Docs In Progress (Silver Spring, MD)
22 Apr 2010
The mission of Docs In Progress is to give individuals the tools to tell stories through documentary film to educate, inspire, and transform the way people view their world. We do this by fostering a supportive community for both professional and emerging documentary filmmakers through screenings, workshops, classes, and peer-centered support networks. By developing, encouraging, and celebrating new and diverse voices in documentary film, Docs In Progress also seeks to deepen the public’s experience, understanding, and appreciation for documentary as a form of art and expression.
How did your organization start?
Docs In Progress began in 2004 by two documentary filmmakers (Adele Schmidt and Erica Ginsberg) simply to create a place where documentary filmmakers could get feedback on their unfinished films from their peers. What we soon discovered at these screenings was that there was a much broader interest and many people came who were not filmmakers. As the audiences grew and the needs of the documentary community also grew, we decided to formalize Docs In Progress as an organization. We brought on a third partner in Sam Hampton and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2008.
What is special about your organization?
Many of our program participants are first-time filmmakers who never thought they could actually make a documentary. We welcome them to Docs In Progress regardless of their level of experience and do everything we can to encourage and support them through the process - we are as much an incubator as a community media training center. As a result, they gain confidence and many go on to have successful documentary films.
We also integrate public programming so that we can connect filmmakers with audiences whether through getting feedback at a work-in-progress screening or promoting media literacy through documentary discussion groups.
We also integrate public programming so that we can connect filmmakers with audiences whether through getting feedback at a work-in-progress screening or promoting media literacy through documentary discussion groups.
What is your organization currently working on that excites you?
While Docs In Progress will always remain committed to the documentary film community in the mid-Atlantic region, Docs In Progress is now able to offer some programs which can reach beyond our immediate area. We have started to offer webinar variations of some of our workshops on budgeting, legal issues, outreach, etc. At the same time, we are working with other area film organizations to create a film center - something which is surprisingly lacking in the nation's capital. Washington DC has one of the smartest and savviest filmgoing audiences in the country - they deserve a film center.
What is the future of your organization? What are you striving for?
We are now seeing the first generation of filmmakers who came through Docs In Progress programs have amazing success with their films. We continue to be dedicated to making documentary filmmakers be the best they can be. 
Docs In Progress community media training and screening programs are expanding locally at the same time that we are exploring new programs online and through exchanges which can help serve emerging documentary filmmakers beyond the Beltway. We are open to building partnerships both locally and globally.
Docs In Progress community media training and screening programs are expanding locally at the same time that we are exploring new programs online and through exchanges which can help serve emerging documentary filmmakers beyond the Beltway. We are open to building partnerships both locally and globally.
What else do you want the media arts community to know about your organization?
Docs In Progress maintains a supportive artistic environment built on honesty, trust and openness that allows filmmakers to share ideas, learn from others and develop their individual potential. To keep informed on what's new from us and our alumni, visit our website at http://www.docsinprogress.org or join our mailing list.
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Location
8700 First Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
United States
38° 59' 50.6184" N, 77° 1' 55.7472" W
