DOC announces new program, publications, complimentary Indigenous filmmaker memberships, and cross-country work-shops with former Hot Docs programmer Sean Farnel.

May 2, 2019 (Toronto, ON) － The ​Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) has announced the return of Festival Concierge. The relaunch of the popular film festival distribution service follows the recent release of the DOC publication “The Roadmap to Creative Distribution,” extending DOC’s efforts to support and stimulate market access and discoverability opportunities for Canadian documentaries and their makers. A series of workshops, resources, and services in support of Canadian documentary producers seeking to leverage the international film festival circuit, Festival Concierge will provide filmmakers with strategies and guidance in navigating this complicated and ever-evolving market. Sean Farnel and DOC will be taking Festival Concierge,​ “The Roadmap to Creative Distribution” and workshops on ​“Mastering the Festival Launch” across Canada for a festival tour, including at Hot Docs, DOXA and RIDM where the tour will conclude in the Fall. Other stops include Sudbury, Halifax, and Winnipeg.

“Film festivals are important showcases and professional development opportunities for our members and their productions,” says Mathieu Dragonas, Executive Director of the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC). “We understand that navigating the festival circuit is a daunting task. Our hope is that Festival Concierge helps demystify the process for our members and that, ultimately, we see more Canadian doc productions at international film festivals.”

Festival Concierge and the recently released DOC publication “The Roadmap To Creative Distribution” are intended to provide guidance for producers who are engaged in marketing, sales and distribution for their productions. To further the accessibility of their programming, DOC is announcing complimentary memberships for Indigenous-identifying filmmakers, effective May 3, 2019 through to December 31, 2020.

“The Roadmap to Creative Distribution” prepared by producer Chanda Chevannes is a comprehensive guide to the fluid, active, and constantly evolving ways by which producers approach managing their Intellectual Property.

Following “Mastering The Festival Launch” workshops at Hot Docs (April 26) and DOXA (May 6), DOC will release a second publication, “What Are Film Festivals For?,” prepared by Festival Concierge consultant Sean Farnel. This publication will provide insights, including case studies, into the nitty gritty of film festival distribution from a producer’s point-of-view.

Details for accessing Festival Concierge services will be available on the DOC at www.doc.org in mid-May.