THE POWER OF PERSONAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS: THE DISTRIBUTORS

In early 2022, Re-Present Media (RPM) issued an article, The Power of Personal Documentary Films, presenting data gathered from emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) filmmakers working on personal documentary films. In particular, the article explored the impact of racism and white-supremacy culture on their work.

This session will present highlights of the survey project as it relates to the current distribution landscape, then dive into a deep conversation with distribution professionals. Themes will include: the value of personal documentary films from diverse communities, how personal documentaries are currently distributed, the challenges of marketing such films, the missed opportunities to connect with audiences because of an unconscious bias against these films, and how strategies can shift among distributors for programming, acquiring, and marketing personal documentaries.

Guests: Jennifer Crystal Chien, Re-Present Media | Brenda Avila-Hanna, New Day Films | Amanda Salazar, Film Programmer | Annie Roney, ro*co Films, Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Moderator: Claire Aguilar, producer/consultant, former Director of Programming and Policy at International Documentary Association