In early 2019, Docs In Progress will move to new permanent space in downtown Silver Spring. It may seem like deja vu. While our 2017 move happened after the "Documentary House" was sold by a landlord, our upcoming move has been in the works for more than two years. 

This represents a partnership with Montgomery County's Housing Opportunities Commission which selected Docs In Progress as one of only three nonprofits to occupy ground floor space in Alexander House, part of the new Elizabeth Square multi-use development in downtown Silver Spring. 

A REGIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM HUB 
Since 2004, Docs In Progress has been committed to building community through documentary -- from novices learning the basics of the documentary craft to more experienced filmmakers looking for professional development to aficionados who relish seeing real stories and interacting with the creatives behind them. 

Our new home will allow us to better serve our growing community by offering:

• A state-of-the-art filmmaking education center with new equipment, editing suites, and larger classrooms.
• A screening room that will seat up to 50 people and host seminars, screenings, and community gatherings.
• Community programming including screenings, video educational programs for adults, youth, and elders, and a new workforce development program.
• Convenience to public transportation and parking (one block from the Silver Spring Metro and public parking only steps away)
• Office space for staff, one-on-one consultations, our Filmmaker-in-Residence, and members of our community who have need of meeting space or editing facilities.
• More opportunities for the regional filmmaking community to connect face-to-face in a comfortable, welcoming space.

EMPOWER. ENGAGE. ENVISION.

As Docs In Progress celebrates our first ten years as a nonprofit (and 14 years of programming), we look forward to our next decade as we continue to empower new documentary storytellers, engage with the diverse communities we serve (filmmakers, film viewers, and neighbors), and envision a future where everyone who has a story to tell can get that opportunity. The Alexander House facility will be a big part of our story and hopefully yours as well.

We are grateful to the Housing Opportunities Commission for managing the buildout of the space, but it will still cost us $100,000 to cover moving costs, installing a security system, upgrading current equipment, purchasing and maintaining new equipment, and outfitting our new screening room. We have already raised more than $30,000 from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, and some seed funders. However, we still need to raise funds to make the space the best it can be for our community. If you want to get in on the ground floor with us, please donate online or contact our Capital Campaign Committee Chair Barbara Valentino at [email protected] or our Executive Director Erica Ginsberg at [email protected]