With support from the Nancy P. & Richard K. Robbins Family Foundation and Resonance Philanthropies, DocPitch 2024 has awarded five independent documentary filmmakers cash awards totaling $100,000 to help them complete their feature documentary film projects currently in development or post-production.
“With DocPitch 2024, we’re incredibly honored to again be in the position of supporting independent filmmakers in such a tangible way,” said DocLands Director of Programming Joni Cooper. “Thanks to our generous donors, we’re able to help move these passionate storytellers closer to the goal of seeing their projects reach the finish line — and into the public realm. Each project underscores the importance of DocPitch to bring a wide range of timely and significant topics to the public including the industry professional eye, and in turn enriches essential discussions through the process itself.”
DocPitch Award Recipients and their projects:
The Co-Op: The Kids of Dorie Miller – Audience Award $45,000
Director/Producer Paulina...
“With DocPitch 2024, we’re incredibly honored to again be in the position of supporting independent filmmakers in such a tangible way,” said DocLands Director of Programming Joni Cooper. “Thanks to our generous donors, we’re able to help move these passionate storytellers closer to the goal of seeing their projects reach the finish line — and into the public realm. Each project underscores the importance of DocPitch to bring a wide range of timely and significant topics to the public including the industry professional eye, and in turn enriches essential discussions through the process itself.”
DocPitch Award Recipients and their projects:
The Co-Op: The Kids of Dorie Miller – Audience Award $45,000
Director/Producer Paulina...
- 5/10/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2021 Oscars was the first time a front-facing ramp was an integrated element of the Academy Awards’ custom-built stage. Academy member Jim LeBrecht, who uses a wheelchair, initiated the effort and executed it alongside his Crip Camp co-director Nicole Newnham and executive producer Howard Gertler after an Oscar nomination for the Obama-produced Netflix doc seemed on the horizon.
The ramp, present for years at disability-focused ceremonies like the Media Access Awards, marked a visible shift for mainstream Hollywood’s focus in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. And it would spark similar efforts — sometimes piecemeal or sweeping, other times fumbled — at other major industry events such as the Emmys and Grammys.
Since then, the Oscars have expanded their accessibility efforts. The 2024 show, which takes place this Sunday, will include confidential accessibility requests for all nominees and guests; captioning services (live captions through in-house monitors, captions for video packages and...
The ramp, present for years at disability-focused ceremonies like the Media Access Awards, marked a visible shift for mainstream Hollywood’s focus in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. And it would spark similar efforts — sometimes piecemeal or sweeping, other times fumbled — at other major industry events such as the Emmys and Grammys.
Since then, the Oscars have expanded their accessibility efforts. The 2024 show, which takes place this Sunday, will include confidential accessibility requests for all nominees and guests; captioning services (live captions through in-house monitors, captions for video packages and...
- 3/7/2024
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jim LeBrecht is the Oscar-nominated co-director of “Crip Camp,” co-directed by Nicole Newman, about a summer camp for teens with disabilities that inspires advocacy and legislative changes. LeBrecht is also a sound designer and mixer and Disability Rights Activist. Davis Guggenheim’s “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and has won five Critics Choice Documentary Awards (including Best Documentary Feature), was the National Board of Review’s Best Documentary, won Best Editing at the Cinema Eye Honors, and is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Documentary at the DGA Awards.
As someone with a disability, who works in the entertainment industry, when I hear about a documentary or narrative about someone with a disability, I immediately get suspicious. And that suspicion comes from knowing what the history of disability representation has been in the past. Many times, the stories and characters have been problematic and harmful.
As someone with a disability, who works in the entertainment industry, when I hear about a documentary or narrative about someone with a disability, I immediately get suspicious. And that suspicion comes from knowing what the history of disability representation has been in the past. Many times, the stories and characters have been problematic and harmful.
- 1/13/2024
- by Jim LeBrecht
- Indiewire
Tony Hall-Chaired Indie Ties With Off The Fence To Expand ‘Rising Phoenix’ Paralympic Games Universe
Exclusive: The rise of the Paralympic Games has been one of sport’s biggest recent triumphs, and a trailblazing content initiative charting its story is now set to take the narrative even deeper.
Harder Than You Think (Htyt), which has exclusive worldwide rights to tell the story of the Paralympics through to the 2028 Games in LA, has appointed European production and sales house Off the Fence to find partners for the next four projects coming from its Rising Phoenix Universe initiative.
British indie Htyt was set up by London 2012 Chief Marketing Officer Greg Nugent and is chaired by ex-BBC Director General Tony Hall. It has been building the Rising Phoenix Universe since launching the double Emmy-winning Netflix and Bytedance doc Rising Phoenix, about the history of the Paralympic movement, in 2020.
As part of the agreement, Zdf Studios-owned Off the Fence will also co-produce additional content commissioned outside of the core four projects.
Harder Than You Think (Htyt), which has exclusive worldwide rights to tell the story of the Paralympics through to the 2028 Games in LA, has appointed European production and sales house Off the Fence to find partners for the next four projects coming from its Rising Phoenix Universe initiative.
British indie Htyt was set up by London 2012 Chief Marketing Officer Greg Nugent and is chaired by ex-BBC Director General Tony Hall. It has been building the Rising Phoenix Universe since launching the double Emmy-winning Netflix and Bytedance doc Rising Phoenix, about the history of the Paralympic movement, in 2020.
As part of the agreement, Zdf Studios-owned Off the Fence will also co-produce additional content commissioned outside of the core four projects.
- 1/12/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated 12/22/2023 with details on shortlisted A Still Small Voice. Updated with quotes, 1:37 Pm: American Symphony, the Obamas-executive produced documentary about Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste, scored a remarkable hat trick today as the Oscar shortlists were revealed, but a couple of documentary icons were left on the bench.
In more headlines from the announcement, a beloved documentary filmmaker who died unexpectedly in August earned a place on the nonfiction feature shortlist. And the film about cherished actor Michael J. Fox, directed by Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim, made the list. Two films earned double recognition – making shortlists for doc feature and International Feature Film. [See full shortlists for doc feature and doc short below].
Suleika Jouad and Jon Batiste in ‘American Symphony’
The most eye-popping takeaway is the recognition for American Symphony, the Netflix film directed by Oscar nominee Matthew Heineman and produced by Higher Ground, the production company of former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It made the...
In more headlines from the announcement, a beloved documentary filmmaker who died unexpectedly in August earned a place on the nonfiction feature shortlist. And the film about cherished actor Michael J. Fox, directed by Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim, made the list. Two films earned double recognition – making shortlists for doc feature and International Feature Film. [See full shortlists for doc feature and doc short below].
Suleika Jouad and Jon Batiste in ‘American Symphony’
The most eye-popping takeaway is the recognition for American Symphony, the Netflix film directed by Oscar nominee Matthew Heineman and produced by Higher Ground, the production company of former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It made the...
- 12/21/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-contending documentary The Disappearance of Shere Hite will be making an appearance in cinemas in the U.K. and Ireland within weeks, courtesy of Dogwoof.
The London-based documentary film company has announced a January 12 launch date in those territories for Nicole Newnham’s film about the famed American sex researcher who rocketed to fame in the 1970s but then faced a tremendous backlash that essentially drove her into exile.
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite remembers the feminist sex researcher, Shere Hite, whose findings rocked the establishment, presaged current conversations about gender and sexuality, and made her a target of the patriarchy,” notes a release from Dogwoof. “1976’s The Hite Report aimed to liberate women and demystify female pleasure and the orgasm by revealing private experiences of thousands of anonymous survey respondents… Digging into exclusive archives, as well as Hite’s personal journals and the original survey responses, filmmaker Nicole Newnham…...
The London-based documentary film company has announced a January 12 launch date in those territories for Nicole Newnham’s film about the famed American sex researcher who rocketed to fame in the 1970s but then faced a tremendous backlash that essentially drove her into exile.
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite remembers the feminist sex researcher, Shere Hite, whose findings rocked the establishment, presaged current conversations about gender and sexuality, and made her a target of the patriarchy,” notes a release from Dogwoof. “1976’s The Hite Report aimed to liberate women and demystify female pleasure and the orgasm by revealing private experiences of thousands of anonymous survey respondents… Digging into exclusive archives, as well as Hite’s personal journals and the original survey responses, filmmaker Nicole Newnham…...
- 12/2/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Launched in 2021, Inevitable Foundation is a non-profit that invests in disabled writers and filmmakers so they can achieve artistic and financial freedom and use film and television to destigmatize disability and mental health globally. The organization announced the selection of Jenn Lloyd, Marc Muszynski, and Sheridan O’Donnell as its 2023 Accelerate Fellows.
All three were previously selected as members of Elevate Collective, Inevitable’s professional development program for disabled screenwriters, a decision that reflects the robust pipeline of disabled screenwriters that Inevitable Foundation is building with their interconnected programs. The winners join previously awarded Accelerate Fellows Monica Lucas, David Dineen-Porter, Sam Dunnewold, Anton Ray, Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin, Aoife Baker, Kalen Feeney, and Shani Am. Moore.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jenn, Marc, and Sheridan to the Accelerate Fellowship,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “The Fellowship is laser-focused on investing in disabled creatives to...
All three were previously selected as members of Elevate Collective, Inevitable’s professional development program for disabled screenwriters, a decision that reflects the robust pipeline of disabled screenwriters that Inevitable Foundation is building with their interconnected programs. The winners join previously awarded Accelerate Fellows Monica Lucas, David Dineen-Porter, Sam Dunnewold, Anton Ray, Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin, Aoife Baker, Kalen Feeney, and Shani Am. Moore.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jenn, Marc, and Sheridan to the Accelerate Fellowship,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “The Fellowship is laser-focused on investing in disabled creatives to...
- 10/26/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
In The Art of Documentary, host and Oscar-nominee Jim LeBrecht takes listeners — and potential documentarians — on a journey with six filmmakers, who reveal not just what drew them to the medium but how they’re helping to reshape it.
The executive producer and sound engineer, best known for co-directing the Oscar-nominated disability rights doc Crip Camp with Nicole Newnham, kicks off each of the six episodes of the Film Academy original podcast by asking his guests about the incident that lit their fuse as documentarians. In the conversations that ensue, the filmmakers — Danny Cohen (Anonymous Club), Bing Liu (All These Sons), Chase Joynt and Aisling Chin-Yee (No Ordindary Man), Kirsten Johnson (Cameraperson), Garrett Bradley (Time) and Roger Ross Williams (Life, Animated) —unpack how their unique perspectives and identities shape their creative narratives and careers.
The discussions yield insights into how far documentary has come from its often exploitative cinéma vérité roots.
The executive producer and sound engineer, best known for co-directing the Oscar-nominated disability rights doc Crip Camp with Nicole Newnham, kicks off each of the six episodes of the Film Academy original podcast by asking his guests about the incident that lit their fuse as documentarians. In the conversations that ensue, the filmmakers — Danny Cohen (Anonymous Club), Bing Liu (All These Sons), Chase Joynt and Aisling Chin-Yee (No Ordindary Man), Kirsten Johnson (Cameraperson), Garrett Bradley (Time) and Roger Ross Williams (Life, Animated) —unpack how their unique perspectives and identities shape their creative narratives and careers.
The discussions yield insights into how far documentary has come from its often exploitative cinéma vérité roots.
- 7/6/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Harder Than You Think (Htyt), the company behind Emmy-winning Paralympic documentary Rising Phoenix, and P&g Studios are partnering on a new film spinning off the original work and aimed at igniting a conversation on disability equality.
L.A.-based writer and filmmaker Sheridan O’Donnell is attached to direct the documentary, working titled Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution.
He will chronicle his own story as a low vision filmmaker and his personal journey as he grows to embrace life with a disability.
In addition to the story of the director and several Paralympic athletes, the film will go beyond sport to spotlight the experiences of various entertainers, activists, influencers and world leaders.
In the process, it will explore a number of topics around the subject of disability equality including the fight for employment, the importance of representation, changing the image of disability, cultural attitudes, inclusion and the need for accessibility and rights.
L.A.-based writer and filmmaker Sheridan O’Donnell is attached to direct the documentary, working titled Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution.
He will chronicle his own story as a low vision filmmaker and his personal journey as he grows to embrace life with a disability.
In addition to the story of the director and several Paralympic athletes, the film will go beyond sport to spotlight the experiences of various entertainers, activists, influencers and world leaders.
In the process, it will explore a number of topics around the subject of disability equality including the fight for employment, the importance of representation, changing the image of disability, cultural attitudes, inclusion and the need for accessibility and rights.
- 6/22/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has ventured into the realm of audio storytelling with “The Art of Documentary,” a six-episode podcast hosted by Jim LeBrecht, who co-directed and co-produced Crip Camp with Nicole Newnham. Each episode will feature LeBrecht engaging in a discussion with a different documentarian about their individual experiences while crafting their films. “I was approached by Randy Haberkamp and Dina Michelle at the Academy if I’d be interested in hosting and developing this podcast,” LeBrecht told Filmmaker. “To be honest, I was honored. I’ve been an Academy member for a few years but my […]
The post The Academy Releases “The Art of Documentary” Podcast Hosted by Crip Camp Co-Director Jim LeBrecht first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post The Academy Releases “The Art of Documentary” Podcast Hosted by Crip Camp Co-Director Jim LeBrecht first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/17/2023
- by Natalia Keogan
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has ventured into the realm of audio storytelling with “The Art of Documentary,” a six-episode podcast hosted by Jim LeBrecht, who co-directed and co-produced Crip Camp with Nicole Newnham. Each episode will feature LeBrecht engaging in a discussion with a different documentarian about their individual experiences while crafting their films. “I was approached by Randy Haberkamp and Dina Michelle at the Academy if I’d be interested in hosting and developing this podcast,” LeBrecht told Filmmaker. “To be honest, I was honored. I’ve been an Academy member for a few years but my […]
The post The Academy Releases “The Art of Documentary” Podcast Hosted by Crip Camp Co-Director Jim LeBrecht first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post The Academy Releases “The Art of Documentary” Podcast Hosted by Crip Camp Co-Director Jim LeBrecht first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/17/2023
- by Natalia Keogan
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has launched an Academy Originals podcast, “The Art of Documentary.”
The new podcast is hosted by Oscar-nominee and “Crip Camp” documentarian Jim LeBrecht. The six-episode season will include LeBrecht sitting down with documentary filmmakers, as they reveal to the host and the audience their filmmaking processes.
“The Art of Documentary,” will chronicle “how a filmmaker approaches their subject and how they engage with it,” according to the press release. The podcast will highlight how the various documentarians work to find new filmmaking approaches, all in an effort to tell their stories in innovative ways. LeBrecht and guests will discuss how they achieve special access and how far they’ll go to get their story — even if that means taking dangerous risks.
The first episode features an interview with “Anonymous Club” documentarian Danny Cohen. The remaining five episodes will include interviews with filmmakers including Bing Liu,...
The new podcast is hosted by Oscar-nominee and “Crip Camp” documentarian Jim LeBrecht. The six-episode season will include LeBrecht sitting down with documentary filmmakers, as they reveal to the host and the audience their filmmaking processes.
“The Art of Documentary,” will chronicle “how a filmmaker approaches their subject and how they engage with it,” according to the press release. The podcast will highlight how the various documentarians work to find new filmmaking approaches, all in an effort to tell their stories in innovative ways. LeBrecht and guests will discuss how they achieve special access and how far they’ll go to get their story — even if that means taking dangerous risks.
The first episode features an interview with “Anonymous Club” documentarian Danny Cohen. The remaining five episodes will include interviews with filmmakers including Bing Liu,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
“Rain in My Head” was the big winner at the 10th annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, taking honors for best film, director Chrissy Marshall and actor Layne Apffel.
Also saluted were Nathan Cox, editor for “Smash or Pass”; Rachel Handler, writer, “Unlucky in Love”; and Judith Rubin and “Leap of Love” for best awareness campaign.
The winners were announced May 4 at an orange-carpet ceremony and reception at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
For the competition, registered filmmakers were given five days within a designated timeframe to write and produce short films (three-to-five minutes) promoting disability inclusion. Every year’s contest has a theme, and this year it was romance, which resulted in a wide range of viewpoints on the topic.
There were a record 115 submissions, from nearly every U.S. state and from around the globe, including entries from Austria, Bolivia, Canada, England, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland,...
Also saluted were Nathan Cox, editor for “Smash or Pass”; Rachel Handler, writer, “Unlucky in Love”; and Judith Rubin and “Leap of Love” for best awareness campaign.
The winners were announced May 4 at an orange-carpet ceremony and reception at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
For the competition, registered filmmakers were given five days within a designated timeframe to write and produce short films (three-to-five minutes) promoting disability inclusion. Every year’s contest has a theme, and this year it was romance, which resulted in a wide range of viewpoints on the topic.
There were a record 115 submissions, from nearly every U.S. state and from around the globe, including entries from Austria, Bolivia, Canada, England, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland,...
- 5/5/2023
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix executive Lisa Nishimura backed some of the streamer’s biggest successes – Tiger King, The Tinder Swindler, The Power of the Dog, Making a Murderer, and American Factory – but in an era of corporate cost-cutting, it wasn’t enough to save her job.
Related Story Netflix Vets Lisa Nishimura & Ian Bricke Depart In Film Group Reorg Related Story Omar Epps Boards Netflix's Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple' Related Story IFC Center's John Vanco Joins Netflix To Oversee Programming For Streamer's Theaters
Her imminent departure as VP of independent film and documentary features, after a 16-year stint at Netflix, has come as a particular shock to the nonfiction film community, which saw her build Netflix into a dominant force in documentary and become, in the process, one of Netflix’s most visible execs.
(L-r) Lisa Nishimura, Taylor Swift and Ted Sarandos attend the Netflix 2019 Golden Globes After Party
“Lisa...
Related Story Netflix Vets Lisa Nishimura & Ian Bricke Depart In Film Group Reorg Related Story Omar Epps Boards Netflix's Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple' Related Story IFC Center's John Vanco Joins Netflix To Oversee Programming For Streamer's Theaters
Her imminent departure as VP of independent film and documentary features, after a 16-year stint at Netflix, has come as a particular shock to the nonfiction film community, which saw her build Netflix into a dominant force in documentary and become, in the process, one of Netflix’s most visible execs.
(L-r) Lisa Nishimura, Taylor Swift and Ted Sarandos attend the Netflix 2019 Golden Globes After Party
“Lisa...
- 3/31/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
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