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DOC PARTNERS
Doc Partners supports documentary filmmaking and ancillary media that engages audiences and inspires individual participation in important issues of our time. Our goals are to effect immediate, positive social change through the funding of multi-platform film distribution and marketing. To accomplish our goals Doc Partners employs a collaborative, risk managed, diversified portfolio approach to project investment.
Doc Partners does not accept unsolicited project submissions.
NEW MEDIA
Documentary filmmaking has evolved rapidly from the margins of the film industry (distributed mostly to schools, on public television or in corporate videos) to the mainstream where major film festival honors and theatrical releases are now common. Emergent social networks and viewer interactivity are affecting narrative storytelling, film distribution and finance. In the past decade markets and methods of distribution have expanded to include theatrical, semi-theatrical (colleges, schools, community), video on demand, Internet broadcasting, subscription Internet streaming, DVD rental, television and cable, social networking / web release, educational markets, digital downloads and international markets, to name a few.
OUR ROLE
Investors seeking social impact combined with modest returns on investment benefit from Doc Partner's professionally managed approach to project portfolio selection, integrated marketing strategies and long tail distribution support within a financially sustainable investment model.
Doc Partners acts as a principal investor, financial advisor and investment manager serving the interests of individual investors, institutional investors, hedge funds, social venture philanthropists, foundations, and donor advised funds. The founding manager of Doc Partners is Environmental Media Fund, Inc. and its board of directors. As a new startup venture, Doc Partners is presently involved in discussions with a variety of potential partners.
WHY DOC PARTNERS?
Many institutional investors and donors (program related investments) do not support documentary film and media because typical "one off" financing methods (funding one film at a time) do not adequately address their requirement of tangible impacts, professional due diligence, portfolio diversification, risk management, assurance of widespread public distribution to a target audience / demographic, and a reasonable return of capital and return on capital.
At the same time many funders interested in supporting media for social change may not be familiar enough with the documentary film / new media business to make reasoned judgments about the quality or potential outcomes of individual projects. Doc Partners vets projects and helps match funders with media projects and distribution initiatives that best suit the desired social impact goals.
WHAT IS HYBRID FUNDING?
Whenever feasible, the Doc Partners employs hybrid funding models to finance film distribution and outreach. This approach invovles combining grants and donations with investment capital and corporate sponsorship. Nonprofit / for profit hybrid financing methods have become the workhorse in a variety of endeavors that seek to produce both public benefits and "social venture" returns. Examples are commonly found in affordable housing, public transporation, medical research and technology development. Documentary filmmaking and social engagement outreach benefits from adopting the lessons learned in these other areas.
Without employing a hybrid nonprofit / for profit funding models many worthy documentary film and public outreach projects are not financially feasible for donors or investors and everyone suffers as a result.
NEW MARKETS - NEW METHODS
Public awareness about “issues” has increased (due to global warming, the global economy and other shared concerns) and demographic demand for media about these issues is increasing. Aging Baby Boomers and younger people, at both ends of the spectrum, are becoming more interested in documentaries and factual media than escapist entertainment. And everywhere grassroots community empowerment continues to gain strength and visibility, and media is one their primary tools.
Historically, the lack of professional investment in the documentary industry is probably due to the lack of the potential for financial "home runs" that characterize Hollywood feature filmmaking. This lack of out-sized profitability will not change. However, analysis shows that a hybrid model can produce sustainably profitable results while achieving the kinds of social impact, public policy and educational outcomes desired by donors and socially conscious investors.
Doc Partners primarily finances distribution, marketing and outreach in both traditional and emergent distribution channels. In addition to theatrical, foreign sales, VOD and DVD sales/rental, some of these include:
Semi theatrical Distribution: This is a growing market for distributing documentaries (and increasing DVD and merchandising sales) through screenings and special events at colleges, universities, high schools, community groups and religious organizations. These special screenings often include guest speaker and filmmaker appearances, locally based take-action campaigns, and collaborating NGO support services. Typically, with a modest amount of support a film can travel to hundreds of venues in less than six months. Funding for this kind of impactful distribution is often needed immediately after the film’s completion, as a follow up to its theatrical and festival run: a need that is well served by an ongoing financing entity like Doc Partners.
The Web and Social Networking: Access to information about media projects, the issues they address and how to take action or become involved, has migrated almost exclusively to the Internet. It has essentially become the preferred marketing and awareness raising channel. Project web sites provide information that can inspire individuals to learn more, link to NGOs and other organizations working for change, and take immediate action. This web enabled public “empowerment” includes consumer purchasing guides, petitions and letters sent to their elected representatives, opportunities to volunteer and get involved in grassroots activity where they live and work, purchasing merchandise, downloading educational curricula and lesson plans, and making donations or otherwise providing financial support.
Doc Partners encourages new methods of publicity and marketing using social media, digital tools and “apps” for mobile devices that have the potential to extend the reach of a particular project at a reasonably low cost.
WORKING WITH FUNDING PARTNERS
Doc Partners assesses the risk profile of each prospective project to suggest strategies appropriate to ensure success. Project candidates are submitted directly or through our affiliates network. Doc Partners selects projects based on their potential to:
(a) tell great stories and present them in a compelling way,
(b) have the potential to reach the widest possible audience through a variety of venues,
(c) have great impact on the particular issue addressed, and
(d) have a collaborative distribution strategy.
When possible, distribution potential and forward commitments are confirmed prior to funding being committed.
A THREE PRONGED APPROACH
Media and culture have become essentially inseparable. Our strategic approach involves viewing media projects as a suite of inter-related components. We see successful media projects as having at lesast three parts:
MEDIA
Film and video are the first component of a social campaign. They are dynamic vehicles that bring issues to the public’s attention using drama, comedy and other means. Their primary purpose is to engage people and make people want to know more. In our thinking it's not just what people leave the theater knowing so much as what they leave the theater feeling, because their feelings will drive them to take action.
KNOWLEDGE
The Internet, search engines, web sites, social networks and the exploding universe of “apps” have become our primary source of information. The web offers individuals infinite ways to investigate issues and link to organizations working for change. All Doc Partners’ projects must include professionally designed, interactive web marketing, and social media outreach campaigns.
EMPOWERMENT
Audience members need ways to get involved in issues they care about so they don’t feel powerless or despondent in the face of overwhelming challenges to global change. This might include blogging, tweeting, attending events and meet ups, knowledge that allows them to “vote with their dollars,” petitions and letters they can send electronically to their elected representatives, and opportunities to volunteer or otherwise get directly involved in grassroots activities where they live and work. Immediate action items are essential for every successful social change campaign.
IMPACTS OF DOCUMENTARIES & SOCIAL MEDIA
The following studies research and describe some of the positive impacts of well distributed, issue-driven documentary films.
Fledgling Fund Documentary Impact Paper 2008
BritDocs Real Films: Real Impacts 2011
RECOGNITION
Environmental Media Fund, the manager of Doc Partners, has been recognized for its commitment to philanthropy and social change by the noted law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati which provides legal services on a pro bono basis.
Contact Doc Partners LLC
Read EMF Case Studies
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