More than Just a Film Fest – D3F is a Mission and a Movement

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2025 Daddying Film Forum

 

The Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) is focused on films and videos about paternal relationships from around the world because positively-involved Dads and dad figures are important to kids, and kids are important to Dads across all countries and cultures. Since 2022, D3F has received submissions from filmmakers in 57 countries and counting! 

 

D3F hosts a family-friendly, international virtual Festival and a separate LIVE Forum to celebrate what it means to have or BE an involved Dad. In addition to screening our Atticus Award-winning films and videos, the Forum also provides an opportunity for parents, children, and professionals to connect and discuss the complexities of father-child relationships and other issues raised in those films.

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You can support D3F's global mission by clicking HERE or the DONATE NOW button above to make a tax-deductible donation through the D3F donation portal managed by the nonprofit Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF). You may also dedicate your donation in honor of your Dad or someone else who has played a fatherly role in your life.

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D3F's Mission

• Shine a spotlight on the importance of Dads in their presence and their absence

• Provide safe and unique opportunities for kids and fathers alike to reflect upon and express feelings about what daddying qualities are most important to them; what kind of Dad a father wants to be, and what kind of Dad a kid wants and needs

• Provide opportunities for emotional authenticity, creativity, and originality

• Portray a variety of family dynamics to explore and encourage constructive relationships

• Demonstrate film- and/or video-making skills and production values.

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D3F Achievements & Impacts

• Since its inaugural year in 2022, D3F has received submissions from student, Dad/Dad figure, and indie filmmakers from 57 countries and counting!

• Our virtual Festival has reached more than 1,300 viewers over the past two years alone!

• In our first four Festival seasons, we have provided $11,500 in cash awards to student finalists (elementary school to undergraduate) to use towards activities with their Dads or support future creative projects. Since 2024, an additional $2,000 has gone to Dad and dad figure winners of D3F's sponsored Roy R. Neuberger Prize and Equimundo Men Caring Award, respectively

• In addition to Equimundo, we have worked in collaboration with more than 50 unique parenting, youth, and arts organizations to further the festival's mission, share award-winning fatherhood stories, and conducting workshops promoting creative expression and fatherhood involvement. Some of our other featured partnerships include: Fathers & Families Coalition of America, Men Care, ParentCamp, WATCH D.O.G.S., Youth Documentary Academy, Special Fathers Network, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement, ZERO TO THREE, Postpartum Support International, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, All-American High School Film Festival, and the Art of Fatherhood podcast.

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How Your Donation Supports D3F's Global Mission

Your donation to the Daddying Film Festival & Forum will help: 

• Provide and increase cash prizes to our Student Finalists & Student Award Winners. Currently, all student Finalists (up to 5 Finalists in 4 grade-level categories) earn $250, and Atticus Award Winners earn an additional $250.

• Provide stipends to participating schools and arts departments with student Atticus Award Winners to improve student arts/film programs

• Secure LIVE Daddying Film Forum venue, and keep our events FREE for all attendees

• Assist with travel arrangements for winning student filmmakers and other guest speakers, presenters, and filmmakers to attend the live Forum and special screening events throughout the year

• Expand the number of Award categories with cash awards for future festivals

• Expand our year-round national/international communications, promotions, and outreach efforts

• Create Atticus trophies for current and expanding award categories

• Provide FREE food and beverage for Forum attendees

• Cover printing & shipping, including event programs, promotional mailers, and shipping Awards to all Finalists and Atticus Award Winners worldwide

• Cover year-round staffing, event support, tech support, and other program overhead costs.​​​​​​​​​​​​