Film & Visual Media

People get essential information through film, video, and visual media today more than ever before, and the Shorenstein Center is at the forefront of studying these vital channels, including the way it is produced, funded, distributed, and consumed. These changes are reconceptualizing documentary and creating more fluid boundaries between filmmakers, journalists, and creators. As part of the Shorenstein Center’s research into how people seek and consume information, our interdisciplinary work on the future of documentary and visual storytelling to better understand and support its role in building healthier, more resilient societies.

Our dedicated programs, faculty, and fellows research the creation, distribution, and societal impact of documentary film and visual storytelling media, examining how these forms shape public understanding of pressing issues in politics, policy, and culture.

We regularly convene practitioners, including filmmakers, media scholars, content creators, and journalists, to foster dialogue on challenges and innovations within documentary practice and the broader visual media ecosystem.