Programs

Accessible artist development opportunities for disabled filmmakers

Tinted blue, Two people touch hands while talking at Getting Real 2018.
Two people touch hands while talking at Getting Real 2018.
Tinted purple, Two people touch hands while talking at Getting Real 2018.
Jennifer Brea and Lindsey Dryden speak on stage in London, on the screen behind them, text says, "Woman with a movie camera preview. Unrest plus Q&A with director Jennifer Brea and producer Lindsey Dryden.

Professional Development Made Accessible

As part of our commitment to accessibility and disability inclusion, FWD-Doc is proud to innovate and partner with industry collaborators on accessible programs that focus on skill building, mentorship and networking for our members and disabled creatives around the globe.

Learn more about our active programs below.

Docs in Progress in partnership with FWD-Doc, funding in part by the National Endowment for the Arts

Docs In Progress has partnered with FWD-Doc for the Filmmakers with Disabilities Fellowship Program. It builds upon Docs In Progress’ long tradition of training filmmakers in the art and business of documentary filmmaking. The goal of this fellowship is to provide disabled filmmakers a facilitated support system as well as target training culminating with creating clear deliverables that are necessary to thrive creatively and professionally. Join a community of filmmakers and get the support to bring your documentary to life.

Meet the Fellows
Adam Villani, a man with short black hair and a tan windbreaker, holds a cine camera while filming outside, focused on the shot.
Aschalew Chechebo is a brown-skinned Ethiopian man with short curly hair, a moustache and a patterned blue button-up against a white background.
Breanna is a woman with short brown hair with bands, bold eye makeup and rosy lipstick.
Under dramatic studio lighting, Derek Dabkoski is a white man with a yellow brimmed hat and gingham button-up shirt, looking off to the side in front of a red background.
Corey Evans is a Black man with a bald head, a tailored suit jacket and a light blue button up. He leans on a white wall near a fence casually.
Dashiell Meier is a white man with Trisomy 21/Down Syndrome. He has shaggy brown hair and a grey knit sweater against a tan wall.
Rahel Kolb is a white woman with freckles, long blonde hair and a black v-neck shirt who smiles while outside in a yard, background blurred
Isabella is a woman with dark curly hair, flipped to the side. She smiles, next to a window, in a textured blazer.
Rachel Handler is a woman with long, black wavy hair, a leather jacket and a gold prosthetic leg, hand resting gently on her temple.

Disabled Producer Apprenticeship

FWD-Doc, Multitude Films and UNTITLED PENNHURST FILM

This nine-month program offers four disabled filmmakers with holistic producing support, creative project incubation, and tailored professional development.

Throughout the apprenticeship, they fellows will receive access to the Pennhurst film team as well as one-on-one coaching, Multitude Films’ workshops, and support on their own independent nonfiction projects. IndieVISIBLE Entertainment, led by FWD-Doc member Kiah Amara serves as access coordinator for the cohort, facilitated by Abby Burton.

Learn More
In black and white, Andie is a woman with wavy, dark, layered hair and light-colored glasses in front of a blank background.
Maya Wise is a woman with large glasses, middle-parted bangs and and a casual button-up, covered by a zip-up hoodie. They stand outside, lush trees behind them.
Gabo is an Afro-Venezuelan man with dreadlocks pulled back, a beard, and a fully-zipped sinter coat.
In black and white, Vega Darling is a non-binary person with a shaved head, glasses, a moustache and a vest over a collared shirt. He smiles widely.

Berlinale EFM Toolbox Program

Participants Selected by FWD-Doc

The European Film Market (EFM) Doc Toolbox program is part of the EFM's Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. Launched in 2020, the program brings filmmakers together from across the world to expand their skills, build their networks, navigate the film market and more. Since 2023, FWD-Doc has sent members with disabilities to the program, to bridge the access between our members and the larger industry, and remain the only organization focused on disability to send members to the program.

Candid photo of EFM Toolbox members prepare to take a group photo.
Reveca is a woman of color with dark brown hair, and short piecey bangs, smiling.

Reveca Torres
2024

Del is a white man with short graying hair, thin-framed glasses and a blazer.

Del Whetter
2023

Beatrice Leong
2026

Hannah Tookey
2025

FWD-Doc Participants

Black arrow pointing right.
Black arrow pointing right.
Hannah Tookey is a white woman with light brown long hair and a black long-sleeve shirt. Behind her, a green wall.