Getting Real ’26: A Gateway to the U.S. Documentary Industry

● Chiledoc took part in Getting Real ’26 as a sponsor and active participant, with the goal of strengthening connections between Chile, Latin America and the U.S. documentary industry.

● Chiledoc Director Paula Ossandón and producer Claudia León participated in several activities, including the Industry Expo Lunch and the Latino and Latin American Filmmakers Open Breakout: The Future Is Collective.

● Chilean filmmaker Lissette Orozco also joined the panel By Our Own Standards: Transitional Justice, representing the collective Historias Desobedientes.

From July 20 to 23, Chiledoc participated in Getting Real, the conference organised by the International Documentary Association (IDA) in Los Angeles, California. As both a sponsor and participant, Chiledoc carried out an agenda focused on strengthening its international presence, expanding collaborative networks and promoting Chilean documentary filmmaking at one of the leading gatherings for the independent documentary community.

As part of its participation, Chiledoc joined the Industry Expo Lunch, where it presented its work alongside other international documentary organisations. It also helped organise the Latino and Latin American Filmmakers Open Breakout: The Future Is Collective, which brought together filmmakers from Latin America and members of the Latin American diaspora in the United States to discuss new ways of strengthening regional collaboration.

«The U.S. market presents many challenges. It is a significant market, but its ecosystem is also going through a period of major change, as is the documentary industry worldwide. Participating in Getting Real was another step toward building a network that can foster partnerships and create stronger connections between our two ecosystems.» said Paula Ossandón, Director of Chiledoc and member of the IDA Board of Directors.

Speaking about Chile’s participation in the conference, Ina Fichman, President of the IDA Board of Directors, said: «IDA is truly honored that Chiledoc continues to have a meaningful presence at Getting Real. As a longtime supporter of the conference and our organization, Chiledoc represents an important voice in our global community.»

The conference also provided an opportunity to gain new perspectives on the international documentary industry. Reflecting on the experience, producer Claudia León said: «Getting Real felt like stepping outside my comfort zone as a Chilean producer entering the U.S. market for the first time. The conference format, its programme and the community it brought together were incredibly inspiring, and I’m sure the experience will have an impact on both my projects and the way I see the industry.»

Chilean participation also included filmmaker Lissette Orozco‘s involvement in the panel By Our Own Standards: Transitional Justice. Reflecting on the experience, she said: «It was very valuable to share the panel with outstanding filmmakers and scholars, while also having opportunities to connect with others, exchange experiences and receive feedback on current projects.» During the panel, Orozco presented the work behind her documentary Adriana’s Pact, as well as initiatives developed with the international collective Historias Desobedientes, made up of children and relatives of members of the armed forces and security services responsible for crimes against humanity committed during military dictatorships.

Chiledoc’s participation in Getting Real helped establish and strengthen relationships with funds, festivals, public broadcasters, producers and other key organisations within the U.S. documentary ecosystem. At a time of major changes for the industry, these connections are essential for developing new strategies for the distribution and circulation of documentaries seeking to reach this market.