Doc Distro Lit Review: Funding

Photograph of people holding a sign that says "Cine Argentino Unido por la democracia"
Writer Anna Marie De La Fuente reports that Argentina's President Javier Milei is moving forward with his plan to defund INCAA, threatening the local film community, as well as national film festivals like Mar del Plata and film and TV market Ventana Sur, and prompting protests from the coalition Cine Argentino Unido.
Color Congress logo
Color Congress released a report in March 2024, detailing their findings from the first two years of collaborating with member organizations, shedding light on their network of documentary film organizations led by people of color and their ideas for helping to diversify the types of stories reaching audiences.
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Deadline's Dade Hayes interviews Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon, delving into the success of "Sound of Freedom," Angel's faith-based content, and the company's community-driven models for content creation and modification, as well as for theater ticket support—revealing a company working outside the Hollywood's system's approach to reaching audiences.
Photograph showing the backs of two people walking in the cold wearing jackets
Strategic brand consultant and independent film producer Brian Newman assesses the state of censorship in independent filmmaking—at film festivals, as well as with funding, streaming distribution, online promotional opportunities, and more.
Photograph of person wearing a blue Superman costume with a red cape pointing up to the sky
The British Film Institute (BFI) has awarded new grants through its UK Global Screen Fund, endowed by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), to nine UK independent screen projects for international distribution, targeting Film Sales, Prints & Advertising (P&A), and Festival Launch tracks to boost the global visibility of UK feature films, with further funding opportunities available in different categories.
Distribution Advocates Presents logo, with the message, Episode 2: Awards
Hosted by producer, filmmaker, and Distribution Advocates co-founder Avril Speaks, this episode of the Distribution Advocates Presents podcast features conversations with industry leaders Abby Sun, Matt Stoller, Rintu Thomas, Sushmit Ghosh, and Kaila Sarah Hier, on the issues surrounding documentary awards, including what it takes to campaign and questioning the purpose of awards in the field.
Photograph of people dancing in the street in front of the Egyptian Theatre at the Sundance Film Festival
Founder, CEO, and Editor in Chief of TheWrap, Sharon Waxman reports on perceptions of the faltering independent film business model at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. *Please note: This article is behind a paywall.
Compilation of six film stills featuring people or objects in various positions
Exploring the potential impact of the Sundance Film Festival on the documentary genre, journalist Anthony Kaufman delves into the festival's lineup, industry trends, and the challenges and opportunities faced by documentary filmmakers in the evolving landscape.
Photograph of a person looking to the side with their arms raised midway
Considered the largest US documentary film festival, DOC NYC offers filmmakers opportunities for exposure and networking, though industry insiders offer mixed sentiments, conveying concerns over the festival's breadth and money-making initiatives.
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A Hollywood Reporter editor assesses streamers' profitability from the recent earnings season, highlighting the positions of Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney.
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Writer Anthony Kaufman reports on filmmakers alleging that nonfiction entertainment studio XTR has not followed through on significant grant offers, including one to South African filmmaker Milisuthando Bongela, casting doubt on its reliability and integrity within the industry.
Black and white photograph of a person with long dark hair sitting on steps
Writer Addie Morfoot reports on Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and film distributor 1091 Pictures facing legal disputes centered on missing revenue-sharing payments to filmmakers, who are also trying to reclaim their distribution rights should 1091 Pictures' parent company go bankrupt.