The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund supports in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories that integrate journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. During the last decade, the contraction of print and broadcast media and the expansion of digital platforms spurred an unprecedented crossover between journalism and independent nonfiction filmmaking. Documentarians, working alone or in small teams, are increasingly taking on high-stakes storytelling once the domain of legacy media. Very often, they do so without the support, resources, and protection of established institutions. The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund seeks to support this critically important work, while helping filmmakers retain their independent voices and artistic visions.

up to $ 100,000 as grant

The proposal must include an online work sample of 10-15 minutes long (Rough cuts will not be reviewed. If you submit a sample longer than 15 minutes, please specify which 15-minute section you would like reviewed; otherwise, reviewers will watch the first 15 minutes. International projects must have a U.S. fiscal sponsor at the time of application if the production does not have a U.S. Tax ID.

International Documentary Association (IDA). The fund was established by Carrie Lozano, IDA’s previous Grants Director, in 2017. The fund gets its major support from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (www.macfound.org).