About
AmDocs
The American Documentary & Animation Film Festival — celebrating the independent filmmakers who bring knowledge, awareness, and truth to the world through the power of documentary cinema.
A Forum for
Truth in Film
The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, operating under a fiscal sponsorship of Inquiring Systems Inc. (ISI). Founder Teddy Grouya desired to create a forum to celebrate and promote documentary film — and the independent filmmakers around the world who bring knowledge and awareness through their stories about real people and issues.
Created in 2011, AmDocs takes place annually in Palm Springs, CA, just 90 minutes east of Hollywood, with a proven track record of viewing audiences that support independent film. The festival is made possible through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses that support it through contributions, ticket purchases, and in-kind services.
A Decade of
Documentary Excellence
AmDocs Is Born
Founder Teddy Grouya establishes the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, with a vision to celebrate independent documentary filmmakers worldwide.
Inaugural Festival
The first festival opens in April with Academy Award-winning director, screenwriter, and producer Oliver Stone honored on Opening Night with the "Seeing The Bigger Picture Award" and the screening of his documentary "Commandante." AmDocs screens 80 international films in a single theatre.
Animation Joins the Lineup
AmDocs expands its scope to include animated film entries for the first time, broadening the festival's reach and celebrating the art of animation alongside documentary storytelling.
Growing Exponentially
The festival grows year over year, welcoming celebrated guests including 5-time Grammy winner Dionne Warwick, Oscar-nominated director Julie Cohen, actor and humanitarian George Takei, actor Peter Coyote, director Joe Berlinger, actor Pierce Brosnan, and actor Shia LaBeouf.
Top 100 Recognition
AmDocs is consistently named one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals in the World by FilmFreeway.com, ranking in the top 1% of more than 12,000 film festivals worldwide based on certified user reviews.
North-South Doc Network
AmDocs initiates the North-South Doc Network — a unique international film festival alliance in which several important festivals provide access to films within each participating program, creating a formal circuit for select films to screen.
World-Class
Acclaim
Named one of the Five Coolest Documentary Film Festivals in the World
One of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for Filmmakers
Consistently named one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals since 2019
Ranks in the top 1% of more than 12,000 film festivals worldwide on FilmFreeway
Notable
Honorees
The prestigious "Seeing The Bigger Picture Award" epitomizes cinematic excellence and leadership on a global scale. Past honorees include some of the most celebrated names in film and culture.
Beyond the
Screen
Pitch Competition
American documentary filmmakers are eligible to submit proposals and compete for financing for new projects and works in progress. Film Funds like this are rare in the U.S. — past recipients have gone on to be shortlisted for the Oscars and win television's Emmy.
North-South Doc Network
A unique international film festival alliance in which several important festivals provide access to films within each participating program — creating a formal circuit where select films screen across multiple prestigious festivals worldwide.
Support AmDocs
AmDocs is made possible through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses that support it by making contributions, buying tickets, and providing in-kind services and materials. The Festival is grateful for this support.