tackle the biggest crises of our time by reimagining the information ecosystem. Join us on Friday 12 April at 10.30am BST for an interactive and inspiring session with J. Bob Alotta, Andrea Ixchíu Hernández, Judy Kibinge, Stephanie Valencia, Nishant Lalwani, Beadie Finzi and Megha Agrawal Sood, as we collectively envision how we can build towards a more just and abundant future for all.

So thrilled to share that BURIED is out now on The Guardian 🙌 A short doc version of #BFIDocSociety supported feature 'A Story of Bones' - BURIED follows the journey of Annina van Neel & Peggy King Jorde to properly memorialise the history of enslaved Africans in Saint Helena. The film is accompanied by two articles on Saint Helena for the Guardian’s Cotton Capital Project - one by film protagonist Annina Van Neel on her journey: https://lnkd.in/erPKE5i3 And one by legal correspondent Haroon Siddique on the current potential legal actions taken to ensure the remains of 325 formerly enslaved people are returned to their ancestral kingdoms in Africa: https://lnkd.in/e9Qnr6im A deeply moving project by a deeply committed team (dirs. Joseph Curran & Dominic de Vere, prods. Mike Brett, Archer's Mark, Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo) and supporters 👏 More at theguardian.com/buried 💫

BFI Doc Society is seeking new fund readers! 💫 We are looking to appoint new freelance readers and peer reviewers for the BFI Doc Society Feature Fund & #MadeofTruth Short Form Film Fund. These funds support & nurture independent non-fiction film and immersive projects by UK filmmakers, prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling. Main duties include assessing award applications, drafting review & feedback notes, participating in shortlisting meetings where required, etc. Successful candidates will have demonstrable track records of working in film or other relevant digital media development, production and/or distribution, with strong communication skills & a commitment to the values of the #BFIDocSociety Fund. *Deadline for applications is Monday 19th February 2024.* Head to https://lnkd.in/eszEvZz5 to learn more & apply! #NationalLottery backed

It's a great weekend to support independent docs in cinemas - as two brilliant BFI Doc Society supported films are coming to screens all across the UK, tomorrow 17 Nov! TISH by Paul Sng captures the legacy of Tish Murtha, a visionary photographer committed to documenting the struggle and inequality of the working-class communities that framed her upbringing. IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE by Ella Glendining follows her global search for someone with a body that looks like hers, and explores what it takes to love yourself fiercely as a disabled person in an ableist world. Both are screening at cinemas across the UK from 17 November. Support docs in cinemas & find a screening near you the links below: TISH: https://lnkd.in/ebTZzuV2 IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE: https://lnkd.in/eWPsJUdN #NationalLottery backed 👏

📣 WE ARE HIRING! Come join our incredible BFI Doc Society team and help support emerging & established documentary talent across the UK. The BFI Doc Society Talent Support Manager will support filmmakers to access funding opportunities, develop their own networks, & build on the films they make. They will ensure smooth running of support programmes with a focus on equity, inclusion & talent development. 📅 APPLICATIONS CLOSE 21 NOV 2023. Help us spread the word. 👉 Interested? Head to https://lnkd.in/ehMn_c-b to apply #WeareHiring #UKfilm #Workinfilm #Documentary #DocumentaryJobs #BFI #BFIDocSociety