Telling real stories, about real people, living in real communities, addressing real issues, and creating real change 

During this years’ festival and symposium DOCTalks is excited to present three evening documentary film screenings & talks, and four daytime panel discussions related to Community Engagement, Storytelling & Conversations.

Our storytellers and guests will shine a light on how they engage communities to tell stories and encourage conversations about relevant social issues, such as: the power of food to build community, mobilizing indigenous knowledge in Labrador, digital storytelling with students and older adults, and saying goodbye – preparing for death. 

The Documentary Organization of Canada Atlantic Chapter has partnered with the Lunenburg DOC Fest and DOCTalks Festival & Symposium to present a series of nine conversations in 2023. The next three conversations will take you deeper into the world of  Community Engagement & Alternative Distribution.

Hundreds of documentary films are pitched to broadcasters each year, but most do not receive a CRTC regulator broadcast-streaming license and/or government film agency funding. This lack of access to financing and distribution has led many independent producers to engage with community partners to create, finance and distribute their documentary films using a cross-sector approach. Join us in June as we present three documentary media conversations: i)  Collaborating in a Community of Creators, ii) Producing Social Impact Films,  and iii) Alternative Distribution in Canada.

DOCTalks would like to acknowledge that the land we reside on, known as Turtle Island (North America), is also on the traditional unceeded territory of the Walatakewiyik (Maliseet) Peoples. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace & Friendship” which the Walatakewiyik (Maliseet),  Mi’kmaq (Mi’kmaw), and Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) People’s signed with the British Crown in the 1700s. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq / Mi’kmaw, Walatakewiyik and Peskotomuhkati title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.