A Doc+ Summer: Six Weeks of Documentary Immersion
Photos and reflections from Duke students at the Duke Center for Documentary Studies (CDS)
This summer, Doc+ gave students from across Duke first-hand experience in the documentary arts and introduced them to the lively creative community at Duke and CDS. One student, Zoë Flint, says that the experience also affirmed her academic interests.
“I truly felt like the work I was doing mattered.”
“Being a student in the arts or humanities at Duke can be really hard sometimes,” says Flint, a rising sophomore majoring in cultural anthropology, sociology, and visual media studies. “It feels like people don’t recognize or validate a lot of the work that you do. But in spaces like CDS and through programs like Doc+, I truly felt like the work I was doing mattered, and that the academic path I had chosen was valid.”
The six-week program provides students interested in documentary and creative fields a chance to understand what it’s like to pursue a career in the documentary arts and get a taste of professional creative work post-graduation — in a supportive environment.
“I was able to learn more about documentary arts as a professional field.”
“I was able to learn more about documentary arts as a professional field, veering away from the indie, small-scale films I am used to making,” says Zane Lu, a rising sophomore majoring in public policy. “It also made me learn more about my own interest in documentary arts and how I see myself moving forward.”
Undergraduate students participated in documentary projects led by professional documentarians and guided by MFA|EDA students, including a podcast, a live documentary, and two documentary films. While the projects ranged in scope and developmental timeline, the students’ participation was essential in each of them.
12 Doc+ Students, 4 Active Doc+ Projects
Explore the four Doc+ projects that shaped Doc+ 2026 through photo slideshows and firsthand reflections.
Field Notes: Photographers on Process, Practice, and Place
Local photographer Kate Medley worked with students on creating Field Notes, a new podcast that features interviews with documentary photographers. The team developed the podcast’s title and logo, built a recording studio at CDS, and identified and researched guests. They also learned audio production skills.
The Field Notes group created an immersive exhibition of their podcast studio for the final showcase event, where guests could check out the studio, learn about the guest photographers, and even listen to snippets of the podcast.
“Doc+ gives students the chance to list experience on their resume and portfolio that would be incredibly hard to get otherwise,” says Mikaela Voinov, a rising sophomore majoring in biology and marine science and pursuing a Certificate in Documentary Studies. Here, she produces the first episode of Field Notes. (Photo: Victoria Guillem)
“Students in this program are from all sorts of areas of studies, all backgrounds, and all parts of the world,” says Mirabela Kumar (left), a rising sophomore majoring in political science, minoring in journalism and media, and pursuing a Certificate in Documentary Studies. “It is really inspiring to see all of our unique and shared interests come together to create rewarding and such successful projects in partnership with local artist leads.” (Photo: Victoria Guillem)
“I'll miss being able to come in to work on the podcast,” says Luna Hu (right), a rising junior majoring in economics with a finance concentration. “But, I'll definitely be dropping by CDS during the school year!” (Photo: Carol Bales)
Students test out the podcast studio at CDS. (Photo: Carol Bales)
German Soul
Another team worked with documentary filmmaker D.L. Anderson and Justin Robinson, a Grammy Award-winning musician, cultural preservationist, and historic foodways expert, on German Soul, a “live documentary” about the history of soul food in the American South. The students conducted research for the project, led social media promotion, and helped produce a live documentary event at CDS.
Inspired by their project leads, the students created their own live documentary for the final showcase, using the same approach of combining edited documentary segments and spoken portions to share their Doc+ experience.
Justin Robinson performs during the “German Soul” live documentary event at CDS. (Photo: Kameran Reese)
“I got some exposure to hard skills during the creation of the final presentation, which I was very grateful for,” says Johanna Murphy (left). (Photo: Kameran Reese)
“We were able to learn the skills necessary to succeed in this field. If anyone had doubts about their skills, leaving this program you would feel more confident than ever.” – Ayanna Owen, rising junior, psychology, theatre, and journalism (Photo: Zoë Flint)
At the final showcase, the “German Soul” team presents their live documentary to a packed audience. (Photo: Zoë Flint)
Basketball Heaven
Documentary filmmaker and community educator Resita Cox brought her much anticipated documentary film Basketball Heaven about her hometown of Kinston, NC, and its deep connection to basketball. Students developed producer and editor skills while working on the budget for an impact campaign, pulling selects from footage and editing sizzle reels, and doing archival research.
The Basketball Heaven group shot and edited their own short documentary about the whole process, which they presented at the final Doc+ event as part of an immersive installation.
“The hands-on experience we gained, especially in editing in Premiere Pro and operating digital cameras and audio recording equipment, are very valuable to me.” – Kameran Reese, rising sophomore majoring in public policy (Photo: Victoria Guillem)
The “Basketball Heaven” team interviews MFA lead Victoria Guillem for their final project documentary. (Photo: Lauren Henschel)
“Doc+ is proof that Duke can supplement the artistic passions and talents of its students with real-world experience and connections to the industry.” – Landen Meier (third from left), rising sophomore majoring in public policy (Photo: Victoria Guillem)
(Photo: Victoria Guillem)
Artificial Horizon
For the second year in a row, filmmaker and Lehman Brady Visiting Professor at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill Elizabeth M. Webb brought her project Artificial Horizon to Doc+. Artifical Horizon is a feature documentary exploring the layered social, racial, and ecological histories of former plantation land tied to her family’s history in eastern Alabama.
Alongside Webb and a professional film crew, the Doc+ group traveled to Alabama for five days of filming that became the centerpiece of the students’ summer experience. Students assisted with preproduction planning, filming, audio recording, and production.
“Going to Alabama for a week-long shoot was deeply informative. Being able to bond with crew members allowed me to work on set in a truly fun and gainful way.” – David Anderson, rising sophomore majoring in economics and public policy and pursuing a Certificate in Documentary Studies
Alexandra “Alex” Atkins, a rising sophomore majoring in public policy, monitors a sound recording during filming for “Artificial Horizon.” “A month ago, I knew next to nothing about film or documentary,” she says. “Now, I have experienced hands-on work with high-tech camera and audio equipment. It was such a great opportunity!” (Photo: Aleta Brown)
After their trip to Alabama, Daphne Zhu (right) and David Anderson decided to pursue the Certificate in Documentary Studies. (Photo: Aleta Brown)
“I would say the presentation was the most challenging for me because I have stage fright, though I am happy that Doc+ encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.” - David Anderson, rising sophomore majoring in economics and public policy and pursuing a Certificate in Documentary Studies (Photo: Zoë Flint)
A Creative Community
Beyond their project work, Doc+ students also participated in additional educational and networking events. Alongside Arts+ students, they built foundational arts and documentary skills through workshops led by artists and educators. They also learned about opportunities to continue their documentary work, including the Certificate in Documentary Studies and the John Hope Franklin Student Documentary Awards. Even if students are not sure what their next step will be, they know they have found a community of support here at CDS and in the wider artistic community at Duke.
“I now feel like I have so much support if I ever do want to pursue my passion in the arts.”
“Everyone I met through Doc+, whether CDS staff or Elizabeth's crew or even the random people I talked to at the Southern Documentary Fund convening, was so awesome and inspiring and genuine,” says Daphne Zu, a rising sophomore majoring in biology and public policy, who was on the Artificial Horizons team. “I now feel like I have so much support if I ever do want to pursue my passion in the arts.”
Join us! This fall, documentary artists can propose projects for Doc+ 2027. In the spring, CDS will issue a call for applications from Duke students who want to join the next Doc+ cohort.
Doc+ 2026 students, project leads, and CDS staff pose on the CDS front porch after the final showcase event. (Photo: Carol Bales)
Doc+ and Arts+ students watch a demo by photographer and CDS Continuing Education instructor Harlan Campbell during a tintype photography workshop at CDS. (Photo: Lauren Henschel)
Doc+ and Arts+ students participate in an animation workshop at CDS with artist Sarah Soucek. (Photo: Victoria Guillem)
Students engage with artist Bill Fick during a screen printing workshop. (Photo: Lauren Henschel)
Victoria Guillem was an MFA|EDA lead for Doc+2026. In August 2026, she stepped into the role of Doc+ director as Lauren Henschel focused full time on her new role as CDS director of programs.
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