FAQs

How did FWD-Doc originate?

The first convening of D/deaf and disabled documentary filmmakers took place at the 2018 International Documentary Association “Getting Real” conference. Inspired by other community documentary organizations — such as A-Doc, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Queer Producers Collective, Film Fatales, and the Documentary Producers Alliance — Jim LeBrecht, Day Al-Mohamed, Lindsey Dryden, and Alysa Nahmias saw a need for a similar association for filmmakers with disabilities. In the intervening two years, they came together and worked to build an infrastructure and community to support FWD-Doc. FWD-Doc publicly launched in 2020. 

How do I become a member? 

We ask that potential members self-identify as a person with a disability or as an ally, as well as a filmmaker, writer, actor, creative, or industry professional. You can sign up by responding to a few questions on our Facebook group here and you can complete this short membership questionnaire in order to become a part of our Google Group listserv and our database of active filmmakers with disabilities.

How do you define disability? And if I don’t have one, can I still be a member?

When we use the term ‘disability/disabled person’, we are using the social model of disability that also includes d/Deaf, HOH (hard of hearing), chronically ill, neurodiverse people, those with mental health conditions, and all people who wish to self-identify under any additional term. 

We believe in an inclusive and expansive definition of disability. This is about identity, community, and barriers placed upon disabled people, not rules to deem people ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

If you do not have a disability but are committed and actively working to support equity in the participation of filmmakers with disabilities in the industry, then we welcome you too. We are all in this together. 

Does it cost money to join?

Contribution in the form of active support and engagement is required as a part of FWD-Doc membership. Your contribution in the form of engagement and activity can be big or small, financial, motivational, discursive or informational (for example, donations, mentoring, sitting on FWD-Doc committees, sharing articles or funding opportunities in our Facebook group, etc). Storytelling is collaborative, so your contribution and engagement is critical for FWD-Doc to succeed. 

FWD-Doc is working on crafting a formal membership fee structure for the future. We are currently requesting donations to support basic website functionality, database, newsletter, administration, and efforts to attain 501(c)3 status. No potential member will be turned away for lack of funds, however contribution in the form of engagement is essential. 

How can I support FWD-Doc with a donation??

We are delighted to be fiscally sponsored by the Center for Independent Documentary (CID), and we welcome donations to FWD-Doc here. Thank you so much for your belief and investment in FWD-Doc, our community, and our mission!

What if I am not a filmmaker, but a funder or festival programmer?

If you are a funder, programmer, or other industry professional, you’re welcome to be a part of FWD-Doc. Disability, like diversity, doesn’t belong to one person. You can seek to increase disability representation in your work, encourage others to do the same, and amplify the voices and works of filmmakers with disabilities. Your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise, as well as access to resources and support is necessary to increase the representation of disabled filmmakers. 

What are some of the things you do at FWD-Doc?

At FWD-doc, we:

  • Build community and creative, supportive spaces. 

  • Cultivate and champion disabled media makers and leaders.

  • Elevate stories by, for, and about people with disabilities.

  • Educate, partner, and advocate for more inclusive, equitable, and accessible practices within the entertainment industry, for filmmakers and audiences.

As an organization, we are committed to responding to the evolving needs of our members and creating a culture that is inclusive, honest, respectful, collaborative, joyful, and fulfilling.

How do you make decisions in FWD-Doc?

FWD-Doc is steered by a leadership group of founding members, advising members, and an interim director who meet regularly and make decisions collectively. As the group grows, the leadership team is working with members and learning from allied groups in the industry to design and implement an organizational structure and operating guidelines that will function well as the group evolves. 

FWD-Doc welcomes engagement and feedback from members. Please email hello@fwd-doc.org with any questions, comments, suggestions, or feedback.