The Center for Independent Documentary

The Center for Independent Documentary (CID) was founded in 1981 to collaborate with independent producers to create films and videos on issues of contemporary social and cultural concern. These programs have been broadcast nationally and locally on public and cable television, won numerous awards, and all are in distribution nationwide to educational markets.

CID is a non-profit organization offering assistance and support in bringing independent producers films to completion. The Center can act as fiscal sponsor, manage project funds, provide technical and creative support, and provide other services. Its mission is:

• To support the production and distribution of high-quality documentaries about contemporary social concerns, especially on issues and from perspectives that are not usually addressed in mainstream media.
• To bring to audiences important new perspectives on contemporary issues through documentaries that have the power to inform, provoke and enlighten viewers so that they develop the awareness and understanding required to evaluate and change social policy.
• To collaborate with and support producers from the fertile and creative pool of independent media artists, whose social, cultural, and racial perspectives are often an unheard minority voice in American culture.
• To promote understanding and appreciation of the alternative and wide-ranging values and points of view embodied in the work of independent media artists.

The Center was awarded the Commonwealth Award as Outstanding Cultural Organization in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Cultural Council for "excellence, dedication, and vision in giving voice to independent New England documentary filmmakers and for broadening the audience for this medium."