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Gain comprehensive knowledge of social impact documentary filmmaking from Emmy-award winning filmmaker Resita Cox, director of Freedom Hill (PBS, Hulu, Kartemquin Films) and Basketball Heaven (PBS, Sundance, Chicken & Egg). This five-week course will guide participants through the independent documentary filmmaking process, emphasizing social impact. Participants will receive exclusive access to RC’s personal industry funder directory, proven impact strategies, successful grant applications, industry contacts, distribution contract templates, funding strategies, and more. The course is offered both in-person and virtually.
Session One: March 17 - April 14, 2026 [CLOSED]
Session Two: June 9 - July 7, 2026 [APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 13, 2026]
Payment remitted after acceptance into session one.
COURSE OVERVIEWEligibility: College students, recent graduates welcome, however the course is best for working adults, journalists, creatives, organizers, and filmmakers who have some experience in film or who are figuring out how to get to the next level. Participants who have a film concept in motion or in production are best suited for this course, although that is not required. Must have an impact component or desire to create one for all films developed in this program.
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Participants in the workshop will start by engaging with a foundational history lesson, exploring the concepts and applications of first, second, and third cinema. This historical context will then be used to help them develop their own personal film value system and philosophical framework—a primary outcome of this course.
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This session offers an in-depth look at the independent film landscape, identifying the major organizations, funders, and key individuals driving the industry. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where to secure financing and how to connect with essential resources and contacts at these institutions.
Participants will receive hands-on advising on their film packages, with one-on-one advising on loglines, treatments, artistic summaries and more.
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Attendees will gain practical pitch training and master the essential responsibilities associated with each stage of filmmaking. They will leave the program equipped to market a film concept, manage a successful film festival run, and ultimately sell their movie.
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Participants will hone in on their personal audience and lay the groundwork for securing partnerships during this session. Participants will finalize film concept, pitch and impact campaign for the final session, a public screening with industry professionals, leaders, funders and stakeholders
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Our final class session brings together a panel of industry professionals, impact producers and filmmakers as students pitch their final projects in front of a live audience.
Learning Outcomes
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Have you been wondering how to get your foot in the door as an indie filmmaker? Well, you’ve finally come to the right place.
We don’t gatekeep resources ‘round here. I founded this program so others can navigate into this industry with more ease and access.
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Learn how to package and position your film for funding, pitching and distribution.
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Learn from Resita’s robust success with grant funding and spend time developing your film treatment and positioning it for funding
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Leave with a robust, unique funding strategy. Grow your industry contact list with exclusive access to RC’s database.
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Our space prioritizes comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process. Our cohort is uniquely selected to maximize the output of each session.
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Learn from the many successful impact campaign’s RC has created and build your own, with hands-on support
Should you have further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are prepared to proceed, kindly complete the Letter of Intent (LOI) for Session One, and we will inform you of our decision on a rolling basis.
Session One Is Closed.
Session Two Applications Accepted Starting April 13, 2026.
Session Two is a hybrid model offering remote and in person learning from June 9 - July 7, 2026.
contact: sonna@resitacox.com for inquiries
Don't be shy, hit me up. Frequently Asked Questions
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YES, more so, I'm actually hoping to attract people just like you who can use their professional skills in our field to maximize the impact of work already in motion.
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You don't need any experience and I will be available for one-on-one sessions throughout the course to address any learning curves (this is a unique benefit not offered outside this course, making it a real bang for ya buck)
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Similar to some in my continuing education class at Duke, those without film experience or a film in motion are working as impact producers on other film projects
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YES. We can develop a robust impact strategy for your subject matter and shop it around the industry. By the end of this course you should have the skills to join a film as an impact producer and hopefully attract your first few clients with the campaign you workshop over the 5-weeks. I transitioned out of fulltime work after my first freelance offer came from my FIRST unpaid film internship. In the end, I joined We Are Witnesses: Chicago as their impact producer.
We can build a career strategy with goals around the amount of extra income + setting your rate as an impact producer throughout our time together as well. That's my jam!
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I break everything down! You’ll learn the entire film and impact process from conception to distribution.
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Instruction time is only 2 hours a week, every Tuesday evening from 6-8 PM (offered remotely or in person for those in the RDU area); this is the same time commitment as my continuing ed class at Duke, which is feasible for working adults. You'll likely spend about 5-8 hours per week completing course deliverables and watching films.
To protect the confidentiality of the space and the materials offered, sessions will not be recorded or otherwise posted for future access.
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I also offer one on one sessions for participants called Story Doula sessions, where we workshop your materials and prepare them to compete for competitive grants and funding opportunities. Outside of my courses, I charge consultation fees for these sessions.