How documentary funders think about impact: and what journalism can learn from them

Documentary films often shape public understanding of complex issues long before newsroom reporting gains traction. Yet journalists rarely hear directly from the funders who support this work and even less about how they assess impact, evidence and risk.
This session explores what journalism can learn from the documentary world’s approach to long-form storytelling, audience engagement, and impact assessment. Panelists will examine where journalism-documentary collaborations are emerging globally, how funders support high-risk or underreported stories, and what frameworks exist for assessing impact in politically charged environments.
Journalists will come away with new insights into narrative strategy, partnership models, and funding approaches that can strengthen public-interest storytelling.
Moderated by Nina Sachdev.
Organised in association with Media Impact Funders.