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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story follows the rise, breakup, and reunion of Little Brother, the critically acclaimed and widely influential Hip-Hop group from Durham, North Carolina.A music documentary in the tradition of films like Beats Rhymes & Life, Zappa, or 20 Feet From Stardom, May the Lord Watch details the vast impact […]

You’ve spent months or even years completing your documentary, but you don’t know what to do next or how to make money from your project? Join SDF Artistic Director and documentary filmmaker Chris Everett for a conversation on how to monetize your documentary film using a DIY (do it yourself) approach. Don't miss out on […]

SDF Presents: HOW TO SUE THE KLAN at the NC Black Film Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina HOW TO SUE THE KLAN is the story of how five Black women from Chattanooga used legal ingenuity to take on the Ku Klux Klan in a historic 1982 civil case, fighting to hold them accountable for their […]

Beyond the Shot List: Finding Your Documentary's LookJoin us for an interactive webinar featuring award-winning director and cinematographer, Andrew H. Brown, renowned for his film "Between the Rains" which clinched the Best Cinematography award at Tribeca Festival 2023. Nominated again in 2024 for the IDA Award for Best Cinematography, Andrew will delve into his unique […]