Library Guides: Anthropology and Archaeology Research Guide: Films and Documentaries

Films and Documentaries

In the field of Anthropology, it can often be useful to consult films and documentaries to better understand a topic of interest. The following movies and streaming video platforms are highlighted because they feature a good breadth of content in the discipline of Anthropology.

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Kanopy This link opens in a new window
A streaming media service that offers award-winning collections including films from BBC, Criterion Collection, Media Education Foundation, PBS and more. Includes documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos.
Creating a personal account is not required with this resource.
Docuseek2 Complete Collection This link opens in a new window
Docuseek2 streams independent, social-issue and environmental films from a wide variety of documentary filmmakers. It includes films publishers such as Bullfrog Films, Icarus Films, the National Film Board of Canada, and Terra Nova Films. Many films in this collection are subtitled in English, as the original film is not in English. A small percentage of films include closed captions.
Filmakers Library Online This link opens in a new window
This streaming video collection provides more than 1000 award-winning documentaries in the social sciences, humanities, & sciences. Strong coverage for the social sciences, humanities, and some science content as well. Films include closed captions and searchable transcripts.

EVIA Digital Archive
Ethnographical Video for Instruction & Analysis (EVIA) "is a collaborative endeavor to create a digital archive of ethnographic field video for use by scholars and instructors." Strong focus on race and ethnic studies worldwide; cultural studies, and anthropology. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Indiana University & the University of Michigan.
Folkstreams.net
Eclectic collection of documentaries "about American roots cultures." Subjects include race and ethnic studies; agriculture; arts & crafts; festivals, folk music; healing & medicine; religion; urban life; women, and more. Includes details regarding Rights & Policy issues that determine use.
P.O.V. (PBS)
Another film collection from PBS, POV is the longest-running independent documentary showcase on American television. Since 1988, POV has presented films on PBS that capture the full spectrum of the human experience, with a long commitment to centering women and people of color in front of, and behind, the camera.

Other Resources

Streaming Videos: Collections and Guidelines
by Library Instruction Services Last Updated Jan 19, 2024 259 views this year

Becca Yowler

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Subjects: Anthropology, History, World Languages & Cultures