About the Documentary Film Council
The Documentary Film Council (DFC) is the first national membership association for UK documentary film. Owned and run by and for its members, the DFC represents the sector to industry and government and works to build documentary film culture and community across the UK.
Our Mission is to:
- Represent the UK’s documentary film sector to industry and government.
- Advocate for more and better support for documentary across film and TV, raising awareness of the vital role documentary plays in our media, culture and democracy.
- Build and maintain a national membership organisation that strengthens the documentary film community across the nations and regions of the UK.
Our sector is facing unprecedented challenges. Addressing those challenges requires an organisation that is collectively held, and which has a remit to represent the sector and speak on its behalf. As a charitable co-operative, the DFC is owned by its members and run by an elected Board of Trustees from across the industry.
Join the DFC today and help 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.
