THEDOCLIST
The DocList is a curated consulting service that connects philanthropic capital and documentary filmmakers.
who
The DocList consists of two distinct groups:
The filmmakers with the most compelling and viable documentary projects in the works.
The change-making funders who support these projects and amplify those voices.
what
The DocList allows filmmakers the opportunity to present their projects in one place for the most effective fundraising.
We will highlight the areas of impact each film is addressing. This allows us to match these projects with specific funders based on the issues they care about most.
why
To philanthropic funders, the world of filmmaking can feel complex and inaccessible. But the same is true for filmmakers trying to reach those funders.
That’s why we created the DocList: to simplify the process.
“The current state of documentary is in flux. Fewer commissions, a shifting distribution landscape, and growing obstacles in funding.
Yet the audience for independent documentaries continues to grow.
A 2024 study, entitled US Independent Film Audience & Landscape, found that there is a massive untapped audience for independent and documentary film.
Documentaries allow people to see the world through a new lens, and have the ability to create significant cultural impact. And in this moment, as we face so many pressing issues, from climate change to human rights, documentaries have the ability to break through the noise and inform, enlighten and entertain us.
With our expanding network of non-traditional funders and independent documentary filmmakers, The DocList forges bespoke connections between non-fiction projects and philanthropic dollars, with the goal of getting meaningful films made.”
For FILMMAKERS
The DocList allows filmmakers the opportunity to present their projects in one place for the most effective fundraising.
In order to be considered for the DocList, we require a deck, a sizzle, a budget and a $200 submission fee. For this fee, granted you meet all
criteria to apply, you are guaranteed access to our 3% Fiscal Sponsorship, even if you are not chosen to be represented by DocList.
Each project submitted goes through a vetting system to meet the high standards funders expect. Our board of advisors, made up of acclaimed media executives and recognized film professionals will participate in selecting the most viable and impact-driven films to present to our funders.
If your project is accepted, we share it with our funders for consideration. Once a funder expresses interest in your project, we will set up a video conference with the filmmakers, the funders and a member of our DocList team. If it’s a ‘match’ a contract is signed by all parties.
For FUNDERS
We want to make you Executive Producers of the next wave of the most impactful documentary films. Our relationship starts with a conversation to find out what you're passionate about, and what impact areas you’re interested in supporting or are already supporting. We’ll then present hand-picked documentary projects based on your areas of interest.
If a project resonates, we will provide the following details:
Deficit
Stage of the film project
Financing opportunities
Potential for impact
Once serious interest and level of involvement have been established, a request can be made to set a video conference with the core film team. This will be arranged through the DocList so that no personal contact information is exchanged until a contract is accepted. The money raised is tax deductible.
We believe there is power in story.
The power to start conversation.
The power to open minds.
And the power to make real change.
Each one of us has experienced this first-hand with our project.
The current state of documentary is in flux with more obstacles than ever before. The DocList is our way to ensure more powerful non-fiction films can come to life.
meet the founders
Maggie Contreras
Maggie critically-acclaimed feature documentary MAESTRA premiered in competition at Tribeca 2023 where it won an audience award. Executive Produced by David Letterman, the film went on to garner multiple awards on the festival circuit, was nominated by the ‘24 IDA Awards for Best Music Documentary and is streaming on NETFLIX. Her latest work includes Peacock's GOOD ONE with Mike Birbiglia and the ‘24 SXSW award-winning feature, PRECONCEIVED, that features unprecedented access inside the shrouded world of crisis pregnancy centers. Previously, Maggie produced the award-winning JONATHAN SCOTT'S POWER TRIP which premiered at Hot Docs and made its broadcast debut as part of PBS Independent Lens. The beloved feature GILBERT, a Gilbert Gottfried story, premiered at Tribeca and was distributed by Gravitas with exclusive SVOD on Hulu. Having delved into a wide range of worlds, Maggie's filmography retains a common emotional component throughout: joy with purpose and an insatiable curiosity about what drives the human spirit. She has a distinctive ability to connect with anyone in front of her camera with remarkable ease, creating an environment on her sets that fosters vulnerability and heart.
JULIE MORRIS
Maggie critically-acclaimed feature documentary MAESTRA premiered in competition at Tribeca 2023 where it won an audience award. Executive Produced by David Letterman, the film went on to garner multiple awards on the festival circuit, was nominated by the ‘24 IDA Awards for Best Music Documentary and is streaming on NETFLIX. Her latest work includes Peacock's GOOD ONE with Mike Birbiglia and the ‘24 SXSW award-winning feature, PRECONCEIVED, that features unprecedented access inside the shrouded world of crisis pregnancy centers. Previously, Maggie produced the award-winning JONATHAN SCOTT'S POWER TRIP which premiered at Hot Docs and made its broadcast debut as part of PBS Independent Lens. The beloved feature GILBERT, a Gilbert Gottfried story, premiered at Tribeca and was distributed by Gravitas with exclusive SVOD on Hulu. Having delved into a wide range of worlds, Maggie's filmography retains a common emotional component throughout: joy with purpose and an insatiable curiosity about what drives the human spirit. She has a distinctive ability to connect with anyone in front of her camera with remarkable ease, creating an environment on her sets that fosters vulnerability and heart.
RISHIKA ADVANI
Rishika Advani is a creative executive and documentary producer based in Los Angeles. Most recently, she served as the VP of Documentary Films and Series at Participant, a global media company that pioneered socially conscious storytelling. There, she supervised projects from development through release. Some of the films and series she worked on include, Kimberly Reed’s I’m Your Venus, Christy Wegener’s All American Girls and the Forgotten Revolutionary docuseries, adapted from the acclaimed LAist podcast. Prior to Participant, she was the Director of Current Programming at CNN Original Series, where she supervised the production of shows including the Emmy winning Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy, The Murdochs: Empire of Influence, and This is Life with Lisa Ling. Before CNN, Rishika spent many years as a producer in the unscripted space. Her credits include FX's 30 Days, Showtime's American Candidate, Apple TV’s Dear…, and the Emmy nominated documentary feature Meet the Patels. She is a member of the TV Academy, the Producers Guild of America, the International Documentary Association and Brown Girls Doc Mafia, and has served on multiple juries including the Emmy Awards and the IDA Awards. She has also led workshops on how to pitch and produce documentaries. Rishika truly loves to work with creatives, as they navigate the challenges of telling a good, impactful story.
LAUREN LEXTON
Lauren Lexton is an Emmy Award-winning producer and the co-founder of Authentic Entertainment, a world renowned unscripted production company that created some of the most buzz-worthy unscripted television projects over the last two decades. An expert at telling stories, Lexton is dedicated to providing innovative and engaging content.
During Lexton's 18-year tenure at Authentic, she grew the company from 3 employees to several hundred, and oftentimes had more than 10 series on-air concurrently. She created and produced over 80 unscripted, doc and digital series including Ace of Cakes, Toddlers & Tiaras, Best Thing I Ever Ate, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Flipping Out!, and the reboot of Trading Spaces. Authentic was on RealScreen Magazine’s “Global 100” list every year from 2007 to 2019. Currently, Lauren is a Producer of the award-winning documentary Maestra, which premiered at Tribeca in 2023 and is now on Netflix; Co-Producer of Food & Country, which premiered at Sundance in 2023; Executive Producer of Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse, which will air on American Masters in 2025; and Executive Producer of SPEAK., which had it's Sundance premiere in 2025.
Lexton is also an active member in the documentary world, having served on the board of directors of the International Documentary Association (IDA) as Co-VP and Co-President, and she serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Hollywood Central Park, whose mission is to create a much needed-green space in Hollywood by capping the Hollywood Freeway. With over 25 years in the entertainment industry, her greatest passion is finding unknown talent and unique stories – often discovering that truth is stranger than fiction.
The DocList partners with E2AC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so that all donations are fully tax-deductible.
Thanks to this strategic, philanthropic partnership, The DocList can guarantee subsidized fiscal sponsorship, guaranteed global distribution, and free access to impact assessment.
3% fiscal sponsorship with E2AC’s subsidized, invite-only program.
Non-exclusive option for global streaming deal thanks to our fast channel, E2AC+
Complimentary access to The Impact Assessment Scale to help measure social impact .