Our Funds
“‘Comrade’ has the same Latin root as the word ‘Camera’. They both derive from ‘in the same room’ — those that are in it together.”
Jess Search, co-founder, Doc Society
In an age of unchecked capitalism, rising authoritarianism and growing nationalism, the Doc Society Love & Rockets Fund exists to support cinematic non-fiction features in service of better futures.
- Films that deconstruct systems of oppression with courage, passion and tenderness.
- Films that reveal architectures of power and illustrate alternate realities.
- Films that create connection and trigger deep discourse over hot takes.
We believe in the art and impact of longform documentary filmmaking.
We know audiences are longing for more sense making, the hard conversations, the proof of possibility that documentary film can bring.
We trust the community of independent filmmakers to hold the most delicate, the most complex stories of this age.
We are all in on fighting fascism. With creative collaboration, dedicated craft, joyous partying and fierce camaraderie. Whether part of a global movement, national reckoning, or local transformation.
We're here to add rocket boosters to filmmakers' visions.
We're all in.
"Movements are born out of critical connections, not critical mass"
Grace Lee Boggs
Depth Over Volume: Our Process
We strive for an equitable and considered approach and in an effort to achieve that have two pathways for application:
1. Invitation to apply
We are committed to direct outreach, finding filmmakers where they are. Attending and scouting forums and markets, festivals and labs and outreach to our network of local, regional and global partners and inviting them to apply.
2. Open Call
Once a year we’ll be doing an open call to ensure that we’re still considering work by filmmakers outside of these industry initiatives.
General Criteria
- Cinematic, feature-length documentaries and non-fiction hybrids in early production or post-production stages. Films in early production are expected to have a sample that is representative of the film.
- The film must be an original creation and creative and editorial control must be held by the key team (Director / Producer / Collaborative / Production Company)
- Independence. We back storytelling by artists, journalists, filmmakers who have creative and editorial control. Not dictated by governments, by corporate interests or the algorithm.
- Films commissioned by a third party (such as a broadcaster, university, foundation, or nonprofit organization) are not eligible for funding; independent films funded by them are.
- Projects with actionable social impact ambition will be prioritized.
- Films that are simpatico with the Doc Society manifesto and that speaks to our Philosophy and Ethics will be prioritized.
- We’re considering work from artists - emerging and established - from anywhere in the world. We will however be prioritizing directors with one or more features already released that speak to the point before.
- Applications must be submitted by producers or directors on the film and the applicant must be 18 years or older. Projects must have at least 1 producer attached.
- Nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship is not required.
- Projects that demonstrate a compelling artistic vision aligned with the fund's ambitions will be invited to submit a full application.
- Projects must have and include a work sample of up to 10 minutes, accessible via a streaming link.
- All sample materials in languages other than English should include English subtitles.
- Budgets should be submitted in US dollars and reflect a commitment to fair and proportionate compensation for the creative team and crew, appropriate rights clearances, and sustainable production practices suited to the local production context.
- Applications will be reviewed by Doc Society staff.
Evaluation Criteria
In our assessment of work we ask ourselves:
- Does it uncover architectures of power/ unpack systems of oppression?
- Does it uplift communities disproportionately impacted by our current polycrises?
- Does it place collectivism at the heart of the anti-fascist praxis?
- Is it liberatory? Does it treat joy as an act of revolution?
- Is the narrative compelling? Does the work display creative ambition, unique vision, and expansive use of the craft? Does the film take artistic risk?
- Is this film made with non-extractive ideals?
- Has there been thoughtful and ethical consideration of the artist's position in relation to their subject matter and/or participants? And to the audience?
- Is the budget achievable? Will the film be completed?
- Is it independent?
- By independent project we understand an original work created by a storyteller or collective who owns the copyright and has full control over artistic, budget, and editorial decisions.
- We back storytelling by artists, journalists, filmmakers who have creative and editorial control. Not dictated by governments, by corporate interests or the algorithm.
What We’re Not Prioritizing
- This is not a finishing fund and we won’t prioritize projects that are solely seeking support for finishing costs.
- This is not a development fund and applicants are expected to submit a sample of the film.
- Biopics or work that centers around a single figure in history.
- History documentaries. Stories must have connection with contemporary times.
Grant Award
- Grants of up to USD 150,000 are awarded across the lifespan of the project (this may be across 2 grants); most first grant awards are USD 100,000.
- Grants are non-recoupable.
Supported Projects
Blackest Ever Black
A crew's attempt to make a film about data centres descends into chaos, putting accepted truths about tech and documentary on the line in this hybrid docu-comedy from Ireland.
How to Be a Woman in Iran
Through a remarkable archive secretly filmed over two decades, exiled filmmaker Mahnaz Mohammadi retraces the rise of Iran's women's movement, its eventual suppression, and her own journey through surveillance, imprisonment and resistance, in a powerful exploration of womanhood, friendship and survival.
Nuestra Tierra
In 2009, a man and two accomplices try to evict members of the Indigenous community of Chuschagasta in northern Argentina. Claiming ownership of the land and armed with guns, they kill the community's leader, Javier Chocobar. The murder is caught on video. It takes nine years of protests before court proceedings are finally opened in 2018. During all this time, the killers remain free.
The film combines the voices and photographs of the community with courtroom footage to explore the long history of colonialism and land dispossession that led to this crime.
Untitled NY Project
A backbench NY State Assembly member launches a long-shot bid to become the mayor of New York City, vowing to make life more affordable. As the establishment attempts to weaponize his long-standing commitment to Palestinian rights, a movement is galvanized bringing about one of the greatest political reckonings in American history.
Untitled Watermelon Pictures Project
Confidential
With Time
Blending realism with fantasy, With Time follows an intergenerational group of trans people who have navigated shifting tides of acceptance and backlash as they gather in a storytelling workshop, bringing moments of euphoria, connection, and mutual recognition to life.
Contact democracy@docsociety.org Contact democracy@docsociety.org Contact democracy@docsociety.org Contact democracy@docsociety.org Contact democracy@docsociety.org Contact democracy@docsociety.org
