About two weeks ago, I organized the production of Life or Obama?, a film which focused on Notre Dame University’s invitation to have Obama speak at the school’s commencement.
From Friday to Sunday, I was on campus filming anti-abortion protesters, trucks with anti-Obama slogans next to graphic photos of aborted baby fetuses, and what came to [...]
Groundswell Films is looking for an intern this summer to help research philanthropic and sponsorship leads for The Robben Island Singers, a 360 Media Project. Fundraising is not the most glamorous part of filmmaking, but it is an absolute necessity if you want to make independent work. We are looking for a [...]
Synopsis:
Shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006, this film breaks the silence surrounding the tens of thousands of women and girls who have been kidnapped, raped and sexually tortured in that country’s intractable civil war. The filmmaker, herself a survivor of gang rape, talks with activists, peacekeepers, physicians and [...]
Check out the selection of new courses for the Documentary Program.
24 - 2806 Documentary Research
Comprehensive overview of documentary research and pragmatic documentary writing. Critically analyze and evaluate sources and evidence. Develop research protocols and methodology. Conduct primary research resulting in a working hypothesis and leading to a proposal premise. Apply legal and ethical elements to [...]
This Thursday, May 14th, come join us for the free screening/discussion of the Oscar nominated documentary, “Trouble the Water” at Columbia College Chicago.
“Trouble the Water”, is the story that was never told about Hurricane Katrina.
The producers Tia Lessin and Carl Dean will be at the screening to answer questions and raise awareness.
Check out [...]
Friday night, May 8th, North Racine at Margaret’s house, Viva doc gathered together and
1. thanked for the past board members for their awesome job,
2. welcomed the new board members for their coming year,
3. threw a surprising congratulation party for Mario’s wedding, or mourned his end of bachelor life,
4. filled empty stomachs,
5. peeping in Margaret’s sweet [...]
SNAPSHOTS
Rare Cinematic Shorts, Out-takes and Commercial Work by
THE MAYSLES BROTHERS
A special program curated for STOP SMILING
STOP SMILING presents a selection of work by the documentary pioneers
behind Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens and Salesman. This one-night-only
program of Direct Cinema portraits and explorations will span both the
myriad subjects that have caught the attention of the Maysles’ lens, as
well [...]

Doc Center nostalgia: watch Chris Nelson’s short found footage film, made up of old test tapes from the Michael Rabiger Center for Documentary Film.