Learning opportunities for documentarians

The Open City Documentary Festival, in collaboration with UCL’s Public Anthropology short course programme, is presenting several documentary-focused short courses this Autumn. These sessions, held both in-person at UCL East (Stratford) and online, are aimed at practitioners across fields such as filmmaking, ethnography, and curatorial practice.  

The short courses programmer, Bethany Privitera, spoke to us about the value of the offering: ‘I’m very excited for the 2025/26 programme to take place, which will offer in-person and online education across filmmaking, theory, audio and ethnography. Our short courses assist our section to deliver its mission; to collide academic research with practical and creative practices, bringing anthropological ideas into the public realm. I'm proud to say that for each course we offer a UCL-subsidised bursary space to those living within the four boroughs: Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest.’ 

Of the eight short courses on offer, five will be available online, and the other three will make use of the sensational facilities here at UCL East. The three in-person courses are highlighted below.  

Using video for commercial ethnographic research 

This four-week, in-person course—led by documentary filmmaker and ethnographer Pinny Grylls—is designed for those interested in applying video as a tool for both commercial and academic research. Participants learn to distinguish between traditional documentary styles and research-driven filmmaking approaches. The course covers observational techniques, capturing authentic behaviour on video, and integrating sound and visual storytelling into ethnographic narratives.  

The role of the spectator (advanced practice) 

Scheduled for the weekend of 11–12 October, this in-person intensive is tailored for professionals in the cultural sector—including artists, filmmakers, and curators—who are either developing curatorial projects or wish to explore curatorial dimensions in their existing work. The two-day course is led by Ludovica Fales, a UCL tutor, filmmaker, and academic. 

Participants engage in collaborative sessions and independent practice to conceptualize and refine curatorial ideas. The course offers an opportunity to build professional networks, participate in facilitated discussions, and receive practical feedback in a supportive environment 

Homemade: Telling stories of home with the tools you already have 

Starting 22 October through 10 December 2025, this 8-week practical course is open to everyone—from complete beginners to those with some creative experience. Run by UCL mentor and filmmaker Ashton John, it blends in-person sessions at UCL East with online workshops to help you craft meaningful documentary stories using just your smartphone or already-owned tech. Whether you’re exploring a physical or emotional sense of “home,” you’ll gain hands-on skills in storytelling, filming, editing with free software like DaVinci Resolve, and learn how to share your work in today’s digital landscape. 

Broader programme highlights 

Alongside these offerings, the short course calendar includes plenty of other options for online courses which you can explore here. 

And if you are interested in taking a deeper dive into the world of documentary filmmaking, perhaps consider one of our degree pathways such as the Ethnographic and Documentary Film MA and the Creative Documentary by Practice MFA offered at UCL East.