Beautiful humans - this month we made you a little pick-me-up love note in the form of a 90-second trailer.
Because we see you. And for all the bad news out there - we know you are making extraordinary films right now. Films that capture this moment in history. Stories that are galvanizing and revelatory, that are the poetry and the balm we need in these days.
And we know how you do this.
The compassion and empathy demanded of you in bearing witness, of listening and waiting and learning. The discipline and ritual of preparing your gear for the next shoot. And then again, day after day after day after day. Holding onto that singular vision - even when people don’t get it, can’t see it. The puzzling and problem solving that is the edit, surrounded by a sea of post-it notes and take out cartons. The nerves as you watch the credits roll from the wings, scanning faces in the room. The waves of relief when they love it. When the story connects and there is electricity in the air.
We see you. Your work matters.
Enjoy the love note and then press play on this track from Obongjayar (Yup ‘No Surrender’) to accompany the goodness in this month's newsletter.
With love and rockets to one and all, 🚀❤️
Team Doc Society
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Queer Now - Story As Antidote
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✨Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 16th for Doc Society’s Queer Now online convening: Story as Antidote. ✨
Join us for our online global convening on July 16th to build shared strategies, spark creative ideas, and amplify the bold, beautiful stories being told by and about queer communities around the world.
Together, let’s equip ourselves with a shared understanding about the rise of the global anti-gender movement. Explore how queer storytelling is building solidarity and opens the door to liberated futures. Hear from a choir of voices including Twiggy Pucci Garçon, J. Bob Alotta, Felipe Estefan, Nim Ralph and Doc Society’s Beadie Finzi - with more to join.
We’ll begin on July 16th at 9 AM Mexico City / 11 AM New York / 4 PM London / 6 PM Nairobi / 8:30 PM Delhi. Registration is required and will remain open until July 14th, 2025 at 11:59pm PST. Grab a buddy and join us for the conversation here.
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Defending Public Media in the US
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In the past week the White House sent Congress a request for lawmakers to cancel more than $1 billion in federal funds earmarked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the entity that disburses taxpayer funds to local NPR and PBS stations across the country.
Congress has a limited timeframe to act on this measure – 45 session days – but a vote in the House could happen within days.
It's time to call your representatives and urge them not to defund public media. Here's an automated form and talking points. Contact Congress Now. Protect My Public Media.
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BFI Doc Society Drop-In Day at Sheffield DocFest 2025
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Attending DocFest this year, or based near Sheffield? The BFI Doc Society Fund will once again hold its open access, emerging talent-focused Drop-In.
No pass is needed. You can just come and find us on Saturday 21st June at Sidney & Matilda from 12:00 noon. Learn about our funds and book in for a 1-2-1 advice slot with one of the Doc Soc team or the UK producers and industry experts on hand. Then join us for happy hour from 15:00 - 16:00! Find out more on bfi.docsociety.org/talent
We will also be hosting our RISE 2025 cohort of producers at DocFest. Find out all about them here and get in touch if you’d like to connect.
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BFI Doc Society at Docs Ireland 2025
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Can’t catch us in Sheffield? Then find us in Belfast a week later!
On Thursday 26 June from 13:00, join us at Docs Ireland for our ‘Creative Documentary Making in Focus’ events at Queen’s Film Theatre. We will share insights from the BFI Doc Society Fund, before an extended State of the Field roundtable discussion, including funders, broadcasters, distributors, exhibitors and producers.
You will also be able to find us at the festival Marketplace and pitch activities. Get in touch with sanne@docsociety.org if you want to meet up and keep an eye on https://docsireland.ie/programme/whats-on/ for more info.
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At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the Palestine Film Institute launched the Palestine Film Fund—a new initiative supporting Palestinian filmmakers worldwide in reclaiming authorship over their stories. The first call for applications will open in September 2025, with selections to be announced in November 2025.
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Also this - a US$1bn Africa Film Fund was announced designed to support film production and distribution across the continent. Funds will be available for co-financing with large studios, as well as for individual African producers and directors across the continent.
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This month the AXS Film Fund has opened their 2025 application cycle - offering grants up to $10,000 to support up to 5 creators. Projects in any stage of production are welcome to apply. Projects are encouraged to be led by individuals who identify as living with a disability. Follow here for more details: https://bit.ly/43DUTwA
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Applications Open for The Sundance Institute | Graton Artist Opportunity which aims to cultivate a stage for artists from federally and non-federally recognized California Indian tribes to tell their stories through film. Artists will receive access to curated courses from the Sundance Institute Collab platform and opportunity to build community through courses, workshops, advisor sessions and virtual community gatherings. Learn more here and apply by July 31st.
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Applications are open now for IDFAcademy —an intensive, four-day program offering inspiration and knowledge exchange for emergent filmmakers ready to take the next step internationally are invited to apply for this renowned talent development program. The deadline is August 1, 2025.
Plus IDFA DocLab is now welcoming entries for artists working in XR, interactive media, and interdisciplinary documentaries are invited to apply with immersive projects, installations, and live performances that explore new ways of storytelling through emerging technologies. The application window is June 3 to July 3.
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Book Launch: Radical Reality: Documentary Storytelling and the Global Fight for Social Justice
Big props to co-authors Caty Borum (Executive Director, Center for Media & Social Impact) and David Conrad-Pérez (Research Director, Center for Media & Social Impact).
Based on year's of research and interviews with documentary storytellers, impact producers, and human rights activists around the world (including our very own Beadie Finzi + Megha Agrawal Sood), this book explores how documentary storytellers are driving movements for justice, truth, and human rights—and the challenges they face in increasingly challenging political and economic climates worldwide. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and insight, Radical Reality examines how nonfiction media is shaping the way we understand and engage with the world’s most urgent issues, offering paths forward in dark times.
Essential for this year's xmas list! \uD83D\uDD17 Order here at http://bit.ly/3Y6TvPT - and use the code AUFLY30 at OUP.com for 30% off.
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Love & Trouble in UK Cinemas
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A young couple get married with high ideals and hidden pasts. Love and Trouble directed by Amy Hardie is an intimate exploration of traumas and how to negotiate shame, anger and love. This beautiful BFI Doc Society Fund supported film in UK Cinemas from June 19th find out more about the screening dates on their website.
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Six women return to the now abandoned Holloway Prison to take part in a women’s circle. Sharing some of the most intimate experiences of their lives, they build an eye-opening portrait of failing systems and trauma, while discovering their extraordinary capacity to heal through sisterhood
After winning the Audience Award at BFI London Film Festival 2024, BFI Doc Society supported Holloway directed by Daisy-May Hudson, Sophie Compton is coming to UK cinemas with Q&A screenings across the UK from June 18. Find out more here.
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No Man is an Island released on The Guardian
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Supported through our Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund and directed by John Craine and produced by Diarmuid Hughes, No Man is an Island uncovers a hidden chapter of LGBTQ+ history. In 1992, the Isle of Man was one of the last places in Western Europe to decriminalise homosexuality. Through real testimony and archive footage, this short explores the fight for freedom and the island’s path to groundbreaking legislation. Congrats to the team & thanks to our partners at The Guardian. Watch online here.
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A Cracking DC/DOX Film Festival
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If you find yourself in Washington D.C. this month there is so much Doc Soc supported goodness screening at DC/DOX Film Festival, June 12-15
Including: Apocalypse in the Tropics, How Deep is Your Love, The Librarians , Remaining Native, River of Grass, Seeds, The Shadow Scholars, Steal This Story, Please! (Opening Night, World Premiere).
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BlackStar Film Festival Announces 🔥 Lineup
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POV drops Season 38! And your chance to catch Driver and Black Snow on PBS
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POV drops Season 38! And your chance to catch Driver and Black Snow on PBS
The folks at POV have done it again. The longest running nonfiction series on PBS announced its 38th season. Buckle up, everyone, for some powerhouse storytelling! We’re especially thrilled that two of our films will be broadcast in September: Driver and Black Snow. Dive into the lineup and mark your calendars!
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The Archival Producers Alliance’s GenAI Best Practices Tool Kit
The Archival Producers Alliance developed the GenAI Best Practices Tool Kit as a companion to "Best Practices for Use of Generative AI in Documentaries." The tool kit offers tips, guidance and resources for non-fiction media makers who are considering using GenAI in their productions. This resource will help makers clarify their thinking about if and how to engage with GenAI technology and offer them concrete means to do so with intention and care. Take it, use it, share it - you can find the toolkit here: bit.ly/APA_GenAI_BestPractices_ToolKit
The Documentary Producers Alliance’s Ethics Resource Library
The Documentary Producers Alliance has introduced Ethics Resource Library - a free new tool for documentary makers facing tough questions about ethics in storytelling. Designed as a practical guide, the library includes video presentations, keynote addresses, guidelines, courses and podcasts to help filmmakers think through ethical decisions. Whether you’re knee-deep in edits or just cracking open a new idea, this resource has your back. Dig in and and spread the word: https://bit.ly/3Tk8EdL
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Congratulations to the incredible YINTAH team! After winning the main competition jury prize at the 22nd edition of the Millennium Docs Against Gravity film festival, the film received two major Canadian Screen Awards: Best Feature Length Documentary and Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary.
This groundbreaking film chronicles the brave fight of Wetʼsuwetʼen land protectors defending their territory, culture, and sovereignty, representing authentic Indigenous storytelling developed through proper protocols by and with the community. We were especially moved by Sleydo' Molly Wickham's powerful acceptance speech that connected struggles for land and freedom everywhere, her courage on screen and off continuing to inspire.
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Big love,
Team Doc Society
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