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 24th annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival is happening May 1–11, 2025.

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

Gina Garenkooper

Gina Garenkooper

Volunteer Services and Operations Director (on leave)

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

Sarah Ouazzani

Sarah Ouazzani

Director of Programming (on leave)

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

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 (on leave)

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.

Close-up photo of a person with medium length brown hair and a bright smile.

Ashley Sugimoto

Programming Coordinator (she/her)

Ashley supports in the management of all things programming, and coordinates DOXA's Industry program. Her favourite documentary is Mysterious Midnight at Noon directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

Photo of a person with long brown hair, wearing a blazer and a blue-grey shirt.

Annesah Al Harbi

Partnerships & Development Manager (she/her)

Annesah oversees DOXA's partnerships and leads fundraising initiatives. She enjoys biopic and historical documentaries.

Black and white photo of a person with a pixie haircut, tilted head and mischievous smile.

Prue Baker

Volunteer Services & Operations Manager (she/her)

Prue oversees general festival operations including venue management, box office and volunteers. Some of her favourite documentaries are from Ute Aurand.

Headshot of a person on the beach, waring a cranberry toque and a pistachio green jacket.

Cyn Williams

Communications & Marketing Manager (they/them)

Cyn oversees the development of advertising, social media and website copy, and the program guide. Their favourite documentary is United Skates directed by Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler.

Board and Committees

Board of Directors
Jamala MacRae, Martin Gerson, Javier Badillo, Caterina Papadakos

Programming Committee
Brit Bachmann, Dharra Budicha, Joseph GinClark, Viktor Koren, Selina Crammond, Özgün Gündüz, Jessica Johnson, Sarah Ouazzani, Anant Prabhakar, Kristina Rothstein, Barney Sprague, Warren Chan

Screening Committee
Laura Arboleda, Jurgen Beerwald, Derrick Daniel, Isabel Gonzales, Michael Ioannou, Gerald Joe, Samantha Marier, Bailey Nicholson, Austeja Usaviciute, Victoria Furuya, Gabriele Gaurilcikaite, Patrick Carroll

Programming Consultants
Dharra Budicha

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

Media Relations
Marnie Wilson /  Artsbiz Public Relations

Graphic Design
Steve Chow / chowdesign.ca

Web Development 
Left Right Minds / leftrightminds.com