The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) is the largest professional association of independent filmmakers in Canada, with more than 650 members across the country and over 165 members in the BC Chapter. Since 1983, DOC (formerly called the Canadian Independent Film Caucus - CIFC) has been the champion of independent documentary film and television in Canada. Just a few of DOC's past accomplishments include:
Lobbied Telefilm for funding for independent documentaries
Founded POV, the premiere journal in Canada about documentaries and independent films made in Canada and abroad, and the only one of its kind in the country
Lobbied for the creation of a strand on CBC, specifically for independent documentaries ("Witness")
Lobbied for the creation of the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
Founded the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, now the premier documentary festival in North America
Lobbied for the creation of an independent documentary envelope with the CTF
Raised the profile of independent documentary production in Ottawa through the hiring of a lobbyist
Founded and administered DOC TALK in Vancouver, which will be co-produced in 2007 with the Whistler Film Festival
Despite all our past successes, the future of independent documentary production in Canada remains uncertain. Now more than ever we need DOC to be a strong and effective advocate for independent documentary filmmaking.