DOC Reveals Inaugural Cohort for new “Business Leap” program to grow production companies
Toronto, January 11th 2024 – The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) with the support of the Canada Media Fund (CMF) is pleased to present the inaugural cohort of DOC’s new National program “DOC Business Leap”.
DOC Business Leap supports six production companies “Leap” to the next level by providing them with one year of tailored production accounting, legal advice, mentorship and therapy to facilitate sustainable, long-term company growth.
DOC Business Leap helps production companies to prepare for producing at a higher volume and to position their companies on the national and international market with confidence in their capacity to receive the business they are now able to generate. The year-long program culminates with participants attending the largest documentary market in the world, Amsterdam’s IDFA.
“In 2022-2023, DOCʼs Business Concierge program provided over 100 filmmakers with one-on-one consultations with veteran producers. Participants let us know that they also wanted help setting up their companies long-term, sustainable growth,” says DOC’s Executive Director Sarah Spring. “Business Leap is a natural evolution of our Business Concierge program. The six outstanding producers who have been selected will have in-depth support in the three areas we have identified as key risk factors as production companies begin to take their business to the next level: production accounting, legal, and understanding how to center the team’s mental health and well-being. We are thrilled to partner once again with Lisa Valencia-Svensson who will mentor the companies throughout the program, and veteran industry players Lussier & Khouzam and Behind the Scenes” adds Spring.
DOC’s Inaugural Business Leap Cohort are:
David Baeta, Moi & Dave; Jessica Brown, Ujarak Media; Tamara Dawit, Gobez Media; Heather Hatch, Della and Goliath Productions; Rose Johnnie-Mills, Likinskw Productions Inc; Sahar Yousefi, Nava Projects.
DOC Business Leap is part of DOC’s ongoing commitment to sector transformation towards a more equitable, accessible and sustainable ecosystem for documentary production. All of the participants identify as one or more intersections of Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with a disability, Francophone outside Quebec or living in a rural or remote region of Canada.
DOC’s Inaugural Business Leap Cohort are:
David Baeta, Moi & Dave; Jessica Brown, Ujarak Media; Tamara Dawit, Gobez Media; Heather Hatch, Della and Goliath Productions; Rose Johnnie-Mills, Likinskw Productions Inc; Sahar Yousefi, Nava Projects.
DOC Business Leap is part of DOC’s ongoing commitment to sector transformation towards a more equitable, accessible and sustainable ecosystem for documentary production. All of the participants identify as one or more intersections of Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with a disability, Francophone outside Quebec or living in a rural or remote region of Canada.
Download the PDF Press Release Here:
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About DOC
The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) is the collective voice of Canada’s independent documentary creators. DOC began in 1983 as the Canadian Independent Film Caucus (CIFC) to represent the interests of Canada’s growing community of indie doc filmmakers. Today DOC has over 1100 members across six chapters from coast to coast. DOC’s National office leads on research and advocacy work that strengthens the ecosystem for documentary production while DOC chapters provide local programming and community support. DOC’s mandate as a member-driven organization is to advocate for an equitable, sustainable environment for documentary production and to strengthen the sector within the broader cultural industry.