Documentary company Field of Vision becomes an independent studio

Field of Vision, the documentary production arm behind films like 'Nothing Compares' and this year's 'Disclosure', 'MLK/FBI', and many others, will spin off its company parent First Look Media and becoming a new independent organization, IndieWire exclusively reveals.

Field of Vision is part of the non-profit First Look Institute (FLI) arm of First Look Media and is known for its intersection between documentary film, journalism and the visual arts. Co-founder and Executive Director Charlotte Cook, who has been with the organization since its inception in 2015, will continue to lead the new independent company.

Field of Vision will remain a non-profit organization, but will not start from scratch. First Look Institute will also provide a "significant" financial grant to Field of Vision as part of the transition period as it seeks to continue to find new donors and supporters. In addition, the journalistic publication of the company Field Notes will also continue and grow as part of the transition.

Cook told IndieWire in an interview that the decision to part ways with First Look was a mutual decision and that they had been striving for independence for some time. For one, Field of Vision acquired the IF/Then Shorts initiative in 2020 after the Tribeca Institute closed, and it has demonstrated it can play in the more commercial space of documentary filmmaking as well as having produced the Sinead O'Connor film 'Nothing Compares' for Showtime. But the decision to go independent today was part of Cook's long-term vision for Field of Vision to make the organization financially viable and sustainable long after his departure.

"We've obviously seen the rise of the business side of the world and businesses in this space. I think non-profit documentaries are still under threat on some level. It's hard to fund these organizations. And on some ways, it made us more committed to becoming a new nonprofit to really strengthen that side of the court," Cook said. "We've shown that we can do trade finance in a way that's good for people. filmmakers. And it works in the nonprofit context. It's possible. That's one of the things that we're trying to show as well, that there's room for bigger films, both in the non-profit world and in the commercial space, so I really hope people can see that we're becoming independent that way."

"A key part of First Look's model has been to incubate new organizations and support filmmakers who innovate and tell critically important global stories," added Michael Bloom, CEO of First Look Media, in a press release. "We are very proud to have supported Field of Vision for the past seven years and remain committed to Charlotte and the team as they come out on their own and chart their course as an independent organization." /p>

Charlotte Cook, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Field of Vision

Courtesy of First Look Media

Like its Sandbox, XTR or Concordia peers, Cook has emphasized a dedication to non-fiction film that pushes the boundaries...