Full Bio
Empowering underrepresented filmmakers and creatives with inclusive strategies, equitable storytelling practices, and impactful program design to foster sustainable growth and social change in the documentary field.
Here is the updated text with your role as Founder and Director of Dhaka DocImpact Lab integrated:
Rahi Hasan - Documentary Impact Strategist and Arts Administrator
About Me
With over a decade of experience in the documentary industry, I specialize in documentary impact strategies and arts administration with a strong focus on equity, sustainability, and advocacy for underrepresented filmmakers. My career journey has been shaped by collaborations with renowned organizations such as the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Asian American Documentary Network, Indie Media Arts South, and Dhaka DocLab, where I currently serve as the Founder and Director of Dhaka DocImpact Lab.
As a formerly undocumented, queer, Muslim, dancer, and multimedia artist, I bring a unique lens to my work. My mission is to challenge extractive storytelling practices, foster equity within the filmmaking ecosystem, and empower individuals and organizations to thrive by leveraging inclusive, non-hierarchical structures.
Highlights of my work include:
• Founder and Executive Director of Shopnotori – Artist-in-Residence Program, providing free, safe, and nurturing spaces for creatives living in unsafe environments.
• Co-founder and Development Co-lead of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, prioritizing artist well-being and dismantling exclusionary systems.
• Recipient of the 2021 Doc NYC New Leaders Award, recognizing my contributions to accessibility and sustainability in the documentary sector.
• Leading the Dhaka DocImpact Lab, a program at Dhaka DocLab designed to support South Asian filmmakers and amplify their voices on a global scale.
What I Offer
I provide tailored consulting and coaching services designed to meet the unique needs of filmmakers, arts organizations, and creatives. My offerings include:
• Grant Review for Independent Film Funders and Organizations: Expertise in reviewing documentary grants, including Doc Core Applications (Impact sections), and offering actionable feedback.
• Organizational Structure Consultation: Guidance on implementing horizontal, inclusive leadership frameworks.
• Documentary Reports & Insights: Evaluation of reports and identifying actionable needs for Muslim, undocumented, immigrant, and Bangladeshi filmmakers.
• Film Grant & Pitch Feedback: Personalized support for filmmakers refining grant applications and pitches.
• Collective/Non-Profit Formation Tips: Practical advice for creatives forming new collectives or organizations.
• Facilitation of Braintrusts for Documentary Films: Collaborative workshops to elevate film narratives and strategies.
• Digital Media Management: Support in creating effective digital strategies for film promotion.
• Personal Financial Management for Filmmakers: Tips and tools to navigate financial planning in creative careers.
Additionally, I specialize in Artist Support Program Design, having developed and implemented over half a dozen programs that elevate and sustain artist communities.
Leadership and Advocacy
My leadership and field-building work have been instrumental in challenging harmful norms and advocating for systemic change within the documentary industry. Key contributions include:
• Collaborating with Sundance Institute and IDA to make the Documentary Core Application more equitable.
• Advocating for mental health, participant care, and removing citizenship status from funding criteria.
• Serving on boards and leadership teams for organizations like Migrant Roots Media, A-Doc, and IMAS.
Highlights and Achievements
• Panelist and Moderator at prestigious events such as Sundance Film Festival, DOC NYC, and Full Frame Film Festival.
• Grant Reviewer for organizations including Sundance Documentary Fund, Chicken & Egg Pictures, and AXS Film Fund.
• Contributor to critical reports and initiatives, such as Participant Care Standards and PBS guidelines for participant compensation.
For more about my work, check out:
• Open Letter from Undocumented Filmmakers
• Short Film on Organizational Work
Get in Touch
If you’re interested in collaborating, learning more about my services, or booking a consultation, let’s connect. Together, we can work toward a more inclusive, equitable, and impactful creative industry.
Rahi Hasan - Documentary Impact Strategist and Arts Administrator
About Me
With over a decade of experience in the documentary industry, I specialize in documentary impact strategies and arts administration with a strong focus on equity, sustainability, and advocacy for underrepresented filmmakers. My career journey has been shaped by collaborations with renowned organizations such as the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Asian American Documentary Network, Indie Media Arts South, and Dhaka DocLab, where I currently serve as the Founder and Director of Dhaka DocImpact Lab.
As a formerly undocumented, queer, Muslim, dancer, and multimedia artist, I bring a unique lens to my work. My mission is to challenge extractive storytelling practices, foster equity within the filmmaking ecosystem, and empower individuals and organizations to thrive by leveraging inclusive, non-hierarchical structures.
Highlights of my work include:
• Founder and Executive Director of Shopnotori – Artist-in-Residence Program, providing free, safe, and nurturing spaces for creatives living in unsafe environments.
• Co-founder and Development Co-lead of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, prioritizing artist well-being and dismantling exclusionary systems.
• Recipient of the 2021 Doc NYC New Leaders Award, recognizing my contributions to accessibility and sustainability in the documentary sector.
• Leading the Dhaka DocImpact Lab, a program at Dhaka DocLab designed to support South Asian filmmakers and amplify their voices on a global scale.
What I Offer
I provide tailored consulting and coaching services designed to meet the unique needs of filmmakers, arts organizations, and creatives. My offerings include:
• Grant Review for Independent Film Funders and Organizations: Expertise in reviewing documentary grants, including Doc Core Applications (Impact sections), and offering actionable feedback.
• Organizational Structure Consultation: Guidance on implementing horizontal, inclusive leadership frameworks.
• Documentary Reports & Insights: Evaluation of reports and identifying actionable needs for Muslim, undocumented, immigrant, and Bangladeshi filmmakers.
• Film Grant & Pitch Feedback: Personalized support for filmmakers refining grant applications and pitches.
• Collective/Non-Profit Formation Tips: Practical advice for creatives forming new collectives or organizations.
• Facilitation of Braintrusts for Documentary Films: Collaborative workshops to elevate film narratives and strategies.
• Digital Media Management: Support in creating effective digital strategies for film promotion.
• Personal Financial Management for Filmmakers: Tips and tools to navigate financial planning in creative careers.
Additionally, I specialize in Artist Support Program Design, having developed and implemented over half a dozen programs that elevate and sustain artist communities.
Leadership and Advocacy
My leadership and field-building work have been instrumental in challenging harmful norms and advocating for systemic change within the documentary industry. Key contributions include:
• Collaborating with Sundance Institute and IDA to make the Documentary Core Application more equitable.
• Advocating for mental health, participant care, and removing citizenship status from funding criteria.
• Serving on boards and leadership teams for organizations like Migrant Roots Media, A-Doc, and IMAS.
Highlights and Achievements
• Panelist and Moderator at prestigious events such as Sundance Film Festival, DOC NYC, and Full Frame Film Festival.
• Grant Reviewer for organizations including Sundance Documentary Fund, Chicken & Egg Pictures, and AXS Film Fund.
• Contributor to critical reports and initiatives, such as Participant Care Standards and PBS guidelines for participant compensation.
For more about my work, check out:
• Open Letter from Undocumented Filmmakers
• Short Film on Organizational Work
Get in Touch
If you’re interested in collaborating, learning more about my services, or booking a consultation, let’s connect. Together, we can work toward a more inclusive, equitable, and impactful creative industry.
