Southern Documentary Fund

BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival - IN THE BUBBLE WITH JAIME
2023-09-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | THE CARY THEATER, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC, 27511, United States
The 2023 BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival opening night film is presented in partnership with the Southern Documentary Fund.
In South Carolina, African American Jaime Harrison takes on Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham to run for US Senate. In a state with one of the largest Black populations in the US, Harrison faces not only a global pandemic but a legacy of racial injustice that makes winning an uphill battle.
Filmmaker Q&A to follow screening.
Join us for a reception at BREW Coffee Bar immediately following this event.

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Local Fundraising Strategies
2023-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
Filmmaker John Beder shares a case study on how he was able to raise money for his documentary HOW TO SUE THE KLAN from state, city, and community funding partners. Competing against the country or world for film funds can be daunting, but John will share some tips and ideas on how to fund your film closer to home.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from a seasoned industry professional!

Pitch Decks & Sizzle Reels: A Case Study
2023-08-23 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
Join Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) on Wednesday, August 23 at 12PM EST for an interactive mentorship roundtable with Shawna Brakefield-Haase, a two-time Emmy Award® nominee and winner of an Emmy Award®.
In this roundtable, Shawna Brakefield-Haase will talk about the process of creating a pitch deck and sizzle reel, what elements should always be included and knowing your audience. Joining her will be filmmaker Bryce Leavitt. Together they will break down their latest project materials and how they resulted in getting financing.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from seasoned industry professionals!

2023 SDF Production Grant Information Session #2
2023-08-15 16:00 - 17:00 | NC
SDF is hosting information session #2 for the 2023 Production Grant. This session will give an overview of SDF’s Production Grant, eligibility requirements, and tips for writing a successful application.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the grant process.
The information session will take place on Tuesday, August 15, 4pm EST via Zoom. This session will be recorded and made available.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Scripting the Documentary with Filmmaker Emily Harrold
2023-07-26 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
Hours upon hours of footage with no sense on how to move forward with editing? Join documentary filmmaker Emily Harrold for this nuts-and-bolts conversation about how to organize, prepare, and script your documentary film — from raw footage to finished film.
Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from an experienced filmmaker.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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2023 Southern Documentary Convening
2023-05-19 15:00 - 2023-05-21 19:00 | NC
The Southern Documentary Convening is a three-day conference for first-time, emerging and experienced documentary makers taking place annually in Durham, NC. Attendees will benefit from workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities with industry professionals. The event aims to provide both practical skills and artistic growth through personal connections and relevant discussions.
Registration includes: Admission to all convening panels, workshops and networking events. SDF will provide coffee, bottled water, lunch and light snacks throughout the convening.
Free Parking is available on site.
*Schedule TBA
For more information, please visit: https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/southern-documentary-convening/

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Mastering Film Compliance and Delivery with Producer Shawna Brakefield-Haase
2023-04-27 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
Join Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) for an interactive mentorship roundtable featuring Shawna Brakefield-Haase, president of The Brakefield Company and a two-time Emmy Award® nominee and winner of an Emmy Award® for documentary producing. This event will feature a Compliances and Delivery Boot Camp that will equip you with essential knowledge on administrative, legal, and clearance compliance and delivery requirements for major distributors, streamers, and networks. By understanding these requirements early on in the pre-production phase, you can ensure that your film is insurable, marketable, and deliverable. Shawna will share her own personal checklists and highlight the importance of creating a comprehensive wrap book. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from a seasoned industry professional!
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Educational Distribution with Filmmaker John Beder
2023-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
Join Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) for an interactive mentorship roundtable with Emmy-nominated filmmaker John Beder. During this webinar, John will share his expert knowledge on how he successfully distributed his film for educational purposes, resulting in over 60 screenings worldwide. Utilizing his film COMPOSED as a case study, John will walk you through his outreach materials and distribution strategies, giving you the tools you need to reach a wider audience. Don’t miss your chance to ask questions and gain valuable insights from a seasoned filmmaker.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Archival Research for Your Documentary with Filmmaker Emily Harrold
2023-02-28 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Join Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) for an interactive mentorship roundtable with award-winning filmmaker Emily Harrold. Learn from a seasoned professional as she shares her expertise on the art of archival research. Discover the best resources for finding and organizing archive and third-party visual materials for your documentary, and gain a deeper understanding of the research phase of the filmmaking process. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from an experienced filmmaker.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Fresh Docs: GRANDMASTER: THE VIC MOORE STORY
2023-02-24 19:00 - 21:00 | THE CARY THEATER, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC, 27511, United States
Southern Documentary Fund is pleased to present a free work-in-progress screening of GRANDMASTER: THE VIC MOORE STORY, by Christopher Everett as part of our Fresh Docs program.
In 1965, Vic Moore became one of the first African Americans to win a major karate competition. Now over 50 years later, Vic Moore is locked in a race against time to pass his knowledge of Shuri-ryū Karate to the next generation of martial artists as he struggles with the health repercussions of a strenuous martial arts career.
Doors will open at 6:30pm, film will start at 7:00pm. There will be a post film discussion with Christopher Everett (director & producer), Victor Moore (subject of film), and moderator Dr. Alonzo Alexander (Director, Imhotep and Kyran Anderson Academies at NC State Science House & Purple Belt in Shotokan Karate) immediately following the screening.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Christopher Everett is an independent film director, producer and curator, based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Christopher is the Program Manager at the Southern Documentary Fund and is the founder of Speller Street Films and Black Kung Fu Cinema. He’s a recent Firelight Media Doc Lab Fellow and is the guest curator at The Cary Theater in Cary, NC for their Kung Fu Film Series. His debut feature documentary WILMINGTON ON FIRE, chronicles the 1898 Wilmington Massacre. He’s currently in post-production on WILMINGTON ON FIRE: CHAPTER II and also GRANDMASTER: THE VIC MOORE STORY which looks at the life and teachings of martial arts pioneer Grandmaster Victor Moore. He’s also currently in production on WE BUILT THIS: PROFILES OF BLACK ARCHITECTS & BUILDERS IN NC.
ABOUT FRESH DOCS
Fresh Docs is Southern Documentary Fund’s work-in-progress screening series. These screenings give SDF makers an opportunity to showcase their work fresh from the edit suite, and receive structural, editorial, and Point-of-View feedback from qualified professionals such as documentary media makers and production specialists.

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UNMARKED
2023-02-18 16:30 - 17:30 | Academy Center of the Arts, 600 Main St, Lynchburg, VA, 24504, United States
Join the Academy Center of the Arts in viewing UNMARKED, a film about the thousands of African-American grave sites and burial grounds for enslaved persons that have been disappearing over the years. In Virginia alone, stories of thousands at rest could vanish from history altogether if these locations are not restored and those with personal connections to these burial sites have recently begun to uncover and maintain locations across the state.
The documentary has appeared in nine film festivals, including the New Orleans Film Festival and the Pan African Film Festival and was nominated for a Capital Emmy Award in 2021. The Academy is proud to highlight the efforts of Lynchburg locals, who helped to bring this film to life and to share the significance of this topic through the art of film for Black History Month.
This event will include live performances, poetry, and a panel discussion directly following the film. The panelists include Jerome Preston Bates (host), Brian Palmer (moderator), Chris Haley (co-director), Crystal Rosson (descendant), Brad J. Bennett (co-director), and Murrell Thornhill (co-owner of Tharp Funeral Home).
ABOUT THE DIRECTORSBrad Bennett is a Japanese-American filmmaker and Emmy-nominated producer based in Virginia. His first feature documentary, Forgive–Don’t Forget, chronicles the search for a family on the other side of the world in order to return an heirloom taken during World War II. The film won the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2017 Guam International Film Festival. Forgive–Don’t Forget was acquired by Gravitas Ventures in 2018 and released on Hulu and Amazon. Bennett has been featured in The Guardian, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. He is the Co-director, Producer, and DP for UNMARKED.
Chris Haley is the co-director, archival expert, and co-writer of UNMARKED. As the Director of the Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland at the Maryland State Archives Research Department and the Utopia Film Festival in Greenbelt, Maryland, Mr. Haley has served on many prestigious boards in the world of African American genealogy as well as in the Arts.

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Fiscal Sponsorship 101: How to Fund Your Documentary Film
2023-01-26 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
Join SDF for a special webinar on fiscal sponsorship and how it can help you fundraise for your documentary film. SDF Program Manager Christopher Everett will provide an overview of the basics of fiscal sponsorship, including what it is and how it works. We will be joined by John Beder, a documentary filmmaker who has successfully used fiscal sponsorship to fundraise and complete his current film. This info session will also cover the application process and answer any questions you may have.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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The Documentary Work Sample with Filmmaker Sabrina Schmidt Gordon
2022-12-15 14:00 | NC
One of the most critical components of any documentary grant application is the work sample. In this interactive mentorship roundtable, documentary editor & producer Sabrina Schmidt Gordon will dive into the ways that you can craft an effective documentary work sample.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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SDF Presents: MAMA BEARS at Cucalorus Film Festival
2022-11-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Thalian Black, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Southern Documentary Fund is pleased to present MAMA BEARS at the 28th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival.
Sara Cunningham and Kimberly Shappley are two mama bears — conservative, Christian mothers whose profound love for their LGBTQ+ children has turned them into fierce advocates for the entire queer community. Tammi Terrell Morris is a young African American lesbian whose struggle for self-acceptance exemplifies why the mama bears are so important. MAMA BEARS explores the journeys of these women who have allowed nearly every aspect of their lives to be reshaped by love. Although they may have grown up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians, mama bears are willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to keep their children safe. Shot in a poetic, deeply intimate style, Daresha Kyi’s touching doc explores the complex intersections of politics, religion, faith, and unconditional love.
There will be a post film discussion with Daresha Kyi (director) moderated by Meredith Persin (LGBTQ+ Program Specialist at UNCW), immediately following the screening.

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https://youtu.be/ltg8aFSrLB0
This program was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Art, and North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Documentary Waterfall with Filmmaker Rebekah Fergusson
2022-10-27 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Do you want to diversify funding opportunities for your film? Do you want to feel more confident in financial negotiations for your project? This interactive roundtable, hosted by documentary filmmaker Rebekah Fergusson, is an introduction to the documentary waterfall: guidelines and best practices for investor financing and financial recoupment for documentary films.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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SDF Presents: OUTTA THE MUCK
2022-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | The Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC, 27701
Southern Documentary Fund is pleased to present OUTTA THE MUCK, directed and produced by Bhawin Suchak and Ira Mckinley.
Family, football and history come to life in an intimate portrait of the Dean family, longtime residents of the historic town of Pahokee, Florida. We take a journey back home, with filmmaker Ira McKinley, to the land of sugarcane, as he reconnects with his niece Bridget and nephew Alvin and explores their shared family history that spans seven generations. Told through stories that transcend space and time, Outta The Muck presents a community, and a family, that resists despair with love, remaining fiercely self-determined, while forging its own unique narrative of Black achievement.
Doors will open at 6:30pm, film will start at 7:00pm. There will be a post film discussion with Bhawin Suchak (co-director), Ira Mckinley (co-director), and Philip J. Merrill (African American Heritage Historian & Consultant) immediately following the screening.

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https://vimeo.com/674895253
This program was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Art, and North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

AUDIO UNDER THE STARS // HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL: STORIES OF TAKING CARE IN TOUGH TIMES
2022-10-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC, 27701
Audio Under the Stars is a unique, immersive, and shared experience that brings diverse individuals together for an evening of documentary storytelling in a charming, garden-party atmosphere. Stories both reflect the lives of the audience and take them to places they could never imagine. The richness of the stories creates captivating, magical moments: listeners often laugh along together or clap at moments of triumph.
HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL: STORIES OF TAKING CARE IN TOUGH TIMES shares stories on healing and connection, exploring what it means to be well, how we find community, what we do to get by when times are tough, and reflecting on how we’ve gotten this far through the pandemic.
If the weather is good, we will meet on the Great Lawn, the gorgeous grassy hillside between the Mount Merrill playground and the skate park.
If the weather is wet, we’ll shift to the Pavilion, with optional seating on the grass. Bring your weather gear!
Picnics and well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. There are many local businesses in downtown Durham where you can enjoy food and drinks before or after the show. Please note, no alcohol, smoking, or vaping allowed.
This event is free to attend, but donations are welcome. Please consider bringing a cash donation, or making a donation online here. Listener support is vital to the future of Audio Under the Stars.
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
ABOUT AUDIO UNDER THE STARS
The Southeast’s largest outdoor audio documentary festival, Audio Under the Stars has been bringing people together to celebrate excellent audio storytelling since 2014.

AUDIO UNDER THE STARS // HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL: STORIES OF TAKING CARE IN TOUGH TIMES
2022-09-23 18:00 - 20:00 | The Fruit, 305 S Dillard St, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
Audio Under the Stars is a unique, immersive, and shared experience that brings diverse individuals together for an evening of documentary storytelling in a charming, garden-party atmosphere. Stories both reflect the lives of the audience and take them to places they could never imagine. The richness of the stories creates captivating, magical moments: listeners often laugh along together or clap at moments of triumph.
HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL: STORIES OF TAKING CARE IN TOUGH TIMES shares stories on healing and connection, exploring what it means to be well, how we find community, what we do to get by when times are tough, and reflecting on how we’ve gotten this far through the pandemic.
Bring a blanket, bring a friend! You can find all kinds of food and drinks available at the many local businesses at The Plant! (No outside food or drink, please). Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome.
This event is free to attend, but donations are welcome. Please consider bringing a cash donation, or making a donation online here. Listener support is vital to the future of Audio Under the Stars.
*In the event of rain, this will be rescheduled for 9/30.
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
ABOUT AUDIO UNDER THE STARS
The Southeast’s largest outdoor audio documentary festival, Audio Under the Stars has been bringing people together to celebrate excellent audio storytelling since 2014.

Creating a Pitch Deck for Your Documentary with Filmmaker Isabel Castro
2022-09-22 12:00 | NC
Your pitch deck is one of the most important tools in your initial stage of obtaining financing. In this mentorship roundtable session, documentary filmmaker Isabel Castro will show examples of her own personal pitch decks and discuss the importance of these decks in pitching, raising funds, and selling your film.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Making Documentaries for Social Change
2022-09-21 17:15 - 18:00 | Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, 900 West End Ave SW, Atlanta, GA, 30310, United States
Join us for a discussion exploring the many ways that documentary storytelling can create social change. A panel of documentary professionals come together to discuss how they’ve carried their messages beyond the screen to create engagement from audiences and respond to social issues and injustices. Subjects that will be discussed include impact and outreach strategy, partnerships, and engaging with the media.
There will be a mixer in the lobby of the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center immediately following the panel discussion.
Moderator:Christopher Everett is an independent film director, producer, and curator, based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Christopher is the Program Manager at the Southern Documentary Fund and is the founder of Speller Street Films and Black Kung Fu Cinema. He’s a recent Firelight Media Doc Lab Fellow and is the guest curator at The Cary Theater in Cary, NC for their Kung Fu Film Series. His debut feature documentary Wilmington on Fire chronicles the 1898 Wilmington Massacre. He’s currently in post-production on Wilmington on Fire: Chapter II and also Grandmaster: The Vic Moore Story which looks at the life and teachings of martial arts pioneer Grandmaster Victor Moore.
Panelists:Aalam-Warqe Davidian is an Ethiopian-Israeli film director. Her directorial debut, Fig Tree, was an Ophir Award nominee for Best Picture in 2018. Her film With No Land is an Official Selection for the 4th Annual Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival.
Mikki Harris uses a journalistic approach to understanding the cultural context of community, both past, and present through the use of innovative visual storytelling. She is a multimedia journalist whose work over the past 20 years has focused on community-based power as examined through the tools of journalism and cultural studies. She uses storytelling to shift perspective in dynamic ways that both preserve and carry culture. She uses oral history, documentary photojournalism, and video, as well as writing to document and shape stories of impact. Her article and photos in National Geographic provide a look into this work.
Hal Jacobs brings a career in freelance writing and developing written and video resources for higher education into film work that focuses on arts, social justice, and the environment. Hal’s film Common Good Atlanta documentary is an Official Selection for the 4th Annual Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival. He lives in Decatur, Georgia with his wife Alicia, who is a librarian at Fernbank Elementary School and often a contributing editor for HJC projects.
Daresha Kyi is an Emmy award winner who writes, produces, and directs documentary and narrative films and all kinds of television in Spanish and English. A natural-born storyteller, she made her first short, experimental film, Schism, at the age of 16. As a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she was awarded a Tisch Scholars fellowship and graduated with a degree in Film & TV. Her award-winning student film, The Thinnest Line, helped her receive grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, and other foundations to fund her second film, Land Where My Fathers Died.

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ANGEL OF ALABAMA - OPENING NIGHT FILM AT BEYOND: THE CARY FILM FESTIVAL
2022-09-15 19:00 - 20:00 | THE CARY THEATER, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC, 27511, United States
Brenda Hampton was born first of ten to a family in rural Alabama. Her mother taught her to think critically and always fight for justice, so she left for Boston to become an investigator. When her mother fell ill, she returned to Alabama to donate her left kidney. Eventually Brenda’s remaining kidney began to fail and triggered her realization of a larger problem. With her expertise and passion for justice, she identified the source of massive environmental contamination in Alabama. Her years of work have led to a permanent water solution for her community. Her efforts have even pushed international progress including a policy change by the largest fast-food company in the world: McDonalds.
There will be a post-screening conversation with Elijah Yetter-Bowman (Director), Brenda Hampton (Subject of the Film), Ryke Longest (Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic at Duke University), and Emily Sutton (Haw Riverkeeper at the Haw River Assembly).
Join us for a reception at BREW Coffee Bar immediately following this event.
Thank you North Carolina Humanities for supporting this screening.
For assistance with accessible seating at The Cary Theater please contact the general box office at 919-462-2055, and/or reach out to the House Manager beginning one hour prior to the screening or performance.

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ABOUT BEYOND: THE CARY FILM FESTIVALEach fall in the heart of the North Carolina, the Town of Cary hosts its annual short film and screenplay festival presented at the historic Cary Theater. Engaged audiences, new and established filmmakers, industry professionals, and special guests from around the country come together to celebrate the art and craft of short filmmaking.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA HUMANITIESThrough public humanities programs and grantmaking, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. NC Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more visit NChumanities.org.
This program is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Fundraising for Your Documentary with Filmmaker Sabrina Schmidt Gordon
2022-08-31 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Are you in need of funding for your documentary and wondering where to find money to make and/or finish your film? Documentary filmmaker Sabrina Schmidt Gordon will dive into the many ways that you can fund your project. This interactive mentorship roundtable will include brief case studies and opportunities to ask questions.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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The Documentary Budget With Documentary Filmmaker Rebekah Fergusson
2022-07-28 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Every budget tells a story. A well-written one is both a road map for your production and a reflection of the creative vision of your film. This discussion delves into how to write your first budget, general budgeting principles, as well as methods and software. The interactive roundtable will include brief case studies and opportunities to ask questions.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Fresh Docs: IN THE BUBBLE WITH JAIME
2022-07-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Nickelodeon Theatre, 1607 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Southern Documentary Fund is pleased to present a free work-in-progress screening of IN THE BUBBLE WITH JAIME, by Emily Harrold as part of our Fresh Docs program.
In South Carolina, African American Jaime Harrison takes on Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham to run for U.S. Senate. But what happens when the COVID epidemic sets in? In a state with one of the largest African American populations in the United States, Harrison must face not only a global pandemic but a legacy of racial injustice that makes winning an uphill battle.
Doors will open at 5:00pm, film will start at 5:30pm. There will be a post film discussion with director Emily Harrold immediately following the screening.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOREmily Harrold is a documentary filmmaker from Orangeburg, South Carolina. Her films have screened at festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival, DOC NYC and the Telluride Film Festival. Her short film Meltdown In Dixie, a TOPIC original documentary that is part of WORLD Channel’s America ReFramed Series, won the Academy Qualifying Best Short at the 2021 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and has gone on to garner many awards including a 2022 dupont Columbia Finalist designation and a 2022 Silver Telly Award. Harrold produced the PBS American Experience documentary Flood in the Desert about the 1928 St Francis Dam Disaster, which premiered in May 2022. Her feature documentary directing debut, While I Breathe, I Hope about politician Bakari Sellers, won the documentary Audience Award at the 2018 New Orleans Film Festival, premiered on WorldChannel’s AfroPop series in 2019, and won a 2020 Southeast Region Emmy. Harrold is also part of the team behind Discovery’s Tigerland (Sundance 2019) and National Geographic’s Ron Howard-directed Rebuilding Paradise (Sundance 2020). She is part of DOC NYC’s 2021 40 Under 40 Class. Harrold is a member of Film Fatales, Documentary Producers Alliance, and the collective The Filmshop. She is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
ABOUT FRESH DOCSFresh Docs is Southern Documentary Fund’s work-in-progress screening series. These screenings give SDF makers an opportunity to showcase their work fresh from the edit suite, and receive structural, editorial, and Point-of-View feedback from qualified professionals such as documentary media makers and production specialists.

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2022 SDF Production Grant Information Session #2
2022-07-12 16:00 - 17:00 | NC
Join SDF for our 2022 Production Grant Information Session #2, which will introduce the grant eligibility guidelines and provide a general overview of the newly revised Doc Core application. The Documentary Core Application is a collaborative effort by grantors who regularly fund documentary projects to standardize application requirements, with the aim of fostering greater access and a more equitable and sustainable documentary field.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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Documentary Case Study With Emmy-Nominated Documentary Filmmaker Isabel Castro
2022-06-30 14:00 - 15:00 | NC
From concept to completion, four-time Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker Isabel Castro gives us an overview of the process used in her latest film MIJA, a documentary that dives into the world of a young woman hustling harder than anyone else, because for her and her family, “making it” isn’t just a dream—it’s a necessity. This interactive mentorship roundtable discussion will answer questions about the entire documentary filmmaking process.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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2022 SDF Production Grant Information Session #1
2022-06-27 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Join SDF for the 2022 Production Grant Information Session, which will introduce the grant eligibility guidelines and provide a general overview of the newly revised Doc Core application. The Documentary Core Application is a collaborative effort by grantors who regularly fund documentary projects to standardize application requirements, with the aim of fostering greater access and a more equitable and sustainable documentary field.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

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2022 SDF Production Grant
2022-06-13 - 2022-07-18 | NC
Applications are open for our 2022 Production Grant! SDF will be awarding $10,000 each to five filmmakers directing their lenses at powerful Southern stories. We encourage filmmakers at all levels to apply for this funding opportunity. The 2022 Production Grant wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation.
We will be hosting two grant information sessions. SDF Program Manager Chris Everett will give an overview of SDF’s Production Grant, eligibility requirements, and tips for writing a successful application. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the grant process. Both information sessions will be recorded.

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STAY PRAYED UP Hometown Premiere
2022-05-07 16:00 - 20:00 | The Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC, 27701
Celebrate the mighty spirit of Lena Mae Perry and her church gospel noisy crew with a special hometown premiere of this award-winning, soul-lifting documentary film experience. Perry is the steadfast bandleader of The Branchettes, a legendary North Carolina gospel group that has packed churches throughout the South and as far away as Ireland over the past 50 years. The film, which enjoyed a raucous world premiere at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival, presents an expansive vision of spirituality and the power of creative community as Perry, 83, records her first live concert album with Phil Cook, a white Wisconsin-born gospel enthusiast and musical polyglot half her age. Bring your mothers and your grandmothers out to this sacred Mother’s Day gathering as we rejoice in community and give our matriarchs the flowers they deserve with a special post-screening performance by The Branchettes.
Directed by D.L. Anderson & Matt Durning (72 min.)
TIMELINE3:30pm – Doors Open4:00pm – 5:30pm – Show Start | Invocation + Film Screening5:30pm – 6:15pm – Q&A + Performance6:15pm – 8:00pm – Meet & Greet

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The Documentary Director-Editor Relationship with Carla Gutiérrez
2022-04-21 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
The director-editor relationship is an integral part of the documentary filmmaking process. How do the director and editor navigate their relationship with each other?
Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) hosts an interactive mentorship roundtable discussion with Emmy- and ACE Eddie-nominated documentary editor Carla Gutiérrez (JULIA, PRAY AWAY, RBG) on forming collaborative relationships and why the relationship between the director and editor is essential for a documentary to be successful.
*Please note that live captioning is available for all virtual public events. To make a request for any other accessibility-related accommodation, ask a question, or give us your feedback, please email us at info@southerndocumentaryfund.org to discuss your specific needs. We will respond as soon as possible and will do our best to work with you on your specific request. If you require assistance by phone, please call us at 919-308-3714.
Please notify us of any requests as early as possible, and note that requests made within 5 days of the virtual event cannot be guaranteed.

VIEW RECORDING
