The new report published by The Ford Foundation, "Beyond Inclusion" is researched and written by Sahar Driver, PhD. It outlines the relationship between documentary and social change, provides a critical overview of nonfiction film organizations led by and serving communities of color in the US, their impact in shaping a more equitable documentary sector, and how they advance non-fiction social justice filmmaking. It makes recommendations to funders and stakeholders on why and how these efforts should be resourced at this time.

Read the full report here.

The International Documentary Association (IDA)’s 2020 open call continues! The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund development grant supports documentaries that take on in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories while integrating journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. Shorts, features, series, podcasts, VR and other emerging media formats are all eligible for the fund.

In addition to $15,000, grantees also receive additional resources depending on the needs of

the project. Previous recipients have received pro bono legal support, research and fact-

checking support, and consultations with experts and craftspeople.

The application deadline is Monday, October 26, 2020. Start your application here.

This guide by the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) addresses practical questions that documentary filmmakers have been asking: "Should I shoot?" (about ethics), "Can I shoot?" (about legalities), and "How do I shoot?" (about logistics).

"This resource is intended as a tool to help with your planning. Be sure to consult with your funders, partners, and lawyers; while keeping abreast of shifting industry expectations and expanding scientific information."

ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS, directed by Jenifer McShane, has received a News & Documentary Emmy award for "Outstanding Editing"!

Ernie & Joe follows two police officers with the San Antonio Texas Police Department who are diverting people away from jail and into mental health treatment, one 911 call at a time.

See the list of winners here.

LOS HERMANOS/THE BROTHERS, a film by Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider, had its world premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival in New York on September 30th. New England (GlobeDocs Festival from 10/1 - 10/4) and Oregon (Bend Film Festival from 10/8 - 10/25) premieres are next, followed by the California premiere and the opportunity to watch nationwide in November! Looking forward, the film will broadcast on PBS during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2021.

Watch the trailer here. The filmmakers are seeking partners to help organize and program screenings and events. Find details on the "Present/Host" page on the film's new website.

BORN TO PLAY, directed by Viridiana Lieberman, was featured on The Today Show on September 1st. Watch the segment here.

The film, which debuted on ESPN this past July, spends a season with the Boston Renegades, a women's tackle football team on the path to redemption after losing their championship the previous year.

DETERMINED, a new documentary by Therese Barry-Tanner, Melissa Godoy and Eileen Littig, will have its world premiere at DOCUTAH the week of November 2nd. The film follows three women at high risk for Alzheimer's disease who offer their brains and bodies to a medical study. After the deaths of their mothers, these daughters are determined to contribute to a cure. With nuance, tenderness and humor, the scientific study is interwoven with the personal ups and downs of these women's families and lives.

On October 15th, THE G WORD team will release its first published IMPACT MANIFESTO in conjunction with the launch of a year-end partnership crowdfunding campaign called, "The Future Is Gifted." The manifesto is designed to be a living and evolving document that includes an outline of the team's goals and initiatives for the next three years. As filmmakers, they believe that it’s vitally important to build a social change enterprise around the movie based on three concepts - outreach, engagement, and impact - and the manifesto sets the stage for achieving these goals. Written collaboratively, this road map was developed collectively and transparently and as such, is broadly endorsed by The G Word's official advisors and partners. The partnership network is growing weekly and proving to be an effective resource for all involved. Over the course of the fall crowdfunding campaign, the team aims to add dozens of new partners at all levels, with the goal of raising $75,000 to put towards finishing the film, now in post-production. Watch for details, "The Future Is Gifted" campaign kicks off Thursday, October 15th.

EVERY SECOND BREATH PROJECT just completed a short 9-minute film entitled: BARBARA CRITES: Snorkeling St John, USVI. This is the fourth short in a series of films focused on ocean advocates. The film was shot entirely on St John in the Caribbean where Barbara Crites has photographed and documented underwater marine life around St. John for the past decade. She created a website to share some of her 90,000+ photos with both the public and scientific community. Her photo collection is testimony to the changing nature of life in our ocean due to acidification and warming temperatures. 

Another short film in the collection has been making the online film festival circuit.  DICK OGG: Fisherman, received the “Audience Choice Award” and “Best Cinematography" for Doc Shorts at the Rincon International Film Festival in Puerto Rico and the “Short Award” for the 17^thAnnual International Ocean Film Festival. Upcoming virtual festivals include Doclands October 8 - 18 and the Sebastopol Film Festival final shorts program November 6 - 22nd. Learn more about the short film series here.

On Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 12th at 8pm ET, Upstander Project presents the Emmy Award winning film DAWNLAND and DEAR GEORGINA + a live Q&A. Register here.

For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to save them from being Indian. In Maine, the first official “truth and reconciliation commission” in the United States begins a historic investigation. Dawnland goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations.

In Dear Georgina, a Passamaquoddy elder journeys into an unclear past to better understand herself and her cultural heritage.

BCN Productions continues to offer on-line screenings of their suffrage themed documentary, BORDERLAND: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BLANCHE AMES AMES.

Thursday, October 8th, 5:00: Chilmark Library (Martha's Vineyard), will host a virtual screening of the Borderland documentary followed by filmmaker Q&A. For additional details, please visit the Chilmark Library website (Chilmarklibrary.org). You can also contact BCN directly via e-mail: kfriend@bcnproductions.org or by visiting the film's website.

Tuesday, October 20th, 7pm: The Arlington Center for the Arts in association with the Arlington League of Women Voters and Smith College Club of Belmont, will host a virtual screening followed by filmmaker Q&A. For additional details, please visit the ACA website or e-mail them: amolszewski@gmail.com.  You can also contact BCN directly via e-mail: kfriend@bcnproductions.org or by visiting the film's website.

FINDING PANDORA X, produced by CID filmmaker Chris Dawes, is a live theatrical play, performed by actors in headsets for a live audience of participants in four linked virtual reality storyworlds where a modern take on an ancient myth reinvents the story of Pandora. The play was awarded Best VR Immersive User Experience at the 2020 Venice Film Festival, with the director, Kiira Benzing, accepting the award remotely at the live awards ceremony in Italy.

7 live performances took place September 2-12, 2020. Watch the trailer here.

Director Rajee Samarasinghe is curating a screening program called Fascination produced by Hello Benjamin Films and and REDCAT Theater as part of their Fall 2020 season. It will screen as an online event on November 9th at 8pm PST.

Rajee's award-winning short film, THE EYES OF SUMMER, is continuing its strong festival run. Recent and upcoming showings include:

A FATHER'S KADDISH, directed by Jen Kaplan, is a 30 minute documentary about a man who used the art of pottery to grieve after the death of his 23 year old son. The film is set to have its world premiere at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival in October 2020, and its US premiere at the Boston Jewish Film Festival in November 2020.

TRAP FISHING, a short film by David Wells, will appear as part of the Canadian Labour International Film Festival. The film profiles one of the last remaining trap fishing families in Rhode Island. Learn the art of trap fishing and what it takes to make a living on the water.

Read the full guidelines here.