In the News
Working Films News

From Reflection to Release: Framework for Values, Ethics, and Accountability in Nonfiction Filmmaking

July 17, 2023 BY admin

The Documentary Accountability Working Group considers values, guiding principles and ethics that inform the practices of filmmakers, and shape their relationship to the story, the participants, the audience, funders and other stakeholders.

The working group grew organically out of a common series of questions around the future of documentary filmmaking, and the exponential growth of the documentary film industry. As the industry and the world navigate social constructs that could mitigate the documentary ecosystem, do filmmakers need a foundational set of best practices? Would industry-wide agreement on best practices help non-fiction storytellers work in ways they and their peers understand as responsible and ethical?

Our working group has elected to lead a discovery process, in order to source guiding principles that can support equitable and just filmmaking.  An essential pillar of this work is to conduct open dialogues with filmmakers, funders, festivals and foundations who make up the documentary film system.

Download DAWG’s Framework for Values, Ethics, and Accountability in Nonfiction Filmmaking.

 

Download DAWG's Framework for Values, Ethics, and Accountability in Nonfiction Filmmaking

 

This Framework is endorsed by:

Alliance for Media Arts + Culture

Black Public Media

Detroit Narrative Agency

Double Exposure Film Festival

Giovanna Chesler (they/them), Professor of Film and Video Studies at George Mason University

ITVS

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Kartemquin Films

Kendeda Fund

Perspective Fund

Points North Institute

Redford Center

Robeson Taj P. Frazier, Ph.D. (he/him/his), Associate Professor & Director of Doctoral Studies, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California

Southern Documentary Fund

University Film and Video Association

NeXt Doc

Working Films

RELATED NEWS

Come on In: Building Spaces People Want to Join

How can film screenings become the welcoming spaces organizers need: places where people feel invited in, and leave feeling like they belong? In this conversation, Working Films’ Director of Campaigns and Strategy, Andy Myers, chats with Daniel Solorzano with Amanecer in El Paso, Texas and Warren Tidwell with Alabama Center for Rural Organizing and Systemic Solutions (ACROSS) about what it takes to create spaces that break down barriers, dissolve left/right binaries, and give more people a sense of ownership in our movements. These two organizers were part of the 2025…

Announcing the 2026 Impact Kickstart Cohort!

Now in its eighth year, Working Films’ Impact Kickstart resources underrepresented documentary filmmakers to develop and implement impact campaigns that meaningfully engage audiences, partners, and supporters. This year, three incredible film teams have been selected to receive $20,000 each in impact campaign funding, along with in-kind partnership and strategy development from Working Films, and participation in a year-long cohort experience where filmmakers can learn from and support one another. Hannah Hearn, Impact Coordinator and Fellowships Lead at Working Films, reflected on the ways Impact Kickstart has evolved to respond at…

Get to Know the 2025 Rural Cinema Cohort

At its heart, Rural Cinema is about harnessing the power of story to drive change. The program trains environmental justice organizers to use film as a tool to bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire action on the challenges their communities face. With hands-on training, access to films, and funding to host their own series, participants transform storytelling into tangible, local impact. This year, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on the 2025 Rural Cinema cohort, a remarkable group of organizations from across the country that are reshaping what’s…