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Documentary cinema does not live only on screens. It also lives in inboxes.
Every week, thousands of filmmakers, producers, programmers, journalists and documentary lovers receive curated newsletters that summarize the most important developments in nonfiction storytelling. From festival announcements and funding opportunities to deep reflections about the craft of documentary filmmaking, these newsletters have become essential tools for anyone who wants to stay connected to the global documentary ecosystem.
Some focus on industry news and financing. Others offer thoughtful criticism and curated recommendations of films to watch. Together they form a fascinating map of how the documentary world thinks, produces and evolves.
Here are some of the most influential documentary newsletters in the world today.
The past year has been a tough one for everyone. We've all had to deal with the stress and anxiety of living through a pandemic.
Even though the film and television industry has considerably curbed the production of new content in a global scale, the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 Coronavirus worldwide has triggered a high demand for information that only meticulous documentaries can offer.
If you're looking for a way to learn more about Covid-19 and the global response to the pandemic, then you should check out some of the best Covid TV documentaries.
The following are just a few of the best Covid TV documentaries that you can watch to learn more about the pandemic. Each one provides a different perspective on the crisis and is sure to educate and inform viewers.
So, if you're looking for a way to better understand what's been going on over the past year, be sure to check out one (or all) of these documentaries.
Pandemic: COVID-19
Life in confinement under coronavirus
Coronavirus Explained
Pandemic: How To Prevent an Apocalypse
Covid 19: Frontline Fighters
Codeswitch: Corona
Pandemic: How To Prevent An Outbreak
CORONAVIRUS: Fact vs Fiction
National Geographic’s “Contagion”
COVID-19: What You Need to Know
Catching Covid: A Hospitals Fight
The pandemic in real-time
When the pandemic began to wreak havoc in the West, all eyes turned to the Discovery Channel, the most watched network specialized in science content on the planet, looking for first-hand information on COVID-19.
It was not until mid-April that the ITN Productions company was able to finish editing the Pandemic special: COVID-19, originally commissioned by The Science Channel. The hour-long program includes the voices of experts from various universities and health agencies to explain the origin and devastating consequences of the virus that has spread to all continents except Antarctica.
The British news network Sky News proposes a different perspective to look at Covid-19 with this documentary that focuses on how the lockdown that several governments around the world have implemented to confront the virus has affected people.
The 42-minute documentary focuses on showing the UK in quarantine, giving voice to ordinary people, several of whom have lost financial income as their jobs were hit by the pandemic.
Whether in the cities, in the countryside or on the coasts of the British island, no one has gone unpunished to the consequences of the quarantine.
Coronavirus Explained
Netflix was the other giant entertainment platform that could not afford not having documentary content about the Pandemic in a short period of time.
But Coronavirus Explained is not a long feature documentary but a documentary series that is being made as we write these words.
The first episode, only 26 minutes long, explains in a synthetic and pedagogical way the basic notions about the origin and the great contagion capacity of the virus.
The series includes interviews via Skype with experts and even uses premonitory testimonies from scientists such as Bill Gates, who in 2019 predicted that the next great pandemic was going to be a highly lethal virus.
This National Geographic documentary provides a comprehensive look at the origins of Covid-19 and the global response to the pandemic.
This BBC documentary follows the stories of healthcare workers around the world who are on the frontlines of the pandemic.
This PBS documentary explores how race and ethnicity have played a role in the pandemic, both in terms of who is most likely to contract the virus and how different communities have responded to the crisis.
This HBO documentary takes a look at the threat of pandemics and what we can do to prevent them. It's a must-watch for anyone looking to understand the origins of covid-19 and how we can stop future outbreaks from happening.
This CNN special, hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, separates fact from fiction when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Gupta interviews a wide range of experts to get their take on the virus and its potential impacts on the world. If you're looking for a clear-eyed, level-headed take on Covid-19, this is the documentary for you.
This 2011 Nat Geo documentary explores how viruses like Covid-19 spread and mutate over time. The film features interviews with scientists and medical professionals who investigate some of history's deadliest viruses, including SARS and Ebola. While it's not specifically about Covid-19, "Contagion" provides valuable insights into how these sorts of viruses work and how they can be controlled.
This BBC documentary provides a clear and concise overview of the virus and its effects on our lives. It's easy to follow and understand, making it a great choice for those who want to learn more about COVID but don't want to be bogged down by too much technical information.
This ITV documentary follows the staff of Northampton General Hospital as they battle COVID-19 on the front lines. It's a moving and inspiring film that will give you a greater appreciation for the dedication and courage of those who are working tirelessly to save lives.
This Al Jazeera documentary provides a unique perspective on the pandemic by following three families in different parts of the world as they experience its effects firsthand. If you want to see how COVID is affecting people all over the globe, this is the documentary for you.
Watch more great documentaries online now on Guidedoc
1337 films
And a new one every day
The preferred platform
of true documentary lovers
Half of all revenue goes
directly to the filmmakers
