A new partnership between American University’s School of Communication Community Voice Lab (CVL) and WETA, the public media station in the D.C. area, will bring underrepresented voices from across the greater D.C. region to local audiences with powerful, AU student-produced documentaries celebrating ordinary heroes at work in the nation’s capital.

“At the Community Voice Lab, we see documentary storytelling as an act of civic engagement. By collaborating with our D.C. neighbors and sharing their stories on public media, we’re helping to strengthen the ties that connect us as a community. Our students learn not only to make films, but to listen, reflect, and create work that contributes to a more just and empathetic city,” said CVL Director Laura Waters Hinson.

The Community Voice Lab Documentary Series for DC Public Television, a project supported by a grant from HumanitiesDC, is a broadcast initiative providing free public access to a series of short documentaries that share local stories of hope, resilience and self-determination. The series will air on the WETA Metro channel, and will be available on the new WETA+ streaming service.

The partnership reflects the Community Voice Lab’s mission to use community-based storytelling to foster a more empathetic, generous and just society. All CVL films are produced collaboratively, with each storyteller being involved in the creative development, production, and editing phases to ensure their voices are faithfully represented. Student filmmakers at AU’s Film and Media Arts program at the School of Communication are trained in these best practices, and it is their work that will be aired by WETA - valuable exposure for these up-and-coming filmmakers.

“As the flagship PBS station serving the Greater Washington area, we’re always looking for local storytelling that will resonate with our viewers. The short documentaries made by students and faculty in the Community Voice Lab are richly produced, emotionally resonant and remind us how connected we all are. I’m thrilled that WETA can expand the reach and impact of these films across our broadcast and streaming platforms,” said Devin Karambelas, Vice President of TV Programming and Operations.

The CVL documentary series will premiere its broadcast on WETA Metro on November 29th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. with encore broadcasts on November 30 (4:30 p.m.), December 5 (9:00 p.m.), and December 7 (7:00 p.m.).

An additional selection of films will be available for free on-demand via the new WETA+ streaming service.

The following CVL film series will be broadcast:

• Call of the Crow, directed by Sarah King

Catherine saves Apollo, a crow, and must choose between his future or their bond.

• Daron, directed by Tanya Ruiz La Force

A young man with a disability takes action to overcome his fears as he seeks work and community.

• La Antomia del Alma, directed by Giovana Roskosz Reis

A young woman who fled her home country finds purpose in transforming lives through teaching at a DC medical assistance program.

• In Her Court, directed by Abby Cannon

A 14-year-old rising basketball star must navigate the pressures, personal sacrifice, and family expectations as she pursues greatness.