Janay Boulos

Producer’s Diary is Documentary’s strand that offers a play-by-play of their successes and failures over the course of a specific project. These pieces, written diary-style by a producer (or a group of them), walk readers, date by date, through the arc of a production —from meeting filmmakers/subjects to shooting, post-production, festival runs, and distribution—revealing the specific ins and outs of a documentary production.

“Pace yourself! It’s a marathon, not a race.” I know it’s a cliche, but I couldn’t find better words to explain my experience at Sheffield DocFest 2024. It’s a journey that demands endurance, strategic planning, and a balance between managing expectations and seizing opportunities. You shouldn’t expect too much from it, yet you should be prepared to embrace the unexpected.

By Arya Rothe AND Janay Boulos AND Pallavi Somusetty IDA’s Logan Elevate 2023 grantees attended one of the most celebrated gatherings of documentary filmmakers, producers, and enthusiasts from around the globe, IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam). This festival is known for pushing the boundaries of nonfiction storytelling, and it is seen as a melting pot of creativity, inspiration, and collaboration.