Diverse Voices in Docs

Diverse Voices in Docs (DVID) is a professional mentorship and development program for documentary filmmakers of color, organized by Kartemquin Films and the Community Film Workshop of Chicago. Founded in 2013, DVID aims to inspire collaboration and skill-sharing among its fellows, and among the larger Midwestern independent documentary filmmaking community. At the core of the fellowship is a series of dynamic workshops led by Kartemquin staff, associates, and invited experts, ranging in focus from storytelling ethics, to fundraising, to distribution, and a pitch session attended by leading funders and distributors. The program culminates with a graduation showcasing fellows work and featuring a keynote speaker. 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023 DVID FELLOWSHIP ARE now OPEN  

DVID Sponsors Diverse Voices in Docs is run in partnership with the Community Film Workshop of Chicago. Special support for Diverse Voices in Docs is provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation,The Field Foundation of Illinois, and The Chicago Community Trust.

Find out how you can support Diverse Voices in Docs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should have played a principal role in a completed production (producer, writer, director, editor, etc) and have experience or work history that demonstrated their commitment to social issue documentary.

Applicants must be a legal US resident.

Applicants must NOT be a full-time student.

Applicants commit to participating in all aspects of the program and attending all 6 classes.

There is no application fee. An enrollment fee of $100 is due upon acceptance to the program. Decisions will be based on finalist interviews and work samples.

The Diverse Voices in Docs program will not provide: travel expenses, project funding, legal advice, equipment or post-production access. For more information on the program please email dvid@kartemquin.com

Press

An Academy Grant in Action: Diverse Voices in Docs - American Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Kartemquin preps Diverse Voices in Docs roundtable - Realscreen.

'Diverse Voices In Docs': Documentary Powerhouse Launches Program For Filmmakers Of Color - Huffington Post.

Kartemquin Films Starting Development Program For Documentary Filmmakers of Color - Shadow & Act / IndieWIRE.

Barber Shop Show Episode 103: Diverse Voices in Docs - Vocalo.org

2022 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Amber Love
Cindy Martin
Cynthia Martinez
Jason Rhee
Donnie Seals
Sadia Uqaili

2020 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Adewole A. Aboiye
Tommy Franklin
Vianca Fuster
Oli Rodriguez
Samuel Rong
Eric Seals
Zanah Thirus
Suja Thomas

2019 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Shiraz Ahmed
Aisha Allen
Joua Lee Grande
Milton Guillén
Sebastián Pinzón-Silva
Shawn Taylor
Cai Thomas
Christine Varisse

2018 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Sohib Boundaoui
Joshua Jackson
Jamaar Jervis
Miasarah Lai
Kevin Shaw
Jiayan 'Jenny' Shi
David Weathersby
Teresa White

2017 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Cam Be
Bridget Botchway Bradley
Tanikia Carpenter
Latesha Dickerson
Messiah Equiano
Colette Ghunim
Dani Jackson
Aaron Johnson
Jamel Russell
Raza Siddiqui
Reveca Torres
Urooj Yazdani

2016 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Ashley Mills
Alexander T Skalomenos
Ava Thompson Greenwell
Diana Quinones Rivera
Edwin Walker/E. Micheaux
Katherine Nagasawa
Keith Purvis
Kohl Miner
Lesley Martinez Etherly
Reginald Rice
Theresa Lenore Dumayas Campagna
Vincent Singleton

2015 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Ahmed Hamad
Dion Strowhorn
Eleva Singleton
Erika Valenciana
Kamasi Hill
Leigh Jurecka
Martine Granby
Mary Horan
Maryam Sepehry
Mina Fitzpatrick
Omowale T Jamal
Stephanie Sunata

2014 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Jeff Baraka
Cathena Evans
W. Joelle Gonzalez-Laguer
David D. Grace
Stephen Hatch
Thavary Krouch
Bing Liu
Esau Melendez
Bryant Monteilh
Noel Occomy
Ife Olatunji
Lourdes Ortega
John Owens
Anuradha Rana
Toni Reed
Anton Seals
Kamau Tyehimba
Samuel Vega
Lajwanti Waghray

2013 Diverse Voices in Docs Fellows

Pamela Sherrod Anderson
Grantlin Banks
Heather Charles
Jesus Mario Contreras
Camille S. DeBose
Derek Grace
Junko Kajino
Raymond Lambert
Shahari Moore
Zia Nizami
Darryl Pitts
Kelly Pope
Ronnie Reese
Philister Sidigu
Tony Williams
Tracey Scruggs Yearwood
Shuling Yong