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DC/DOX is dedicated to promoting documentary film as a leading art form, championing new voices and innovations in non-fiction storytelling, and using film as a catalyst to engage the most compelling issues of our day.
Non-Fiction storytelling today has never been more vibrant, nor in higher demand across every platform. We have moved beyond a golden age for documentary film, into a sustained golden era. At its best, non-fiction filmmaking has the power to connect people over our shared humanity, reframe the stories of our past, contextualize the stories of our time, and forecast the stories of our future.
DC/DOX takes a bold approach to its programming, harnessing the deep interest in documentary film in the DC area, and building on the incredible value of this region to the national and international documentary industry. The festival takes place in marquee venues around Washington, DC. It showcases a lineup of 100+ exceptional feature and short documentaries from all around the world, with a program that represents the very best the form has to offer, from new and emerging filmmakers alike, reflecting a diversity of themes, perspectives, and aesthetic approaches. All film screenings are followed by Q&As with filmmakers, or post-screening discussions moderated by leading journalists and subject area experts. The festival also holds ample networking opportunities and social events throughout its four days, as well as a series of panels, master classes, and workshops in its “Reality Check” forum. The Washington Post is the festival’s founding media sponsor.
The third edition of DC/DOX takes place June 12-15, 2025. The program will be announced in early May.
DC/DOX is co-founded by industry veterans Sky Sitney and Jamie Shor, who bring decades of experience in festival creation and programming, documentary distribution, press and marketing.
CO-FOUNDER, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Sky Sitney is the co-founder and festival director of DC/DOX. She is the former festival director of AFI Docs (previously known as Silverdocs), and is recognized as one of the key contributors in helping it become one of the leading documentary festivals in the United States. She worked for the festival from 2005 until 2014. After leaving AFI Docs, Sky co-created and co-directed Double Exposure, a festival and symposium which explores the intersection of film and investigative journalism. She co-directed Double Exposure for 8 years between 2015 and 2023.
Sky also served as director of the Film and Media Studies program at Georgetown University from 2017 – 2023, where she currently serves as Professor of the Practice and teaches a variety of courses in cinema studies. And she has held previous programming positions for the Newport International Film Festival, the New York Underground Film Festival, and Anthology Film Archives. She has held industry positions at C-Hundred Film Corp. and Fine Line Features.
Sky has held numerous consultancy positions for a variety of film and media organizations, including the MacArthur Foundation, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Chicken & Egg Pictures, the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC), and the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. Sky regularly serves on festival juries, panels, and award review committees, including Cinema Eye Honors, the Gotham Awards, the IDA Awards, the POV editorial committee, and she serves as a Chair for the Peabody nominating committee for Best Documentary.
CO-FOUNDER
Jamie is president of PR Collaborative, a leading public relations and strategic communications firm in Washington, DC. It is the agency of record in DC for major film festivals, Bleecker Street, Magnolia Pictures, Roadside Attractions, Screen Gems (a division of Sony) and an ongoing partner for SE Theaters, Hulu, and Netflix.
With a rich background in public policy and journalism, Jamie creates communication plans that put her clients in the national spotlight—and keeps them there. Whether it’s managing a crisis, devising long-term strategies, or assembling top-notch teams to execute campaigns, Jamie’s boundless enthusiasm and insider’s perspective add clarity and credence to any project.
Jamie also has a long career in the arts outside of her work with PR Collaborative. She is the co-founder of the Impact Arts and Film Fund, which produced the Impact Film Festival at the 2008 and 2012 Democratic and Republican Conventions as well as the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The festival was featured multiple times in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, National Journal, The Hill, Roll Call and many other publications.
Volunteer Manager
Salomón Flamenco is a recent graduate of Georgetown’s Graduate School of Arts and Science and an alum of Reed College, Class of 2021. A lifelong believer in the power of Storytelling and Cinema, he has demonstrated this through his work and research, from producing his podcast Minority Report to helping produce POC-led work, including Dear Diablo and Dearborn. In the future, he is looking at the intersection of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law and programming to help uplift underrepresented and marginalized voices, stories, and perspectives. IG: @salmonflamingos // fsf9@georgetown.edu
Web Developer
Deniz is a seasoned web developer with over a decade of architectural design experience. Transitioning from designing physical spaces to digital ones, he brings a unique perspective to web development, blending aesthetics, functionality, and user experience. As a self-taught developer, Deniz has freelanced with various designers, agencies, and clients, creating diverse projects including portfolios, corporate, and e-commerce websites. His architectural background enhances his attention to detail and creativity, enabling him to craft visually appealing, intuitive web experiences. Passionate about continuous learning, Deniz stays updated with the latest web design and development trends.
Festival Manager
Sam Plakun has over a decade of experience in the documentary film space, working primarily in programming, festival management, marketing and outreach. For seven years, Sam served as the Program Manager for The DC Environmental Film Festival, and has held positions with New Day Films, the Brooklyn Film Festival, DC/DOX Film Festival and the DC Shorts Film Festival. Her industry experience has earned her a spot on award juries for numerous festivals, including the Bozcaada International Festival of Documentary, Indie Street Film Festival and the Green Film Network.
Born and raised in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Sam earned a degree in Media Arts for Social Justice from Pitzer College, a member of the Claremont Consortium in Southern California. Now a proud resident of Washington, D.C., Sam shares her love of film with her husband and two cats.
Catalog Designer
Sarah’s journey as a designer is as adventurous as her travels. Before settling in L.A. and earning her B.A. in Art with a minor in Film and Television from UCLA, she was designing publications for theaters and galleries in Austria. She brought this visual sensitivity to Hollywood, working both on set as a production designer and behind the scenes as an art director. After a stint at an LA-based marketing agency, managing international projects, she set off on a multi-year overland journey across the Pan-American, before returning back to California with her family. At DC/DOX, she’s excited to blend her graphic design expertise with her love for documentary filmmaking, bringing this year’s catalog to life.
Theater Operations Manager
Claire Seaton is a freelance video editor in the Washington, DC area with a passion for educational, nonprofit, and documentary video. In 2023, Claire served as a Venue Captain for DC/DOX, and is thrilled to continue working with the festival this summer! A graduate of the College of William & Mary, Claire has created videos with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, PBS Digital Studios, Bright Trip, Project Belong, International Justice Mission, Whole Word Institute, and more. Claire is a member of Video Consortium, Alliance of Documentary Editors, and Arlington Independent Media.
Festival Coordinator
Charlotte Taylor is a recent graduate of Georgetown University where she earned a B.S. in Culture and Politics. She is interested in pursuing a career within the realm of Documentary Film, although she is still figuring it out. In the meantime, she is excited to embark on a 10 month Fulbright Research Grant in Brazil beginning in February. Charlotte was proudly born and raised in Nashville, TN.
Audience Engagement Producer
Marga is an expert in independent filmmaking, with over two decades of experience as a consulting producer and distribution strategist. Originally from Spain, she began her career in narrative film and national television before transitioning to the non-fiction world. In 2009, Marga joined the Emmy-nominated POV documentary “Traces of the Trade,” leading its impact and international sales for five years. This experience inspired her to found Twin Seas Media, a boutique agency dedicated to designing successful, impactful, and sustainable documentary film releases. Marga also consults for film festivals on audience engagement and programming. She holds a Master’s in Journalism and Media Studies.
Creative Director
As a creative based in Los Angeles with over 25 years of experience specializing in visual communication for the entertainment industry, Erdem has designed key visuals for more than 500 titles, including major Hollywood films and series. At DC/DOX, he brings his expertise in branding, graphics, and motion graphics to the forefront, with a special interest in independent film collaborations. Erdem earned his MFA in Graphic Design, exploring biomimicry, psychology, and performance art; and continues to search for amazement within the dark arts of visual design every day.
DC/DOX Public Relations Partner