Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative

As people increasingly turn to visual media to help understand the world around them, the medium itself – the way it is produced, funded, distributed, and consumed – is continuously evolving. These changes are reconceptualizing documentary and creating more fluid boundaries between filmmakers, journalists, and creators.

DFPI pursues interdisciplinary research with a focus on documentary and nonfiction video. As one of the most influential forms of public-interest media, documentary occupies a unique position at the intersection of journalism, culture, civic engagement, and public understanding. The initiative asks how documentary can continue to inform, connect, and empower audiences amid rapid changes in technology, institutional trust, platform governance, and media consumption.

DFPI’s current research agenda is organized around two interconnected areas: the future of public media and civic infrastructure, and the evolving role of documentary within online media ecosystems.

Scroll down to learn more about the initiative’s research, people, and programming.

DFPI is a non-partisan research initiative dedicated to advancing understanding of the future of documentary and visual storytelling, and supporting its role in building healthier, more resilient societies.. Through our fellowships and convenings, we strengthen the role of documentary as a vital source of public knowledge and civic engagement.