WETA and DC/DOX launch film fund to support documentary filmmaking in the Washington, D.C., region

The Washington, D.C. area is full of extraordinary stories and storytellers, and we are excited to partner with the wonderful team at DC/DOX on this new initiative. We can’t wait to share the selected films with our viewers on our very own destination for documentaries, WETA+.”

Devin Karambelas, vice president of TV programming and operations at WETA

ARLINGTON, Va. — WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital, and DC/DOX, a premier film festival held annually in Washington, D.C., announced the WETA+ and DC/DOX Film Fund, a new WETA-funded initiative supporting documentary filmmakers from, and documentary storytelling connected to, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

The WETA+ and DC/DOX Film Fund will provide financial and mentorship support to aspiring filmmakers, both of which are essential in an increasingly crowded media landscape in which funding sources for independent films are becoming scarcer. The fund will prioritize the creation of compelling documentary storytelling that reflects the breadth of voices, experiences, communities and perspectives connected to the Washington, D.C. region. The selected documentaries will be available for viewing in the D.C. Metro area on the WETA+ streaming service at weta.org/wetaplus.

“We are proud to be the public media organization for the D.C. area that champions storytelling rooted in our community,” said Devin Karambelas, vice president of TV programming and operations at WETA. “The Washington, D.C. area is full of extraordinary stories and storytellers, and we are excited to partner with the wonderful team at DC/DOX on this new initiative. We can’t wait to share the selected films with our viewers on our very own destination for documentaries, WETA+.”

The fund will support up to six documentary projects at varying stages of production. Applications will open on Nov. 16 and close on Jan. 31, 2027. Funded projects will be selected and applicants notified by April 30, 2027. Filmmakers submitting short projects may request up to $25,000 in funding, and filmmakers submitting feature-length projects may request up to $100,000 in funding. The total amount available to be distributed to the first cohort will be $250,000.

“This partnership brings together two organizations that care deeply about documentary storytelling,” said Sky Sitney, co-founder and festival director, DC/DOX. “This fund is about giving filmmakers the opportunity to elevate their stories to a larger audience, and we are grateful to partner with WETA to help achieve that goal.”

Selected filmmakers will become part of a cohort receiving support beyond the initial funding. Opportunities may include: 

• An initial cohort convening and ongoing mentorship and rough-cut feedback.
• Participation in the DC/DOX Forum, including panels, industry gatherings, and the 1:1 Meetings Program.
• Curated meetings with filmmakers, funders, distributors, public media leaders, policymakers and other potential partners. 
• Opportunities for works-in-progress and rough-cut screenings and other year-round engagement. 
• A potential public showcase in partnership with DC/DOX. 
• Initial streaming and broadcast window on WETA+, the PBS App and WETA’s local PBS and Metro channels with the duration and terms to be negotiated individually with filmmakers.

Full application guidelines and eligibility details are available at weta.org/filmfund.

About WETA:

WETA is the second-largest station producer of new content for public television in the United States, including public affairs programs “PBS News Hour” and “Washington Week with The Atlantic” and documentary films from Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. WETA is the flagship public media station in the nation’s capital, serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia with educational and inspiring content. WETA+ is a free service offering on-demand and live viewing of WETA and PBS programs at weta.org/wetaplus. WETA also broadcasts on five television channels: WETA PBS, WETA UK, WETA Metro, WETA World and WETA PBS Kids. Classical music audiences tune in to WETA Classical 90.9 FM, online via wetaclassical.org, and through the WETA Classical app. Local programming and digital content created by WETA celebrate the people, places and culture of the region through series including “Signature Dish,” “WETA Arts” and the local history website “Boundary Stones.” Sharon Percy Rockefeller is president and chief executive officer of WETA. 

More information on WETA and its programs and services is available at weta.org. Follow WETA at @wetatvfm on Facebook and Instagram, and @wetapbs on YouTube. 

About DC/DOX:

DC/DOX is a documentary film festival founded in 2022 by Jamie Shor and Sky Sitney, showcasing powerful, timely stories in the nation’s capital. DC/DOX brings together bold voices, innovative visions and truth-seekers in celebration of documentary cinema. Visit dcdoxfest.com and follow at instagram.com/dcdoxfest and facebook.com/dcdoxfest.