Ethics Resource Library
We are often simultaneously in the position of employer, HR manager, casting director, lead fundraiser, etc., and our ethical decisions and practices not only affect our own projects but the culture and reputation of the documentary film industry at large. When challenges arise, it’s often the producer who bears the weight. Producers are typically the face of the project and especially visible in times of conflict or crisis.
How do we respond to the many ethical questions that continuously arise in our work? How can producers make the most informed decisions and reduce the risk of harm? To address these catalyzing questions, the DPA presents the Ethics Resource Library. Our library is open to filmmakers of all experience levels, navigating any and all stages of production. We cover a wide range of topics and questions, including: accessibility, authorship (who is telling your story and why), labor, representation, inclusion, interviewing survivors, diversity, distribution, diversity, consent, and safety on set. The Ethics Resource Library (ERL) is a living library that continues to evolve with our rapidly changing industry, with resources spanning from the early 2000s to the present day.
List of ethics-based resources organized by topic/keyword/tag and pre-vetted by our committee
Resources include articles, editorials, video presentations, keynote addresses, guidelines, courses, podcasts, toolkits, essays, etc.
Short description of each resource and why we recommended it for the library
Links to resources
We are not prescriptive, and we aren’t seeking to be the definitive source to answer all your ethical questions, but rather the entry point to educate yourself and arm yourself with the tools and sources you need to become the most ethical filmmaker you can be. We invite you to engage with our library, suggest and add resources to it, and become part of this living conversation. We recognize that every ethical issue is unique, with a unique set of factors. We do not seek to dictate how issues should be handled, but rather to empower the filmmaker with the resources and knowledge to make the most informed decisions. We’re excited to share these resources with you. Happy reading!
If you have any questions, you can email the DPA at ethics@docproducers.org. If you would like to suggest a resource to be included in the library, you can do so here.
The DPA provides content and links within the Ethics Resource Library to third-party websites, articles and other types of resources. The DPA has not written, created, sponsored, commissioned, or contributed to the production of the content contained in the Ethics Resource Library in any way. Though we have compiled these into a manageable, searchable format, inclusion in the library does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the DPA. The purpose of the Ethics Resource Library is to give you an avenue to review, consider, and make use of the information as you see fit.