Black Documentary Collective: 2020

Dear BDC fam,

We hope this email finds you healthy, safe and sound. As our community is increasingly impacted by COVID-19, we find hope, strength and gratitude in the many who are offering their support and resources to filmmakers and other artists, and especially those on the frontlines who are tending to the sick, delivering our groceries— helping to keep our businesses and households running, and our neighborhoods thriving.

The BDC has been posting daily about available resources to get us through this pandemic— grants, free webinars, discounts, consultation services, and even tips for managing daily life in the age of COVID such as grocery shopping best practices, receiving delivery packages safely, and avoiding small business financial scams. Some highlights are below, but there is more information to share every day, so please visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for daily updates.

Don't forget that BDC Members have unlimited “Editor” posting privileges on the BDC Facebook Page and on our other social media platforms. You are encouraged to share updates about your work, screenings (online for the foreseeable future), and any resources you would like to share. With thousands of followers and counting, posting on our platforms is an easy and meaningful way to reach and engage the many fans who seek out and support your work.

A ❤️Heartfelt❤️ Thank You goes out to our filmmaking community and the myriad organizations who have offered support — International Documentary Association, Firelight Media, ITVS, POV, Sundance, Field of Vision, Black Public Media, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Akila Worksongs, Women Make Movies, and more. These are just a few of the many organizations who are sharing skills, resources, expertise and access to help us all through this worldwide crisis. We are truly grateful.

BDC Coordinator, Camille Wilson, will be monitoring all of our communications, so do not hesitate to send us a message on any of our platforms, or email us if you have any questions or need more information about anything.

Love and Solidarity,

Sabrina and Rafee

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Small Business Administration (SBA) Webinar

Firelight Media, IDA, and ITVS invite you to an hour-long webinar to learn the basics of applying for the various SBA programs.These funds are available to businesses as small as one person! The webinar will also provide resources about applying for unemployment benefits as a freelancer.All webinars will feature presentations by Cornerstone Government Affairs, a bipartisan consulting firm, specializing in federal and state government relations and business advisory services.

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American Documentary COVID-19 Artist Emergency Fund

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Women Make Movies has compiled a list of regional resources throughout the country, for those outside of the major east and west coast urban hubs

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Field of Vision is offering virtual "office hours” service (video meetings and calls) for the documentary community. They will be prioritizing filmmakers who’ve been affected by festival postponements and production changes, but will also be available to offer a range of mentorship and consultation around a variety of areas.

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Freelancers Relief Fund is providing financial assistance of up to $1,000 to freelancers who are experiencing sudden hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether as a result of illness, lost work, or caregiving responsibilities.You can apply and donate to the fund.

As always, Keith Shapiro at Hell’s COLOR Kitchen—a long time friend, fan, and champion of the BDC—offers discounted post-production services to BDC Members only! Click pix for more information about their services.

BDC Member Feature

The work continues, so consider supporting Marshall Kickstarter campaign for his film Radical: The Savoir Faire of French Hip-Hop, a documentary about the French hip-hop magazine Radikal and the history of French rap.

In response, festivals around the country and the world are streaming selections online. Filmmakers and various streaming platforms have also generously offered free online viewing of films. Below is just a sampling. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and the BDC blog for daily updates.

BDC #ICYMI: Festivals and free online streaming

Many of us have had our premieres canceled due to the pandemic. In response, festivals around the country and the world are streaming selections online. Filmmakers and various streaming platforms have also generously offered free online viewing of films. Below is just a sampling. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and the BDC blog for daily updates.

Festivals:

Coming Soon! Amazon Prime Video is offering filmmakers in the 2020 SXSW Film Festival lineup an invitation to opt in to take part in this online film festival, which will play exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S. for 10-days. The one-time event will be free to all audiences, with or without an Amazon Prime membership!