Boston Globe Launches 'GlobeDocs,' a Documentary Film Series

The Boston Globe, advancing its role as a major supporter of the region's strengths in the arts and education, is launching an initiative to support documentary films and filmmaking, beginning with GlobeDocs, a documentary film series.

The Boston area is home to some of the world's most influential documentarians, including Ken Burns, Errol Morris, Frederick Wiseman and Robb Moss. WGBH, the local PBS member station, produces two-thirds of the nationally distributed programs by PBS including "Nova," "Frontline," and "American Experience." Numerous area colleges and universities have some of the nation's best documentary film programs, turning out award-winning artists. Last year, three of the five Oscar nominees for best documentary had Harvard roots. And with numerous art house movie theatres in the area, Boston is a world-class city for documentary fans as well.

The GlobeDocs series, which coincides with expanded coverage of documentary filmmaking within the Arts section of the Sunday Globe and on BostonGlobe.com, will feature at least one documentary per month, screened for free and open to the Greater Boston community at independent local theaters. Screening events include panel discussions moderated by Globe editorial staff, featuring filmmakers and relevant experts.

The Globe will present a documentary film festival in 2015. The Boston Globe Foundation has also established the Boston Globe Documentary Film Fund to support up-and-coming filmmakers with an annual award, and further Boston's role as an epicenter of documentary film. Screening attendees will be given the option to donate to the nonprofit's fund when they register for the events, and more details on the annual award will be released this fall.

A launch event and exclusive screening of "The Irish Pub" will be held October 23 at 7 p.m. at Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge, featuring a discussion with Globe columnist Kevin Cullen and director Alex Fegan.

"This area of the country is a hotbed of outstanding documentary filmmaking, and our readers care deeply about the issues explored in these types of films," said Janice Page, movies editor and deputy managing editor of features at the Globe. "By presenting these films, we hope to extend our role in the community as a conversation-starter and a convener of people and ideas. Documentaries can be a form of journalism, as well as a tool for enlightenment, education and social activism."

The GlobeDocs series began informally this summer and fall with the screenings of "Alive Inside," which explores the impact of music on the memory; "Last Days in Vietnam," about the closing days of the Vietnam war; and "Art and Craft," about a painter who convincingly forges masterworks.

The GlobeDocs series will expose New Englanders to films they otherwise might not have an opportunity to see, while providing a venue for filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with the community in purposeful discussion.

Follow the discussion on Twitter at @GlobeDocs and #GlobeDocs. Find the film schedule at www.bostonglobe.com/docu.