About DOXA

Our Mission:

To support a better understanding of the complexity of our times through engaging the public in documentary media as an art form.

We’re Committed To:

Cultivating curiosity and critical thought
Promoting the intersection of actuality and artistic expression
Fostering a local and international community interested in non-fiction media

Our Mandate:

DOXA is presented by The Documentary Media Society, a Vancouver based non-profit, charitable society (incorporated in 1998) devoted to presenting independent and innovative documentaries to Vancouver audiences. The society exists to educate the public about documentary film as an art form through DOXA Documentary Film Festival, a curated and juried festival comprised of public screenings, panel discussions, public forums and educational programs. The 23rd annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival is happening May 2–12, 2024.

The Documentary Media Society is a founding member tenant of the 110 Arts Co-op which manages The Post at 750 office and studio facilities.

The Documentary Media Society is located on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. We are immensely thankful for the opportunity to present challenging and affirming non-fiction media on these lands, which have been cared for by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ peoples in perpetuity. To work and live on stolen land requires consistent interrogation of given histories, systems and identities. We believe that documentaries can be an important tool in this process.

DOXA (pronounced dox'-ah) is a greek word meaning common belief or popular opinion.

Team Members

Sarah Bakke

Director of Development and Special Programs

Sarah B. manages all development, donor, communications and marketing opportunities. She also oversees ancillary and filmmaker development programs, such as DOXA Industry and Connexions. One of their favourite docs is Mariner of the Mountains directed by Karim Aïnouz.

Gina Garenkooper

Volunteer Services and Operations Director

Gina oversees general festival operations including venue management, box office and volunteers. Her favourite documentary is Virunga directed by Orlando von Eiensiedel.

Atenas Contreras

Director of Business and Finance

In her role as Business and Finance Director, Atenas oversees DOXA’s budget and makes sure all the pieces fit in the right place. Her favourite documentary is Fix and Release by Scott Dobson.

Sarah Ouazzani

Director of Programming

Sarah O. oversees all programming and engagement initiatives, all while watching too many films to count. Her favourite documentary is Sans Soleil by Chris Marker.

Seasonal Staff

Eirinn McHattie

Digital Print Traffic Coordinator

Eirinn oversees all things tech related, and is DOXA's production expert. One of his favourite docs is The Pain of Others, directed by Penny Lane.

jas calcitas is pictured in front of a cream-coloured backdrop, their black hair tied back in a white and yellow scarf that matches their shirt, which has yellow flowers printed on it. They have sparkly stars on their cheeks, and are wearing wire-framed glasses.

anata laylay calcitas

Programming and Audience Development Coordinator

anata laylay keeps track of DOXA's submissions, supports audience engagement, coordinates Rated Y for Youth and Justice Forum, and assists with all things programming. A favourite doc of theirs is Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters by Tom Hurwitz and Rosalynde LeBlanc.

A black and white photo of Jasmine siting at a table in a restaurant, looking to their left and gesturing with their left hand. They appear to be in conversation with someone beside them. They are wearing glasses, a black buttoned shirt overtop of a white tee.

Jasmine Monton

Communications and Marketing Manager

Jasmine keeps all of DOXA's communications ducks in a row, including newsletter, social media and website content. They also manage DOXA's advertising initiatives. One of her favourite docs is Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. by Steve Loveridge.

Özgün is pictured from the shoulders up in front of the trunk of a tree. She is looking at the camera and smiling with her mouth closed. She wears glasses and a brightly coloured shirt.

Özgün Gündüz

Programming and Industry Manager

Özgün supports in the management of all things programming, and coordinates DOXA's Industry program. Her favourite documentary is Deep Inside Clint Star directed by Clint Alberta.

Anthony, a Chinese man with shoulder-length black hair and glasses, looks at the camera with his hands raised to his head. He is wearing a white shirt. The background is green and brown with trees.

Anthony Kit Chun Lee

Development Officer

Anthony makes sure we apply for grants on time, supports our individual giving program, and keeps track of DOXA's funding opportunities. One of his favourite docs is All Light, Everywhere by Theo Anthony.

Rea, a woman of colour with long dark-brown hair, smiles to the camera. The background is nearly black, but a few yellow spots of light from the trees can be seen.

Rea Chatterjee

Program Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator

Rea helps to oversee distribution, community engagement and volunteering opportunities at the festival. One of her favourite documentaries is Gulabi Gang, directed by Nishtha Jain.

Jelena, a white woman with blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun, smiles at the camera while standing in front of a pale blue wall and brown garage door.

Jelena Simović

Operations and Audience Services Assistant

Jelena makes sure that the logistics of box office and audience engagement run smoothly. A recent favourite documentary of hers is Three Promises directed by Yousef Srouji.

A black-and-white photograph of Jeana, a white woman with long brown hair, smiling at the camera.

Jeana Hamilton

Hospitality + Guest Services Coordinator

Jeana coordinates all festival special events and helps to ensure that filmmakers and festival guests have the best possible experience at DOXA. A recent doc that made an impact on her is 20 Days in Mariupol, by Mstyslav Chernov.

Board Members

Debra Pentecost

Jamala MacRae

Martin Gerson

Michelle Mason

Board and Committees

Board of Directors
Debra Pentecost (Chair), Roleof Bootsma (Treasurer), Jamala MacRae (Secretary), Martin Gerson, Michelle Mason

Programming Committee
Laura Arboleda, Sarah Bakke, Brit Bachmann, Dharra Budicha, Josie Boyce, anata laylay calcitas, Joseph Clark, Selina Crammond, Özgün Gündüz, Jessica Johnson, Julie Le Hegarat, Bailey Nicholson, Sarah Ouazzani, Carson Pfahl, Anant Prabhakar, Kristina Rothstein, Barney Sprague

Screening Committee
Laura Arboleda, Brit Bachmann, Sarah Bakke, Jurgen Beerwald, Josie Boyce, Dharra Budicha, anata laylay calcitas, Atenas Contreras, Selina Crammond, Derrick Daniel, Isabel Gonzales, Özgün Gündüz, liisa hannus, David House, Michael Ioannou, Gerald Joe, Jessica Johnson, Viktor Koren, Julie Le Hegarat, Samantha Marier, Abigail Markowitz, Jasmine "Audder" Monton, Bailey Nicholson, Sarah Ouazzani, Kristina Rothstein, Barney Sprague, Sara Wylie

Programming Consultants
Dharra Budicha, Selina Crammond, Jesse Cumming

Fundraising Committee
Sarah Bakke, Joseph Bardsley, Susan Lavitt, Jamala MacRae, Gina Garenkooper

Advisory Committee
Nova Ami, Kris Anderson, Colin Browne, Szu Burgess, Peg Campbell, Mel D’Souza, Cari Green, Alex Mackenzie, Wendy Oberlander, Carmen Rodriguez, Aerlyn Weissman

Vancouver Podcast Festival Organizing Committee
Jill Anholt, Lisa Chen-Wing (Creative Director), Andrea Gin, Carlos Hernandez Fisher (Web Editor), Lizzy Karp, Hannah McGregor, Roshini Nair, Andrea Warner, and Joseph Clark

Program Book and Website Copy Editor
Patrick Geraghty

Media Relations
Marnie Wilson / Artsbiz Public Relations

Graphic Design
Steve Chow / chowdesign.ca

Web Development
Left Right Minds / leftrightminds.com