The True/False mentorship program was launched in 2007 as a way to help new nonfiction filmmakers navigate the sometimes treacherous terrain of the doc film world. Through meetings with seasoned industry professionals, first-time filmmakers get friendly advice on everything that happens after they finish their final cut. From sales agents to online distribution to European press, this is a chance for filmmakers to get unbiased answers on some of the thorniest topics in the movie business. In 2021, the Mentorship Program was held virtually.
2021 Filmmakers
CARLOS ALFONSO CORRAL, director, Dirty Feathers
JESSICA BESHIR, director, Faya Dayi
ROBIN PETRÉ, director, From the Wild Sea
GERMAN ADOLFO ARANGO, director, Songs the Flood the River
2021 Mentors
DANIELLE DIGIACOMO is an entrepreneurial, creative and intelligent go-getter with a passion and commitment to developing, financing, packaging, producing and distributing high quality independent films and episodic content. She currently serves as the Head of Content for Utopia.
KATHRYN EVERETT, the head of film for XTR, is a filmmaker, political strategist, and activist whose mission is to uplift and empower disenfranchised communities through storytelling.
DAVID LAUB is a distribution executive for film and television studio A24, where he works in all aspects of film distribution including acquisitions, marketing, publicity, and exhibition.
JOHN VON THADEN is the head of acquisitions for Magnolia Pictures, Magnet Releasing, Magnolia Home Ent and Magnolia International. Since joining the company is 2011, has negotiated deals for 100+ films including T/F selections such as Collective, Some Kind of Heaven, Peter and the Farm, and I am Not Your Negro. He graduated from Boston University and currently resides in Brooklyn.