Docs on the Spot

The European Documentary Network (EDN) has launched a new initiative designed to support the European documentary sector and set out a blueprint for a sustainable future. The project, entitled 'Media and Society: European Documentary in a Changing Media Landscape – Bringing Together Policy and Practice', brings together academics, documentary filmmakers, key documentary organisations, media policy makers and a wide range of media stakeholders. EDN has recently published a presentation document outlining the key objectives and timeframe for the project (see link at the end of this press release).

The documentary sector has experienced fundamental changes and disruption over the past decades. The post-Internet media environment with its new platforms and players has increasingly undermined traditional models of business and financing. In order to take stock and strengthen the role of documentary filmmaking in the European media domain, EDN has launched the Media and Society initiative. This will involve the sector’s key stakeholders in order to create and publish a policy document (or ‘White Book’) that will propose recommendations for the future. The final document will be presented at IDFA 2018 in Amsterdam.

Filmmakers and production companies, film funds, festivals, streaming services and broadcasters and media policy makers - all are invited to contribute to the enterprise.  A wide range of online activities will allow the widest number of documentary professionals to participate in the process. In addition, a series of meetings and presentations will take place with the support of, and during, major documentary events in 2017 and 2018 -  the IDFA Forum, EFM Docsalon, CPH:DOX, Marché du Film and Sheffield Doc/Fest. Documentary professionals visiting these festivals and markets will be encouraged to share their experience and expertise.

An international network of partners and advisors is working with EDN on the Media and Society initiative. Besides the industry organisations mentioned above, Bournemouth University, the University of Glasgow, Gent University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Aberystwyth University and Oxford Brookes University are already actively involved. New partners will be invited to join the project in the weeks to come.

The fact-finding,  discussion, analysis and formulation of policy proposals will span a period of one year. The formal launch of the initiative will take place on November 19 during the IDFA in Amsterdam.

Click link below to download the PDF presentation:
"Media and Society - European Documentary in a Changing Media Landscape" (PDF)

About EDN
European Documentary Network is a global network for professionals working with documentary film and TV. Around 1000 members from more than 60 countries have joined EDN. The organisation is open for both newcomers and established filmmakers from around the world. EDN provides documentary consulting and informs about possibilities for funding, financing, development, co-production, distribution and collaboration across borders. This is done via individual consultancy to members on documentary projects, activities like workshops, seminars and conferences as well as through the EDN Financing Guide and the EDN Co-production Guide, two indispensable resource publications provided by EDN. More info: http://edn.network.