Documentary Organization of Canada Welcomes Julian Carrington as New Executive Director

TORONTO, Thursday, June 5, 2025 – The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Julian Carrington as its new Executive Director, effective June 9, 2025.

With a long-standing career in Canadian media, policy, and advocacy, Julian steps into this national leadership role with a clear mission: to serve and strengthen the voice of documentary filmmakers across Canada. With over ten years of industry leadership, from roles at Hot Docs to the Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC), Julian is uniquely positioned to lead DOC into a bold new chapter of advocacy and action.

For over four decades, DOC has been the leading national organization representing Canada’s independent documentary creators. With over 1500 members across six chapters, DOC advocates for the rights and sustainability of doc-makers from coast to coast to coast. Julian’s appointment marks a new chapter in that mission: grounded in community, focused on bold advocacy, and responsive to the urgent social and political realities faced by filmmakers today.

“We are thrilled Julian Carrington has assumed the leadership of the Documentary Organization of Canada,” says Min Sook Lee, Chair of DOC National Board. “Julian’s in-depth knowledge of our community, legal training, deep relationships with creators and sector partners alongside his groundbreaking programming accomplishments will bring a unique blend of creative advocacy, policy expertise and industry knowledge to this organization. These are critical times for documentary makers, and Julian understands the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.”

“Since first joining DOC a decade ago as Festival Concierge Manager, I have spent the most rewarding years of my career in the documentary community—working to foster talent, provide access to opportunity, and champion bold, resonant stories,” says Julian Carrington. “I have deep admiration for the values-led work that defines our field, and the courage it takes to speak truth to power. At this turning point—politically, economically, and creatively—I am proud to return to the organization. I look forward to listening to, and learning from, documentary creators across Canada, and to building an organization that truly reflects and supports the wonderful diversity of our community.

Julian’s mandate as Executive Director includes strengthening DOC’s national and regional advocacy efforts, enhancing programs and services for members, and amplifying the voices of Canada’s documentary creators both domestically and on the global stage. With a focus on equity, sustainability, and cultural impact, Julian is committed to supporting the next generation of storytellers—while honouring the legacy and ongoing work of those who have paved the way. Please join us in welcoming Julian Carrington to DOC.

Download the PDF Press Release Here:

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For further information please contact:
Min Sook Lee | Chair, National Board, DOC | 416-671-5109 | minsooklee@gmail.com

About Julian Carrington

Julian Carrington is a film programmer, a creative analyst, and a screen sector advocate based in Toronto. Between 2023-2025, he served as the Managing Director of the Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC), where he led research and advocacy initiatives aimed at removing structural barriers faced by BIPOC creators in Canada’s screen industries. He has also recently worked as a script reader and advisory committee member at Telefilm Canada, supporting both the BPOC Development Stream and the Theatrical Documentary Stream. Previously, he served as Senior Industry Manager at Hot Docs, where, between 2018-2023, he oversaw several market programs and production funds, including the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund, and the Hot Docs CrossCurrents International Doc Fund. Projects supported under Julian’s tenure include: Cutting Through Rocks (2025), Queer as Punk (2025), Russians at War (2024), 7 Beats Per Minute (2024), Wilfred Buck (2024), The Bones (2024), The Mother of All Lies (2023), Against the Tide (2023), Rojek (2022), Framing Agnes (2022), and Children of the Mist (2021). Julian has also served as a programmer with the Hot Docs Festival team, and is the founder of For Viola, the Hot Docs Cinema’s BIPOC-focused community screening series, named in honour of Viola Desmond. Prior to joining Hot Docs, Julian worked with the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), as manager of the Festival Concierge service, where he supported members in developing festival and audience-engagement strategies. Between 2015-2024, Julian was a programmer with Toronto’s Planet In Focus Environmental Film Festival, and he previously worked as an associate programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). He currently serves on the boards of POV Magazine, the Images Festival, and the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF). He is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, and brings a commitment to social justice to all his professional endeavours.

About DOC

The Documentary Organization of Canada / l’Association des documentaristes du Canada is the collective voice of diverse independent documentary filmmakers across Canada. DOC is a member-driven, not-for-profit association representing over 1500 directors, producers, and craftspeople in the Canadian documentary community. DOC advocates on behalf of its members to foster an environment conducive to documentary production and strives to strengthen the sector within the broader screen industry.