Synthetic Media, Authentic Stories

On the Role of AI in Documentary Filmmaking

How does one use synthetic media—tools often associated with fabrication and artifice—to tell authentic, deeply human stories? It’s a question that cuts to the core of documentary filmmaking, where the audience’s trust hinges on a belief in what’s real. For those working in nonfiction storytelling, this paradox may feel alarming or even antithetical to the medium’s purpose.

Yet, documentary filmmaking has had some of its most fascinating moments when creators experiment along the fringes with creative tools to deepen authenticity. From Brett Morgan’s The Kid Stays in the Picture, which revolutionized the use of archival stills, to the animated reenactments in Flee that visualized an audio narrative, and many more… these moments of creative evolution have expanded the medium while honoring its commitment to truth.

Generative AI can present a similar opportunity: to innovate responsibly, enhancing storytelling without undermining its ethical foundation. But the stakes for documentary filmmakers are higher than in other genres. The social contract between filmmakers and their viewers is built on trust and transparency—principles that are critical not only for audience engagement but also for preserving historical records.

Bridging the Gap: Ethics, Transparency, and Consent

Over the past couple years, I’ve immersed myself in exploring how emergent technologies and generative AI tools are finding their way into non-fiction. I’ve had the privileged opportunity to teach from inside this inquiry with my friends at Curious Refuge, as well as use our public LinkedIn forums and community platforms like the pages of Realscreen to write on this evolving frontier. What has become fascinatingly clear is that while in the scripted space there are plenty of hot topics surrounding the arrival and the adoption of these creative tools, the business of storytelling about truth carries with it some other unwritten sections for the AI user’s manual.

As exciting as the technological opportunities are, the business of non-fiction requires a unique reckoning with ethics. This isn’t just about creative freedom; it’s about a deeper relationship with consent, transparency, and the integrity of historical storytelling. Thankfully pioneering filmmakers and organizations like the Archival Producers Alliance (APA) have recognized this challenge and risen to it. Their guidelines for the ethical use of generative AI in documentary work remind us that we must continue to honor the social contract between filmmakers and audiences, ensuring that these tools are used responsibly. This emphasis on ethics isn’t just about maintaining trust; it’s about preserving the documentary tradition as a cornerstone of historical truth.

There’s now an evolving community of makers, advocates, and now technologists and ethicists, introducing a new category of unscripted creativity. And to me, the end of this monumental year feels like a moment to take stock. What follows is a curated list—a snapshot of where this frontier stands. It captures both the creative possibilities and the ethical complexities of using AI in nonfiction storytelling. Each entry pairs a film with its unique use case, offering a look at how filmmakers are navigating this uncharted territory.

**CLICK JPEG ABOVE FOR LISTICLE OR HERE…

As I compiled this list, I couldn’t help but reflect on its novelty. Right now, films using AI feel like rare, exotic species in the creative ecosystem. But much like animation or visual effects, these tools may soon become so ubiquitous that this type of documentation will feel unnecessary.

At a recent AI Film Festival, someone asked me about the future of AI in filmmaking. My answer? I hope there will be no need for AI-specific festivals in the future. These tools will simply be part of the creative process—enhancing, not overshadowing, storytelling.

For now, though, this list serves as an important marker of where we are—a bridge between skepticism and opportunity, experimentation and ethics.

What did I miss?

What other examples of AI in documentaries should be added to this list? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss, correct me! But also join me, and help me document this new species of content—together, we can create a fuller picture of where we are and where we’re going.