THEDOCLIST

The DocList is a curated consulting service that connects philanthropic capital to documentary films.

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.

who

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.

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 $300 submission fee. 

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.

If your project is accepted to the DocList, you will get access to the low 3% Fiscal Sponsorship fee through our partnership with the non-profit, Entertainment to Affect Change (E2AC). Projects on the DocList will be shared with  funders for consideration, and once a funder(s) expresses interest, we will set up a video conference with the filmmakers, the funder and a member of our DocList team. If it’s a ‘match’ a contract is signed by all parties.

If your project is not selected for the DocList, it will still be considered for the 3% Fiscal Sponsorship program. If your project is not selected for the Fiscal Sponsorship program, we will refund your $300. 

For FUNDERS

You can be producers of the next wave of the most impactful documentary films.  The DocList connects  you with  the  opportunity to exponentially expand the impact potential of your philanthropic capital.  Why not become involved on a creative  level with the causes you already support?

Our relationship starts with a conversation to find out what you're passionate about, and what impact areas you’re interested in supporting.  We will hand pick projects that align with your areas of interest from our curated slate of documentaries.  If a project resonates, we will provide the following details:

If a project resonates, we will provide the following details:

  • Presentation deck and teaser trailer

  • Stage of the project (ie: pre-production, production, post-production, etc..)

  • Financing opportunities and film credit

  • Potential for impact

Once serious interest and level of involvement have been established, the DocList will arrange a video conference with the core film team.  We maintain your privacy until you choose to meet the film team.

We believe there is power in documentaries

The power to start conversation.

The power to open minds.

And the power to make real change.

meet the founders

maggie contreras the doclist producer director filmmaker

Maggie Contreras

Julie Morris philanthropy funding film family office foundation

JULIE MORRIS

RISHIKA ADVANI

Lauren Lexton producer documentary

LAUREN LEXTON

  • Description 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 is a development strategist, producer, and impact advocate committed to driving unity and a legacy of influence. As a founder of March Fourth Consultants, she connects impact multimedia creators with investors and foundations, fostering partnerships to address society's pressing challenges. Julie's passion lies in cultivating ecosystems of agency and resilience, investing in documentaries that amplify diverse voices and inspire action.

    Her strategic approach to nonprofit board development reimagines partnership structures, empowering organizations to create lasting impact. Julie's involvement in the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University and the National Council for the American Theatre underscores her commitment to shaping a unified landscape. As a member of various advisory committees, including IDA Awards Feature Committee, Society of Fellows at the Aspen Institute, and Visionary Women, Julie strives to inspire others to leave a lasting footprint, shaping a cultural zeitgeist where impactful storytelling drives positive change.

  • 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 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 Entertainment to Affect Change, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so that all donations are fully tax-deductible.

Thanks to this strategic, philanthropic partnership, The DocList can guarantee fiscal sponsorship with their invite-only program, the option of global distribution through their FAST Channel, and free access to their impact assessment tool.