Welcome to the PBS Documentaries channel—presented by PBS Digital Studios and Independent Television Service (ITVS), dedicated to documenting our shared human journey and helping us understand one another a little better. Stream full-length films and short stories that explore culture, history, nature, science, identity, and the people and experiences shaping our lives. Dive into our roots and our communities—the work we do, the people we love, and the traditions that make us who we are.
Subscribe for award-winning documentaries, short-form storytelling, and fresh perspectives. Watch, learn, and leave inspired—then share the story.
From PBS Voices. The Inquisitor traces Barbara Jordan’s rise from Texas congresswoman to national icon, highlighting her powerful voice, integrity, and influence on U.S. politics. She confronted presidents, championed civil rights, and set a new ethical standard in American politics. From her fervent speech condemning the Watergate scandal, to her passionate battles for equal rights,…
From PBS Voices. PBS Documentaries will debut an expansive, diverse collection of documentaries across all forms of nonfiction storytelling. The channel is part of a broader effort to serve public audiences through increased accessibility, while building a centralized, scalable hub that elevates PBS’s nonfiction content, features the best in feature-length independent film, and strengthens the…
From PBS Voices. Throughout history, many Deaf people were told to prioritize speech over sign to help them “blend in” within a hearing-centered society. Deaf theatre pushes back by celebrating ASL and the uniqueness of Deaf culture. This film follows Daymond Sands, a Deaf theatre program director, preparing his first original showcase, highlighting the cast’s…
From PBS Voices. Think Mulan was one of a kind? Chinese opera’s been full of warrior women like her for centuries. Meet the “Wudan” and “Daomadan”: fierce fighters and generals in dazzling armor, flipping and spinning swords on stage. Once banned from performing—or even watching—the opera, women fought their way back a century ago, and…
From PBS Voices. Through embroidered maps, families in the Sierra Tarahumara keep their homeland alive. In Chihuahua City, Mexico, Rarámuri families from Coloradas de la Virgen keep their home in the Sierra Tarahumara alive through ritual, memory, and thread. This episode follows their narrative embroidery, showing how, amid violence and displacement, storytelling turns into a…
From PBS Voices. Yacouba Sissoko has a lifelong mission: to bring the ancient tradition of the griot (which you may have seen mentioned in the film "Sinners") to modern-day New York and the next generation of African Americans. Sissoko is “a living history book,” trained in the sacred oral storytelling tradition of Mali. Through the…
From PBS Voices. This documentary explores how the oral tradition of Puerto Rican trova is kept alive through the voices of those who inherit it. From the masters who improvise verses to the young artists who listen and learn, it reveals how each generation reimagines the art of song and poetry, ensuring that its spirit…
From PBS Voices. Chicano Theatre: The Act of Resistance explores the legacy of Chicano theatre—from the flatbed-truck actos of El Teatro Campesino to the groundbreaking work of teatristas redefining art and identity today. Through intimate conversations, rehearsals, and dynamic performances, we meet the new generation carrying the tradition forward with plays that honor and uplift…
From PBS Voices. From Louisiana’s Creole history to Appalachia’s folktales to Memphis’s Black art scene, three creators are keeping Southern oral traditions alive. Jeremy K. Simien, Bryan “YoBreezye” Roberson, and Michael @TheAppalachianSon Story combine creativity, pride, and community to preserve stories for the future. From Front Porches to Feeds brings to life the art of…
From PBS Voices. Medical aid in dying, otherwise known as assisted suicide, is a hotly debated topic both morally and legally–especially in the disabled community. In "Life After" a new documentary from disabled filmmaker Reid Davenport, he investigates assisted dying and uncovers how ableism, policy, and systemic failures can make death seem like the only…
From PBS Voices. This short film follows two Navajo weavers whose work preserves memory, identity, and ancestral knowledge. Through traditional techniques and contemporary expression, their art becomes a living story of resilience. Weaving emerges as a space of healing, continuity, and cultural strength. The Story in Us is a thematic anthology that celebrates storytelling traditions…
From PBS Voices. Premiering January 8, 2026, The Story in Us is a documentary series that celebrates storytelling traditions from across the United States and the world. Eight unique filmmakers take a deep dive into a culture’s tradition of storytelling told faithfully by members of that community. With authenticity and care, each film explores lesser-known…
From PBS Voices. Why do so many social movements start on college campuses? KJ Kearney looks at student protests from the 1960s through today to learn how close knit communities and a culture of critical thinking create so many student activists, and how we can all stay connected to civic engagement long after graduation. *****…
From PBS Voices. KJ Kearney discusses various methods of protest and activism beyond traditional approaches. ✊🏿🎨🎼🧑💼🛍️. Be sure to catch up on episodes of Citizen Better now on PBS Voices!
From PBS Voices. KJ Kearney discusses Gen Z’s aspirations for their dream jobs and Hannah Williams chimes in on the rising challenge of affordability. Be sure to catch up on episodes of Citizen Better now on PBS Voices!