Documentary Short

A documentary film is a nonfictional motion picture intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record. Such films were originally shot on film stock—the only medium available—but now include video and digital productions that can be either direct-to-video, made into a TV show or released for screening in cinemas. “Documentary” has been described as a “filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception” that is continually evolving and is without clear boundaries.

U.S. and foreign films

The English film title, original title, country of origin and production year are listed. Foreign-language films are subtitled in English.

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Photos in the Rain

Thomas F. O’Brien | United States | 2017 | 10:00 James Belsanti was a prominent photographer from the 60’s – 80’s in Chicago. In 2000 he moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, and after his death a box of his photographs would be left at the curb for trash pickup. This is the story of the… Read more »

Aldrich, Henry’s Hometown

Jay Cofield | United States | 2019 | 21:42 This is the story of Aldrich, a sleepy little former coal mining camp in central Alabama. It is the home of a unique coal mine museum and the man who runs it, Henry Emfinger. Henry tells the story of the mine and the hidden history in… Read more »

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Children Of The Dig

Joshua A Branstetter | United States | 2018 | 19:43 Website | Facebook In 2009, a 500-year-old artifact was discovered on the beach outside of Quinhagak, Alaska, opening the door to the most productive archaeological dig in Arctic history with 60,000 artifacts recovered so far. In 2009, the site was 50 feet from the ocean…. Read more »

Becoming Beautiful: Ballroom Dance In The American Heartland

Joanna Bosse | United States | 2017 | 18:49 A documentary film about the transformative power of dance in the lives of average, everyday midwestern Americans. Writer Joanna Bosse

Finding Peace

United States | 2019 | 15:00 Website A story about a childhood filled with abuse, neglect, sexual assault and living with a mother that was paranoid schizophrenic Cast Maylo Epperson Producer Dena Hildebrand

Juneteenth: A Letter From Roma Texas

Nick Taylor | United States | 2018 | 6:45 Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of slaves residing in Texas. The date is important because African Americans residing in Texas were emancipated a full 2 years after the Civil Wars conclusion. In that 2 year window, African American troops (known at the time as, United States Colored… Read more »

La amable euforia de la danza

Miguel Castanet | United States | 00:48:32 | 2021 English, Spanish Man is a victim of his circumstances, a man who is forced to flee his country, a victim of a communist regime for being an artist and homosexual, a man who has to adapt and survive a new culture and language and who fights… Read more »

The Missing

Jary Nemo | Australia | 00:11:21 | 2021 English When WW1 brought Australians face to face with mass death a Red Cross Information Bureau and post-war graves workers laboured to help families grieve for the missing. The unprecedented death toll of the First World War generated a burden of grief. Particularly disturbing was the vast… Read more »

Harbour Lights

Jary Nemo | Australia | 00:17:51 | 2021 English In Melbourne Australia at the turn of the 20th century a pioneering network of women at the Mission to Seafarers supported sailors who risked their lives at sea. The documentary ‘Harbour Lights’ tells the remarkable story of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the lives of… Read more »

Saving Robin Williams – as told in his own words

Lawrence Whitener | United States | 00:28:08 | 2021 English If you discovered time travel into the past, but could only use it once, and only for 15 minutes…Who would you save, and why? Cast Roger Kabler Lawrence Whitener Writer Lawrence Whitener Producers David Langlitz Marc Lapadula Crew Mark Fronk, Director of Photography DJ Ohlow,… Read more »