DC/DOX is about to celebrate its third year, and I chat with co-founder Sky Sitney about its origin story, celebrity documentary, AI in docs, the financial plight of doc filmmakers, and more.

Befitting a powerhouse in the doc filmmaking world, Sky took on the most challenging questions and gave thought-provoking answers. It's no surprise with her leadership DC/DOX has become an international stop in the world of documentary in three quick years.

In this episode, Sky and I discuss:

• the origin story of DC/DOX and how it become a staple of documentary filmmaking nationally after just three years;
• how she got involved in filmmaking -- "the question all my life was not so much would it be film, but what my specific passion within film would be" -- and why she loves curation;
• the necessity of experience in running film festivals to make DC/DOX work at the level it does and against an amazingly competitive landscape in Washington, DC;
• how does she balance celebrity documentaries versus emerging filmmakers;
• the financial plight of documentary filmmakers and her thoughts on second jobs (if you haven't heard Daniel Lombroso's take on this, you really should check it out);
• AI at DC/DOX;
• what does DC/DOX look like in five years?
• the amazing IT department at DC/DOX -- look at how easy it is to buy tickets!

Links:

Buy Tickets Now For DC/DOX June 12 - 15, 2025

Listen to Huiju Park, director of WELCOME HOME FRECKLES at DC/DOX

Listen to Sasha Wortzel, director of RIVER OF GRASS at DC/DOX

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