Hi filmmaker, we're so glad you stopped by!
If you're looking to learn about making documentaries, you've found the right place.
Desktop Documentaries is ALL THINGS documentary filmmaking. ❤️
Whether it's a 2-minute mini-documentary, a doc series for Netflix or a 90-minute feature film, we've got you covered.
Serving independent documentary filmmakers for 15+ years, we help simplify and streamline the documentary making process for both beginners and pros with step-by-step courses, templates, live Q&A webinars and how-to guides.
Ready to dive in? Get started with our free documentary starter mini-course.
"Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."
- Robert Bresson, French Film Director
Faith Fuller is the founder and publisher of Desktop Documentaries. 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
Academy Award®-Nominated Daniel Raim has written, produced and directed 28 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 101 Essentials
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 2024: Selling Your Documentary To Netflix and The Streamers!
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: Documentary Budgeting Masterclass / Templates
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: Documentary Proposal & Grant Writing Masterclass / Template Pack
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"
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, a Peabody Award-Winning Producer, has delivered 500+ films to streamers & channels including Netflix, Nat Geo, Disney+, PBS and many more!
Instructor: "Find, Develop & Pitch Documentary Ideas That Sell"
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 Filmmaker Starter Bundle
Caitlin Cooper is a documentary filmmaker and freelance journalist. 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/producer for Desktop Documentaries.
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"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
1. Enroll in our FREE Documentary Starter Kit Mini-Course - Learn the essentials of documentary filmmaking and how to get started!
2. Sign Up for our FREE weekly Documentary Tips e-newsletter - Just enter your name and email and you're good to go.
3. Enroll in one of our popular Documentary Courses & Templates.
Sign up for our exclusive 7-day crash course and learn step-by-step how to make a documentary from idea to completed movie!