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 22nd annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival is happening May 4–14, 2023.

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

Sarah Bakke

Director of Development and Communications

Sarah B. manages all development (sponsorship, advertising, and donor relations), communications and marketing opportunities. One of her favourite docs is Mariner of the Mountains directed by Karim Aïnouz.

Gina Garenkooper

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

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

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

Sharon Bradley

Sharon Bradley

Hospitality Manager

Sharon coordinates all festival special events and helps ensure that filmmakers have the best possible experience at DOXA. A recent favourite doc of hers is Gunda, by Viktor Kossakovsky.

Eirinn McHattie

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.

jas calcitas

Programming Coordinator

jas keeps track of DOXA's submissions, 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.

Black and white photograph of Laura Arboleda, who is smiling with her mouth closed and her hand comfortably resting underneath her chin. She wears thin-framed, circular classes and her dark hair is pushed away from her face, with a few strands hanging down by her shoulder. The background is slightly blurry, but she appears to be on an outdoor covered patio of some kind.

Laura Arboleda

Industry Coordinator

Laura sees DOXA's Industry program through from start to finish, and lends her support to Programming. One of her favourite documentaries is Miguel Eek's City of the Dead.

Brit Bachmann stands, smiling warmly with her mouth closed, in front of a deep and lush collection of greenery. She is wearing a black mock beck top with sleeves ending at the elbow, and a dark brown leather belt. In her left arm she is holding a large ceramic vessel, which is covered in rows of pinched textures and has a bronzy hue.

Brit Bachmann

Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Brit keeps all of DOXA's communications ducks in a row, including newsletter, social media and website content. One of her recent favourite docs is The Beatles: Get Back by Peter Jackson.

Erica stands in front of a grey cement backdrop. She wears a blue knit sweater, visible from the shoulders up, and her long, straight black hair falls down past the photo frame. Erica is wearing a pair of black glasses with rectangular frames, and has a slight smile on her face.

Erica Hui

Program Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator

Erica helps oversee distribution, community engagement and volunteering opportunities at the festival. A doc series she's enjoying right now is Throttle Out by Spenser Robert and Levi Rugg.

Photo of Tristin Greyeyes

Tristin Greyeyes

Connexions Program + Engagement Coordinator

Tristin is coordinating the inaugural Kris Anderson Connexions Mentorship Program, and takes care of festival engagement opportunities. Her favourite doc is Alanis Obomsawin's Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance.

Board Members

Natasha Tony

Natasha Tony

Debra Pentecost

Debra Pentecost

Jamala MacRae

Jamala MacRae

Ken Tsui

Ken Tsui

Lizzy Karp

Lizzy Karp

Martin Gerson

Martin Gerson

Michelle Mason

Michelle Mason

Board and Committees

Board of Directors
Rudy Bootsma, Martin Gerson (treasurer), Lizzy Karp, Jamala MacRae, Michelle Mason, Debra Pentecost (secretary), Natasha Tony (vice-chair), Ken Tsui (chair), Ashleigh Withall

Programming Committee
Dharra Budicha, jas calcitas, Joseph Clark, Selina Crammond, Bailey Nicholson, Ogheneofegor Obuwoma, Sarah Ouazzani, Carson Pfahl, Anant Prabhakar, Kris Rothstein, Milena Salazar

Screening Committee
Darren Alexander, Laura Arboleda, Farid Azar, Brit Bachmann, Sarah Bakke, Jurgen Beerwald, Josie Boyce, Dharra Budicha, jas calcitas, Atenas Contreras, Selina Crammond, Jessica Dymond, Gina Garenkooper, liisa hannus, Kimberly Ho, David House, Erica Hui, Melissa James, Jessica Johnson, Viktor Koren, Kat Krampol, Christina Larabie, Samantha Marier, Abigail Markowitz, Maleki Maziar, Bailey Nicholson, Ogheneofegor Obuwoma, Sarah Ouazzani, Kris Rothstein, Milena Salazar, Barney Sprague, Sara Wylie, Jeff Yu

Programming Consultants
Selina Crammond, Milena Salazar, Dharra Budicha

Fundraising Committee                                                          
Sarah Bakke, Joseph Bardsley, Ken Tsui, Jamala MacRae, Ashleigh Withall

Advisory Committee
Nova Ami, Kris Anderson, Colin Browne, Szu Burgess, Peg Campbell, Mel D’Souza, Ann Marie Fleming, Cari Green, Duncan Low, Alex Mackenzie, Wendy Oberlander, Carmen Rodriguez, Lauren Weisler, 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