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DPA MISSION
To set best practices while advocating for the welfare of producers toward a sustainable and equitable documentary industry.
DPA MEMBERSHIP
Established in 2016, the DPA is a diverse coalition of more than 500 international members, ranging from emerging to 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.
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As a volunteer organization, members participate in subcommittees. Addressing specific issues, committees meet virtually on a schedule set within each committee. DPA members can join existing committees or form new committees. The full DPA membership currently meets virtually every other month.
A NOTE ABOUT THE DPA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
The DPA membership application focuses on the producing tasks one has performed, as opposed to the credits one has received. We are aware of the many structural barriers in place regarding credits in our industry, and aim for the DPA to be an organization that centers the inclusion of documentary producers of all backgrounds and aspirations. As such, all individuals interested in documentary producing, regardless of experience level, are welcome to join the DPA.
DPA has three membership tiers, and which tier you are placed in will be determined by your application. The tiers are defined as follows:
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EXPLORATORY members pay a dues fee of $20/year and must reapply after one year of membership;
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EMERGING members pay a dues fee of $50/year and must reapply two years of membership; -
ESTABLISHED members pay a dues fee of $100/year and do not need to reapply.
Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis, and applicants can expect to receive notification of their admittance around the 1st of each month. To complete admission, new members must submit their dues payment and complete an anonymous onboarding survey by the end of that month.
Please also be aware that, as it pertains to DPA membership, no one will be turned away for inability to pay dues. This "pay-what-you-can" option is available to all members, no questions asked, in order to eliminate barriers to entry and ensure that all producers, regardless of income, can participate in our community. Please also be aware that the DPA, as a working group, encourages participation via volunteer hours to sustain the efforts of the organization.