POV and Kanopy Partner to Launch “The Road to 40 – A Journey into POV’s Documentary Legacy”

Co-curated collections celebrate nearly four decades of independent documentary storytelling through landmark films from the POV and POV Shorts catalogues.

CLEVELAND and Brooklyn, N.Y. - July 29, 2026 - American Documentary announced today a new partnership with Kanopy-the leading streaming platform for public libraries and universities-as the organization prepares to celebrate its 40th season. In their first-ever collaboration, Kanopy will showcase works from POV, American Documentary's multi-Emmy® Award-winning series. Titled "The Road to 40 - A Journey into POV's Documentary Legacy," the co-curated collections commemorate nearly four decades of fearless storytelling and honor the filmmakers who shaped the landscape. Drawing from the POV and POV Shorts catalogs, the collections invite audiences to revisit influential films, discover enduring works, and explore how documentary storytelling-and the world it chronicles-has evolved since POV premiered on PBS in 1988.

Beginning August 14, 2026, "The Road to 40 - A Journey into POV's Documentary Legacy" joins Kanopy's fall programming to create complementary collections that together trace the evolution of documentary filmmaking through America's longest-running nonfiction series. The collections will stream free on POV's and Kanopy's digital platforms respectively through September 30, 2026, with companion titles available on Kanopy through participating public libraries and universities.

Explore the collection at: https://www.kanopy.com/category/91939.

POV and Kanopy have long been committed to making exceptional independent documentary films accessible to audiences everywhere. With a broad selection of POV titles, from the series' earliest seasons to today and already available on Kanopy, the collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship and a shared belief that high-quality storytelling informs, inspires, and sparks conversations. Together, the organizations recognize documentary film as a powerful tool for fostering curiosity, deepening understanding, preserving diverse perspectives and strengthening informed communities.

"The films in this collection prove that great documentaries don't lose their relevance with time - they keep finding new audiences and new meaning," said Chris White, Executive Producer, POV. "As we approach POV's 40th season, this collaboration with Kanopy honors the filmmakers who've defined the series while opening new paths for audiences to experience these stories and the conversations they continue to inspire."

"As POV celebrates its 40th season, Kanopy is proud to partner with an organization that has consistently championed bold, award-winning documentary filmmakers and powerful storytelling," said Jason Tyrrell, General Manager of Kanopy. "We deeply value POV's impact on independent film and public media, and this collaboration reflects our shared commitment to connecting audiences with stories that inspire understanding and dialogue. Through our mission to democratize access to exceptional film and television via public and academic libraries, we're honored to help bring POV's remarkable legacy to viewers everywhere."

The retrospective showcases landmark works by Academy Award®, Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning influential filmmakers alongside emerging documentary voices including Marshall Curry, Frederick Wiseman, Agnes Varda, Joshua Oppenheimer, Marlon Riggs, Lourdes Portillo, Ross McElwee, Judith Helfand, Mabel Valdiviezo, Violet Du Feng and many others. Their films explore identity, justice, family, community, politics and the human experience with artistry, compassion and urgency. Highlights from the collection include notable legacy titles such as Tongues Untied, Street Fight, The Act of Killing, and The Beaches of Agnes.

Beyond the streaming collections, the partnership includes curated editorial features and audience engagement activities celebrating the filmmakers, stories and cultural impact that have made POV America's longest-running independent documentary series. Together, these efforts deepen audiences' connection to the films while highlighting POV's enduring contribution to the documentary field.

About Kanopy
Kanopy is the leading video streaming service that allows everyone to Stream Smarter with access to thousands of films for free, thanks to the generous support of public libraries or universities. Kanopy has 30,000+ films in its catalog. Partnering with filmmakers, film and video distributors, Kanopy offers access to a wide range of engaging narratives, insightful documentaries, and riveting television and instructional content. Suppliers include BBC, Criterion, NEON, Samuel Goldwyn, HISTORY, A&E, The Great Courses, Kino Lorber, A24, and IFC Films. Kanopy's ad-free platform is available via browser and on iOS, Android, and all major streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TV. OverDrive's acquisition of Kanopy in 2021 brought together the largest catalog of premium eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video content for thousands of public libraries, colleges, and universities. www.kanopy.com

Media Contacts:

Madison Stoneburner

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+1 216-573-6886 ext. 1389