Beginning in 1997, the International Documentary Association’s DocuWeeks Theatrical Showcase gave feature and short docs a chance at a theatrical run designed to give them the opportunity to qualify for the Academy Awards. Graduates of the program have included Alex Gibney’s 2007 Oscar winner “Taxi to the Dark Side.” Now, given last year’s changes to the AMPAS rules regarding doc eligibility, the IDA has decided to rebrand, keeping into account not only the new Oscar rules but also “the evolving needs of documentary filmmakers” according to their press release.
The new, invitation-only screening series aims to increase voting participation in the Academy Awards doc categories by hosting films to screen for both AMPAS and industry guild members as well as IDA members. Each new screening will feature a filmmaker Q&A that will be then made available on YouTube and documentary.org.
“As
the industry evolves so will we,” said IDA Executive Director Michael
Lumpkin. “With this new screening series, along with programs like our
annual IDA Documentary Awards and DocuDay, we will continue to celebrate
and champion the art of documentary filmmaking worldwide.”
You can expect more details on the new series in the coming months.
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