What we stand for
Our story
Ilana started the company in 2016 after a subject of an earlier film asked a fair question: what did I get out of this? The participation protocol was the answer, and it has since been adopted by two other production companies.
Mission
Make documentary that leaves the community it filmed better off than it found them.
Values
Contributors review the cut that features them. Contributors share net revenue. Contributors can withdraw up to picture lock. And we publish the protocol so we can be held to it.
Our approach
Long access periods, a participation lead on every production, and an impact campaign budgeted from the start rather than hoped for after delivery.
Culture
Crew are paid SPA rates, no unpaid internships, and no work-for-credit. The industry norm is worse and we're not interested in it.
Privacy policy
Studio Nine Films collects only what it needs to do the work, keeps it for three years, and anonymises rather than deletes so the record of what happened survives the person leaving.
How to complain, and what happens next
A complaint reaches the owner the same day. You get an answer within two working days and a named person who owns it until it is closed.