Documentary Makers To Gather At Doc2Doc Event

Auckland documentary film makers and enthusiasts will be meeting next week for a screening of works in progress at the Galatos bar in Newton.

The event, called Doc2doc, has been organised by the Screen Directors Guild and will be running bi-monthly.

Briar March, Doc2doc creator and Auckland-based documentary film maker, felt there was a need to create a space where the city’s film makers could present and get feedback on their current works.

Ms March says the processes involved in making documentary films can, at times, be very isolating.

“Often they direct, produce and sometimes edit on their own and the process can sometimes take several years,” she says.

“It is great to have an opportunity where they can mix with others and get feedback.”

Doc2doc will be chaired by Pietra Brettkelly, a documentary film maker well known for her work The Art star and the Sudanese twins, which screened at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Each film maker will have five minutes to show their footage followed by 10 minutes of questions and discussion with the audience.

Ms March says the format is beneficial for film makers as they can present quickly and get initial reactions immediately. The format also keeps the night interesting for the audience.

Malcolm Clarke, another Auckland documentary film maker, showed his work at the inaugural event held in April. He said that the event was very beneficial and provided a good space to bounce ideas off others.

“The night gave me a clear direction of a way to move forward,” he says.

The film makers were asked to submit three questions they would like the audience to answer and discuss.

Ms March says you don’t need to be experienced in the medium to participate in the night. She encourages anyone interested in film to come along.

“It is good to see the process and how people come up with things.

“The audiences are paying to see works and watch them so the opinion of the audience is very valid,” she says.

Ms March says the night is not a political space for lobbying on issues such as funding. “It is good to have something positive where you get together and do something about it.”

All are welcome. Doc2Doc will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 17, The Lounge Bar - Galatos, 17 Galatos Street, Newton.

Alice Emily Tollestrup is a graduate diploma journalism student at AUT University.