Docs in Action

Docs In Action supports and distributes short documentary films and online videos on social and environmental justice topics, curating film tours with community partners driving change.

“The overall process of the DIA panel allowed for proximate leaders working towards abolition at various intersections, to truly have a hand in selecting the narratives that most accurately reflect and amplify what our communities have long been experiencing.”

Aminah Elster, Campaign & Policy Coordinator with the CA Coalition for Women Prisoners and organizer with Survived & Punished CA

Overview

Docs in Action offers funding and distribution to short films and online videos that explore topics of social and environmental justice topics. Through Docs in Action, we provide finishing funds to nonfiction media-makers, and we curate and tour short films with partners directly impacted by the issues at hand and are leading the change.

Our current Docs in Action campaigns include Beyond Walls, Stories Beyond Borders and Revisioning Recovery. Explore the 2023 recipients here. In 2024, Docs in Action spotlighted labor organizing in the United States—discover those films here. This year, we just launched our Call for Media to fund films that will illuminate the growing dangers of fascism and authoritarianism. The call for media is currently closed for applications.

Eligibility

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be living in the United States and planning an impact campaign to be carried out in the U.S.

2. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age as of the RFP application deadline.

3. Applicants must have completed at least one non-student documentary film project as the director before the application is submitted.

Important Dates

Applications closed.

Compilation and Tour of Completed Films

Filmmakers are invited to submit films for inclusion in Working Films screening tours held throughout the United States, including:

  • short films
  • excerpts of feature length films
  • multi-platform projects

Screening rights fees will be paid to selected films. The Working Films team will provide free impact consultation to selected filmmakers and offer peer-to-peer networking and support opportunities.

Resources

Review the 2025 CALL FOR MEDIA TO BLOCK, BUILD, AND REIMAGINE. For guidelines on eligibility requirements and how to apply click here. A preview of the application can be found here.

View a recording of the 2023 Docs in Action – Workers’ Rights Webinar below:

Host a Beyond Walls screening: HOST A SCREENING

Host a Stories Beyond Borders screening: HOST A SCREENING

Host a Revisioning Recovery screening: HOST A SCREENING

Beyond Walls actions and resources: ACTIONS & RESOURCES

Watch the Beyond Walls – Trailer 2023 below:

Currently closed for applications. If you have questions, please contact us at info@workingfilms.org.

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HOST A SCREENING

Docs In Action Campaigns

Beyond Walls

Beyond Walls is an organizing initiative featuring documentary films that define and amplify what prison industrial complex means.

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Stories Beyond Borders

An organizing initiative that uses documentary films to build power in immigrant communities.

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Revisioning Recovery

Revisioning Recovery: Uncovering the Roots of Disaster illuminates the current injustices, systems at play, and the solutions needed to prepare and respond to climate disasters.

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