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DocProject Empowers Documentary Filmmakers Through Legal Support

MFIA docproject at Yale Law School

The DocProject reflects the Media Freedom and Information Access (MFIA) Clinic at Yale Law School’s commitment to fostering media freedom and amplifying underrepresented voices. By providing pro bono legal support to documentary filmmakers, DocProject helps filmmakers navigate various legal issues to allow them to tell compelling stories that address critical social issues.  

DocProject guides filmmakers through complex issues related to their newsgathering activities, source protection, and also advices them on potential libel, intrusion and other privacy concerns.

Recent updates from DocProject showcase the initiative’s ongoing collaboration with filmmakers, highlighting two projects with exciting new developments.

“Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars”

Directed by Brian Hedden, “Fracking the System” is a powerful exposé of environmental racism and corporate influence. The documentary follows a mother-turned-activist as she confronts the fracking industry after a mega-site is moved from a White neighborhood to a predominantly BIPOC community. Her fight against systemic injustice becomes part of a larger movement, shining a light on the oil and gas industry’s tactics, including lawsuits, racialized harassment, and political manipulation.

DocProject provided essential legal guidance to support the filmmakers as they tackled sensitive topics and worked to ensure the film’s integrity. “Fracking the System” has been widely praised for its investigative depth and call to action on climate justice. The film has received numerous accolades, including the Environmental Award at the DOCUTAH International Film Festival (2024) and the Spirit of Activism Award at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival (2024). It was also selected for prestigious festivals such as the Durango Independent Film Festival, Breck Film Festival, and the Boulder Film Festival, further cementing its role as a critical voice in environmental advocacy.

“Sankofa Chicago” Trilogy

Vanessa Wright’s “Sankofa Chicago” trilogy exemplifies the intersection of historical education and social justice. Inspired by the Sankofa philosophy of learning from the past to shape the future, the series addresses systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and educational reform.

The first film, Sankofa Chicago, achieved a major milestone with its acceptance for a three-year nationwide distribution on PBS, making it widely accessible via the PBS app. The film has won numerous awards including “Best Educational Film” from Cannes World Film Festival. DocProject which provided ongoing legal advice from the earliest stages of the film to its final release.

The most recent installment, “Sankofa Chicago: The Untold,” critiques the inadequacies of U.S. history curricula and highlights the overlooked contributions of black and brown communities. By reimagining educational narratives, the film aims to inspire systemic change, furthering DocProject’s mission to support impactful storytelling.

Other DocProject Successes

DocProject has also supported numerous other films that have received critical acclaim and made meaningful impacts:

  • “Pay or Die”: This powerful exploration of America’s health care crisis highlights the devastating consequences of unaffordable insulin. The film received the Cinema for Peace Dove Award for Global Health and won Best Feature Documentary at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
  • “How to Sue the Klan”: A gripping account of a historic civil case, this film showcases the power of legal advocacy in combating organized hate. This award-winning film was recently acquired by Reel South, a PBS documentary series dedicated to sharing transformative stories about Southern life. 
  • “Unseen: Life as a Blind Immigrant”: Combining documentary storytelling with an immersive podcast format, this film has received national recognition and several awards for its innovative approach to disability and immigrant justice.
  • “Razing Liberty Square”: By examining climate gentrification and systemic racism in Miami, this film provides a prescient look at the challenges of urban displacement and climate change. A recent Anthem award winner, it was released nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens.
  • “Hummingbirds”: Named a "New York Times Critics’ Pick, this intimate coming-of-age story captures the resilience of youth in a politically charged environment.
Supporting Filmmakers, Advancing Justice

Stay connected with DocProject for updates on screenings, new releases, and opportunities to engage with these compelling stories. Through filmmaking partnerships like these, DocProject continues to bridge the gap between storytelling and advocacy, ensuring that critical voices are heard and impactful narratives thrive.