Documentary makers and producers - these sessions are for you! Our Marketplace Sessions hosted in Cutlers’ Hall have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to connect with industry representatives from international festivals, markets and shorts platforms, find co-production partners or get expert advice on budgeting and legal matters, the Marketplace has it all.
Spots in these sessions are limited by capacity and advance sign-up is required (now closed), however a stand-by queue will be in operation on the day. Open to all passholders.
Who's Who
Sun 26 Jun / 16:00 - 17:00 / Cutlers’ Hall - Hadfield Hall
Returning this year to DocFest is our Who’s Who? session, where you can hear from a selection of decision makers introducing who they are and what they’re looking for in this fast-paced session. It’s been 3 years since many of us saw each other in person, so let’s hear what’s changed for decision makers, and who some of the new faces in commissioning and sales are.
Pitch your Short
Mon 27 Jun / 10:00 - 12:00 / Cutlers’ Hall - Drawing Room
Making a short documentary? This session is for you. Hear the commissioning priorities from some of the world’s major shorts platforms and funders, and then listen to immediate constructive feedback from them on ideas for short docs pitched by 4 pre-selected filmmakers. Platforms presents the Guardian, New York Times, New Yorker/Conde Nast, Lyfta, Doc Society, Sky Documentaries and Channel 4.
Sign-up has now closed.
How to Co-produce with the UK
Mon 27 Jun / 13:30 - 14:30 / Cutlers’ Hall - Drawing Room
Whether you’re a non-UK producer wanting to find out how to co-produce with UK producers and funders, or a UK producer wanting to understand global opportunities, this discussion and case study session will provide some of the answers. Hear from the UK Global Screen Fund and recently awarded UK companies Bungalow Town, Live Cinema and Dorothy St Pictures on their approaches to and experience of working internationally, and get the best advice on how to collaborate.
Sign-up has now closed. We will be operating a rush queue on the day.
Producers meet Producers
Mon 27 Jun / 15:00 - 18:00 / Cutlers’ Hall - Hadfield Hall
If you’re a producer looking to broaden your network with fellow producers, and meet your next international co-producer, this session is for you. Producers from a variety of countries will be able to mix, share knowledge, and explore possibilities for collaborations and coproductions.
Sign-up has now closed. We will be operating a rush queue on the day.
Meet the Festivals & Markets
Tue 28 Jun / 10:00 - 12:00 / Cutlers’ Hall - Hadfield Hall
Join this session to connect with representatives from international festivals and documentary markets in a casual round table format. Take the chance to ask about programming priorities, submissions, pitching opportunities, premiere policy, who goes to them, and get help devising your festival strategy. This session has limited capacity.
Sign-up has now closed. We will be operating a rush queue on the day.
The Fundamentals of Budgeting
Tue 28 Jun / 13:30 - 15:00 / Cutler’s Hall - Drawing Room
Developing a realistic budget is a vital part of filmmaking but it can be a difficult task. Join producer, Rachel Wexler, as she provides a detailed overview of an independent documentary budget, clarifying the process line by line. It’s a great opportunity to receive comprehensive guidance which will be helpful when preparing your own budgets. Attendees in this session will also receive a downloadable budget template.
Sign-up has now closed. We will be operating a rush queue on the day.
