Documentary Education Program
Cross Cultural Storytelling
For filmmakers collaborating with changemakers globally
Our Documentary Education program brings together local creatives in the country where each film is produced and students seeking real‑world, work‑integrated learning. Together, they collaborate to capture the authentic stories of social changemakers making a difference in their communities. The program produces a 30‑minute to feature‑length documentary designed for global film festival pathways. Participants take on roles such as cinematographer, director, producer, editor, sound and lighting, working intensively in the field to develop their craft. Through homestays, community immersion and cross‑cultural collaboration, filmmakers gain a transformative experience — one that deepens their understanding of global issues and strengthens their ability to tell meaningful, human‑centred, authentic stories.
Upcoming Programs
Documentary Education
The Location:
San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico’s most beautiful and culturally rich towns — a place known for its colour, creativity, architecture, art, community spirit and deep sense of history.
Located in the heart of Central Mexico, San Miguel is home to artists, educators, social entrepreneurs, local leaders, community organisations and NGOs working to create real world change.
For filmmakers, San Miguel offers more than a beautiful backdrop. It is a living, breathing community filled with human stories, social impact initiatives and opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration.
San Miguel de Allende
For accomplished and aspirational filmmakers, university students and heart led creatives.
In three weeks, participants will collaborate with local NGOs, creatives, cultural guides and professional mentors to produce a short documentary of 30 minutes or more. The program is designed to give emerging filmmakers practical experience beyond the classroom while amplifying the voices of changemakers creating positive impact across Central Mexico.
Dates: 22 August – 13 September
Location: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Cost: $2,700 USD per person
Outcome: A completed social-impact documentary produced in collaboration with a local NGO
Who This Program Is For:
This program is perfect if you're:
University film, media and communications students
Study-abroad and exchange programs
Emerging documentary filmmakers
Creative community centres seeking hands-on experience
International film residencies
Heart-led creatives interested in social impact storytelling
Individuals or groups wanting real-world production experience
Film Crew Roles:
Participants will step into real production roles across the documentary process, including:
Director
Cinematographer
Editor
Producer
Sound Recordist / Gaffer
Behind-the-Scenes Photographer
Behind-the-Scenes Videographer
Marketing Manager
Each production will be supported by a wider creative and cultural team, including floating crew members, local translators, cultural guides and professional mentors.
Additional cultural and subject-matter roles may be included depending on the documentary topic. For example, an environmental story may involve input from a horticulturalist, botanist, lecturer, researcher or local expert.
Crew and Mentor Structure:
Each documentary production is supported by a collaborative team structure:
Core Film Crew
Director
Cinematographer
Editor
Producer
Sound Recordist / Gaffer
Floating Support Crew
Marketing
Behind-the-Scenes Video / Photography
Translator
Local Guide
Professional Mentors
Producer / Editor
Cinematographer
Director / Writer
Program Price
$2,700 USD per person
This includes documentary workshops, production mentorship, accommodation, local support, selected excursions, equipment access, collaborative production experience and the end-of-program community screening.
Create a Documentary That Matters
The San Miguel de Allende Documentary Education Program is more than a filmmaking course. It is an immersive, real-world storytelling experience designed to help participants grow as filmmakers, collaborators and socially conscious storytellers.
By the end of the program, participants will have contributed to a meaningful documentary project, gained practical production experience, collaborated across cultures and helped amplify the story of an organisation creating positive change in Mexico.
Secure your spot or get in touch to learn more.
Our goal is to create documentaries with depth, purpose and festival potential — while helping the next generation of storytellers develop the skills, awareness and confidence to tell stories that matter.
Learn
Documentary storytelling, interviewing, cinematography, editing and ethical filmmaking.
Create
Produce a real-world 30 minute or longer documentary alongside a collaborative international crew.
Connect
Work directly with local changemakers, community leaders, local and international storytellers.
Explore
Experience a new culture through meaningful immersion beyond traditional tourism.
Grow
Develop confidence, leadership, interviewing skills, creative problem-solving, cultural intelligence and professional resilience.
Share
Screen your documentary with the community and showcase your work to a wider audience.
Continue
Join a global alumni network to share films, exchange ideas, build skills, and collaborate on future storytelling projects.
Our Process
How we craft our Documentaries
Program Structure:
3 weeks: Filming & post production
Oaxaca
Gentrification - Iguanas - Public Library
Oaxaca - Mexico
Program Summary: Follow three stories in Oaxaca, Mexico. The first story is about gentrification in the city, the second is about protecting Iguanas from being over consumed in local cuisines and the third story is about the towns public library running significant community events and championing women's empowerment.
Program Outcomes:
Create three 30 minute documentaries
Program Costs:
Local accommodation
Transportation
Catering: group meals
Translation services
Editing software
Cultural excursions
Screening of films in a local theatre
Mentorship & Guidance from expert filmmakers
Expert Support:
Directing Mentor
Cinematography Mentor
Editor Mentor
Cultural Advisor
Crew Roles:
Director
Cinematographer
Producer
Editor
Translator (Spanish)
Sound Recordist / Gaffer
BTS Photographer
BTS Videographer
Program Structure:
2 weeks: Filming & post production
Pottery in Maya
Mayan Ceramics - Preserving culture through art
Tepakán - Mexico
Plot Summary: Daniel and his wife Helen visit a pottery studio in a small village called Tepakán, where a traditional form of ceramics is being mastered. The workshop includes elder Cecilia and other artists who are learning her to keep this unique slice of culture alive. Daniel who works for the arts department of the government has been successful in exhibiting and selling the art to support the local artists and spread this knowledge.
Program Outcomes:
Translate the original interviews from Mayan into Spanish
Get interview with historian for Mayan Art
Highlight the stories protagonist in their everyday lifes
Polish current interviews, footage & archives
Program Costs:
Local accommodation
Transportation
Catering: group meals
Translation services
Editing software
Crew Roles:
Cinematographer
Translator (Mayan)
Editor
BTS Photographer
BTS Videographer
Secure your spot or get in touch to learn more.
Program Structure:
2 weeks: Filming & post production
GalerÃa Elementos
Erika Biancas - Artist for Women's Empowerment
Campeche - Mexico
Plot Summary: GalerÃa Elementos explores the role of art as a force for expression, community and cultural resilience in Campeche, Mexico. Following artist, curator and gallery founder Erika, the film highlights her work supporting more than fifty artists while creating one of the few independent spaces for visual art in the city.
Program Outcomes:
Capture Erika's Art Classes
Get 1-2 secondary subject interviews
Capture Erika's Exhibitions
Polish current interviews, footage & archives
Program Costs:
Local accommodation
Transportation
Catering: group meals
Translation services
Editing software
Crew Roles:
Director
Cinematographer
Translator (Spanish)
Sound Recordist / Gaffer
Editor
BTS Photographer
BTS Videographer
