*Please note our Funding Circles review proposals by Invitation Only*
Our Mission
Our Strategy and Focus
DOCS First 8 Years of Funded Films
2021
After Sherman
https://www.aftersherman.com/
Dystopia
Hummingbirds
Seeds
https://www.documentary.org/project/seeds
This Is How It Ends
2020
American Prosecutor
Great Photo, Lovely Life
Razing Liberty Square
https://www.razinglibertysquare.org/
2019
40 Days and 40 Nights
https://www.wecriedpower.com/
Disclosure (Transgender representation in Media) - Netflix
https://www.disclosurethemovie.com
Free Speech Untitled
Philly DA
http://www.tedpasson.com/philly-da
The Grab
2018
Roll Red Roll (Outreach. rape culture & football) - Netflix, BBC3/Storyville
https://www.rollredrollfilm.com
Dark Money (Citizens United Montana) - Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
https://www.darkmoneyfilm.com
Midnight Traveler (Afghan refugee story) - Amazon Instant Video, AppleTV / iTunes, Google Play, Microsoft Network / Xbox, Vudu, Fandango Now, DirecTV. cable VOD
https://www.midnighttravelerfilm.com
Knock Down the House (Women in politics, rise of AOC) - Netflix
https://www.knockdownthehouse.com
Gather (Restoring Native American food systems) - Amazon
https://www.gatherfilm.com
Bulletproof
Welcome to Chechnya (Persecution of LGBTQ+ citizens in Chechen Republic) - HBO Go, HBO Now
https://www.welcometochechnya.com
2017
The Edge of Democracy (Politics in Brazil) -Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/title/80190535
United Skates (hip hop culture and roller rinks) - HBO Go, HBO Now
https://www.unitedskatesfilm.com
The People vs. Agent Orange
Naila and the Uprising (Palestine) - PBS
https://www.justvision.org/nailaandtheuprising/about
Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project
Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock
2016
White Helmets (Syrian first responders) - Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/title/80101827
Dark Money (Citizens United Montana) - Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
https://www.darkmoneyfilm.com
Hale County This Morning, This Evening (rural AL art film) - Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
https://www.halecountyfilm.com
Recovery Boys (Opioid crisis) - Netflix
https://www.jacobsladderbrookside.com/recovery-boys.html
Whose Streets? (Ferguson Uprising) - Netflix, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, Hulu, YouTube
https://www.whosestreetsfilm.com
2015
The Bad Kids (SoCal High School) - Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes
http://www.thebadkidsmovie.com
The Force (Oakland Police Project) - Netflix, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
http://openhood.org
2014
The Hunting Ground (Sexual assault on campus) - Netflix, iTunes, and GoWatchIt
http://thehuntinggroundfilm.com
Shadow World (Int’l Arms dealing) - PBS and Vimeo
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/shadow-world/
Grant Cycle Guidelines:
1
All applicants for DOCS grants must submit to DocSociety https://docsociety.org/threshold/, who chooses films for our docket.
2
DOCS funding priorities are:
- Stories that are not being covered in mainstream media;
- Development or crucial stage funding that will help move films forward at critical moments in their timeline;
- Films that tell powerful stories and have a strong point of view, aggressive and/or creative strategies for marketing, and outreach plans for targeting intended audiences;
- Films with a focus that is in sync with the Threshold Foundation’s mission;
- First time and highly experienced filmmakers; and
- Compelling stories that leave the audience with an opportunity and desire for positive change.
3
DOCS only grants to organizations with US 501(c)3 status. In addition to supporting film production, DOCS will fund creative methods of outreach, marketing and distribution that expand a film’s reach and impact. We prefer to fund films in least mid-stage production with some footage. DOCS funds both US and international films, with a bias toward English language films.