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X-WR-CALNAME:Southern Documentary Fund
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Southern Documentary Fund
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260606T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260606T191500
DTSTAMP:20260511T164705Z
CREATED:20260511T164705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T164705Z
UID:21881-1780772400-1780773300@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:The Southern Lens Award Presentation
DESCRIPTION:To be presented annually at the Southern Documentary Convening\, the Southern Documentary Fund Southern Lens Award honors documentary makers and supporters for their significant achievements and dedication to amplifying stories from the American South. \nThis award celebrates those who create\, promote\, and champion authentic Southern narratives—recognizing the important role they play in shaping a more inclusive\, complex\, and truthful understanding of the region. Whether through filmmaking\, advocacy\, mentorship\, or community engagement\, recipients of the Southern Lens Award are dedicated to uplifting the voices of Southern storytellers and ensuring their work reaches broader audiences. \nThis year\, SDF is proud to honor Darcy McKinnon with the Southern Lens Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to documentary storytelling and her continued commitment to supporting filmmakers and meaningful nonfiction work. Through her dedication to collaboration\, mentorship\, and impactful storytelling\, Darcy has helped foster a stronger and more connected documentary community—uplifting stories that inspire dialogue\, understanding\, and change across the South and beyond.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/the-southern-lens-award-presentation/
LOCATION:Durham Arts Council\, 120 Morris St\, Durham\, NC\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Southern Documentary Convening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Darcy_McKinnon_Color_0343_V1-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260606T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260606T203000
DTSTAMP:20260511T194854Z
CREATED:20260427T203456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T194854Z
UID:21756-1780773300-1780777800@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:SDF Presents Screening: Roleplay
DESCRIPTION:Faced with rampant sexual violence on their college campus\, a group of college students spend a year creating an immersive play from their real-life experiences. Building characters and scenes based on the sexual politics of their campus\, the student actors confront hard truths. The film follows this process with a lyrical lens\, blurring the lines between reality and performance\, moving between verite of campus life and the confessional vulnerability of the rehearsal room. \nPosing urgent questions about the toxic legacies imparted on the next generation\, Roleplay explores the roles we play as we grow into who we are: how they hurt us\, heal us\, and shape who we become.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/sdf-presents-screening-roleplay/
LOCATION:The Fruit\, 305 S Dillard St\, Durham\, NC\, 27701\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Southern Documentary Convening,SDF Screenings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Copy-of-2026-Convening-Ticket-Sales.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260606T203000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260606T220000
DTSTAMP:20260511T195613Z
CREATED:20260511T195613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T195613Z
UID:21896-1780777800-1780783200@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Southern Documentary Convening Reception
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Durham Arts Council for an evening of celebration\, conversation\, and community as part of the 2026 Southern Documentary Convening. The Convening Reception will bring together filmmakers\, industry leaders\, artists\, and supporters from across the South for a special gathering centered on the power of documentary storytelling. The evening will feature a post-screening conversation with filmmakers and special guests\, offering audiences an opportunity to engage more deeply with the stories\, creative process\, and themes explored on screen\, followed by the presentation of the Southern Lens Award to Darcy McKinnon in recognition of her outstanding contributions to documentary filmmaking and her continued dedication to supporting bold\, authentic storytelling from the American South. Guests are invited to celebrate\, connect\, and continue the conversation alongside fellow attendees in a welcoming and vibrant community space in the heart of downtown Durham.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/southern-documentary-convening-reception/
LOCATION:Durham Arts Council\, 120 Morris St\, Durham\, NC\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Southern Documentary Convening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PIC32-2-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260607T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260607T100000
DTSTAMP:20260428T162107Z
CREATED:20260423T193227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T162107Z
UID:21684-1780822800-1780826400@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Activism\, Meet Doc: At The Intersection of Social Justice Organizing and Documentary Filmmaking
DESCRIPTION:Traditionally\, documentary filmmakers have engaged organizers and activists for the impact campaigns they plan once a film about social justice is released. In this panel\, the case will be made for collaboration with organizers and activists early on in the production process\, including the benefits\, challenges\, and the potential for a transformative production experience that enriches the final product.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/activism-meet-doc-at-the-intersection-of-social-justice-organizing-and-documentary-filmmaking/
LOCATION:The Fruit\, 305 S Dillard St\, Durham\, NC\, 27701\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Southern Documentary Convening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Convening-2026-35.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260607T101500
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260607T111500
DTSTAMP:20260428T162008Z
CREATED:20260428T161905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T162008Z
UID:21786-1780827300-1780830900@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Safety\, Free Expression\, and Access in Uncertain Times
DESCRIPTION:At a moment when truth-telling is increasingly contested\, this timely conversation explores the evolving balance between safety and free expression in documentary filmmaking. Bringing together filmmakers\, advocates\, and industry leaders\, this panel will examine how the field can actively protect freedom of expression by providing direct support to filmmakers at risk due to the political\, social\, or cultural impact of their work. Panelists will also highlight the importance of sustained advocacy efforts to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of the documentary community at large. In addition\, the discussion will address the shifting media landscape—specifically\, how recent mergers among major studios and media conglomerates may affect documentary filmmakers’ access to critical news archives and source materials. As gatekeeping structures evolve\, what does this mean for storytelling\, accountability\, and historical record?
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/safety-free-expression-and-access-in-uncertain-times/
CATEGORIES:2026 Southern Documentary Convening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Convening-2026-56.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260624T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260624T133000
DTSTAMP:20260507T145350Z
CREATED:20260507T145350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T145350Z
UID:21848-1782302400-1782307800@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Mentorship Webinar: How to Make Films at the End of the World with Resita Cox
DESCRIPTION:The current media landscape requires filmmakers and producers especially to reimagine how they assist in birthing critical stories at the end of the world—emphasizing self-actualization through storytelling while implementing unique spiritual producing practices that stand against the current status quo. This webinar explores how media makers must assume an important role in the creative process\, exchanging industry standards for embodied practices used to build lasting\, transformative relationships with the story\, crew members and film participants\, prioritizing relationship-building and impact along the way\, not just at the conclusion of the journey.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/mentorship-webinar-how-to-make-films-at-the-end-of-the-world-with-resita-cox/
LOCATION:Virtural Webinar
CATEGORIES:Mentorship Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mentorship-Webinars-2026-44.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260723T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260723T123000
DTSTAMP:20260713T212051Z
CREATED:20260713T211942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T212051Z
UID:22266-1784808000-1784809800@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Inside The South: Deborah Riley Draper on Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage
DESCRIPTION:Join Southern Documentary Fund for the inaugural Inside the South\, a new virtual conversation series that takes audiences behind the scenes of Southern documentary filmmaking. \nEach session features a filmmaker sharing clips from their work while discussing their creative process\, collaborations\, challenges\, and the journey of bringing powerful Southern stories to the screen. Through candid conversations and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights\, Inside the South offers filmmakers\, documentary enthusiasts\, and curious audiences an intimate look at the art of nonfiction storytelling and the voices shaping the South’s cinematic landscape. \nOur first guest is award-winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper\, who will discuss the making of her acclaimed documentary Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage. Draper will share how she brought the legendary artist’s story to life through archival research\, visual storytelling\, and creative collaboration\, offering a rare glimpse into the filmmaking process behind the documentary. \nWhether you’re an emerging filmmaker\, a documentary lover\, or simply passionate about Southern stories\, join us for an inspiring conversation and audience Q&A. \nRegister here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/G-2SEmP4SmG3tZkNUsVq7g
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/inside-the-south-deborah-riley-draper-on-romare-bearden-a-life-in-collage/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Inside The South
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Inside-The-South-Logo-4.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260813T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260813T210000
DTSTAMP:20260716T184558Z
CREATED:20260716T184558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T184558Z
UID:22428-1786647600-1786654800@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Kinema Screening: Drowned Land
DESCRIPTION:Join Southern Documentary Fund for a special Kinema screening of Drowned Land\, a powerful documentary about the people fighting to protect Oklahoma’s Kiamichi River from decades of environmental exploitation. As new development projects threaten the river’s future\, local water protectors work to preserve the lifeblood of their community while honoring the history of those already displaced by past decisions. Through personal stories and breathtaking landscapes\, Drowned Land is a moving reminder of the importance of protecting the places\, people\, and histories that shape our communities. We hope you’ll watch with us and be part of the conversation. \n 
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/kinema-screening-drowned-land/
LOCATION:Virtual Screening
CATEGORIES:Kinema Screenings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Drowned_Land_Sardis_spillway2.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260826T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260826T133000
DTSTAMP:20260723T185606Z
CREATED:20260723T185606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T185606Z
UID:22480-1787745600-1787751000@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Burnout\, Exhaustion & Staying in the Industry
DESCRIPTION:Documentary filmmaking often asks people to give more than is sustainable. Join us for a candid conversation about burnout\, boundaries\, workload\, and practical strategies for building a creative career that supports both your ambitions and your wellbeing.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/burnout-exhaustion-staying-in-the-industry/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Mentorship Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Mentorship-Webinars-2026-49-e1785873194414.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260924T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260924T123000
DTSTAMP:20260716T185705Z
CREATED:20260716T185705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T185705Z
UID:22431-1790251200-1790253000@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Inside The South: Ricky Kelly on Humble In The Jungle
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the next Inside the South on Thursday\, September 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET as filmmaker Ricky Kelly takes audiences behind the scenes of his documentary Humble in the Jungle. The film follows Mike “Mike Gee” Smalls\, a former Hip Hop artist whose journey from music to the plumbing trade reveals a powerful story of reinvention\, friendship\, family\, and community. \nAs both the film’s director and a fellow plumber\, Kelly brings a deeply personal perspective to this exploration of race\, class\, working-class tradesmen of color\, and the role that art\, vocational work\, and service play in shaping lives. \nKelly is the award-winning director of Black Beach/White Beach: A Tale of Two Beaches\, which explored the racial history of Myrtle Beach through its two annual motorcycle rallies. During this virtual conversation\, Kelly will discuss his creative process\, documentary storytelling\, and what it means to tell authentic Southern stories\, followed by a live audience Q&A.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/inside-the-south-ricky-kelly-on-humble-in-the-jungle/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Inside The South
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Inside-The-South-Logo-8.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T235959
DTSTAMP:20260727T143451Z
CREATED:20260727T143451Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T143451Z
UID:22484-1791590400-1791676799@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Southern Doc Fest
DESCRIPTION:Experience the stories shaping the South at Southern Doc Fest. Presented by Southern Documentary Fund\, this inaugural one-day festival brings together powerful documentary films\, engaging conversations with filmmakers\, live performances\, and a community passionate about authentic Southern storytelling. Spend the day discovering bold new voices\, celebrating independent documentary filmmaking\, and connecting with fellow film lovers from across the region. Join us in Durham on October 10 for a festival dedicated to the stories only the South can tell.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/southern-doc-fest/
LOCATION:Durham Arts Council\, 120 Morris St\, Durham\, NC\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Southern-Doc-Fest-postcard-11.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T143000
DTSTAMP:20260716T193943Z
CREATED:20260717T160052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T193943Z
UID:22376-1791637200-1791642600@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Reel South Shorts Block
DESCRIPTION:Experience the diversity of Southern storytelling through the Reel South Shorts Block\, a curated collection of short documentaries presented in partnership with the acclaimed PBS series Reel South. Showcasing emerging and established filmmakers from across the region\, these compelling films capture the people\, places\, and cultures that define the South through fresh perspectives and unforgettable storytelling. \nFrom intimate personal portraits to timely explorations of community\, history\, and identity\, the Reel South Shorts Block offers audiences the opportunity to discover a variety of voices and stories in a single screening. Whether you’re a longtime documentary fan or new to Southern cinema\, this collection celebrates the creativity\, resilience\, and richness of the region one powerful story at a time.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/reel-south-shorts-block/
LOCATION:Durham Arts Council\, 120 Morris St\, Durham\, NC\, United States
CATEGORIES:Southern Doc Fest Screening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/doc-31.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T170000
DTSTAMP:20260716T193849Z
CREATED:20260717T160021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T193849Z
UID:22359-1791646200-1791651600@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Always Looking: Titus Brooks Heagins
DESCRIPTION:Always Looking\, directed by Olympia Stone\, offers an intimate portrait of photographer Titus Brooks Heagins\, whose powerful images challenge viewers to confront the systemic neglect of marginalized communities. Through photographs that are both deeply humanizing and unflinchingly honest\, Heagins documents the lives of people often pushed to society’s margins by poverty\, race\, and gender or sexual identity. \nAs the film explores Heagins’ artistic journey\, it also examines the challenges of being a Black photographer telling stories from within marginalized communities and asks the timely question: Who has the right to tell whose story? Both a celebration of an extraordinary artist and a reflection on representation\, Always Looking invites audiences to consider the power of documentary storytelling to foster empathy\, visibility\, and social change.
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/always-looking-titus-brooks-heagins/
LOCATION:Durham Arts Council\, 120 Morris St\, Durham\, NC\, United States
CATEGORIES:Southern Doc Fest Screening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Titus-photographs-Nikki-Elly.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20261010T203000
DTSTAMP:20260716T193805Z
CREATED:20260717T160002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T193805Z
UID:22370-1791657000-1791664200@southerndocumentaryfund.org
SUMMARY:Humble In The Jungle
DESCRIPTION:Humble in the Jungle follows the remarkable journey of Mike “Mike Gee” Smalls\, a rapper who rose to Hip Hop success before reinventing himself as a licensed plumber after relocating to North Carolina. Along the way\, he forms an unlikely friendship with fellow plumber and filmmaker Ricky Kelly\, whose passion for storytelling helps bring their shared experiences to the screen. Through their lives as tradesmen\, artists\, family men\, and community leaders\, the documentary explores themes of race\, class\, creativity\, resilience\, and the dignity of vocational work. \nFollowing the screening\, audiences are invited to stay for a special post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Ricky Kelly\, offering an inside look at the making of the film and the stories behind it. The evening will conclude with a live performance by Mike G\, bringing his music from the documentary to the stage for an unforgettable festival experience. \nDirector: Ricky Kelly
URL:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/event/humble-in-the-jungle/
LOCATION:Durham Arts Council\, 120 Morris St\, Durham\, NC\, United States
CATEGORIES:Southern Doc Fest Screening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/594815613_1683934359726072_2638577580535233682_n.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Documentary Fund":MAILTO:chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org
END:VEVENT
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