named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Field of Vision Shorts
Commissioned short documentaries on global issues, typically under 35 minutes, produced by independent filmmakers
Our 100 Days
Series of short films documenting the social and political climate in the United States during the early days of the Trump administration
Our Allies
Documentary series exploring the roles of various military and civilian groups in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 3 activities
- Administering relief and support programs for documentary freelancersAdministered a relief fund for documentary freelancers and provided over 450 virtual mentorship and consultation meetings globally since the program's inception, including more than 200 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Providing mentorship, fellowship, and lab programs for filmmakersOffers free virtual mentorship and consultation services for filmmakers and artists. Re-launched a global mentorship program and has conducted over 450 meetings. Also launched a fellowship program, artist-in-residence initiative, and co-ran the IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab. Integrated IF/Then Shorts into broader programming.
- Supporting underrepresented filmmakers through targeted programsProvides targeted support to underrepresented filmmakers, with data showing 54% of participants identifying as female, 43% as filmmakers of color, and 38% as non-US based. Focuses on equity and inclusion in documentary filmmaking.
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Documentary Film Production 3 activities
- Commissioning and producing nonfiction filmsCommissions, creates, and supports original nonfiction films on global contemporary issues, including short-form documentaries on urgent social issues, human rights, and underreported global stories. The organization identifies stories and commissions filmmakers during development or production phases, using innovative and artistic approaches.
- Commissioning short documentary filmsCommissions and releases short-form documentary films, including "The Rifleman," "Utuqaq," "Do Not Split," "American Carnage," and "A Night at the Garden," typically ranging from 7 to 35 minutes in length.
- Distributing nonfiction films and related contentDistributes nonfiction films through news organizations, film festivals, online platforms, broadcast, streaming, and cable. Also produces and publishes interviews with filmmakers and related news content.
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Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 2 activities
- Funding apprenticeships for underrepresented documentary crewOperates a grantmaking program that provides $30,000 grants to independent production companies to fund fully compensated apprentice roles for underrepresented and emerging crew members. Offers additional sponsorship for in-country mentors and accommodations for D/deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse apprentices.
- Operating IF/Then Shorts grant and mentorship programOperates IF/Then Shorts, a fund and mentorship program that provides financial and developmental support to short documentary filmmakers.
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Artist and Curatorial Publications 1 activity
- Conducting research and publishing practical resources for filmmakersConducted and published a COVID-19 risk assessment guide for documentary filmmakers and launched research-based publications such as Field Notes, contributing practical and field-relevant knowledge to the documentary community.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Operating the Field Notes publicationProduces and publishes Field Notes, an online journal featuring original essays, interviews, reported features, and commissioned written works on nonfiction filmmaking. Has published multiple issues and launched a dedicated publication series.
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
- Providing legal and digital security support servicesProvides a free legal clinic for documentary freelancers in the United States, offering legal information and referrals to pro bono counsel. Co-hosts the Digital Security Clinic for Filmmakers with the Freedom of the Press Foundation, offering group training on securing footage, communication, devices, field work, and protection from AI.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Supporting film production through direct project fundingDirectly supported the production of multiple documentary films, including "Captions Will Be Needed," "Your Fat Friend," "Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat," "Mistress Dispeller," "The Shadow Scholars," "Zodiac Killer Project," "Untitled Animal Project," "Songs From the Hole," "King Coal," and "Sandcastles."
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$314K
Contributions & grants$287K91%
Program service revenue$27K9%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.82M
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead33%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.31M
Grants paid out$251K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.50M
Cash$5.33M
Investments$50K
Liabilities$49K
Net assets$5.45M
Liquid reserves35.5 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -96.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Cook | Executive Dir. | 40 | $223K |
| Kristen Fitzpatrick | Secretary | 40 | $181K |
board members · 2
- David Bralow — Treasurer
- Matt Wolf — Board member
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- Anders Hammer Partner — Collaborated with filmmaker Anders Hammer on the production of "Do Not Split".
- BIPOC Editors Partner — Consulted for guidance and inspiration in developing the apprenticeship program.
- Charlie Shackleton Partner — Collaborated on the production of "Zodiac Killer Project"
- Contessa Gayles Partner — Collaborated on the production of "Songs From the Hole"
- Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice Government — Co-administers Lawyers for Reporters, a partner organization in Field of Vision's legal clinic initiative.
- DCTV Partner — Collaborative partner in the re-launched mentorship and consultation program for documentary filmmakers.
- Elaine McMilion Sheldon Partner — Collaborated on the production of "King Coal"
- Elizabeth Lo Partner — Collaborated on the production of "Mistress Dispeller"
- Eloise King Partner — Collaborated on the production of "The Shadow Scholars"
- FWD-DOC: Documentary Filmmakers With Disabilities Partner — Collaborative partner in the re-launched mentorship and consultation program for documentary filmmakers.
- FWD-Doc Partner — Consulted for guidance and inspiration in developing the apprenticeship program.
- Farihah Zaman Partner — Collaborated with filmmaker Farihah Zaman on the production of "American Carnage".
- Field Notes Network — Online journal publishing creative and journalistic explorations of nonfiction filmmaking operated by Field of Vision.
- Firelight Media Partner — Announced the “Our 100 Days” series in collaboration with Field of Vision.
- Firelight Media Partner — Collaborative partner in the re-launched mentorship and consultation program for documentary filmmakers.
- First Look Media’s Press Freedom Defense Fund Partner — Co-administers Lawyers for Reporters, which partners with Field of Vision to provide legal support to documentary freelancers.
- Freedom of the Press Foundation Partner — Co-launched multiple installments of the Digital Security Clinic for Filmmakers.
- Freedom of the Press Foundation Partner — Collaborates with Field of Vision to co-host the Digital Security Clinic for documentary filmmakers.
- Hulu Partner — Co-ran the IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab.
- IF/Then Partner — Consulted for guidance and inspiration in developing the apprenticeship program.
- IF/Then Shorts Partner — Integrated IF/Then Shorts into Field of Vision's programming.
- Iva Radivojević Partner — Collaborated with filmmaker Iva Radivojević on the production of "Utuqaq".
- Jeanie Finlay Partner — Collaborated on the production of "Your Fat Friend"
- Jeff Reichert Partner — Collaborated with filmmaker Jeff Reichert on the production of "American Carnage".
- Jessica Kingdon Partner — Collaborated on the production of "Untitled Animal Project"
- Johan Grimonprez Partner — Collaborated on the production of "Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat"
- Lawyers for Reporters Partner — Collaborates with Field of Vision to operate a free legal clinic for documentary freelancers in the U.S.
- Marshall Curry Partner — Collaborated with filmmaker Marshall Curry on the production of "A Night at the Garden".
- Multitude Films Partner — Consulted for guidance and inspiration in developing the apprenticeship program.
- Museum of the Moving Image Partner — Collaborative partner in the re-launched mentorship and consultation program for documentary filmmakers.
+ 7 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Documentary as Advocacy for Power and Justicemethodology: documentary-film-advocacyBy producing and amplifying short-form documentaries that expose abuse of power and human rights violations, the organization drives public engagement with urgent global issues, because visual evidence combined with rapid-response storytelling can shift narratives and mobilize action.
- Equity-Driven Filmmaker Support Modelmethodology: equity-focused_capacity_buildingBy combining funding, mentorship, apprenticeships, and legal and security resources—especially for underrepresented filmmakers—the organization increases access and sustainability in the field, because systemic barriers are best addressed through integrated, identity-conscious support structures.
- Innovative Nonfiction Storytelling as Cultural Interventionmethodology: innovative_nonfiction_storytellingBy supporting cinematic, experimental, and culturally theorized nonfiction storytelling, the organization amplifies underrepresented narratives and challenges dominant frames, because innovative form and critical theory expand the scope of whose stories are told and how they are understood.