Feature Film Documentary Producing for Mid-Level Producers

• Are you a mid-career independent creative feature documentary producer working in the UK?
• Are you looking for a safe and supportive environment to participate in practical industry-led sessions covering a wide array of topics?
• Do you want to expand your documentary community, have the opportunity to voice your experience and share suggestions to improve the industry?

The DOC Sessions will be delivered predominantly online with an in-person component at the end of the programme. The course is designed for mid-career independent creative documentary producers, creating a safe and supportive environment to participate in practical industry-led guidance on:

• Fundraising strategies, including co-productions within the UK and at a European and international levels and large production budgets (over £600k)
• Producing legal health (use of SPV, ethical contracting and waterfalls)
• Market knowledge and etiquette
• Tech and AI-supported business development for independent producers
• Support strategies to address ethical challenges and ensure due diligence whilst upholding creativity (i.e. diversity and inclusion, extractive behaviours, mental health) 

The course will incorporate panel discussions, expert talks and case studies, with a strong focus on peer support, knowledge exchange and networking. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to voice their experience and share suggestions to improve the industry, thus taking an active part in shaping the British feature documentary landscape. This will be achieved during a think tank session at the end of the programme, taking place in Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Pitch (June 2026) and gathering participants and industry representatives. 

If you have any questions or access requirements in order to fill out this form, or would like the application form in another format please contact info@scottishdocinstitute.com.

This training is funded by the ScreenSkills Film Fund with contributions from the UK Film productions.

 

Who it's for

This programme is aimed at mid-career UK-based independent feature documentary producers. To be eligible, applicants will need to have: 

• Produced at least one feature documentary funded by industry partners and/or distributed by a distribution company / sales agent with a recognised track record and have a minimum of one feature project on their slate, at any stage of development or production but with confirmed industry funding in place;
• Or co-produced at least one feature documentary funded by industry partners and/or distributed by a distribution company / sales agent with a recognised track record and have a minimum of one feature project on their slate, at any stage of development or production but with confirmed industry funding in place;
• Or have at least two producer credits on broadcast documentaries (60 mins or over) and have a minimum of one feature project on their slate, at any stage of development or production with confirmed industry funding in place.

Applications from directors/producers will be considered on a case-by-case basis but are not encouraged for this programme.

 There is some openness with the requirements. So if you're interested and would benefit from the programme please reach out to lauren@scottishdocinsitute.com to discuss the eligibility further.

 

What it covers

We will kick off the Programme with an online Meet & Greet, to break the ice, and a Keynote to inspire the participants whilst exploring the objectives of the DOC Sessions and their relevance in the current landscape. 

Between February and May, we will run 6 Industry Sessions online, on Friday mornings, focussing on various topics which will be explored through panel discussions, expert talks, case studies and some guided exercises.  

Each of these Industry Sessions will be complemented by a 45 min Participants’ Follow-up Session online on the following Monday, allowing the participants to discuss the learnings from the Industry Sessions, encouraging knowledge exchange and peer support, reinforcing the connections between the cohort and encouraging individual participants to set objectives for themselves and their project(s).

26 February Session 1: Meet and Greet + Keynote (6-7.30pm)

Selected participants meet, share details on their project(s) and ask any questions they may have about the Programme, followed by a Keynote with a UK-based producer

27 February Session 2: Producing Legal Health (10-12.30pm)

Drawing on knowledge of an independent producer and business affairs specialist this session will delve into ethical contracting, think through the role of  SPVs and waterfall/recoupment plans.

3 March Participant Follow-up Session (9-9.45am)

6 March Session 3: Market Knowledge

An opportunity to brush up on your markets’etiquette focusing on how to strategise your industry calendar to maximise impact on projects. Hear from an invited Industry Producer and Funder to share their knowledge and insights.

9 March Participant Follow-up Session (9-9.45am)

27 March Session 4: Ethics & Creativity (10-12.30pm)

How do ethics and creativity co-exist? An exploration of how to address ethical challenges and ensure due diligence whilst upholding creativity (i.e. diversity & inclusion, extractive behaviours, mental health). Experienced producers will be invited to speak about their experiences, challenges they’ve encountered and how they’ve navigated their way through them with care and creativity. 

30 March Participant Follow-up Session (9-9.45am)

24 April Session 5: Fundraising strategies (10-12.30pm)

Time to talk money! Deep dive into fundraising strategies, including co-productions within the UK and at European and international levels, as well as large production budgets (over £600k). Producers with experience of co-production and funders will be invited to share experiences and insights.

27 April Participant Follow-up Session (9-9.45am)

8 May Session 6: Tech & Career Sustainability (10-12.30pm)

How can the developments of tech and AI be harnessed to support independent producers? A candid discussion with a Producer and a Production Manager who has taken the leap and are developing tools to support other independent producers in their daily work.

11 May Participant Follow-up Session (9-9.45am)

8 June Session 7: Think Tank (All day in person in Edinburgh)

9 June Session 8: Edinburgh Pitch (All day in person in Edinburgh)

How to apply

Please click 'apply now' to submit your application. You will need to be logged into your ScreenSkills account in order to complete an application.

The deadline for applications is 19 January 2026.

There is a small allowance for access costs for successful candidates to ensure participants get the most from the programme. Details of this funding can be discussed with the training provider once accepted onto the programme, and will be assessed on an individual basis.

Contact information

Email: info@scottishdocinstitute.com