About DRI

Most of the opinions that tend to determine our thoughts are collective. Stories are independent and discrete voices of individuals.

Documentary Resource Initiative

Documentary Resource Initiative (DRI) is a Kolkata-based not-for-profit organisation working to strengthen the independent documentary ecosystem in India. DRI brings together filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences to create opportunities for learning, collaboration and engagement around documentary cinema.

Through its programmes and initiatives, DRI supports documentary storytellers at different stages of their creative journeys. From immersive incubation to industry activities, conversations and networking with active stakeholders, DRI creates spaces where filmmakers can develop their practice, connect with professionals, expand peer exchange and explore new possibilities for advancement.

At the heart of DRI is a commitment to nurturing homegrown stories and encouraging dialogue around the art and practice of documentary filmmaking. By building a vibrant and connected community, DRI works towards a stronger and more sustainable documentary culture in India.

About Us

Purpose, perspective and principles

DRI has sincerely been working towards advancing the local nonfiction story culture by providing mentorship and immersive training, connecting filmmakers with global stakeholders, creating access to industry resources, and sharing knowledge that is transforming the independent creative ecosystem.

Our Mission

Our Mission

To nurture independent documentary storytelling by creating spaces for filmmakers to learn, connect, collaborate, and grow, while strengthening the creative, professional, and cultural ecosystem around documentary cinema.

Our Vision

Our Vision

Raising and fostering a world where documentary storytelling thrives as a powerful force for truth, empathy, and transformative change, with independent voices finding the space so that the most beautiful, strange, and unknown experiences of life are shared with people.

Our Values

Our Values

  • Integrity & Ethics
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Collaboration & Community
  • Learning & Growth
  • Expanding independent cinema culture
What We Do

Building the Creative Network Behind Meaningful Stories

We have various programmes designed to stimulate and engage the storytelling community by providing them with mentorship, wider access to industry professionals, and a thorough understanding of artistic tools for nuanced creativity and distinct authorship.

What We Do
Why We Are
What We Are

Because Stories Bring About Lasting Change

We are in a universe where stories give people and communities a space to be seen, offer the incredible pleasure of being heard, and understood. Thus, it allows us to encounter different realities, question familiar perspectives, and engage us more deeply with the shared world.

We believe a strong documentary culture creates space for diverse voices, ignites meaningful dialogue, and deeper understanding. By nurturing filmmakers and connecting them with audiences and the wider industry, we work towards a more vibrant knowledge-gathering system.

OUR IMPACT

24 YEARS...

24 years we are with the community : supporting filmmakers, partners and institutions by bridging the critical finance and creative gaps.

OUR ALUMINI

Our alumni guided Indian films as the most reached out as cultural ambassadors to almost all major festivals with unprecedented critical and artistic success.

MENTORSHIP & GROWTH

750 films are guided and mentored; 350 Awards and major festival premieres. Distinct markers.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

Forging new Foundations, institutions, and industry partnerships in the South Asian region – led collaborative platforms like Dhaka DocLab, Kathmandu DocLab, Greenstories, and others.

UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION

Incubation and rigorous artistic input to young talents led to the convergence of a diverse range of storytellers into the international marketplaces.

Alumni Voices

Hear directly from filmmakers and alumni whose creative journeys have been shaped through DRI's programmes, mentorship and networks.

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My journey started with DocedgeKolkata in 2021, an international pitch forum, where I had pitched Redlight to Limelight.

Sreemoyee Singh

Sreemoyee Singh

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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It's an honour and privilege to finally share my finished film with mentors, peers and future filmmakers.

Arun Bhattarai

Arun Bhattarai

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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It was a wonderful experience sharing the projects at a fairly early stage with the mentors and peers. Presenting the film, developing the clearest and most impactful way to communicate our idea, and listening to feedback greatly helped us.

Anupama Srinivasan

Anupama Srinivasan

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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In the Indian context, Docedge Kolkata is a rare and necessary space — where a documentarian's ambition meets the rigour of authorship.

Sushmit Ghosh

Sushmit Ghosh

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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The situation changed when I pitched my film at Docedge Kolkata. It helped me to learn and visualize the narrative creatively. Docedge Kolkata has been an important part of starting the endeavour on the international circuit.

Bipuljit Basu

Bipuljit Basu

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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n the Indian context, Docedge Kolkata is a rare and necessary space — where a documentarian's ambition meets the rigour of authorship.

Rintu Thomas

Rintu Thomas

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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DocedgeKolkata and Let’sdoc, where they train you to be at Docedge, were a discovery.

Sarvnik Kaur

Sarvnik Kaur

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE & LET'SDOC Alumni

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A large part of the rise of Indian documentaries has to do with mentorship, incubation, and pitching labs like Docedge in Kolkata.

Vinay Shukla

Vinay Shukla

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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I picked up the ropes of nonfiction filmmaking at Docedge Kolkata Asian Forum for Documentary. With spaces like these, you are mentored by masters and you figure out the ropes of the industry, the form and grammar.

Shaunak Sen

Shaunak Sen

Filmmaker | DOCEDGE Alumni

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