Rob Rapley

Meet one of the filmmakers behind a new “American Experience” series about the United States’ entry into World War I.

Sam Lay (Courtesy “Sam Lay in Bluesland”)

Celebrating the life and musical legacy of Chicago blues legend Sam Lay.

A new WTTW web series peeks into pockets of nature in cities across the country.

One of Steven Avery’s defense attorneys from Netflix’s “Making a Murderer” discusses his new book “Illusion of Justice.”

A still image from the documentary “Life, Animated.”

Cornelia Suskind tell us about her son Owen, the subject of a new documentary film.

Chicago Media Project has a hand in seven films debuting at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. (Vancouver Film School / Flickr)

Chicago Media Project co-founders Paula Froehle and Steve Cohen are on a mission to put Chicago on the map as the next impact media hub. 

Chicago filmmaker Dawn Sinclair Shapiro (Chicago Tonight)

A new documentary by Chicago filmmaker Dawn Sinclair Shapiro looks at the history of North Carolina’s eugenics program and how modern-day lawmakers sought state compensation for survivors.

(Betty Shabazz International Charter School)

David J. Steiner died Monday while travelling through a small Ugandan village. He was there to screen his film “Saving Barbara Sizemore,” a documentary made with Englewood teens about their fight to keep their charter school open.

A new project aims to fill a void in a news cycle that has primarily centered on the issues young men face in the city.

Maya Angelou in a scene from the documentary “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise.”

The moving and powerful life of Maya Angelou: A new film explores the many facets of the acclaimed poet and writer.

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Skeptical about how the government spends your money? We preview a documentary about a movement that gives citizens their 2 cents in how tax dollars are spent.

A new documentary about Michael Madigan is playing now in select theaters. What it reveals about the powerful House speaker, and who is behind it.

Krishaun Branch at Urban Prep Graduation (Tod Lending / Courtesy POV)

A pair of ambitious teenagers rise above the challenges of coming of age in Englewood. We preview an inspiring documentary called “All the Difference.”

Brendan Dassey (Tracy Symonds-Keogh / Wikimedia Commons)

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel announced Friday he has filed a notice to appeal a federal judge’s decision to overturn Brendan Dassey’s murder conviction, a case documented in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer.”

Movie poster for the documentary “Saving Barbara Sizemore” showcases student filmmakers and the film’s director.

A new documentary highlights the work of five grade schoolers who worked to keep Barbara A. Sizemore Academy open after CPS voted to shut it down late last year.

Footage from the interrogation of Brendan Dassey, as seen in the Netflix documentary “Making a Murderer.” (Courtesy Netflix)

Brendan Dassey, whose confession to involvement in the murder of Teresa Halbach was depicted in the wildly popular Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer,” may be released from prison by Thanksgiving. We hear from his post-trial attorney on the judge's ruling.