Committees
One of the main ways the DFC facilitates action on the key issues in our sector is via our member-led committees.
We aim to fund at least two committees per year. However, while our resources are limited, there is no limit on how many committees members can propose and we will support as many as possible. If you can identify a match funder for your committee, that will help our resources go further, and we’ll happily support applications for match-funding.
Got an idea for a committee? Read on to find our more about existing committees and how to propose one yourself.
EDI committee: DFC Directory
The DFC’s Directory is designed to counter the lack of diversity across the UK independent documentary sector. Talent directories are a key means of increasing the profile of the workforce, overcoming the barriers that stem from word-of-mouth recruitment, and facilitating recruitment of people from marginalised groups.
The DFC’s Talent Directory is for everyone who works (or wants to work) in UK independent documentary film, in whatever capacity. From producers, directors, editors, archivists and academics to distributors, exhibitors, curators, commissioners and executives, the DFC Talent Directory is for you. The only criteria is that you are based in the UK and are actively working or intending to work in the UK independent documentary industry.
This is the first dedicated directory specifically for the UK independent documentary industry – be a part of it! Scottish women docmakers should also join the SDI’s Women Directory initiative from 2021.
The Talent Directory has been created with support from FWD-Doc: Filmmakers with Disabilities.
The mental health crisis in the screen industries is particularly acute among documentary filmmakers because of the uniquely complex ethical and emotional demands of making films with and about real people. The DFC’s Mental Health committee is led by Rebecca Day of Film in Mind, and is addressing the challenges facing documentary filmmakers’ mental health in two ways.
First, the committee is developing the skills of three new mental health supervisors – all trained therapists with experience in the film industry – to amplify the supervision model that Film in Mind has created and thus to support filmmaking clients in managing the ethical and emotional challenges connected to their filmmaking and career development.
Second, the committee is providing additional support to the ongoing research project, DocuMentality. DocuMentality aims to highlight the mental health crisis that the international documentary community currently faces, to bring together filmmakers, funders and industry reps for collaborative, solution-focused discussions and to advocate for systemic change. Check out DocuMentality’s report, The Price of Passion (2024), which you can find on their website and in via the Resources section of our website.
How do committees work?
Any member of the DFC can propose a committee, and it is the responsibility of the proposer(s) to decide how that committee will be structured, what it will do and who will be part of it. Committees must be approved by the Board and will be supported and held to account by the Leadership Team (see FAQs).
The number of committees we are able to support will depend on the funds we can raise (and the amount requested), but we aim to fund at least two committees per year with budgets ranging from £1,000 to £10,000, subject to the resources available. For committees with larger budgets, it might be appropriate to source match-funding. This will obviously help the DFC’s own resources go further, and we’d be very happy to work with you to support application’s for match-funding.
To propose a committee, please complete the form below and submit it to info@documentaryfilmcouncil.co.uk for review by the board.
As you’ll see on the form, it should include the following:
- An outline of what the committee will do and how it will benefit the UK’s independent documentary film industry.
- Details of who will do the work and when. You can have as many people on your committee as you like – or it could be led by just one person – but please specify who will be leading it, who will be getting paid and how much.
- A detailed budget that demonstrates how the money will be spent.
- Contact details and ideally CVs for the committee lead/s. Please note that committee lead/s must be DFC Allies or Members.
We’re very happy to discuss ideas and support draft proposals. If you’ve got an idea and would like to discuss it with us first, please just get in touch.
Got an idea for a committee?
If you have any questions or comments about the DFC’s committees or any other aspect of the organisation, please get in touch with us.
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Owned and run by and for its members, the DFC is the first national organisation for the UK’s documentary film industry.
