Must Watch Short Docs To Elevate Your Storytelling
Our Ongoing List Of Favorites
In the world of documentary storytelling, inspiration often comes from watching how others bring real stories to life. We’ve curated a selection of short documentaries that spark creativity and deepen perspective. These films stand out for many reasons—some masterfully capture intimate moments, others reveal unexpected narratives, and a few challenge the traditional storytelling mold altogether. Many of these are used in our Documentary Outreach briefings, setting the stage for our own crew members to consider new ways to engage with the stories they’ll encounter. Whenever you’re feeling stuck or simply need a break from the doomscroll, revisit this list for a fresh dose of creative inspiration and a reminder of the impact powerful storytelling can have.
MUST WATCH
"EXPLORATIONS OF SIGHT & SOUND VOL 2
An immersive journey through California weaves together stunning visuals and soundscapes to honor Indigenous wisdom and the stories shared by elders.
Runtime: 11 minutes
"HOTEL 22"
In Silicon Valley, the region’s homeless use a 24-hour bus line as a shelter at night.
Runtime: 8 minutes
"WHAT LOGAN DID"
A tenacious young inventor, Logan Williams (Ngāi Tahu), concocts an ingenious scheme to battle the invasive algae didymo killing New Zealand’s rivers.
Runtime: 3 minutes
"REMOTHERING THE LAND
Ancient Indigenous farming practices hold timeless wisdom—showing us how to nourish the Earth and foster harmony with each other.
Runtime: 10 minutes
"HOW TO GET AHEAD WHEN YOU ARE A LAUNDRY MAN IN MUMBAI"
A witty look at the intersection of religion, politics, and public health through the vibrant poster culture in Mumbai, following neighborhood laundry workers who create posters to achieve fleeting visibility and local fame amid shifting messages during the pandemic.
Runtime: 20 minutes
"THE DIVER"
In the depths of Mexico City’s sewers, one man finds unexpected beauty and purpose, diving into filth to keep the city afloat amid waves of waste and corruption.
Runtime: 14 minutes
"THE ICE MERCHANT"
Baltazar Ushca, the last of Ecuador’s ice merchants, defies time and change as he climbs Mount Chimborazo to harvest its ancient glacial ice.
Runtime: 14 minutes
"THE CHURCH FOREST OF ETHIOPIA"
Nearly all of Ethiopia’s old-growth forest has disappeared. This film tells the story of Ethiopia’s church forests–pockets of lush biodiversity that surround hundreds of churches—and the efforts to protect them.
Runtime: 9 minutes
"SLOMO"
Trading his stethoscope for rollerblades, Dr. John Kitchin becomes SLOMO, chasing pure freedom down the sun-soaked boardwalk of Pacific Beach.
Runtime: 16 minutes
"BASEBALL IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA"
A powerful insight into the tragedy and scandal of Haiti’s Cholera epidemic through the eyes of a young baseball player.
Runtime: 28 minutes
"KAKENYA"
Engaged at 5 and set to marry by 12, Kakenya dared to dream beyond tradition. This animated story reveals how one girl’s bold vision took her far beyond her village—and sparked change for generations to come.
Runtime: 2 minutes
"AGUILAS"
Along the rugged borderlands, the Águilas del Desierto search tirelessly for missing migrants, often confronting the haunting traces of lives left behind.
Runtime: 14 minutes
"EVOLVE"
The August Wilson Red Door Project’s “Evolve” dares to bridge divides, putting raw stories from both sides of the racial divide on stage to spark empathy and challenge deep-seated biases.
Runtime: 10 minutes
"DETROIT HIVES"
In East Detroit, vacant lots are transforming into thriving bee farms, bringing new life, diversity, and opportunity to the community—one hive at a time.
Runtime: 5 minutes
"WAVES
The August Wilson Red Door Project’s “Evolve” dares to bridge divides, putting raw stories from both sides of the racial divide on stage to spark empathy and challenge deep-seated biases.
Runtime: 10 minutes
"ONCE THE DUST HAS SETTLED"
In the town of Asbestos, a massive open pit looms—a haunting reminder of a bygone industry—as residents wrestle with the impact and identity left behind.
Runtime: 16 minutes
"#LOVEYOURZ"
A teenage self-love creative collective searches for love and adventure as they explore the outer boroughs of NYC.
Runtime: 20 minutes
"26,000 DAYS"
Airshow pilot Eric Tucker transforms every pilot’s nightmare into an artful dance, cutting his engine mid-flight to plunge from the sky and embrace the thrill of living without regret.
Runtime: 9 minutes
"I AM TUVSHO"
If Tuvsho was a superhero… this would be her origin story.
Runtime: 12 minutes
"ENOUGH"
In Nairobi’s toughest slum, Beatrice Nyariara and a fearless group of grandmothers take a stand, turning fear into strength as they reclaim their streets and demand respect.
Runtime: 7 minutes
"TEARS OF THE MOUNTAIN"
On Bolivia’s sacred salt flats, Nico carves out a life shaped by ancient legend and deep respect, even as this mystical landscape faces relentless demands from the modern world.
Runtime: 6 minutes
"HER SCENTS OF PU ER"
For a Chinese tea master, each sip is a rich expression of memory.
Runtime: 17 minutes
"FATHERS"
Young Black men reveal their emotional lives in a powerful portrayal that challenges stereotypes, balancing fatherhood, creative dreams, and mental health in a society that too often looks past their struggles.
Runtime: 5 minutes
"72 HOURS"
Step into the relentless pace of an Olympic middle-distance runner as he races, trains, and navigates Europe—all in what he calls a “normal” weekend.
Runtime: 1 minutes
"ROUND AND ROUND"
In the gritty world of roller derby, a fierce community finds purpose and identity, embracing the thrill—and the bruises—that come with chasing their passion full-force.
Runtime: 16 minutes
"ENOUGH"
A look into Indonesia’s Extreme Vespa culture.
Runtime: 7 minutes
"SUNDAYS AT THE TRIPLE NICKEL"
Every Sunday, Marjorie Eliot turns her Harlem living room into a vibrant jazz haven, a heartfelt tribute to her son that fills the space with music, community, and resilience.
Runtime: 13 minutes
"CASCADE"
In Atlanta’s iconic Cascade roller rink, vibrant energy and community spirit pulse through every glide, capturing the heart of a cultural landmark.
Runtime: 3 minutes
"H.A.G.S. (HAVE A GOOD SUMMER)"
A portrait of growing up told through the pages of my middle school yearbook. Go Hornets.
Runtime: 9 minutes
"MUDFEST"
Each June, a Wisconsin farm morphs into a massive mud pit, where over 1,500 thrill-seekers push their homemade trucks to the limit in an epic, gritty tradition.
Runtime: 6 minutes
"CASTELLS"
Amid a history of oppression, the Catalan people uphold their vibrant identity through Castells, a UNESCO-recognized tradition of building human towers that soar skyward—defying fear and celebrating resilience.
Runtime: 12 minutes
"LOOK FOR THE DIAMONDS"
Born with four non-functioning kidneys, Joel Goldberg relies on daily dialysis to survive, yet his unstoppable positivity proves he’s not just surviving—he’s truly living.
Runtime: 12 minutes
"SPEEDBOAT"
In the waterways outside Bangkok, a subculture of turbo longtail boat racers converge to see who’s the fastest.
Runtime: 4 minutes
"ALL FOR YOU"
In Hanoi’s gritty, gangster-run wet market, a single mother fights against the odds, carving out a living in a male-dominated world to secure a future for her family.
Runtime: 6 minutes
"THE LAST SINGER"
In Iraq’s disappearing marshes, Abu Haider stands as the last voice of a dwindling tradition, his songs echoing the resilience of a people fighting to hold onto their heritage against all odds.
Runtime: 7 minutes
"GOOD MEDICINE"
On Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation, Shoshone and Arapaho youth and elders find healing and connection through the blend of skateboarding and cultural traditions.
Runtime: 7 minutes
"REAR VIEW MIRROR"
In the desolate opal town of Andamooka, Ingo Hansen faces haunting echoes of his youth and the harsh desert, where the crumbling landscape mirrors his own search for meaning amid life’s impermanence.
Runtime: 11 minutes
"A FAILURE OF THE IMAGINATION"
Amid the UK’s staggering food waste, chef Douglas McMaster launched Silo, a daring zero-waste restaurant redefining sustainability and proving that exceptional food doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense.
Runtime: 10 minutes
"I LIED ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST"
Enter the world of artist David Fullarton and discover why pictures are better with words on them, why happiness is overrated and why runners should ride bicycles.
Runtime: 6 minutes
"SONIDOS DEL DISTRITO"
From dawn to midnight, this immersive journey dives into the heart of Mexico City, where every sound and scene reveals the city’s restless energy and unforgettable rhythm.
Runtime: 3 minutes
"A MAN WHO DELIVERS"
Following a day in the life of a London cocaine dealer, the challenge was to build a narrative without the contributor wanting to appear on camera for obvious reasons.
Runtime: 7 minutes
"RAY: A LIFE UNDERWATER"
At 75, Ray Ives is the ultimate sea rogue, a lifelong diver who’s surfaced with gold, cannons, and relics now filling his one-of-a-kind seaside museum—where he still suits up for the thrill of the dive.
Runtime: 15 minutes
"THE BOWLER"
Meet Rocky Salemmo. He’s a ramblin’ gamblin’ man. For the majority of his adult life Rocky has hustled bowling for a living. Here is his story.
Runtime: 14 minutes
"FIVE STONE OF LEAD"
At 75, Ray Ives is the ultimate sea rogue, a lifelong diver who’s surfaced with gold, cannons, and relics now filling his one-of-a-kind seaside museum—where he still suits up for the thrill of the dive.
Runtime: 15 minutes
"100 PERCENT HUMAN"
Two visionary doctors achieve the unimaginable, replacing a dying man’s heart with a rotor-driven device and proving that life can exist without a pulse or heartbeat.
Runtime: 7 minutes