The question of livelihood in the documentary industry is unfortunately as topical and relevant as ever and affects filmmakers globally, both seasoned and the upcoming alike. During the conference that is a sidebar to the IDFA Film Festival in Amsterdam, this issue will be discussed from different perspectives. It will kick off with a keynote examining how concerns over livelihood are affecting the mental wellbeing of filmmakers in everyday production and in power relationships with financiers. Next up is a talk focusing on the experience of European film directors and findings from various European surveys examining issues such as income levels and pro bono work. This is followed by a talk discussing perspectives and experiences from producers globally and looking at whether it is at all possible to run a business based on producing documentary film – can we even call this an industry?

It might not be uplifting, but the question of livelihood is of utmost importance and chinks of light may emerge that can spark change. Whatever the case, continued knowledge-sharing is essential so we can inspire one another and build on the successes, and the mistakes, of other countries. 

Keynote: Rebecca Day (Film in Mind and DocuMentality)
Speakers: Jane Ray (The Whickers), Ida Grøn (The Association of Danish Film Directors), Peter Lataster (Dutch Directors Guild), David Bernet (AG DOK), Gary Byung-Seok Kam (Mirror & Story), Toni Kamau (We are not the machine), Alexandra Galvis (BF Distribution), Martichka Bozhilova (AGITPROP).
Moderator: Roisin Geraghty (The Documentary Film Council & Docs Ireland)  

15:00 – 15:20: Intro + keynote by Rebecca Day 
15:20 – 16:20: Focus on film directors in Europe
16:20 – 16:30: Coffee break 
16:30 – 17:30: Focus on producers globally

Held as part of IDFA. More details at https://festival.idfa.nl/en/composition/e42ccf63-e247-4456-ad16-c3eaeb6669f9/industry-talk:-livelihood-in-the-documentary-industry/.