Documentary filmmaking is a powerful way to tell real-life stories. It can be used to highlight societal issues, and capture moments that otherwise go unseen. For aspiring documentary videographers, formal training can help develop essential storytelling skills. They will improve technical capabilities, and deepen an understanding of ethical considerations in documentary work.

This article explores the top 10 training programs and workshops available to documentary videographers. They range from prestigious film schools to specialized workshops and online courses.

Cover by Andrej Lisakov

Top 10 Training Programs for Aspiring Documentary Videographers

National Film and Television School (NFTS) – Documentary Directing MA (UK)

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK offers a two-year Master’s program. The Documentary Directing course is widely regarded as one of the best training grounds for visual stortytellers. The program provides hands-on experience, working closely with industry mentors on real-world projects. Students create short documentaries and gain deep insights. Participants will dive into storytelling, production, and the ethical aspects of documentary work.

– Best for: In-depth, professional training

– Duration: 2 years (full-time)

– Location: Beaconsfield, UK

New York Film Academy (NYFA) – Documentary Filmmaking Program (USA)

The New York Film Academy offers a short-term workshops and a one-year intensive program in documentary filmmaking. Students receive hands-on training in all aspects of documentary production. This ranges from research and pre-production to post-production and editing. The program also covers key technical skills such as camera operation, sound recording, and editing with software like Adobe Premiere Pro.

– Best for: Beginners seeking intensive hands-on experience

– Duration: 1 year or shorter workshops

– Location: Multiple campuses (New York, Los Angeles, and Miami)

University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts – Documentary Program (USA)

The USC School of Cinematic Arts offers a documentary program as part of its broader film and television production curriculum. Known for its comprehensive approach, students gain both technical and theoretical knowledge. These include ethics in documentary filmmaking and new forms of storytelling such as interactive and web-based documentaries.

– Best for: Advanced filmmakers looking to refine their craft

– Duration: 2-4 years (Bachelor’s or Master’s programs)

– Location: Los Angeles, USA

Bertha DocHouse – Workshops & Masterclasses (UK)

Bertha DocHouse is a London-based cinema that exclusively screens documentaries. It also hosts an array of workshops and masterclasses by leading documentary filmmakers. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn from experienced directors, editors, and producers in the field. Topics range from pitching a project to documentary cinematography.

– Best for: Independent filmmakers seeking inspiration and professional insight

– Duration: One-day to multi-day workshops

– Location: London, UK

UnionDocs Collaborative Studio (USA)

UnionDocs Collaborative Studio (CoLAB) is a selective year-long fellowship for emerging documentary artists. Located in Brooklyn, New York, it emphasizes collaboration and experimentation in documentary art forms. The program encourages the exploration of new media, audio documentaries, and interactive storytelling.

– Best for: Experienced filmmakers seeking an experimental approach

– Duration: 1 year

– Location: Brooklyn, New York

The Documentary Institute at the University of Florida (USA)

This unique program focuses exclusively on documentary filmmaking within the context of journalism and media studies. The Documentary Institute offers a hands-on Master of Arts program. It emphasizes fieldwork, storytelling techniques, and ethical considerations. Students are expected to produce feature-length documentaries as their final projects.

– Best for: Journalists transitioning into documentary filmmaking

– Duration: 2 years

– Location: Gainesville, Florida

Master School by Documentary Campus (Germany)

Documentary Campus offers the Masterschool. It is a year-long training initiative that includes workshops, pitch forums, and one-on-one mentorship. The program helps documentary filmmakers develop their projects for the international market. The course focuses on storytelling, funding, distribution, and co-production.

– Best for: Filmmakers with international aspirations

– Duration: 1 year (with workshop phases)

– Location: Various European cities

DocNomads Joint Master in Documentary Filmmaking (Europe)

DocNomads is a highly selective two-year joint master’s program that takes students across many European cities. These include Lisbon (Portugal), Brussels (Belgium), and Budapest (Hungary). Students benefit from exposure to different cultures and approaches to documentary filmmaking. they will also learn how to create socially engaged, impactful films.

– Best for: Globally-minded filmmakers seeking a multicultural experience

– Duration: 2 years

– Location: Portugal, Belgium, Hungary

One World Media Global Short Docs Forum (UK/International)

The Global Short Docs Forum is an annual training and networking program for filmmakers creating documentary shorts. Organized by One World Media, it connects filmmakers with funders, platforms, and mentors. The forum includes an intensive series of workshops on story development, pitching, and production, culminating in a pitching session to commissioners from leading media outlets.

– Best for: Filmmakers working on short documentaries with global or social issues

– Duration: Several weeks (workshops and forum)

– Location: Online and in the UK (depending on the year)

Final Words

Whether just starting out or are an experienced filmmaker looking to refine your craft, these top 10 documentary training programs and workshops offer a range of options. From prestigious film schools like NFTS and USC to online platforms like Coursera, there are opportunities for every type of learner.

They offer hands-on experience, professional mentorship, or flexible study. Take the time to research which program aligns best with your creative goals, technical skill level, and career aspirations.