As filmmakers, we love the creative aspects of making documentaries and the impact they can have on the world. But at the end of the day, documentaries are a business venture that must be treated as one. Navigating the legal, financial, and sale side of this business can be a daunting task. Southern Documentary Fund […]

Assembling the many hours of documentary footage you've filmed can make the editing process a daunting task. There are a number of approaches you can take to finding your story, and we're here to help.Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) kicks off the new year with an interactive mentorship roundtable discussion with Emmy- and ACE Eddie-nominated documentary […]

Southern Documentary Fund is pleased to present a free work-in-progress screening of BULLS AND SAINTS, by Rodrigo Dorfman as part of our Fresh Docs program. After 20 years of living in the United States, an undocumented family decides to return home. Little do they know it will be the most difficult journey of their lives. […]

From concept to completion, award-winning documentary filmmaker Byron Hurt gives us an overview of the process used in his upcoming film HAZING, a documentary that explores the culture of hazing. What gear did he use? How did he get funding? What went right and what went wrong? This interactive mentorship roundtable discussion will answer questions […]

How can documentary filmmakers get through the process of clearing and gaining licensing rights to use music in a project? How do you find and work with a film composer?Music & Casting Supervisor/Executive Producer Aurelia Belfield of Trailblazer Studios will give us an overview of the process of using music in your documentary. View Recording

Finding the funds to make your documentary is a massive challenge. In order to do so, you will need to be ready to pitch your project to potential financial backers. In this interactive mentorship roundtable discussion, Alexis Galfas will tell us how to pitch to investors. RSVP

What exactly is fiscal sponsorship and how can documentary makers benefit from this program? Join the Southern Documentary Fund for a virtual session where we discuss the basics of fiscal sponsorship, the application process, and answer any questions you may have regarding the program.We will also be joined by documentary filmmaker Emily Harold for a […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]