OUR
WORK
After a year of dialogue and development—during which over 40 industry representatives from around the world engaged with and supported #DocSafe, along with many more through roundtables and related activities—the initiative is now looking ahead to stabilising and continuing its work into 2025 and beyond.
Our key focus areas include advocacy, building a publicly accessible resource hub, maintaining a directory of professionals offering mediation and counselling support, and designing training for organisational and industry representatives.
#DocSafe is not a watchdog.
Instead, it provides a space for reflection, learning, and exchange.
Directory & Resource Bank
We are creating a directory of vetted professionals who provide safety-related services, such as mediation and training. Alongside this, we are building a resource bank of templates, protocols, best-practice examples, and case studies. Coming soon!
Training Curriculum
We aim to develop an adaptable #DocSafe training curriculum. Trainings will be offered to organisations, providing practical guidance while also serving as a source of income to support the initiative.
Advocacy & Outreach
#DocSafe will continue hosting panels, presentations, and outreach initiatives. Including more roundtables in different geographies.
We are also introducing a #DocSafe self-assessment scheme—organisations can evaluate their practices against a set of criteria, review progress annually, and publish insights to foster accountability and learning.
PAST
ACTIVITIES
#DocSafe is initiated by Jane Mote in November 2023
As of January 2023 more than 40 industry representatives in regular meetings and working groups.
Organised a tailor-made training for the Steering Group with trainer Sondos Shabayek on demystifying the notion of a safe space.
Impromptu roundtables at EFM and Sheffield DocFest 2024.
Surveys and panels at Sunny Side of the Doc and DocFest, 2024.
Safer Spaces Roundtables + Reports at Durban FilmMart and DOK Leipzig 2024, co-curated and facilitated by Themba Bhebe and Marion Schmidt
Delegation Roadmap for Film Festivals & Industry Markets – collaboration between BIPOC Eurodoc/ Eurodoc and #DocSafe
(Re-) Defining Safety in the Film Industry – TiDF27 AGORA Talk, co-curated with #DocSafe
Cannes Docs | Doc Insights > Building Collective Knowledge for Safer and More Inclusive Documentary Spaces in collaboration with #DocSafe and BIPOC Eurodoc
Safer Spaces Roundtables at Amman International Film Festival co-curated by DocSafe and Rawiyat – Sisters in Film
Towards A Safer Documentary Community – DMZ Docs, Korea 2025
Presentation at Screening the Scene Conference – Vienna, October 2025.
