International Documentary Association (IDA), founded in 1982, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that promotes nonfiction filmmakers, and is dedicated to increasing public awareness for the documentary genre. Their major program areas are: Advocacy, Filmmaker Services, Education, and Public Programs and Events. Based in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, the IDA has approximately 2,000 members in 53 countries, providing a forum for supporters and suppliers of documentary filmmaking.

Advocacy

The IDA advocates for, protects and advances the legal rights of documentary filmmakers. IDA has a long history of making the case for documentary filmmaking as a vital art form, and seeking ways to ensure that the artists who make documentaries receive appropriate funding. Most recently, IDA has been vocal in confronting the non-fiction film industry, to include promoting net neutrality efforts, lobbying for the development of strong public policies for the arts, lobbying for the appropriation of increased public funding for the arts, promoting fair use practice, and protecting the first amendment rights of filmmakers.

Filmmaker services

IDA provides services, tools and information for documentarians. Filmmaker services include IDA Membership, Fiscal Sponsorship, the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund, ''Documentary'' magazine, and their website, ''Documentary.org''.

Membership

IDA Membership provides members with benefits and opportunities, by promoting the documentary genre and the ability to engage with other IDA members. IDA Members have opportunities to network with and learn from nonfiction filmmakers, and also have access to the online Membership Directory. IDA Members are eligible to receive special invites to events including film screenings, workshops and networking opportunities; and are also eligible to vote for the annual IDA Documentary Awards in the Best Feature and Best Short categories.

Fiscal sponsorship

IDA's Fiscal Sponsorship Program allows documentary films in production to receive donations and grants. Fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement in which a 501(c)(3) public charity, such as the IDA, agrees to sponsor a project that furthers our mission, for the purpose of fundraising through grants and donations. This alternative to starting a unique nonprofit allows one to seek grants and solicit tax-deductible donations for a documentary, with the oversight, support and endorsement of IDA. Over the years, this program has helped raise funds for titles such as '' Spellbound'', ''

Trouble the Water ''Trouble the Water'' is a 2008 documentary film produced and directed by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal. The film portrays a young couple surviving Hurricane Katrina, leading them to face their own troubled past during the storm's aftermath, in a co ...

'', ''World According to Sesame Street'', ''

For the Bible Tells Me So ''For the Bible Tells Me So'' is a 2007 American documentary film directed by Daniel G. Karslake about homosexuality and its perceived conflict with Christianity, as well as various interpretations of what the Bible says about sexual orientation. T ...

'', '' Dear Zachary'', ''

A Small Act ''A Small Act'' is a documentary film produced by Harambee Media and HBO and directed by Jennifer Arnold. The documentary chronicles Chris Mburu's search for his benefactor, whose sponsorship allowed him to continue secondary school in Kenya. He ...

'', ''

Garbage Dreams ''Garbage Dreams'' is a 2009 feature length documentary film produced and directed by Mai Iskander. Filmed over the course of four years, ''Garbage Dreams'' follows three teenage boys growing up in Egypt's garbage village. ''Garbage Dreams'' ai ...

'', '' The Man on Lincoln's Nose'', ''Speaking In Strings'', '' The Invisible War'', and '' Fruits of Labor''.

Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund

The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund will provide annual production grants totalling $94,000 to be used in the creation of original, independent documentary films that illuminate pressing issues in the United States. Grants are made to up to 5 projects that tell a compelling story and focus on one of Pare Lorentz's central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all or the illumination of pressing social problems. The fund supports full-length documentary films that reflect the spirit and nature of Pare Lorentz's work, exhibiting objective research, artful storytelling, strong visual style, high production values, artistic writing, outstanding music composition, as well as skilful direction, camerawork and editing. The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is made possible by the

New York Community Trust The New York Community Trust is the community foundation for New York City, with divisions in Westchester and Long Island. It is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States and one of the largest funders of New York C ...

. In 2012, five films were recipients of the 2012 Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund Grants, including After Tiller, Citizen Corp, Four Walls Around Me, The New Black, and Remote Area Medical.

''Documentary'' magazine

''Documentary'' magazine is a quarterly publication that offers information to keep readers on track with the industry. The magazine has an international readership that includes over 20,000 readers. Circulation includes the 2,000 members of IDA, over 200 libraries, newsstand sales in Los Angeles, New York, and major cities throughout the US and Canada. The magazine features profiles of leading filmmakers like

Michael Apted Michael David Apted, (10 February 1941 – 7 January 2021) was a British television and film director and producer. Apted began working in television and directed the '' Up'' documentary series (1964–2019). He later directed '' Coal Miner's ...

Errol Morris Errol Mark Morris (born February 5, 1948) is an American film director known for documentaries that interrogate the epistemology of its subjects. In 2003, his documentary film '' The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamar ...

, Michael Moore,

Albert Maysles Albert Maysles (November 26, 1926 – March 5, 2015) and his brother David Maysles (January 10, 1931 – January 3, 1987; ) were an American documentary filmmaking team known for their work in the Direct Cinema style. Their best-known films i ...

and

Werner Herzog Werner Herzog (; born 5 September 1942) is a German film director, screenwriter, author, actor, and opera director, regarded as a pioneer of New German Cinema. His films often feature ambitious protagonists with impossible dreams, people with u ...

, among others. It also covers major international film/video festivals with an emphasis on documentaries and distribution, and the latest on production and new technology, trends and recent broadcast developments.

Education

Doc U

Doc U is a series of hands-on educational seminars and workshops for aspiring and experienced documentary filmmakers, taught by artists and industry experts. Participants receive vital training and insight on various topics including fundraising; distribution; marketing; business tactics; and much more. Panelists from past Doc U events include

Ondi Timoner Ondi Doane Timoner is an American filmmaker and the founder and chief executive officer of Interloper Films, a full-service production company located in Pasadena, California. Timoner is a two-time recipient of the Sundance Film Festival's ...

Fenton Bailey World of Wonder Productions is an American production company founded in 1991 by filmmakers Randy Barbato and Portsmouth-born Fenton Bailey. Based in Los Angeles, California, the company specializes in documentary television and film productio ...

, R.J. Cutler,

Harry Shearer Harry Julius Shearer (born December 23, 1943) is an American actor, comedian, writer, musician, radio host, director and producer. Born in Los Angeles, California, Shearer began his career as a child actor. From 1969 to 1976, Shearer was a member ...

Kirby Dick Kirby Bryan Dick (born August 23, 1952) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor best known for directing documentary films. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary Feature for directing ''Twist of Fait ...

Roger Ross Williams Roger Ross Williams (born September 16, 1962) is an American director, producer and writer and the first African American director to win an Academy Award (Oscar), with his short film '' Music by Prudence''; this film won the Academy Award for Be ...

Joe Berlinger Joseph Berlinger (born October 30, 1961) is an American documentary filmmaker and producer. Particularly focused on true crime documentaries, Berlinger's films and docu-series draw attention to social justice issues in the US and abroad in such ...

, Freida Lee Mock,

Mitchell Block Mitchell Block (born c. 1950) is an American filmmaker, primarily a producer of documentary films. He was executive producer of the 2000 short documentary film '' Big Mama'', which won Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 73rd Academy Award ...

, Michael C. Donaldson and more.

Doc U Online

Launched in January 2013 with support from The Harnisch Foundation and Lekha Singh, Doc U Online brings the International Documentary Association's series of educational seminars and workshops for aspiring and experienced documentary filmmakers to IDA members across the globe. Taught by artists and industry experts, participants receive vital information and insight on various topics including licensing and copyright law, business tactics, documentary production, and the changing landscape and opportunities in documentary filmmaking.

Doc U On The Road

Doc U On The Road brings IDA's signature educational and outreach program to filmmakers outside of Los Angeles, made possible with special support from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Doc U On The Road partners with organisations such as American University's Center for Social Media, The Documentary Center, Docs in Progress, '' POV'', the

Paley Center for Media The Paley Center for Media, formerly the Museum of Television & Radio (MT&R) and the Museum of Broadcasting, founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, is an American cultural institution in New York with a branch office in Los Angeles, dedicated to ...

, the

San Francisco Film Society SFFILM, formerly known as The San Francisco Film Society, is a nonprofit arts organization located in San Francisco, California, that presents year-round programs and events in film exhibition, media education, and filmmaker services. The Execut ...

and Women in Film & Video, and has offered programs in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. Topics for Doc U On The Road are selected from a survey of IDA members in each city.

Public programs and events

IDA Documentary Awards

The IDA Documentary Awards is an annual event that recognises and honours outstanding documentary films and filmmakers. The awards ceremony recognises significant achievements in documentary filmmaking in several categories, including Best Feature, Best Short, Best Limited Series, Best Continuing Series, and several creative categories. The annual IDA Documentary Awards Gala is the world's most prestigious award event solely dedicated to documentary film. For almost three decades, IDA has produced this annual celebration to recognise the most groundbreaking documentary films of the year. In addition to honouring both individuals and organisations for outstanding achievements in documentary filmmaking and contributions to the field, the IDA Documentary Awards also recognise the year's best documentary productions. Past hosts of the IDA Documentary Awards include

Penn Jillette Penn Fraser Jillette (born March 5, 1955) is an American magician, actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller. The duo has been featured ...

(2012); Tiffany Shlain, Eddie Schmidt, and

Josh Fox Josh Fox is an American film director, playwright and environmental activist, best known for his Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning 2010 documentary, ''Gasland''. He is one of the most prominent public opponents of hydraulic fracturing and horizon ...

(2011),

Morgan Spurlock Morgan Valentine Spurlock (born November 7, 1970) is an American documentary filmmaker, humorist, television producer, screenwriter and playwright. Spurlock's films include '' Super Size Me'' (2004), '' Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?'' ( ...

(2010), and

Ira Glass Ira Jeffrey Glass (; born March 3, 1959) is an American public radio personality. He is the host and producer of the radio and television series ''This American Life'' and has participated in other NPR programs, including ''Morning Edition'', ' ...

(2009), among others.

DocuDay

DocuDay is IDA's annual screening of the year's best documentary films, Oscar® nominated shorts and features and Independent Spirit Award winners. This event increases public awareness and appreciation for non-fiction films, and takes place in both New York City and Los Angeles.

IDA Documentary Screening Series

The IDA Documentary Screening Series brings some of the year's best documentary films to the IDA community and members of industry guilds and organizations. A moderated Q&A with filmmakers follows the screenings.

References

{{Authority control Non-profit organizations based in California Organizations established in 1982 Organizations based in Los Angeles Documentary film organizations 501(c)(3) organizations