Related Materials

This year’s conference, “Tools of the Trade,” focused on impact and measurement. It also marked a leadership transition at the Center for Media & Social Impact, celebrating Pat Aufderheide's achievements as she moves on to new pursuits and welcoming Caty Borum Chattoo and Brigid Maher as our new Co-Directors. 

What difference can a documentary make? This fact-filled report, with many case studies of successful strategic use of social documentaries, answers that question. The report, written by Center director Pat Aufderheide, analyzes conditions of production and use in four contexts: television channels, alternative media, community media, and nonprofit sponsored production. It also discusses current teaching practices about social documentary, and analyzes key policy issues affecting production of social docs.

Go to: In the Battle for Reality (PDF)

This speech from our good friend Mimi Pickering from Appalshop shows how the participatory media movement has deep roots. Here Mimi discusses some of her experiences producing and distributing media for social change with partners in rural communities in America.

How should we measure the “social impact” of a documentary film? This essay reviews several ways to conceptualize and evaluate “impact,” drawing on previous research in communication, sociology, and political science, as well as case studies. Read about how the Sierra Club, The American Civil Liberties Union and local environmental groups use documentaries for high-impact action.

Go to: Documentaries on a Mission (PDF)