International Documentary Association (IDA)

“Some Have Called This a Documentary”: How ‘Melania’ Bends Documentary to Serve the Rich and Powerful How Melania serves its titular subject, its filmmakers, and its financier by invoking documentary’s authenticity but not its accountability

How ‘Melania’ serves its titular subject, its filmmakers, and its financier is by invoking documentary’s authenticity but not its accountability. Read more at #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/feature/some...

Fiscal Sponsorship Program Manager, International Documentary Association The Fiscal Sponsorship Program Manager oversees the day-to-day operation of the IDA’s field-leading fiscal sponsorship program, which serves hundreds of documentary projects and filmmakers at all prof...

We’re looking to hire a new Fiscal Sponsorship Program Manager who will elevate how we serve our filmmaker community. For more information on responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits, visit www.documentary.org/fiscal-spons....

Market Notes: FIPADOC Coproduction Forum 2026 Daily diaries from the French documentary coproduction market in Biarritz

Daily diaries from the French documentary coproduction market in Biarritz. Read more at #DocumentaryMag.
www.documentary.org/online-featu...

The Feedback: Kimberlee Bassford Describes the Unexpected Developments that Continue to Shift the Structure of ‘Before the Moon Falls’ Kimberlee Bassford looks back on the unexpected developments that continue to shift the structure of her Sia Figiel doc Before the Moon Falls

Kimberlee Bassford looks back on the unexpected developments that continue to shift the structure of her Sia Figiel doc ‘Before the Moon Falls.’ Read more on #DocumentaryMag.
www.documentary.org/online-featu...

For our next virtual IDAinsight, Dale Nelson (partner at Donaldson Califf Perez) and Jan Bernd Nordemann (attorney and an honorary professor) will present the most recent and impactful case law on AI. Register today www.documentary.org/event/ai-and...

The APA Sits Down With Getty to Discuss the Role of the Archive in the Age of AI In this interview, Getty Images execs discuss media trust, licensing fee structures, and generative AI tools at the storied archive

In this interview, Getty Images execs discuss media trust, licensing fee structures, and generative AI tools at the storied archive. Read more at #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/online-featu...

Student Press Freedom Day Join the Student Press Law Center and the student journalism community as we fight for press freedom!

We are proud to partner with @splc.org for #StudentPressFreedom Day. Join PEN America today in celebrating student journalists’ resilience in action and standing up for their First Amendment rights:
studentpressfreedom.org

Atomic Light: How the Bomb Became Documentary Seven decades of nuclear documentaries oscillate between state propaganda and radical witness, revealing more about power than atoms

Seven decades of nuclear documentaries oscillate between state propaganda and radical witness, revealing more about power than atoms. Read more on #DocumentaryMag.
www.documentary.org/feature/atom...

Core Strength: Developing Your Documentary Through Application Writing IDA will host an in-person Core App evening workshop. At the IDA offices, filmmakers in LA seeking to edit and hone their application language are welcome to attend. Submit an Interest Form with a sam...

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 7 PM PT, we will host an in-person Core App workshop at our LA offices. Filmmakers seeking to edit and hone their application language are welcome to attend. Submit an Interest Form with a writing sample to register. documentary.org/event/core-s...

An Eye for Portraiture: A New Raymond Depardon Retrospective Makes a Case for the Humanism Inherent in the French Filmmaker’s Oeuvre A new Raymond Depardon retrospective presents the full breadth of the French filmmaker and photojournalist’s keen-eyed documentary impulses

A new Raymond Depardon retrospective presents the full breadth of the French filmmaker and photojournalist’s keen-eyed documentary impulses. Read more #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/online-featu...

Remembering Frederick Wiseman, A Filmmaker Known for His Long Epics Anchored by a Deep Humanity Documentary editor Abby Sun pays tribute to the renowned filmmaker who championed a vision of uncompromising artistic independence

‘Documentary’ editor Abby Sun pays tribute to the renowned filmmaker who championed a vision of uncompromising artistic independence. A week ago, Frederick Wiseman passed away. As a filmmaker, his work is indelible. Read more at #DocumentaryMag. documentary.org/online-featu...

In Construction: Madhusree Dutta Talks Bridging History and Memory in Her Berlinale-Premiering ‘Flying Tigers’ Madhusree Dutta discusses Flying Tigers, her decades-spanning Berlinale doc about memories and histories reclaimed

Madhusree Dutta discusses ‘Flying Tigers,’ her decades-spanning Berlinale doc about memories and histories reclaimed. Read more on #DocumentaryMag. documentary.org/online-featu...

“A New Way to Care”: Kevin B. Lee on Expanding the Desktop Documentary With His Feature Debut ‘Afterlives’ In this interview, Kevin B. Lee discusses why he needed to expand the desktop documentary to craft his feature debut, Afterlives

In this interview, Kevin B. Lee discusses why he expanded the desktop documentary to craft his feature debut, ‘Afterlives.’ Read more at #DocumentaryMag. documentary.org/online-featu...

When East Meets West 2026: What Boutique Coproduction Forums Reveal About the Future of Documentary Markets This year’s When East Meets West market at Trieste framed its program not in terms of scale or prestige, but of precision

This year’s When East Meets West market at Trieste framed its program not in terms of scale or prestige, but of precision. Read more at #DocumentaryMag.
documentary.org/online-featu...

Part 1 Core Strength: Introduction to the Nonfiction Core App 3.1 YouTube video by International Documentary Association (IDA)

Articulating the purpose and promise of your documentary is a foundational step in advancing your project. Through a series of short-video presentations, IDA staff break down Core App questions into four distinct sections. Watch on the IDA YouTube channel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHUh...

AI and the Law: What Documentary Filmmakers Need to Know (in March 2026) In this panel, we will address standards for using AI in nonfiction filmmaking, how to disclose it to partners and audiences, and what documentary filmmakers need to consider before choosing to use AI...

IDAinsight - Dale Nelson (partner at Donaldson Califf Perez, co-writer of “AI Tips for Documentary Filmmakers”) and Jan Bernd Nordemann (attorney) will present the most recent and impactful case law on AI. Join us Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 9 AM PT. Register!
www.documentary.org/event/ai-and...

Core Strength: Developing Your Documentary Through Application Writing IDA will host an in-person Core App evening workshop. At the IDA offices, filmmakers in LA seeking to edit and hone their application language are welcome to attend. Submit an Interest Form with a sam...

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, IDA will host an in-person Core App evening workshop at the IDA offices. Filmmakers in LA seeking to edit + hone their application language are welcome to attend. Also, look for the Core APP Video Series dropping 2/19. Register now. www.documentary.org/event/core-s...

River Dreams | Berlinale Berlin International Film Festival - official website

Congratulations to IDA Fiscal Sponsored Project, ‘River Dreams,’ on its World premiere at this year’s Berlinale. Click here for screening times and tickets!
www.berlinale.de/en/2026/prog...

headshot of Frederick Wiseman for Getting Real '18

The documentary community mourns the loss of one of its pioneers and most vital chroniclers of society, institutions, and humanity. A past IDA committee chair and recipient of a 1990 IDA Career Achievement Award, Frederick Wiseman, 96, leaves behind a brilliant legacy.

Poster for A Better Way: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence. Official selection of The Pan African Film Festival 2026. Screening Monday, February 16 and Saturday, February 21. Tickets now available.

Congratulations to IDA Fiscal Sponsored Project, 'A BETTER WAY: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence' on its World premiere at this year's Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. Click here for screening times and tickets! paff2026.eventive.org/films/69479b...

“It Seems to Be the Time to Consider Bridges”: James Benning on ‘EIGHT BRIDGES’ This essay and interview examines how James Benning’s EIGHT BRIDGES builds on his decades-long approach to extended observation, personal geography, and political engagement

This essay and interview examine how James Benning’s EIGHT BRIDGES builds on his decades-long approach to extended observation, personal geography, and political engagement. Read more at #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/online-featu...

“In Order to Change Things”: Tracing Caribbean Documentary’s Liberation Struggle Newly restored documentaries from the 1950s–1980s reveal how Caribbean filmmakers forged a liberation cinema and why its practices matter now

Newly restored documentaries from the 1950s–1980s reveal how Caribbean filmmakers forged a liberation cinema and why its practices matter now. Read more on #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/feature/orde...

IDA Members Mixer - Hosted by DOCUMENTARY magazine in celebration of the launch of the print Spring 2026 issue On March 12, 2026, join IDA to celebrate the arrival of Documentary magazine’s latest issue. We will gather at All Season Brewing Company for a casual mixer where IDA members can get to know the folks...

Calling IDA Members in LA - On March 12, 2026, join IDA to celebrate the arrival of Documentary magazine’s latest issue! We will gather at All Season Brewing Company in Los Angeles for a casual mixer. RSVP is required. Learn more www.documentary.org/event/ida-me...

Exclusive: Theatrical Trailer for ‘A Body to Live In’ Ahead of U.S. Theatrical Release Debuting the theatrical trailer for Angelo Madsen’s feature documentary A Body to Live In, an exploration of body modification and the life of performance artist Fakir Musafar

Watch the theatrical trailer for Angelo Madsen’s feature documentary ‘A Body to Live In,’ an exploration of body modification and the life of performance artist Fakir Musafar. #DocumentaryMag
www.documentary.org/exclusive-ne...

Making a Production: Sugar Studios Post house Sugar Studios offers filmmakers with mid-tier budgets a lifeline in an era of contraction, enabling projects that might otherwise collapse in the expensive patchwork of L.A. post

Post house Sugar Studios offers filmmakers with mid-tier budgets a lifeline in an era of contraction, enabling projects that might otherwise collapse in the expensive patchwork of L.A. post. Read more at #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/feature/maki...

Core Strength: Developing Your Documentary Through Application Writing Through a series of short-form video presentations, IDA’s own Maria Santos and Katy Hurley—who have been working in the nonfiction funding space for the past ten and four years, respectively—will brea...

Articulating the purpose and promise of your documentary is a foundational step in advancing your project. Writing the Nonfiction Core Application is a process that extends beyond grants. Check out these upcoming events to help edit and hone your Core App language.
documentary.org/event/core-s...

Don’t Panic: Doc Industry Looks for Upsides Amid Decimation at Sundance 2026 The documentary industry looks for upsides amid decimation at Sundance 2026

The documentary industry looks for upsides amid decimation at Sundance 2026. Read more at #DocumentaryMag. www.documentary.org/online-featu...

AI and the Law: What Documentary Filmmakers Need to Know (March 2026) In this panel, we will address standards for using AI in nonfiction filmmaking, how to disclose it to partners and audiences, and what documentary filmmakers need to consider before choosing to use AI...

For our next virtual IDAinsight, Dale Nelson and Jan Bernd Nordemann will present the latest and most impactful case law on AI. Mark your calendars and join us on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9 AM PT. Learn more and register.
www.documentary.org/event/ai-and...

Protecting Your Vision: Film Insurance Presentation with HUB International Don’t know what E&O insurance is? Seth Cohen and Bob Jellen from HUB International will start with a virtual 30-minute Zoom presentation on insurance for documentaries, during which all of the above q...

IDA Member Exclusive - Protecting Your Vision: Film Insurance Presentation with HUB International - join us February 18, 2026, at 9 AM PT with HUB International for a virtual 30-min presentation on insurance for documentaries. Become a member and register today.
www.documentary.org/event/protec...

On Being the #2 Documentary in America in 2026 In this op-ed, filmmakers Lance Kramer and Brandon Kramer provide an accounting of what achieving #2 at the U.S. box office actually requires for self-distributed films, and the political danger in th...

Filmmakers Lance and Brandon Kramer provide an accounting of what achieving #2 at the U.S. box office actually requires for self-distributed films, and the political danger in the industrial preference for high-budget celeb projects. #DocumentaryMag #OpEd
documentary.org/online-featu...