An Intensive Workshop for Canadian Filmmakers
The National Film Board of Canada and Praxis Centre for Screenwriters proudly announce The Art of Documentary, an intensive four-day workshop for mid-career filmmakers dedicated to exploring and expanding the aesthetic potential of the documentary.
We will invite up to twelve filmmakers from across Canada to bring their projects at any stage from development through fine cut for four days of focused workshops with special guest mentors and specialists in editing, producing and sound design. Each project will receive individual attention as well as participation in small groups. The workshop will include film screenings, master classes and a public dialogue devoted to the art of documentary.
Eight of the eleven projects from our 2006 inaugural workshop are now in production or completed. Participants from this group wrote:
“It gave me the much needed opportunity to focus on the creative and artistic aspects of documentary filmmaking, which can sometimes get muddled with all the other details. It was…inspiring to ‘talk shop’ with so many passionate directors.”
-- Tracey Deer, Club Native
“I had a FANTASTIC time at Art of the Doc. A great blend of collegial support and experienced mentorship…The ‘retreat’ nature of the workshop gave us a rare opportunity to think about our projects outside of the rat race fundraising side of documentary filmmaking...”
-- Brett Gaylor, Basement Tapes
“I would categorize [it] as the best workshop; I believe it was worth a university degree for me.”
-- Jiyar Gol, The Lost Daughters of Kurdistan
“[It] was by far the most inspiring and exciting professional development experience I have ever had. I remember it with a wistful fondness now and I miss the wonderful discourse that we all enjoyed. What an amazing group of people!"
-- Anne Troake, Feel the Earth Move