A collective voice of the next generation of non-fiction storytellers.

NeXt Doc is a year-long national fellowship that brings together emerging non-fiction storytellers from diverse backgrounds with award-winning non-fiction filmmakers to learn, share, and build their skills. Opening with a week-long in-person retreat, NeXt Doc fellows are invited to not only explore and challenge their understanding of the turbulent history, frameworks, and practices of Documentary, but to envision a new one!

Throughout the year, fellows are presented with numerous opportunities to expand their networks and amplify their voices, while forming deep relationships and fostering community amongst their cohort. Year-round programming includes peer-to-peer screenings, masterclasses, skill-sharing workshops, mentorship, and numerous opportunities to explore project development, narrative structure, treatment writing, budgeting, documentary history and critical explorations of core values for ethical and accountable non-fiction filmmaking.

As a program of Youth FX, NeXt Doc fellows intrinsically gain access to a rich and diverse staff, community, and network of artists that center a bold, liberatory, radically inclusive intergenerational filmic experience and landscape for emerging non-fiction storytellers.

A collective voice of the next generation of non-fiction storytellers.

NeXt Doc is a year-long national fellowship that brings together emerging non-fiction storytellers from diverse backgrounds with award-winning non-fiction filmmakers to learn, share, and build their skills. Opening with a week-long in-person retreat, NeXt Doc fellows are invited to not only explore and challenge their understanding of the turbulent history, frameworks, and practices of Documentary, but to envision a new one!

Throughout the year, fellows are presented with numerous opportunities to expand their networks and amplify their voices, while forming deep relationships and fostering community amongst their cohort. Year-round programming includes peer-to-peer screenings, masterclasses, skill-sharing workshops, mentorship, and numerous opportunities to explore project development, narrative structure, treatment writing, budgeting, documentary history and critical explorations of core values for ethical and accountable non-fiction filmmaking.

As a program of Youth FX, NeXt Doc fellows intrinsically gain access to a rich and diverse staff, community, and network of artists that center a bold, liberatory, radically inclusive intergenerational filmic experience and landscape for emerging non-fiction storytellers.

Community building and mentorship.

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS & GROWTH

Through masterclasses led by dynamic artists, filmmakers and Youth FX educators, along with deep peer-to-peer connections, NeXt Doc fellows are immersed in a wide range of topics from personal narrative agency, project development, liberatory story structures, production workflows, trauma informed storytelling practices, documentary history and in-depth conversations about ethical and accountable non-fiction filmmaking.

CREATIVE SPACE, EXPLORATION & CARE

The NeXt Doc opening retreat includes delicious meals made on site by our chef, outdoor exploration, walks and time for self-reflection in an inspiring environment. This process centers care, enhances creativity and encourages fellows to slow down and be fully present. NeXt Doc creates space for everyone to engage in authentic, energizing conversations while forming deep connections and building community with one another.

MENTORSHIP, RESOURCES & KNOWLEDGE

Equitable access to knowledge and resources can be an entry barrier to documentary filmmaking. Networking, learning from experienced filmmakers, and connecting with community-centered support systems is essential to growth as an artist. NeXt Doc introduces fellows to established mentors and filmmakers, and these connections form foundational networks for them to build upon. We also offer material support in the form of our FleX Fund micro-grants and access to equipment through our gear-lending program.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Through scheduled screening sessions of their work and space for informal exchanges, NeXt Doc challenges fellows to talk about their work, give and receive honest, constructive feedback. We offer space at this critical stage of development to learn from each other's perspectives in order to inspire and generate new ideas. Forming this community of practice not only helps to build and strengthen storytelling skills, but also fosters relationship building, and provides a foundation for future collaborations.

01

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS & GROWTH

Through masterclasses led by dynamic artists, filmmakers and Youth FX educators, along with deep peer-to-peer connections, NeXt Doc fellows are immersed in a wide range of topics from personal narrative agency, project development, liberatory story structures, production workflows, trauma informed storytelling practices, documentary history and in-depth conversations about ethical and accountable non-fiction filmmaking.

02

CREATIVE SPACE, EXPLORATION & CARE

The NeXt Doc opening retreat includes delicious meals made on site by our chef, outdoor exploration, walks and time for self-reflection in an inspiring environment. This process centers care, enhances creativity and encourages fellows to slow down and be fully present. NeXt Doc creates space for everyone to engage in authentic, energizing conversations while forming deep connections and building community with one another.

03

MENTORSHIP, RESOURCES & KNOWLEDGE

Equitable access to knowledge and resources can be an entry barrier to documentary filmmaking. Networking, learning from experienced filmmakers, and connecting with community-centered support systems is essential to growth as an artist. NeXt Doc introduces fellows to established mentors and filmmakers, and these connections form foundational networks for them to build upon. We also offer material support in the form of our FleX Fund micro-grants and access to equipment through our gear-lending program.

04

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Through scheduled screening sessions of their work and space for informal exchanges, NeXt Doc challenges fellows to talk about their work, give and receive honest, constructive feedback. We offer space at this critical stage of development to learn from each other's perspectives in order to inspire and generate new ideas. Forming this community of practice not only helps to build and strengthen storytelling skills, but also fosters relationship building, and provides a foundation for future collaborations.

A year of training, development and connection.

Over the course of the year-long fellowship, NeXt Doc fellows have the opportunity to meet with NeXt Doc Co-Directors for an hour-long virtual check-in on a bi-monthly basis. These conversations offer ample space for fellows to reflect on their desired-future, viable pathways of growth and development, as well as support via our organizational networks.

Group calls function as virtual space for fellows to convene and have open dialogue and discuss whatever topics they’d like. This group setting also serves as an opportunity for our international virtual fellows to be connected to the rest of the cohort and engage in cross-cultural dialogue.
NeXt Doc MasterClasses are curated based on the expressed needs of each cohort and cover a wide array of topics. Presenters have included Kristin Feely (Sundance Documentary Film Program,) David Eisenberg (iTVS,) Jude Chehab (Director and Cinematographer Q) and Fahd Ahmed (Editor, Q), Crystal Issacs (Producer, Dallas 2019,) Stina Hamlin (Director of Post-Production at East Coast Digital, Inc.)

All NeXt Doc MasterClasses continue to be accessible to NeXt Doc fellows from previous cohorts as well as program participants from local Youth FX programs. Their participation has connected the through-lines between our local, national, and international programming and nourishes the expansiveness of the Youth FX ecosystem.
The NeXt Doc FleX fund, was developed with the intention to provide micro-grant funding opportunities to support NeXt Doc Fellows and their current creative endeavors across all mediums (documentary, narrative, experimental, etc.) These mini-grants are in no way intended to fully fund a project, but are distributed with the intention to add an infusion of funds that will have a tangible and focused impact on the overall project.
As a direct response to the on-going need for free access to high-quality, state-of-the-art equipment, the Gear Lending program is available to all U.S. based NeXt Doc fellows. Our inventory includes cinema cameras, lenses, sound and audio equipment, high-res photo scanners and MacBook Pro’s loaded with Final Cut Pro, full Adobe Suite, Final Draft, and other film related subscriptions.