About the Documentary Film Council
The Documentary Film Council (DFC) is the first national membership organisation for UK documentary film. We are an independent charitable co-operative that is owned by our members and run by an elected Board of Trustees.
Our Mission is to:
- Represent the UK’s documentary sector to industry and government. As the collective voice of the documentary community, we engage with policymakers across film and TV to address the key issues facing our sector.
- Support the development of the documentary community across the UK. We build networks, share knowledge and take strategic, coordinated action to build a more connected, inclusive and accessible documentary film industry.
Creating the conditions for documentary to thrive in the UK requires a national institution with a remit from the sector to do that work. The DFC is that organisation – we’re collectively owned by our members and run by a democratically elected Board of Trustees.
Join the DFC today and let’s build a better documentary sector for everyone.
Impact to date
Membership
Since our 2023 launch, we’ve amassed over 900 members across the UK, including Oscar® & BAFTA Award-winning talent.
Directory
Tackling under-representation, we created the UK’s first national documentary directory to connect filmmakers with commissioners, distributors, and exhibitors.
Advocacy
We've submitted evidence to Parliament and are working with the DCMS and the BFI to develop UK documentary film policy.
Mental Health
We’ve supported Documentality.org to help address mental health and wellbeing in the documentary industry.
Elected Representatives
In Spring 2024, we held elections for the first ever elected board of representatives in UK documentary film history.
Forum
In Spring 2025, we’re launching the UK’s first national documentary forum. This will foster open communication and support new talent to enter the industry.
Our Partners
Scottish Documentary Institute
FWD-Doc
Doc Society
The Guardian Documentaries
Bertha DocHouse
BBC Storyville
Open City Documentary Festival
Ffilm Cymru
The Grierson Trust
International Documentary Association
Documentary Association of Europe
Become
a member
Owned and run by and for its members, the DFC is the first national organisation for the UK’s documentary film industry.
