Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI) was established in 2004 to nurture documentary filmmakers and audiences, and to advocate for the unique and vital contribution of independent documentary to the film industry ecosystem and to our society.

We believe in the power of documentary to spark critical thinking and to inspire positive social change, in a generous and thought-provoking way.

Through training, funding, inspirational events and distribution, we deliver a slate of development opportunities to benefit all Scotland-based directors and producers, and support them on a national and international level. We also offer a range of programmes to international filmmakers and we actively collaborate with documentary organisations around the world to champion and celebrate the art form.

In the current times too often defined by polarisation and sensationalism, independent documentary is needed now more than ever. But it chronically struggles to be funded and distributed. And the filmmakers bringing to the screen a kaleidoscope of experiences, critical and ambitious films, struggle to sustain a career.

To challenge the status quo, SDI has made its priority to systematise filmmaker-based support, to promote the advancement of equity (i.e. taking individual needs into consideration to reach an equal outcome rather than offering the same resources and opportunities to everyone) in the documentary sector, and to support the dissemination of documentaries towards wider audiences, and more specifically young audiences.

Our charity is based in Leith, Edinburgh.