IDA and AMPAS Forged Partnership in the Mid-90s

Filmmaker Peter Stuart reminisces about his time leading the International Documentary Association (IDA), recalling challenges in securing funding and balancing personal film commitments. Notably, he highlights his involvement with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), particularly instances like the uproar caused by the Academy’s rejection of acclaimed documentaries such as Steve James’s Hoop Dreams, Errol Morris’s The Thin Blue Line, and Terry Zwigoff’s Crumb. Expressing concern for the future of budding documentarians in television, Stuart notes increased opportunities but tighter budgets, interference, and reduced creative control. Despite these hurdles, he emphasizes the resilience of talented filmmakers and underscore the vital role of documentaries as crucial records of our times.