Research, access, interview technique, vérité shooting, editorial structure, ethics, and distribution for non-fiction filmmakers.
Directing, Documentary
The rugged terrain of China’s remote Liangshan region forms both a setting and a character in Dongnan Chen’s hybrid documentary, *Whispers in May*, which premiered in competition at CPH:DOX. Chen, an Emmy-nominated director known for projects like *14 Paintings* and *Singing in the Wilderness*, l...
Industry Insights, Documentary
Roadside Attractions has secured U.S. theatrical rights for the documentary *Cookie Queens*, which premiered at Sundance. The film, executive produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, through Archewell Productions, is slated for a summer theatrical release. This acq...
Documentary
"How dark does this thing get? Is it 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' or is it 'Cannibal Holocaust'?" This question, posed by Owen Gleiberman in *Variety*, cuts to the core of how society grapples with the Jeffrey Epstein narrative. It is a question that, for documentary filmmakers and investiga...
Documentary
It's a familiar ache for anyone who has ever tried to chase a visual narrative, an effort that can feel like trying to catch smoke in a jar. How do you articulate the essence of a disappearing world without romanticizing or patronizing it? How do you give voice to a quiet life without shouting? B...
Distribution, Documentary, Industry Insights
Is the documentary world truly entering a new gilded age, or are we just witnessing a more glamorous version of the same old gatekeeping? The sight of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (yes, *that* Meghan Markle and Prince Harry) braving the crisp Park City air for the Sundance premiere of *Cookie Q...
Guides, Documentary, Production
A comprehensive masterclass in documentary filmmaking covering access, ethics, interview techniques, observational methods, funding strategies, and distribution. Drawing from Werner Herzog, Frederick Wiseman, Laura Poitras, and case studies like The Act of Killing and Honeyland.
Distribution, Documentary
The camera, they say, never lies. But anyone who’s spent more than an afternoon in a poorly lit edit bay knows that’s a romantic delusion. The camera, while incapable of consciously fabricating, is exquisitely capable of omitting, reframing, and amplifying. And nowhere are those choices more ethi...
Documentary, Industry Insights
For all the talk of streamers and their insatiable demand for content, the bedrock of documentary filmmaking - especially the kind that genuinely shifts perspectives and holds power accountable - still relies heavily on the precarious alchemy of grant funding and sustained mentorship. The IDA...
Documentary
The IDA's announcement of a poll to identify the 25 Greatest Documentaries of the 21st Century isn't just another listicle for film buffs. This is a moment, I think. It's a statement about our craft's evolving impact, a pulse-check on where we've been, and a potential signpost for where we're hea...
Documentary
Ten years ago, pitching a documentary meant you were likely fighting for a modest festival run, perhaps a public TV slot, and maybe - just maybe - a niche theatrical release. The budget ceiling felt concrete, the commercial ceiling even more so. Today, we're seeing documentary features command se...