Membership
The DPA is a diverse coalition of over 600 international members, ranging from emerging to established Academy Award-winning documentary producers.
The DPA sets standards for inclusive, sustainable and equitable business practices
based on research, collective experience and input from strategic partners, amplifying the voice of documentary producers worldwide, while educating the industry about producers’ essential role from development through financing, production and distribution.
our grounding principle
How we make films
is as important as
why we make films
Membership Levels
As a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization, the DPA is sustained by members' dues and contributions. DPA has three membership tiers, and which tier you are placed in will be determined by your application.
*No one will be turned away if they cannot pay.
Applicants are admitted at the $20 dues level. If you are ready to move to the next Membership Level, you can apply for an adjustment by contacting the DPA Coordinator at (coordinator@docproducers.org).
Exploratory
Applicants are admitted at the $50 dues level. If you are ready to move to the next Membership Level, you can apply for an adjustment by contacting the DPA Coordinator at (coordinator@docproducers.org).
Emerging
Applicants are admitted at the $100 dues level.
Established
What is the difference between tiers?
Established, Emerging and Exploratory producers have no differences in membership access and benefits once admitted to the DPA.
Established, Emerging, & Exploratory Definitions
Established Producer: A seasoned professional who has successfully guided non-fiction productions through all stages, including development, production, post-production, and distribution.
Emerging Producer: An active participant in the production process of various projects but has yet to reach the level of an established producer.
Exploratory Producer: A newcomer to the industry, eager to explore and learn about the responsibilities and roles of producers in documentary filmmaking.
why you should join the dpa
Member Benefits
As DPA members, documentary producers in the field benefit from the following opportunities:
Advancing our Field
To shape our published guidelines for hiring, crediting, fundraising and investment
To identify and work on future initiatives that are important to you in the field, or join a committee or task force to move the needle on issues important to you
To build solidarity on the issue of producer exclusion in film festival announcements and publications
To shape DPA leadership in regionally representative elections for the Board
Networking
To collaborate with fellow producers and industry stakeholders to make the documentary producing career more sustainable and equitable
To participate and help shape member-only regional networking events at film festivals that connect DPA members with industry peers local to their area
Access to and inclusion in our Membership database
Community support of and social engagement with fellow documentary producers across the US and worldwide via our private Slack channel, meetings, and affinity groups
News
Connection to the field and producing issues via membership news and participation in regular regional meetings and quarterly member-wide meetings
Exclusive Discounts
Access to DPA discounts and special programming with DOCNYC Pro, IDFA, Cannes Producers Network, etc.
Career Support
Specific project and career support in the form of our Office Hours program and the Ethics Working Group peer-to-peer sessions
What to expect as a member of the DPA?
As a volunteer organization, members are encouraged to join our subcommittees. Designed to address specific areas of interest, committees meet virtually on a schedule set within each committee.
Our members network with one another, encourage one another through community support and discuss critical issues facing the filmmaking industry. We encourage our subcommittee to create task forces that collaboratively develop potential resolutions to the challenges faced by documentary producers.
Leadership is often found among our most active members. DPA members can join existing committees or form new committees. The full DPA membership currently meets every other month.
Meet Our Members
Meet Our MembersHey, non-producers, non-film orgs, networks, educators, and impact collaborators!
We encourage you to STAND with the DPA and become an ally!
Stay up to date with DPA initiatives
Work with the DPA to change the industry
Receive invitations to DPA events
More activities to be announced
