The Doc Society's Impact Field Guide database is a collection of tools, organizations, trainings, case studies, templates, funding opportunities, and more to support your efforts to have an impact.
An Insignificant Man/Case Study
Doc Society
Pushing the bounds of free expression and strengthening democracy in India
Topic: Examples of Impact
Case Study
PDF
Democracy
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Collective Lens: Impact and Distribution
Peace is Loud
Equipping filmmakers for making distribution decisions with impact in mind
Topic: Distribution
Tool
PDF
View PDF
Filmmaker-Participant Relationship Unpacked
ITVS
Large-scale study exploring the relationship between documentary filmmakers and participants
Topic: Participants
Report
PDF
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Framework for Evaluating Disability Representation in Film and Media 2025
FWD-Doc
Detailed checklist of questions that evaluate disabled representation
Topic: Participants
Tool
PDF
Accessibility
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Doc_Commune
PSBT
Mentoring-and-commissioning initiative for India's next generation of documentary filmmakers
Topic: Funding
Funding Opportunity
Website
Visit
Film and Human Rights Master Class
Skylight
Self-guided tour through making and using human rights media to change the world
Topic: Production
Online Training
Video
Human Rights
Watch
Safe + Secure
Doc Society
Guidance to address safety and security issues facing documentary filmmakers
How-To
Website
Visit
Theory of Change
Development Impact and You
Tool for clarifying your priorities
Topic: Strategic Planning
Tool
Website
Visit
StoryShift
Working Films
Take-aways, advice, and lessons learned that can inform intentional accountability practices in documentary filmmaking
Topic: Participants
Case Study
Video
Watch
Who is Dayani Cristal?/Case Study
Doc Society
The dangers of the migrant trail in Central America
Topic: Examples of Impact
Case Study
Website
Migration
Visit
Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC)
Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC)
Impact-friendly documentary film festival
Topic: Distribution
Festival
Website
Visit
Storytellers' Guide to Changing the World
Culture Surge
Illuminates how and why stories create cultural, social, and political change
Topic: Narrative Change/Cultural Strategy
Thought Piece
PDF
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