Founded in September 1980, the Documentary Work Study Group (ag dok)
is a group representing the interests of documentary film-makers who came
together more than 20 years ago with the "Duisburg Declaration", which
opposed the degrading of the documentary and the disappearance of the genre
from cinemas. With almost 700 members, it is the largest occupational association
of television-independent producers and film-makers in Germany and sees
itself as a cultural and media-political lobby against state authorities,
film promotion organizations and television stations. The Association commissions
legal expertise, voices opinions on legislation amendments, e.g. the Copyright
Act, and is represented in the Administration Committee of VG Bild-Kunst
and the Film Promotion Board.
With its initiative German Documentaries ag dok provides a platform
to promote the foreign distribution of German documentaries and is present
at majors fairs and film markets. The subjacent discussion on the documentary
genre is conducted at conventions and congresses. Highlight to date was
the 1st International Documentary Film Congress in summer 1999 in Munich
with more than 450 participants.
ag dok provides its members with essential branch information; the receipt
of the film-political information service "black box" is included in the
membership fee; the European documentary magazine DOXY can be ordered at
a special price. Also offered is concessionary associate membership in
the European Documentary Network EDN.
ag dok members can obtain legal advice via a network of contracted lawyers.
The Association provides specific help in drafting contracts. Legal disputes
conducted in joint interests can be supported by ag dok. Under the scope
of BUFI it also undertakes the accreditation of its members at the Berlin
Film Festival.
Alongside the central association structure are regional groups in Hamburg,
Cologne, Munich and Frankfurt. In Hessen alone ag dok has more than 60
members who meet regularly for discussions and at events. ag dok Hessen
is decisively involved in structuring the State Film Promotion and supports
the advancement of the Hessen film and media policy in order to maintain
and extend competitive production facilities in the state.