Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibilityThe Story of Documentary Film | 2026 Sundance Film Festival
Accessibility

Special Screenings

The Story of Documentary Film

sd_star_fav_icon
United Kingdom202660 minEnglish
Story of Documentary Film

Tracing the evolution of documentary film across time, examining landmark works and hidden treasures, while revealing how the form has helped us see and make sense of our world.

+ More

Tracing the evolution of documentary film across time, examining landmark works and hidden treasures, while revealing how the form has helped us see and make sense of our world.

Following his groundbreaking series The Story of Film: An Odyssey, filmmaker Mark Cousins turns his analytic eye and storytelling voice to the history of documentary. Ambitious, detailed, and eclectic, Cousins surveys the filmed representation of reality from the invention of cinema to our contemporary, digital age with curiosity and an infectious enthusiasm. Over 16 hours, with surprising insights and an incredible collection of clips from the most well-known to obscure works from around the world, The Story of Documentary Film is an inspiring journey, destined to enrich every viewer who sees it — from the most seasoned cineaste to those taking their first steps into the world of documentary film. — SS

We are proud to present the first episode of this series, “The Beginning,” followed by an extended conversation with special guests.

Special ScreeningsAll FeaturesInternationalNonfictionClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Mark Cousins

  • Producer

    John Archer

  • Editor

    Timo Langer

  • Additional Editor

    Noora Lappalainen

  • Associate Producer

    Jack Archer

  • Production Manager

    Mhairi Valentine

  • Sound Design

    Zoë Irvine

  • Executive Producer

    Hopscotch Films

    Clara Glynn

    Louverture Films

    Joslyn Barnes

    Frank Lehmann

    Melony Lewis

    Adam Lewis

    Susan Rockefeller

    Screen Scotland

    Mark Thomas

    Regina K. Scully

  • Produced by

    Hopscotch Films

  • In Co-Production With

    Louverture Films

  • In Association with

    Artemis Rising Foundation

  • Company

    Dogwoof

  • Contact

    Tom Howson

    tom@dogwoof.com

    004472536244

Meet the Artist

Panelist Name

Mark Cousins

    Mark Cousins is Scottish Irish. His 25 feature-length films are about visual culture, cities, politics, walking, and pleasure. His six books are about the same things. He has tattoos of Marie Curie, Paul Cézanne, Abbas Kiarostami, and Kira Muratova.

    You May Also Like

    World Cinema Documentary Competition
    sd_banner_img

    Birds of War

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Journalistic Impact Winner

    The love story of a London-based Lebanese journalist and a Syrian activist and cameraman as told through 13 years of personal archives across revolutions, war, and exile.

    (1hr 25mins)
    World Cinema Documentary Competition
    sd_banner_img

    Silenced

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    After #MeToo broke the cultural silence on gender violence, international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson fights against the weaponization of defamation laws to silence survivors.

    (1hr 37mins)
    Episodic
    sd_banner_img

    The Oligarch and the Art Dealer

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    Yves Bouvier brokers masterpieces, from da Vinci to Rothko, into the private collection of Dmitry Rybolovlev until Bouvier is accused of a billion-dollar betrayal. Rising ambitions, frayed relationships, and bruised egos fuel a decade-long all-out war between the Swiss art dealer and the elusive Russian oligarch.

    (1hr)
    Short Film Program
    sd_banner_img

    STILL STANDING

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    On January 7, 2025, the Eaton fire destroyed over 9,000 structures in Altadena, California. Thousands more were left standing but contaminated with toxic ash. Residents face the impossible decision of whether they should risk their health to return home.

    (10min)

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE

    Sponsor

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE