Well known international film organizations participated in a discussion on the importance of matchmaking between investing, philanthropy and documentaries at a panel discussion hosted by Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival at the Rogers Industry Center in Toronto recently. Vicki Heyman, cultural envoy and wife of U.S. Ambassador to Canada with 25 years of philanthropy and fundraising experience initiated the discussion, which was moderated by Andrea Nemtin, president and CEO, Inspirit Foundation. The panellists shared how foundations, individual funders and impact producers can work with documentary filmmakers to impact local communities. The panel deliberated on films being a powerful medium to bring to the centre stage voices less heard. Prerana Langa, CEO, YES Foundation, who was one of the panelists, introduced YES Foundation’s unique program ‘YES! i am the CHANGE’, which is India’s largest social film movement having energized over 50,000 youth pan-India to make films and positively engage with the nation-building process. This year, Hot Docs is featuring ‘India’ as the spotlight country in the ‘Made in’ section and has pledged its support and expertise for the much needed thrust in India to produce and distribute documentaries through mentorships, outreach campaigns and global exposure.
