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

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.

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

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, Javier Badillo, Caterina Papadakos

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, Austeja Usaviciute, 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