human stories. global issues. online.

Launched in December 2008, FOCAL POINT is an online-exclusive series of documentary shorts from Wide Angle, public television’s Emmy Award-winning international affairs documentary series. Like Wide Angle, FOCAL POINT offers a deeper understanding into the forces shaping the world today through compelling human stories, with FOCAL POINT providing a venue for shorter, less formal pieces. FOCAL POINT episodes are produced in collaboration with independent filmmakers, including both veteran Wide Angle producers and emerging filmmakers from around the globe. FOCAL POINT was nominated for the 2010 Webby Award for Online Film & Video – News & Politic Series.

Past Episodes

Raise the Last Glass
Field Trip to the DMZ
Pakistan at the Polls
Underground Zimbabwe
From Jihad to Rehab

Producing for FOCAL POINT

We look for character-driven shorts that address international current affairs issues. Films should have a clear story, with an emphasis on verité scenes, and may include interviews, narration, and on-camera reporting when appropriate. We encourage proposals from filmmakers who are reporting from all over the world and also consider finished shorts and works-in-progress. The running time for episodes of FOCAL POINT episodes range from 3 to 30 minutes.

If you have a video or an idea for a FOCAL POINT that you would like to submit, please send an email to WideAngle@thirteen.org , with “Focal Point Submission” in the subject line.

Lauren Feeney, Senior Web Producer
Nina Chaudry, Senior Producer