About

The Center for Independent Documentary was founded in 1981 to collaborate with independent producers to create films and videos on issues of contemporary social and cultural concern. These programs have been broadcast nationally and locally on public and cable television, won numerous awards, and are in distribution to educational markets worldwide.

At a Massaachusetts state house ceremony, the Center was awarded the Commonwealth Award as Outstanding Cultural Organization in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Cultural Council for excellence, dedication, and vision in giving voice to independent New England documentary filmmakers and for broadening the audience for this medium.

COLLABORATIONS WITH INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS
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To our knowledge, the extent of our cooperative arrangement with independent film and video producers is unique. Once we become involved in a project, we become totally committed to its successful completion and distribution. While we are neither a production house, funder or a distributor, we work with producers at all phases of the project- we act as fiscal sponsor, manage project funds, and offer creative, technical and fundraising support.

Our over 200 films have been seen on HBO, PBS, at the Sundance Festival, and have earned numerous awards from Emmy’s to Peabody’s.

Our collaborations are open to all US filmmakers, regardless of experience. There is a competitive application process.

CID PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE FILM COMMUNITY

CID holds a monthly workshop (filmmakers workshop) and screening series that offers Boston area independent media artists a non-competitive, supportive community to strengthen their work. The workshops enhance the quality of projects produced from the pitch to the completed work by offering filmmakers informal professional development opportunities, constructive feedback, and a chance to network with their peers . Can’t make the workshops? Join the Center for Independent Documentary online film-community (filmmakers workshop online network) and be part of the conversations!

CID is a founding member of the Massachusetts Production Coalition (MPC). The MPC has been highly effective in advocating on behalf of the independent film community in Massachusetts. With them, we are deeply committed to connecting filmmakers to others who work in the field and related industries to build a robust film industry in Massachusetts.

In 2009, CID was host to the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC) national conference, “Commonwealth”, held in Boston. Sessions from the conference are available for viewing.

Contact Us:

Susi Walsh, Executive Director : Susi@documentaries.org

Fred Simon, Executive Producer: FSimon@documentaries.org

Center for Independent Documentary

680 South Main Street

Sharon, MA 02067

phone: 781-784-3627

fax: 781-784-8254

Contributions to CID help fulfill our mission to collaborate in the production of independently
produced high quality documentaries and to support the filmmakers who create them.

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