Documentary Filmmakers Lament Hollywood Cutbacks and Deal Scarcity: “Our Ecosystem Is in the Midst of a Collapse”

Documentary filmmakers are facing financial challenges despite occasional high-profile acquisitions by streaming platforms. Writer Addie Morfoot details a panel discussion at the Full Frame Film Festival led by filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev, where industry veterans Carl Deal, Susan Margolin, Amanda McBaine, and Jesse Moss commented on the current state of documentary filmmaking compensation. Suggested strategies for fair compensation include referring to the Documentary Producers Alliance’s guidelines and negotiating higher director fees, as well as a call for building independent infrastructure and strengthening alliances with organizations like the Directors Guild of America. Concerns about sustainability, especially for emerging filmmakers, are raised, emphasizing the need for collective action to address systemic issues in the documentary industry.