Program areas at The Center for Documentary Studies
Undergraduate Studies - residing at The nexus of The Documentary arts and active engagement in broader society, The mission of The undergraduate program in Documentary Studies is to allow students to connect their educational experiences and creative expression to broader community life through Documentary fieldwork projects, while they also examine theoretical and practical issues related to this work through readings, screenings, and classroom discussion.
The Center for Documentary Studies cofounded duke university's first master of fine arts program, The master of fine arts in experimental and Documentary arts (mfa/eda) program, which brings together The Documentary approach and experimental production in analog, digital, and computational media. This unique two-year program fosters collaborations across disciplines and media as it trains sophisticated creative art practitioners.the Center for Documentary Studies offers a wide range (up to a hundred annually) of onsite and online courses, summer intensive institutes and short workshops for adults who are interested in doing their own Documentary work, whether starting a first project of refining an existing one. Most classes are offered during The evening or on weekends to accommodate The schedules of working adults. These hands-on courses, available via open admission and with reasonable fees, involve instruction in photography, video, audio, writing, and other creative media. Special topics integral to conducting and presenting Documentary work are convered, such as Documentary traditions, techniques, fieldwork, theory, and ethics.
The full frame Documentary film festival, a program of The Center for Documentary Studies, is one of The world's premiere showcases for nonfiction cinema. Renowned for its film curation, support for artists, and vibrant atmosphere, full frame draws an international mix of 10,000-plus attendees to durham every spring. Over four days, The academy award qualifying festival screens close to one hundred films, hosts panel and parties, and fosters community among filmmakers, industry professionals, and audience members.