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Finding Your Compass: A Documentary Ethics and Accountability Workshop


  • Plaza Theatre 1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast Atlanta, GA, 30306 United States (map)

DATE: 12/6/25 & 12/7/25
LOCATION: Plaza Theatre & The Supermarket
PRICE: STANDARD REGISTRATION: $100 NON MEMBERS – Now until December 6th (Day of first event) | DAY OF REGISTRATION: $125
Save $25 if you register by Friday, November 17, 11:59 PM EST with discount code: accountability25atlfs
College Students receive free entry with proof of enrollment. Apply for a student ticket
here.
ATLFS Member discounts applied at checkout

Do you wonder about what responsibility documentary filmmakers have to their participants throughout the filmmaking process and beyond? Should filmmakers compensate participants? When we use AI to create images, what could go wrong?

This interactive workshop invites filmmakers to grapple with the real-world ethical challenges of documentary filmmaking. Together, we will:

  • Explore the nuances of ethical responsibility to film crews and participants (past and present) through disseminating multiple ethical frameworks

  • Discuss and analyze dilemmas from contemporary documentary filmmakers

  • Workshop participants’ own projects in facilitated small groups

While documentary ethics rarely offer simple answers, engaging with case studies and peer discussions can offer guidance as you wrestle with dilemmas from your own projects. This event is designed for filmmakers at all stages of their careers and offers concrete tools, resources, and community support to strengthen your filmmaking practice.

  • Description text goes here
  • Plaza Theatre - 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

    The Supermarket - 638 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

    Happy Hour TBD

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Explore ethical frameworks from The Documentary Accountability Working Group (DAWG) and Markkula Center of Applied Ethics

  • Interrogate generative AI with the Archival Producers Alliance, who will conduct an interactive discussion and presentation.  

  • Hear from and discuss real-life examples of ethical challenges from invited documentary filmmakers.

  • Workshop and brainstorm conference participants’ projects in small, facilitated groups. 

  • We ask guests to bring a compassionate and open mind as we explore these sensitive and complex case studies.

REGISTER NOW
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November 22

Gettin’ Down & Dirty in Voiceover & Audiobooks