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ROAD TO THE OSCARS

February 16, 2024

TO KILL A TIGER, directed by 2022 DOC Vanguard Award recipient Nisha Pahuja, has been nominated for an Academy Award!

JoinDOC Institute for a conversation with the team behind the film’s Oscar campaign: Nisha Pahuja (Writer, Director, Producer), Geeta Sondhi (Executive Producer, Impact Producer), Archana Misra Jain (Film Campaign Strategist, Product of Culture), and Annalisa Shoemaker (Theatrical Distributor). The conversation is moderated by Ina Fichman (Producer, Fire of Love, 2022 Oscar Nominee)

In To Kill a Tiger, Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the survivor of sexual assault. In India, where a rape is reported every 20 minutes and conviction rates are less than 30 percent, Ranjit’s decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.

The Documentary Organization of Canada welcomes all to this no-charge event to help us celebrate our 40th Anniversary as an organization and the massive impact we have had in the documentary community for decades.

This “All Are Welcome” event will feature food, beverages, music, and plenty of networking time with a small interlude for a speaking panel with industry experts (speakers to be announced), moderated by DOC Alberta Board Chair, Kelly Wolfert. The panel will reflect on how far DOC has come in 40 years, its impact in the community, and how, as the major voice for documentary across Canada, we are the organization best able to assist those starting out in the documentary industry.

After the panel, we will all be able to connect again and network. This event is perfect for experienced creators and DOC members to celebrate our successes over the past 40 years but it is an amazing opportunity for film/tv students, independent creators, emerging filmmakers, and scripted crew and technicians alike to meet and create lasting relationships.

DOC Members will receive 1 complimentary drink ticket with registration.

If you are interested in becoming a DOC Member head to docorg.ca/join-doc. DOC is currently offering a free two year membership to all new members that identify as BIPOC.

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CRTC Process Update

January 9, 2024

The CRTC is moving forward with its work to modernize Canada’s broadcasting sector. Now that the hearings have concluded, there are several next steps before the CRTC decides how much streamers need to contribute to the Canadian content system, and where that money should go. DOC has advocated for specific funding for feature documentaries, among other advocacy issues important to our community.

We invite all members to join Monique Lafontaine Communications lawyer and media executive, and DOC’s ED Sarah Spring on February 6th at 3pm ET for an open session to talk through the CRTC’s process and what this means for documentary creators.

Add to Calendar

Please note that there is no registration link. Zoom link will be opened when the session starts. You can add the event to your calendar, which has the zoom link, so that you don’t forget!

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Coffee With… Kinema!

January 8, 2024

DOC members now have access to a 30% discount with Kinema! Check out the DOC Member Benefits page for the discount code.

Kinema is a social cinema platform for filmmakers and community builders.

Join us for “Coffee with… Kinema!” on January 16th at 3pm ET to hear all about how Kinema supports you in curating and showcasing films, both online and in person, fostering community and generating income.

Add to Calendar

Please note that there is no registration link. Zoom link will be opened when the session starts. You can add the event to your calendar, which has the zoom link, so that you don’t forget!

About Kinema

Movies are better when we watch them together. We help anyone curate and show films — online or in person — to build community and make cash.

We do this by offering a platform for filmmakers to manage their non-theatrical exhibition (aka screening tours) both online and offline, and through developing partnerships with creative cinema spaces, organizations and community leaders to host their own screening events.
We call it human-centered distribution. It starts with an individual and extends to their community. An influencer with a following, a pastor with a church, or an activist with a mission, all can leverage the magic of moviegoing within their spaces — online and off — to build community and connection.

By showing films through Kinema you’re bringing art to creative & communal spaces, and supporting new and independent filmmakers.

Launch your own movie house today to support the filmmaking you want to see.

Join us for an exciting online event, Disability Employment Awareness in Documentary Film, on Sat Oct 14 2023, starting at 11:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time.

Learn from renowned filmmakers, disability advocates, and industry experts as they share their experiences, insights, and techniques for effectively capturing the stories of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Discover the challenges and triumphs faced by those with disabilities in the documentary film industry, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusive employment practices. With a focus on authentic storytelling, we will explore how documentary filmmaking can shed light on the unique talents and capabilities of individuals with disabilities, challenging stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, disability advocate, or simply interested in the power of storytelling, this event offers a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired.

DOC BCYTNT is grateful to RealWheels Theatre for their incredible support. For more information about RealWheels, check them out at https://realwheels.ca/

🕔11:00 AM – 11:55 AM: Brunch and networking

🕔12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Join Emily Grace Brook and Summer Pervez, Amy Amantea, Niall McNeil and John Bolton in discussion about accessibility, barriers and ways of co-creating and working with people who identify as having a disability.

🕔1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Questions and Answers

This informative session, in collaboration with DOC Québec and DOC Canada, will be hosted by the Forum RIDM team. It’s an opportunity to learn more about our professional market and different activities within our program. After the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A, in order to help you better navigate during the event.

The activity is planned for 1 hour and will be held :

In French

  • 📅October 3
  • 🕔5 PM ET

In English

  • 📅October 5
  • 🕔5 PM ET

JOIN THE MEETING ON ZOOM

DOC will be present at Gimli International Film Festival!

Growing from our wonderful meetings with local filmmakers at the Available Light Film Festival this past winter, attending Gimli to connect with Manitoba doc-makers is part of DOC’s Strategic Goal to connect with and work to strengthen our local Chapters.

DOC’s National team will be at Johnson Hall between 10:00am – 12:00pm, Friday July 28. Drop by with questions, comments or simply to say hello! Laura Dueñas can answer any of your questions about how to join DOC and all our member benefits, and Esmé Tierney can let you know how DOC’s Festival Concierge and Business Concierge programs work and how to access these national programs. DOC’s Executive Director, Sarah Spring and Operations Manager, Tazeen Ahmed would love to hear your ideas on what DOC can do for you, and how to advocate for Manitoba’s filmmakers!

DOC will be present at Gimli International Film Festival!

Growing from our wonderful meetings with local filmmakers at the Available Light Film Festival this past winter, attending Gimli to connect with Manitoba doc-makers is part of DOC’s Strategic Goal to connect with and work to strengthen our local Chapters.

Having launched an initiative to normalize conversations about mental health in the Canadian documentary field in 2022, the Documentary Organization of Canada and the team at DocuMentality, with the financial support of the Canada Media Fund, conducted a series of focus groups to assess well-being among documentary industry professionals nationwide.

This report is Canada’s first in-depth analysis of mental health and well-being in the production sector. This session will share the results of the DocuMentality report with filmmakers in Manitoba and seek input for what filmmakers want to see change in order to center well-being and good mental health in their work.

Following the positive reception of DOC’s Hot Docs panel about our report on mental health in the documentary sector, we are opening the discussion up to all members across the country to share the results of the report, and discuss next steps.

The session will be led by Rebecca Day, Malikkah Rollins, and Marina Serrão of Film in Mind who are trained therapists with a background in documentary film.

Please note that there is no registration link. Zoom link will be opened when the session starts. You can add the event to your calendar, which has the zoom link, so that you don’t forget!

Add to Calendar

There are quite a few changes to the CMF’s 2023-2024 Guidelines that impact documentary filmmakers. DOC has invited the CMF to a special DOC-only session so you can hear from and ask questions directly to one of the CMF’s Directors of Content, Mireille Darveau. 

This will be a bilingual session with French – English simultaneous translation.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

🕔 3pm EDT

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DOC’s Annual Member Party!

April 10, 2023

Following DOC’s AGM (with a small time-out to catch a film or some dinner!) please join us at the Monarch Tavern to celebrate all of your wonderful contributions to this amazing community of doc-makers.

We will be serving bite-sized snacks 🙂

Please bring your proof of registration to the party!

DOC’s AGM will begin at 3pm on Thursday, May 4th. Meet DOC’s new National Board, hear from DOC’s six regional Chapters, get the Executive Director’s report, and participate in important discussions about the rganization.

This year, DOC is inviting members to vote using a web-based platform during the AGM. Members participating via zoom or in person will be able to easily click-and-vote with no registration required.

Should you be participating in person but don’t have access to a smartphone with internet capabilities, let us know! We will be happy to accommodate you.

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Kitchen Table Talks

April 10, 2023

At 10am on Thursday, May 4th please join us for a members-only discussion about current political and advocacy issues. This is a great opportunity to get up-to-speed on some of the most urgent discussions in our sector, and to let us know what’s important to you.

Send us your ideas for topics by April 29th: info@docorg.ca

DOC Québec is issuing a call for a general election to fill positions for a new Executive
Committee. The election is to be held in conjunction with the Annual General Assembly.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 7 p.m.
L’ARRQ (5154 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2J 2Y3)
or via Zoom

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The executive committee of DOC Québec is composed of eleven (11) members elected for a 2-year term. The members of the executive committee represent the documentary filmmaking community (directors, producers, technicians, etc.). It is a position of leadership whose responsibilities include: attending monthly meetings; organizing events; participating in subcommittees; and contributing to the evolution and defence of the Canadian documentary filmmaking tradition. Being on the executive places you at the core of the documentary community in Québec as well as in Canada as DOC Québec works with the National Board and the Local Chapters from Vancouver to Halifax, to strengthen and promote independent documentary filmmaking.

POSITIONS IN ELECTIONS

For the coming year, 3 of the 11 terms on the Executive Committee expire. In addition to the vacant position on the board, a total of 3 positions must be filled at the next assembly. For your information, the positions who were elected or co-opted in 2022 for a 2-year term are Jani Bellefleur-Kaltush, Daniela Mujica, Ina Fichman, Amélie Tintin, Amy Miller, Olivier D. Asselin, Gentille M. Assih, Laurence Lemaire.

NOMINATION

Any member in good standing may nominate or be nominated by another member. To submit your application or that of another member, you must send to DOC Québec (coordination_docquebec@docorg.ca) a short bio that describes the candidate. All applications must be submitted by 6 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023. A list of all candidates will be compiled and sent to DOC Québec members prior to the Annual General Assembly.

A candidate may also run or be nominated at the beginning of the General Assembly if the number of candidates is less than the number of positions in the election. However, it should be noted that nominated candidates will have to be present at the meeting to accept or refuse this appointment.

THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

In the event that the number of candidates is only equal or lower than the number of vacancies, all candidates will be elected by acclamation (without a vote).

If the number of candidates is higher than the number of vacancies, a secret ballot election will take place. The virtual ballot will include all the names of the candidates. Voters will be able to vote for up to 3 candidates, the number of positions in the election.

The 3 candidates having the most votes will be elected to the Executive Committee. If necessary, there may be a second and third round of voting if candidates are tied, and it is essential to establish a rank for the outcome of the election (e.g., if the candidates who end up 3rd and 4th are tied).

We remind you that only members in good standing have the right to vote. If you have not renewed your membership or would like to join DOC, you can do so here: https://docorg.ca/join-doc/.

POSTS

Following the Annual General Assembly, the Executive Committee will elect the five directors of the new Board: the position of Chair, Treasurer & Administrator.

Members of the Executive Committee will be called upon to represent DOC Québec on the Board of the National organization, Hot Docs, and l’Observatoire du Documentaire.

Executive Committee members commit to attend a minimum of 8 out of 11 board meetings annually and to make significant contributions to a subcommittee.

For further information, please contact Esmé Tierney, coordinator, DOC Québec, at coordination_docquebec@docorg.ca.

DOC Quebec is proud to announce its first partnership with the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) as part of the SODEC_Lab @Hot Docs 2023. This SODEC_Lab will allow documentary producers belonging to underrepresented communities in Quebec to participate in the documentary market at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto.

Professional activities offered to selected individuals:

  • Two preparatory workshops and individualized mentoring before departure for Hot Docs.
  • Individualized mentoring and on-site support throughout the Industry professional market at Hot Docs.
  • Access to all networking activities and conferences.
  • Practical workshops and meetings with decision-makers present at Hot Docs (for 5 days).

Details about the offer:

  • An in-depth introduction to the Hot Docs festival and the Industry & Forum component.
  • Allowing underrepresented communities to integrate into the Canadian-English and international films circuit.
  • Establishing relationships between Québécois producers and players in the Canadian-English and international documentary industry, accredited at Hot Docs.
  • Accreditation (All access Hot Docs Industry).
  • Flat-rate accommodation and transportation allowance.

Sought profile:

Who can submit an application?

This initiative is aimed at documentary producers belonging to underrepresented communities* residing in Quebec:

  • Who have attended the Hot Docs professional market (Industry & Forum) less than twice.
  • Who have produced a documentary film (short, medium, long or a documentary series) that has been selected in a major festival or commercially released.
  • Who have a relevant feature-length documentary project or a TV hour format for the Canadian-English and/or international market.
  • Who is available for preparatory workshops (week of April 3 and 10, 2023).
  • Who is available on-site at Hot Docs from May 1 to 5, 2023.

*Underrepresented communities:

  • Identifying as BIPOC;
  • and/or a person with a disability;
  • and/or identifying as LGBTQIA+;
  • and/or residing outside of Montreal (in a rural area, at least 100 km outside of Montreal, using the shortest route).

Documents to provide:

A complete file (in French or English) including:

  • The candidate’s CV;
  • Short biography (100 words max);
  • The registration form duly completed online by March 28, 2023, at 11:59 pm;
  • A project file: synopsis, intentions, budget estimate (maximum 5 pages).

To submit your application, please fill out the online registration form and attach all required documents no later than March 28, 2023, at 11:59 pm