A resource for documentary film enthusiasts
The documentary film community has grown tremendously in the past decade alone.
Since the introduction of digital video technology in the early 1990s, the means of production have become more democratized, enabling filmmaking to be produced outside of the studio system.
Technologies such as DVD, firewire connections and professional-level non-linear editing system software make movie-making relatively inexpensive, so now filmmakers can conceivably shoot and edit a movie, create and edit the sound and music, and mix the final cut on a home computer.
While the means of production may be democratized, financing, distribution, and marketing remain difficult to accomplish outside the traditional system. Most independent filmmakers rely on film festivals to get their films noticed and sold for distribution.
However, the Internet has allowed for relatively inexpensive distribution of independent films; many filmmakers post their films online for critique and recognition. Although there is little profitability in this, a filmmaker can still gain exposure via the web.
Therefore, many of the institutes and resources listed on this site remain the most viable path for documentary filmmakers to gain recognition for their work.