Welcome To Desktop Documentaries

Your Ultimate Resource for Practical Tips, Tools, and Inspiration to Create Impactful Documentaries

About Desktop Documentaries

Launched in 2008, Desktop Documentaries began as a grassroots effort to share practical filmmaking tips and behind-the-scenes insights with aspiring and working documentarians.

Since then, it has evolved into a trusted and respected platform, attracting top industry experts and award-winning filmmakers from around the world.

Our instructors and guest speakers include Oscar-nominated filmmakers and producers for leading platforms such as Netflix, Nat Geo, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, and more.

Join a passionate community of filmmakers, video enthusiasts, and storytellers who rely on our mix of filmmaking tutorials, webinars, gear guides, and business strategies to create impactful documentaries that win awards, raise funding, secure distribution, and drive change.

What You'll Find

At Desktop Documentaries, we’re committed to equipping filmmakers at every stage of their journey.

Expert Tutorials: Step-by-step guidance for all skill levels
Gear Guides: Equipment recommendations tailored for documentarians
Business Strategies: Proven methods for pitching, funding, and distributing your work
Storytelling Resources: Techniques to craft compelling narratives
Downloadable Templates: Production schedules, pitch decks, budgeting guides, legal checklists, and more
Live Q&A Workshops: Engage with industry professionals in real time
Free Documentary Tips Newsletter: Ongoing advice, inspiration, and updates - plus get alerts about our upcoming LIVE events.

For every filmmaker:

Whether you’re working on a 2-minute mini-documentary, a doc series for Netflix ❤️ or a 90-minute feature film, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Are You Ready To Get Started?

With hundreds of free articles, live events, and one-on-one mentorship opportunities, Desktop Documentaries is more than a resource—it’s a community of passionate storytellers and changemakers.

Join our free Documentary Tips newsletter to receive practical insights and stay updated on the latest trainings and upcoming events.

Or jump into our free documentary starter mini-course, and let’s take your filmmaking to the next level!

"Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."

- Robert Bresson, French Film Director

Meet Our Team & Instructors:

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton is a former CBS executive and renowned media strategist who has directed his New York-based international consulting firm for 30+ years.

His clients have included NBC, Discovery, A+E Networks, National Geographic Channels, Global Canal+ and BBC; the Rockefeller Foundation.

Instructor: Netflix 2025: Selling Your Documentary To Netflix and The Streamers!

Philip Shane

Philip Shane is a Sundance award-winning documentary filmmaker with more than 35-years experience.

Philip's work has appeared on PBS, ABC, the History Channel and many others. Philip teaches at the New York Film Academy and is considered an AI expert in the documentary filmmaking sector.

Instructor: Boost Your Documentary Productions with AI

Jilann Spitzmiller

Jilann Spitzmiller is an award-winning Documentary Filmmaker whose work has appeared on the BBC, Sundance Channel, Starz/Encore, PBS and many more.

She has successfully raised over $1-million for documentary projects (including 3 ITVS funding awards and two Sundance Documentary Fund grants).

Instructor: Doc Funding Hub, Documentary Budgeting Masterclass / Templates

Faith Fuller

Faith Fuller is the instructor behind the "7-Day Documentary Crash Course". She's been in the filmmaking and communications industry for 30+ years, producing 1500+ news stories, documentaries, short films, PSA's and educational programs. Her feature documentary 'Briars in the Cotton Patch' premiered on PBS, got distribution on Netflix and is currently offered for educational streaming on Kanopy.

Instructor: 7-Day Documentary Crash Course

Hank Rogerson

Hank Rogerson is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with credits including SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, picked up 11 awards on the festival circuit, and was broadcast worldwide. He produced and directed HOMELAND and CIRCLE OF STORIES for National PBS.

Instructor: Doc Funding Hub, Documentary Pitch Deck and Proposal Template Pack

Daniel Raim

Academy Award®-Nominated Daniel Raim has written, produced and directed 30+ original documentaries for the Criterion Collection. In addition, he's directed three award-winning and critically acclaimed feature documentaries which have gotten distribution on Netflix, Paramount+, TCM and others.

Instructor: Documentary Storytelling & Scriptwriting Essentials

Anna Darrah

Anna Darrah is an experienced film buyer, negotiating with and licensing 800+ films in her 15+ years working for Gaiam and Spiritual Cinema Circle. She is currently Head of Development for Film Nest Studios.

Anna has been an active player on the festival circuit and currently advises filmmakers on custom distribution strategies.

Co-Instructor: "Selling Your Documentary For Maximum Profit and Impact"

Gordon Firemark

Gordan Firemark is an entertainment attorney based in California and also teaches Entertainment Law in Columbia College Hollywood's film program.

He's the producer and host of Entertainment Law Update, a podcast for artists and professionals in the entertainment industries and the author of The Podcast, Blog and New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide.

Instructor: Documentary Legal & Business Essentials Tool Kit

Tom Jennings

Tom Jennings, a Peabody Award-Winning Producer, has delivered 500+ films to streamers & channels including Netflix, Nat Geo, Disney+, PBS and many more!

Instructor: "How To Generate Documentary Ideas"

Dandan Liu

Dandan Liu is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker and contemplative creative.

She is a self-taught filmmaker who started making films while on a 4 year journey living in monasteries around the world. Her films are now streaming on Roku, Apple TV, museums, trains, and airplanes.

Instructor: First-Time Documentary Filmmaker Starter Bundle

Caitlin Cooper

Caitlin Cooper is a documentary filmmaker and freelance journalist based in Mexico City. She is the co-founder of the production company Cine Vita, whose work has been screened and workshopped all over the world. She is a contributing writer and webinar producer for Desktop Documentaries.

Got Story Ideas? Send them to through our Contact Form.

What Visitors Are Saying:

"Thank you! You really make this learning experience so easy. It probably would have taken me years to find all of this out on my own!" - Josue Oropeza, Hemet, CA

"I love your site, and I appreciate the way you turn complicated concepts into clear, concise, easy to digest information. I am working on my first documentary, and you are someone I turn to." - Pamela Enzweiler Pulice, Reel Stories Productions

"I found your site by chance... Congratulations, as someone who's made a living out of documentaries for 30 years, this is one of the most comprehensive summaries of what it takes to do it that I've ever seen." ~ Leo Eaton

"Thank you for being such a valuable resource for everything Documentary... I've scoured the internet looking for a resourceful website and have not found anything close to DD. Once again thank you and I look forward to all of your advice, courses, tips, and weekly emails." - David Garza

"Your classes are so helpful because they cover the little things we tend to overlook, which are actually a big deal. I'm grateful that you provide such a great resource for documentary film!" - Kat McFarlin/Documentary Filmmaker