Dear DFC Members, Allies and Supporters,
Just a brief post-DocFest newsletter to report back to everyone who couldn’t make it to the DFC’s (first) AGM and (second) Open Assembly, give an update on the next steps from us and share some news from across the doc sector – including a job opening at Grierson Trust (deadline 5pm July 18!) and lovely discount for DFC members from our friends at Otherfield Festival.
‘Don’t panic, organise!’ – The DFC’s AGM and Open Assembly
The DFC Assembly at DocFest this year opened with our first ever Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is an important event in the DFC’s calendar – it’s a legal requirement and a key way in which the DFC is accountable to its members. DFC Joint Acting CEOs, Emily Copley and Steve Presence presented an account of the DFC’s activities over the past year and members voted to approved the accounts and welcomed the newly elected board.
The Assembly part of the event was facilitated by BAFTA-nominated producer, writer and curator, Elhum Shakerifar and the Director of the Scottish Documentary Institute, Flore Cosquer. Building on a theme proposed at last year’s Assembly, the event focused on the development of regional or professional groups within the DFC’s structure – one of the key steps the DFC will take this year.
There was a strong turnout and dynamic participation throughout as members shared their views and visions for the DFC, but of course we recognise that not everyone can make it to Sheffield.
For those who couldn’t make it, we’ll be distributing a survey in the near future, so watch this space!
Grierson Awards Assistant Opening
The Grierson Trust is looking for a contracted Awards Assistant to support the team in the lead up to the Grierson British Documentary Awards this November. The role is full time, UK-based but remote with some travel to London needed. The start date is the week commencing 2 September until mid-November and the deadline is 5pm on Thursday 18 July 2024.
Otherfield Festival Pass Discount
Otherfield is a summer weekend camping festival dedicated to non-fiction films, taking place 2-4 August 2024 at Laughton Lodge, near Lewes, UK. The festival is a labour of love, run by filmmakers – aiming to screen and nurture independent documentaries and provide support, community and workshops for non-fiction filmmakers – at all points of their careers. The festival is offering DFC members a 20% discount on a three-day pass to Otherfield – using the promo code: FRIEND24.
Film & TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey
The Looking Glass Survey, the only survey to track the mental health and wellbeing of behind-the-scenes workers in film, TV, and cinema, has launched. This is a tough period for many in our industry, so it’s more important than ever that we can understand how recent challenges have impacted people. Whether you’re freelance or a permanent employee, on production or in one of the hundreds of supporting roles, your voice is invaluable.
Doc Society Announcements
In collaboration with Doc Society, BFI Network’s flagship talent development programme for emerging UK-based filmmakers (who’ve not yet made a feature) is taking place from 10-14 October 2024 at London Film Festival. With a focus across fiction and documentary, 15 UK-based directors, producers, and screenwriters will dive into a rich experience of screenings, events, and personalised sessions with industry professionals. Find out more here.
Doc Society has launched an application call for UK documentary producers (film and immersive) with active projects in development to take part in a Group Attendance to IDFA between 16 and 20 November 2024 in collaboration with BFI. Selected delegates will be accredited and attendance will allow them to take part in the full range of industry programme activities, including the various networking events. Find out more here.
Together Films Climate Fund
Together Films is thrilled to announce the launch of Climate Action Together, a new Impact Distribution Campaign Fund & Accelerator designed to amplify films which aim to raise awareness of the climate crisis and to inspire public action and policy change within the UK and/or US. The fund will provide £20,000 towards your Impact Distribution Campaign (note this is not a production fund), a 4 month strategy design process and mentorship once the campaign is live. Climate Action Together is open to both documentary and scripted projects.
More updates coming soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions or suggestions, or would like to be featured in our next newsletter, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
In co-operation,
DFC Leadership Team
