FAQs

Membership

How do I become a member? 

We ask that potential members self-identify as a person with a disability or as an ally, as well as a filmmaker, writer, actor, creative, or industry professional. You can sign up by responding to a few questions on our Facebook group here and you can complete this short membership questionnaire in order to become a part of our Google Group listserv and our database of active filmmakers with disabilities.

How do you define disability?

When we use the term ‘disability/disabled person’, we are using the social model of disability that also includes d/Deaf, HOH (hard of hearing), chronically ill, neurodiverse people, those with mental health conditions, and all people who wish to self-identify under any additional term. We believe in an inclusive and expansive definition of disability. This is about identity, community, and barriers placed upon disabled people, not rules to deem people ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

Can I still be a member if I don’t have a disability or identify as disabled?

If you do not have a disability but are committed and actively working to support equity in the participation of filmmakers with disabilities in the industry, then we welcome you too. We are all in this together. 

Does it cost money to join?

Contribution in the form of active support and engagement is required as a part of FWD-Doc membership. Your contribution in the form of engagement and activity can be big or small, financial, motivational, discursive or informational (for example, donations, mentoring, sitting on FWD-Doc committees, sharing articles or funding opportunities in our Facebook group, etc). Storytelling is collaborative, so your contribution and engagement is critical for FWD-Doc to succeed. 

FWD-Doc is working on crafting a formal membership fee structure for the future. We are currently requesting donations to support basic website functionality, database, newsletter, administration, and efforts to attain 501(c)3 status. No potential member will be turned away for lack of funds, however contribution in the form of engagement is essential. 

Can I join if I am not a filmmaker or documentary filmmaker?

If you are a funder, programmer, or other industry professional, you’re welcome to be a part of FWD-Doc. Disability, like diversity, doesn’t belong to one person. You can seek to increase disability representation in your work, encourage others to do the same, and amplify the voices and works of filmmakers with disabilities. Your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise, as well as access to resources and support is necessary to increase the representation of disabled filmmakers.