Competencies. Material. Money. Networks. From funding up to distribution, gatekeepers control every step of the film ecosystem. How can we accountably re-distribute power and give access to emerging authors with first-hand, authentic narratives from all around the Globe?

Authenticity, Representation, Inclusiveness or Accountability are neither buzzwords nor utopias. The two case studies of The Territory and The Sacred of Kamukuwaká frame how sharing creative power helps to enhance authentic stories, and how collaboration – from sound to camera work – can bring a voice to those who own the story.

Who has control and power matter in every documentary genre. But in films that deal with violence, the risks to vulnerable contributors are far higher. What does it really take for filmmakers to work sensitively and effectively with people who courageously bring their trauma into public light?

Do we have a funding system enabling us to get the future we want? What needs to be changed to ensure more equality, diverse and representative stories in a world we want more just? A systemic change needs a collective effort, but it may start with personal initiative. A producer shares his journey.

A debate for a better funding system between a public service broadcaster and private equity: what are the (dis-)advantages of traditional funding sources, like public service broadcasters’ money, and which new equity funding sources are sound options for documentary filmmakers? Are these compatible?

Can agents attending markets help you find money for your project? Do banks have a role to play? How can filmmakers access funding through VCs? Is NFT an option to fund documentaries? We explore ways, tools and models to finance documentary film production beyond broadcasters and funding bodies, now and in the very next future.

“Golden Age of Documentary” is an often mentioned cliché, but we are far away from a wealthy sector – not even talking about the huge disparities in the economic results. How can we change the status quo? What would it take to make a real golden age happen with more abundance and less scarcity?

From sales, to views and critiques, up to creating long-lasting change – what are the parameters for a film to be considered successful? Who sets the criterias to measure the success of films and their filmmakers? This session will challenge and recalibrate the relationship we have with success.

Successful film projects are great, but are they enough to sustain a career? Not many documentary filmmakers can “„make it“ without compromising on their values, stories or ethics. We need to move away from mere project funding for a possibly new system to support and facilitate successful careers.

What does it mean to be a successful documentary filmmaker in todays’ society – for the filmmakers,  but also for society? Renzo Martens, known for his artistic critique on economic inequality, will give a final keynote to shift views about documentary filmmaking and its impact, way beyond the screen.