DOC ATLANTIC BREAKTHROUGH PROGRAM
Now in its fourth year, the DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program—led by Lunenburg Doc Fest—continues to champion emerging documentary talent from Atlantic Canada who identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or People of Colour (IBPOC).
This 10-month professional development initiative (August 2025 – May 2026) will support six selected filmmakers from the Atlantic provinces as they develop, market, and produce their own documentary projects. Through hands-on training, personalized mentorship, and direct access to industry gatekeepers, participants will gain the tools and connections needed to thrive in the documentary field.
What’s Included:
Comprehensive training on storytelling, producing, budgeting, and legal essentials
Tailored mentorship from established Canadian documentary filmmakers
One-on-one pitch coaching to refine your project and presentation, with opportunities to pitch at industry markets
Full access to the Dock Market at the 12th Lunenburg Doc Fest (September 17–21, 2025)
Delegate pass to industry events at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (May 2026)
Program Timeline:
The program kicks off in July 2025 with a comprehensive workshop series, delivered in two phases:
Phase 1 (July–September 2025): Participants will explore the craft of authentic storytelling, interviewing techniques, and industry navigation, laying a strong creative and professional foundation. This phase leads into full participation at the 12th Lunenburg Doc Fest and Dock Market (September 17–21, 2025), offering invaluable real-world experience and networking opportunities.
Phase 2 (Fall 2025 – Early 2026): The workshop series continues with deeper dives into film financing, producing, budgeting, and the business and legal aspects of documentary filmmaking.
Following the workshops, participants will receive personalized feedback through one-on-one sessions with seasoned pitch coaches, and continue developing their projects through monthly group and individual mentorship with a celebrated Canadian documentarian.
The program culminates in May 2026 at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, where participants will attend the Hot Docs Forum and gain unparalleled access to industry decision-makers.
Applications are now open!
Deadline: July 25 at midnight (AT)
Take your documentary vision to the next level. Apply today using the form below and be part of a growing community of bold and diverse storytellers!
meet the year 3 cohort
Hailing from Hong Kong, Audrey Chan comes armed with a background in film and philosophy and holds a second degree in Journalism. They now work as a freelance journalist and documentarian. Audrey’s cross-disciplinary and multimedia projects are fundamentally inspired by deep ecology, disrupting the culture industry, and our urgent need for collective liberation. Above all, they’re just trying to understand our stranger-than-fiction world as much as they can –– and hoping they can do others the service of taking them along for the ride.
Chan Polchies is a passionate and aspiring filmmaker based in Fredericton. Having honed his storytelling and collaboration skills under the mentorship of industry professionals like Nate Gaffney and Desmond Simon and through his work on feature films, Chan is eager to make a meaningful impact in the industry. By co-directing and writing his documentary, Chan will leverage his fine arts background for nuanced visual storytelling.
Jacob Dicks’ videography developed out of a passion for sharing the stunning landscapes and vibrant communities of Western Newfoundland. Inspired by his participation in various outdoor sports throughout the region, Jacob aims to capture the culture of individuals in their element and the environments they play in. Despite the challenging Newfoundland weather and terrain, Jacob's resilience in filmmaking allows him to secure the perfect shot. His projects have involved spending weeks outdoors working in locations such as northern Alberta and the Yukon.
Jahan Bloch
Jahan Bloch is based in Prince Edward Island and hails from a family whose primary occupation is film-making. Having experienced the workings of the creative industry from an early age, Jahan’s goal is to amalgamate her varied creative work experience from Canada and India to help create and deliver diverse content made by diverse people. She wishes to tell and support stories which are true to their roots and focus on people from all walks of life.
Obediya Jones-Darrell is a filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has studied writing for animation at Vancouver Animation School, music composition at Simon Fraser University, and sound engineering at Douglas College. An alumnus of the Reelworld Screen Institute’s E20 Program, Obediya’s dedication to filmmaking has been further recognized with accolades such as BEST MUSICAL SHORT at Halifax’s Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival. He strives to tell stories for an international audience rooted in the values he gained growing up in the Maritimes.
As a Wolastoqiyik, Nate Gaffney is deeply driven by his connection to his heritage and culture and believes filmmaking is his way to continue his ancestral tradition of storytelling. His documentaries MY NAME IS WOLASTOQ and INDIAN BRAVES spotlight Indigenous narratives, with the former earning a screening at the Atlantic Film Festival and both acquired by CBC. Nate's work for Indspire captured inspiring Indigenous success stories across Canada, showcasing resilience and achievement. Based in Wabanaki Territory, Nate co-founded Wabanaki Media and is currently directing a spectrum of film projects.
participating year 3 mentors
John Seongho Choi 최성호 (he/ him/ his) is an award-winning Canadian-Korean Filmmaker telling stories for over 25 years. Beginning his career in NYC/LA, John Seongho Choi climbed the ranks on film sets ranging from Hollywood to independent films, commercials and music videos. He moved his way up to directing films on Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube Originals, CBC, NHK Japan and SBS Australia. More recent works include THE ELEVEN, A&E’s six part factual true crime series, CBC Docs POV SPACEMAN, feature documentary film LOST & FOUND, as seen on CBC Gem, YouTube Originals K-POP EVOLUTION, and the Netflix Originals three part docu-series THE RAINCOAT KILLER. John Seongho Choi was recently awarded the Canadian Screen Academy Award - Best Direction/ Documentary Series for DARK SIDE OF COMEDY.
Aisha Jamal is a filmmaker, film programmer and college professor, based in Toronto. Aisha's feature documentary debut A KANDAHAR AWAY, about her family's connection to the small Saskatchewan, Canada hamlet of Kandahar, premiered in 2019 and played on CBC, Documentary Channel and CBCGem. Her previous short films have played venues and festivals worldwide. Aisha also programs Canadian documentaries for Hot Docs Documentary Festival. She is currently working on her second feature documentary entitled THE THEFT, while teaching at Sheridan College in Brampton, Ontario and frequently moderating discussions with creatives of all types.
Sidney Chiu is a feature film producer based in Toronto whose credits include LOVE JACKED (2018), a Canada South African romantic comedy. COCONUT HERO (Munich 2015), and BANG BANG BABY (TIFF 2014). Sidney was also the PM on the Chinese feature FINDING MR RIGHT, which grossed over 80 Million USD. THREE DAYS IN HAVANA shot in Havana Cuba with E1 distributing. Sidney’s first feature was A NIGHT FOR DYING TIGERS (TIFF 2012). He was the former Vice Chair on the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival’s Board of Directors.
Kirk Cooper is a producer, film festival strategist, and film market consultant.
In 2017 he produced the documentary feature film EL GRAN SALTO - Mexico /Canada co-pro. He followed up with the short narrative OLDTIMERS in 2022 which played over 20 festivals worldwide and received awards at Fantasia and San Sebastian. He is also the festival manager at Raven Banner Entertainment where he facilitates strategic festival planning for the many sales titles in the company's catalog.
In 2007, Kirk founded Film Market Access (FMA), a film consulting and PR firm. He has assisted over 200 producers/directors via FMA's Market Readiness Program to successfully participate in the Marche du Film at Festival de Cannes, Hot Docs, Fantasia, and TIFF.
Stephanie Joline is an award-winning Indigenous filmmaker based in Halifax. Her mother is Inuit from Labrador, her father is French Acadian from the south shore of Nova Scotia. Some of her credits include films NIGHT BLOOMS (2022), PLAY YOUR GENDER (2016), and the CBC documentary series WOMEN OF THIS LAND (2024). In 2022, she won a Canadian Screen Award for best directing in the factual television category. This year, she was chosen to take part in The Warner Brothers Discovery Access x Canadian Academy Directors Program. She is an active member of The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, Women in Film and Television Atlantic, Screen Nova Scotia and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. She also contributes to the community by teaching film classes, mentoring emerging filmmakers and serving as the Directors’ Caucus Representative for DGC Maritimes.
Alison Duke is an accomplished writer/producer/director with a two-decade track record in storytelling. Her first doc RAISING KANE: A RAPUMENTARY, gained acclaim at the Urbanworld Film Festival in NYC, winning the HBO award for best documentary and setting the stage for her career. She served as a segment producer for City TV, contributing to 40 x 30-minute shows annually. Alison's achievements include collaborating on projects with luminaries like Bruce McDonald; empowering the global HIV community through her films; co-founding the innovative production company OYA Media Group; winning two CSA’s for MR. JANE AND FINCH; directing the narrative short PROMISE ME; and co-creating the five-part docu-series BLACK COMMUNITY MIXTAPES for City TV. She recently wrapped a doc series on music industry injustices for Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures. Her upcoming Crave Original feature music doc, BAM BAM: THE SISTER NANCY STORY received its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Always one to give back, Alison mentors up-and-coming creatives and has sustained her position as an industry leader.
Omar Majeed is an award-winning Toronto-based filmmaker recognized for his documentary work, including DISCO'S REVENGE, TAQWACORE: THE BIRTH OF PUNK ISLAM, and THE FROG PRINCES.
His films explore the intersections of culture, race, identity, and social movements, particularly among marginalized people.
Majeed has successfully pitched projects at prestigious festivals like Sheffield Doc Fest, Banff, and Hot Docs, showcasing his ability to engage international audiences.
Omar has also edited many feature documentaries, scripted and unscripted series and has worked with some of Canada's most acclaimed filmmakers, including Yung Chang, Brett Story, Zarqa Nawaz and Fab Filippo.
Omar's work has been celebrated across various film festivals, the prestigious Peabody awards and Canada's CSAs.
The DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program is presented in association with the Documentary Organization of Canada, DOC Atlantic, the Canadian Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, InnovationPEI, PictureNL, Lunenburg Doc Fest, and others.