The Documentary Filmmakers Group - DFG - is the national organisation working to promote documentary filmmaking talent and innovation in the UK.
A single aim links all our work: to encourage, stimulate, promote and support the growth of a strong community of documentary filmmakers and film audiences.
We have been running since 2001, operating as a non-profit organisation. Our presence, our activities and our community continue to expand, showing that there is real demand for a group dedicated to serving the needs of documentary film in all its aspects.
DFG is the leading provider of industry-focussed training for established and aspiring documentary filmmakers and a member of the elite Skillset Media Academy Network.
We run a range of networking, information and advice events for documentary filmmakers at different stages in their careers, as well as pitching opportunities and screenings. We also provide a number of resources, via this website and the DFG Community, a growing online community of over 1300 documentary filmmakers which shares insider news and a range of practical resources.
Our production wing has produced award-winning documentary series, and recently merged with the award-winning Mosaic Films; a partnership that
promises to deliver exciting new opportunities for talented filmmakers. DFG and Mosaic Films’ combined expertise means that we have been uniquely positioned to collaborate on a range of exciting training and film production initiatives, working in partnership with Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV, amongst other organisations. In keeping with our mission statement, these initiatives are designed either to promote talent, diversity and equal opportunities within the documentary filmmaking industry, or to promote innovation in a particular strand of documentary programming.
DFG has increasingly moved into the position of representing and lobbying on behalf of documentary filmmakers in a variety of ways. DFG has good reason to be proud of its achievements over the last five years. But we are not complacent. The fast-evolving nature of the documentary filmmaking industry means that there are new constituents to represent – and additional services that we must look to provide – if we are to continue to build upon and fulfill our mission of promoting talent and innovation within the industry, and remain at the forefront of its developments.
If you are interested in joining DFG and supporting its work, then please sign up as a member. It's only £27.50 for the year and you will get a whole host of additional benefits, including exclusive member resources, deals and discounts.
History
DFG began in 2001 as a gathering of documentary filmmakers who wanted to share ideas and create a regular dialogue about documentary film. In the following months, regular screenings took place, first of all in pubs, then cafes, then London Film School, and as we became bigger, we started regular screenings and festivals in the West End. Suddenly there was outlet for an increasingly growing community of people who were interested in watching, making and discussing documentary films.
Weekly screenings attracted over 200 people, many of whom had to be turned away. As this community continued to grow, people started to demand other services: specific and affordable training; skills workshops; advice; consultation; production opportunities; more meetings; parties; chances to share thoughts of different films; debate; and to feel part of a documentary community, not only in London, but in the regions too. Our 'membership' grew and grew, and DFG was formally established as a not-for-profit company. Its overarching aim is this: to create a comprehensive resource for documentary enthusiasts and filmmakers.
In what seems a very short time, DFG has become the largest documentary-specific organisation in the UK. We now have over 4,500 non-paying members who receive weekly information, production opportunities, advice, special seminars and meetings with commissioning editors. We are the largest provider of documentary training in the UK, and we continue to expand, with the recent success of the DFG Diploma. We continue to run screenings, and work side by side with our sister company, Mosaic Films. This production company has produced award-winning films for Channel 4, ITV and Five, and has a history of using new directors and new talent as part of the production team. All this has been achieved largely without public funding, and thanks are largely due to the determination of all who have been involved with DFG over the years.
In this category:
Mosaic Films
Our sister company, producing award-winning documentaries.
DFG People
Who's who in the DFG world.
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