Documentary filmmakers across Canada are sharing their concerns about the state of production. A new report from the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), “What We Heard,” shares findings from community consultations with members across all chapters of the organization. The report, supported by the Canada Media Fund and released today by DOC, notes an enduring belief that documentary plays a key role in Canadian cultural expression, but that industry constraints complicate the viability of documentaries.
“In an era of global streaming platforms and increasing American cultural influence, documentary production offers a vital counterbalance that preserves Canadian and Indigenous perspectives and voices. Without deliberate protections, Canadian documentary voices risk being drowned out by the overwhelming volume of foreign content,” notes the report. “DOC members felt that regulatory and funding policies must recognize the essential role that homegrown documentaries play in Canada’s cultural, social, and economic landscape. They see this as not merely supporting a creative industry, but as an investment in the very fabric of our national identity.”
DOC’s report includes perspectives about what makes a great documentary to better understand the needs of creatives and producers when it comes to telling stories that matter. Respondents cite authenticity as key, along with documentaries that tackle complex subjects with approaches that don’t simplify the story, and films that reflect narrative sincerity, meaning that stories unfold organically without being sensationalized.
“The pursuit of authenticity ultimately serves a greater purpose: creating documentaries that not only reflect reality but help viewers understand it more deeply,” notes DOC. “When films achieve this delicate balance, they transform from mere records of events into powerful vehicles for empathy, understanding, and social change.”
Across the regions, members also express their belief that docs make lasting impressions and endure in the cultural legacy when they afford agency to participants. “This represents a significant evolution in documentary ethics—moving from subjects as passive participants to active collaborators,” notes the report. “The shift toward collaborative approaches has been particularly transformative in productions involving Indigenous communities, marginalized groups, and vulnerable populations.”
For areas of concern, respondents say that funding poses an increasingly difficult barrier for productions. Participants observe a dwindling landscape for broadcast commissions, particularly for regional filmmakers, while public funding bodies are over-subscribed and under-funded, meaning that applications are significantly competitive. Regional filmmakers also emphasize a sense of alienation from funders. “All regions acknowledged the challenges of maintaining production quality during a time of rampant inflation, with funding stagnant or in decline,” the report notes.
Of particular concern is the report that documentary filmmakers offset inflation by assuming more roles in production. This means fewer bodies on a film crew and gaps in compensation with increased labour and subsequent burnout.
Documentary filmmakers also share challenges of access with regards to broadcasters and streamers. Respondents with favourable opinions of the broadcasters generally note relationships built over years. Alternatively, the report specifically cites streaming powerhouse Netflix as one presumably viable option that few DOC members have been able to access. However, participants also note that working with a broadcaster or streaming brings benefits and resources, but those perks come with constraints on creative control.
The report also notes the shift in spending dollars towards serialized documentary, although participants in DOC’s feedback sessions consistently noted feature docs among memorable Canadian productions, meaning that the content mill risks producing works of minimal lasting value.
“DOC members felt that short films, television series, and digital content are becoming more accessible options to create, since they generally require smaller budgets and are easier to pitch to broadcasters,” notes DOC’s report. “Overall, this is seen to have a significant impact on the styles and types of documentaries that are being produced.”
Commercial imperatives also shape the kinds of stories being told in those formats with respondents feeling pressure to shift away from personal or community-based narratives towards one’s that reflect mass market demands.
Filmmakers also see festivals as having significant value when it comes to increasing the profiles of their documentaries, although respondents believe that the role of festivals is shifting, particularly with the challenges faced by Hot Docs in recent years. “Many filmmakers still looked forward to film festival screenings and the networking and audience connections they experience at these important cultural events,” notes DOC. “However, many acknowledged that as the world changes, film festivals and especially theatrical runs just don’t hold the same weight they once did.”
Additionally, filmmakers express factors like the shifting marketplace, audience fragmentation, and content saturation as having an effect on discoverability. ““What’s the point of making a film if nobody can find it?” asks one member.
To remedy concerns of audience access and discoverability, members cite a shift towards alternative methods. These include grassroots campaigns, niche streamers like Tënk, and even simply uploading docs to YouTube—although the latter results in fewer success stories, albeit significant ones when lightning strikes.
Filmmakers further state that all the above challenges are further compounded for emerging filmmakers and artists from equity seeking groups. Moreover, the evolving nature and definition of Canadian content complicates the processes for both creative expression and market synergy.
“For nearly a century, Canadian documentaries have illuminated our national experience, challenged our assumptions, and connected us across geographic and cultural divides. In the years ahead, as Canada navigates complex geopolitical currents and asserts its place in a changing world, documentary film will remain an essential tool for self-definition and cultural expression,” DOC concludes. “The way forward is clear: it lies in honouring the traditions that have defined Canadian documentary while boldly embracing the innovations that will carry it into a new era. It lies in recognizing documentary not as a luxury but as a necessity—a means through which Canada understands itself and makes itself understood to the world.”
Read the report here.
