DOC TALK was born in 2003 as a joint initiative of DOC and British Columbia Film. Since then, it has evolved into BC’s premiere documentary professional development and networking event, while staying true to its original goals: highlighting the western Canadian documentary production community to broadcasters from around the world, and promoting Western Canada as a "centre for excellence" in leading-edge documentary production.

Hosted for several years at the Whistler Film Festival, DOC-BC partnered with the 24th Annual Film & Television Forum for DocTalk 2009. The event was held Friday, October 2, and was full of great speakers, productive meetings, and informative sessions for the documentary industry. There was a big turnout, with lively discussions and plenty of opportunities to meet with international producers, distributors and commissioning editors in tete-a-tetes, speed dating sessions, and roundtables. Some of the day's distinguished guests included Axel Arno of SVT, Hans Robert Eisenhauer of ZDF/ARTE, and Claire Aguilar of ITVS.

Panel discussions formed the heart of this year's DocTalk. The panel "Reality Doesn't Bite: Elements of a Top Rated Series" offered great insight from one of television's most successful producers, Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers). Filmmakers learned new ways to get their films out into the world through discussion with a panel of experts on "21st Century Doc Distribution Strategies". The day was rounded out with an insightful panel "Best Practices in Doc Genres," with guests Bill Guttentag (Soundtrack for a Revolution), Robert Kenner (Food Inc) and Ellen Spiro (Body of War). The mid-day complimentary screening of We Live in Public (Sundance Grand Jury Prize) also generated a lot of discussion and interest.

DOC-BC would like to acknowledge the sponsors for this year's DocTalk event: Rogers and BC Film. Without their generosity this event would not have been possible.

And congratulations to the winner of a 2009 DocTalk pass Hart Snider, who attended the event after submitting his top three doc film picks. Stay tuned for more contests and ways to win fabulous DOC-BC prizes!

We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email us your feedback about the event, at docbc@docbc.org. We'll also be disseminating a DocTalk survey to our members - coming soon!

DocTalk is an annual event. More information on next year's DocTalk will be posted here in early spring, 2010.

I thought Doctalk at VIFF trade forum was a great idea and it worked well for me. The sessions and topics covered were great as usual. And I liked the fact it was brought back to the lower mainland. In these days of having to watch the pocketbook...the combining of the two events made it affordable and saved time....a commodity I find increasingly scarce with shows in production. Thanks to all for a great job,

Scott Renyard, DOC BC Member

MEET THE FILMMAKERS

Once again as in previous years, DOC BC was pleased to join Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society during the Vancouver International Film Festival, in conjunction with Praxis Centre for Screenwriters and Women in Film + Television Vancouver, for the 15th annual "Meet the Filmmakers" event - a series of informal, engaging and intimate conversations with visiting filmmakers and artists.

The salons, held at Cinewoks and all free, provide a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about modern cinema. Among the highlights:
• Michèle Hozer (Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glen Gould) and Murray Grigor(Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner) on Sunday (Oct. 4, 3 p.m.) on art and culture documentaries;
• Noted American film critic and former VIFF programming consultant Gerald Pearly(For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism) on Oct. 9 (3 p.m.);
• Vic Sarin (A Shine of Rainbows) on Oct. 10 (2:30 p.m.) on character-based screenwriting;
• Director Gregori Viens and actor Henry Phillips (Punching the Clown) on Oct. 13 (3 p.m.) on genre-defying films.

As a free event, "Meet the Filmmakers" is an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy intimate access to films and filmmakers, regardless of income, however, due to provincial arts funding cuts "Meet the Filmmakers" is at risk. Cineworks Programming Manager Cheyanne Turions says that unless things are reversed the proposed cuts directly impact this series for cancellation in the future. If you are eager to keep programs like these alive please get vocal!

Meet the Filmmakers Salon - moderator Sally Aitken, filmmaker Gregori Viens,
star and co-writer Henry Phillips from "Punching the Clown".