A Sh'mal World
Impish and twinkle-eyed, Sh’mal Ellenberg can joke about his chaotic work: helping mentally-ill drug addicts reclaim their lives.
His clients are people like Kat, a hot-blooded women with insight into her mental illness, and Dale, a charismatic man with an unending drug addiction.
Sh’mal can relate to his clients and their life on the fringes of society—never losing his cool when they throw tantrums or get evicted from their apartments. Yet, when faced with the choice to reunite with his estranged, alcoholic, and sometimes homeless son after a ten year disconnect, Sh’mal must come to terms with his own conflicting emotions about family, addiction and the struggle to fit into mainstream society.
Directors: Michelle Friedline and Laureen Ricks
Connecting with the World
The work of the Documentary Institute is interdisciplinary, international, and we believe, humanitarian. Whether consulting with historians and other Humanities scholars, or producing films in countries like Cuba, Germany, and Poland, or participating in Tolerance Week in Iowa, the Institute reaches across disciplines, across geographical boundaries, and across the many fault lines of human nature in search of story ideas, expertise, and outreach possibilities.
DI Hosts Ninth Annual Student Screening
The Documentary Institute will showcase the work of the 2008 graduating class on Friday, May 2 at the Reitz Union Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
The Ninth Annual Student Documentary Screening is sponsored in part by the Florida Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, which attracts and promotes film and video production in Florida.Standard Deviation
Standard Deviation is the story of Billy Cottrell, a brilliant but troubled young physicist whose world collapses when the FBI arrests him as an eco-terrorist.
To the shock of his family and colleagues, Billy was caught sending anonymous e-mails to the Los Angeles Times claiming involvement in a series of arsons and the vandalism of over 130 SUVs in the Los Angeles area. Billy’s family and colleagues examine Billy’s past to try to understand how such a promising young genius could end up behind bars.
Directors: Chris Brannan and David Randag
Quick Links
Jessie's Dad
Former trucker Mark Lunsford transforms into America’s most effective child-protection crusader after a sexual predator murders his 9-year-old daughter, Jessica.
Jessie’s Dad follows Lunsford from his Florida trailer to state capitals and Capitol Hill as he pushes lawmakers to wise up and crack down on child sex offenders.The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at a grieving father’s struggle to make a difference as he adapts to celebrity brought on by tragedy.
Directors: Boaz Dvir and Rebecca Goldman
Future Storytellers Apply Now
If you are interested in learning how to craft powerful documentary stories, the Documentary Institute is currently accepting applications for Fall 2008.
The application process is open until June 1st. However, it is advisable to apply early, as the program admits a very limited number of students each year.
Once you click on the link below, the graduate application can be found by following the How to Apply links. The program of study is Mass Communication.
