I was recently inspired by meeting @bybrittfranklin & Jordan of @minoritiesfilm at the @CamdenIFF. Their manifesto calls for filmmakers to mobilize and chart the future for independent film and foster a way for audiences to engage in a wide diversity of perspectives.

I’ll be attending the online workshop that the D-Word is co-presenting with award-winning filmmaker Philip Shane on how to utilize Chat GPT to aid in the documentary filmmaking process. RSVP to attend: philipshane.com/class/ChatGP…

This week’s newsletter I address the rapid development of AI and what that means for us as humans as Open AI proceeds without regulation. I quote an interview with AI pioneer Stuart Russel that I did for my doc about Mark Pauline and SRL. Read here: bit.ly/3SNX5Lb

. @kasavard wonderful poster designer who crafted SAM NOW’s posters, is curating an exhibition of posters in cooperation with the Berlinale, called The Big Screen at the Staatliche Museum of Berlin. Karine will be presenting the exhibition in person: bit.ly/49zV63S

Megan Gilbride and Rebecca Green's Dear Producer post "Sundance Reinvented" indicates the problems of both monetary and physical access at the festival and proposes a new kind of Sundance. “a low-budget film can expect to spend $50-75k to attend.” bit.ly/4bsaalZ

When critics have a platform that is high enough to influence a good portion of a film’s potential audience this can wreak havoc on a film’s distribution. Kaufman’s piece is a good reminder to take every piece of criticism with a grain of salt: bit.ly/42vgZ2g

Distribution Advocates has started a podcast where host Avril Speaks unravels the convoluted world of indie film distribution with honest insider stories. Episode 1 Sales Agents is here: bit.ly/4bpUlw0 #distribution #salesagents #indiefilm #podcast #indiedistribution

New newsletter drop today: “The problem with the supposed golden age of documentaries wasn’t just that it only helped a relatively small number of filmmakers, but that it reinvigorated the mythology of sales as salvation for filmmakers". Read the rest: 8above.com/Blog-1

The Gotham recently announced its Documentary Development cohort of 2024. These fellows are in great hands and initiatives like these allow new and marginalized filmmakers to create thought-provoking and impactful stories with the guidance of experienced mentors. Congrats to all!

. @antkaufman wrote about what a large and promising film festival like Sundance should be for. We need a better way to support the endeavors of visionaries and changemakers in doc film. Read Kaufman's piece here: bit.ly/47syBwh #sundance #indiefilm #festivals

. @ITVSIndies has announced its open call for applications for their broadcast co-production agreement. @SamNowMovie received an ITVS Open Call grant and received a broadcast premiere on Independent Lens after their theatrical release. Read more here: itvs.org/funding/open-call/

. @MLAWM_Movie made @thedailybeast's list for the best animated films of the year! You will find 8 Above’s first animated feature release amongst the titles of some of the best animated films that were released last year: thedailybeast.com/obsessed/t… #animation #8aboverelease

Just landed this feature story about @SigneBaumane in @IndieWire where she speaks about her inspiration for @MLAWM_movie, which is wrapping up its North American Theatrical release. Read the rest of the piece here: buff.ly/3RPwAVt #animation #8aboverelease #indiefilm

Sundance’s new Artist Opportunities applications are open! Check out the complete here and apply: buff.ly/3RynITV @sundanceorg #distribution #documentaryfilmmaking #documentaryfilm #independentfilm #independentfilm #filmmaking #filmstrategy #filmfunding #indiefilm

The deadline for the Dear Producer Award is approaching on December 22nd. This is the third year of the annual @DearProducer awards but this year marks the first year the awards are Open Application. Don’t miss out and apply here: buff.ly/3NuxVzh #indiefilm #filmfund

Rebecca Green of @DearProducer has published a Producer Support Guide. Check out this incredible resource curated by herself other independent filmmakers here: buff.ly/3GxMy13 #distribution #indieproducers #independentfilm #dearproducer #filmmaking #producing

The @cmsimpact released a Best Practices Guide for Negotiating Social Impact Rights in Documentary Film. This guide helps filmmakers, strategize how to preserve their social impact campaigns when negotiating with a distributor. Read the full guide here: buff.ly/3Rxb6xs

Highly recommend the Firelight Media YouTube Live for Beyond Resilience: The System is Broken. Now What? this Thursday (today) December 7 from 4-5pm ET. Reserve your spot here: buff.ly/3TapFID @firelightmedia @bnewman01 #distribution #documentaryfilm #brokensystem