Docathon Discovery Hub

The Docathon Purposeful Storytelling course includes:

Short, accessible learning modules focused on story, ethics, systems thinking, and impact.

Practical frameworks for research, narrative development, and documentary structure.

Clear prompts and activities students can apply directly to their own projects.

Shared language and concepts that support consistent feedback from teachers and mentors.

The course is designed to be self-guided, with plenty of opportunities for teachers to integrate into their existing programs and/or use as-is as a learning resource.
Teachers typically use the course as:

The core instructional resource for the unit.

A way to ensure curriculum-aligned learning without having to design content from scratch.

A reference point when giving feedback or assessing student work.

Mentorship sessions complement the Purposeful Storytelling course. Each participating student group is paired with an experienced Docathon storytelling or filmmaking mentor from our global network and may book up to three sessions at key moments in their journey.
Mentors use the same frameworks and stages taught in the course to help students apply their learning directly to their own documentary projects. All sessions are moderated through the teacher, who is encouraged to be present to maintain alignment with curriculum goals and ensure appropriate safeguarding and supervision.

The core instructional resource for the unit.

A way to ensure curriculum-aligned learning without having to design content from scratch.

A reference point when giving feedback or assessing student work.

Stories create change when they are shared. Students’ ideas and messages reach others and spark meaningful conversations when their films are presented.
Students build valuable skills. Sharing a film develops communication, confidence, leadership, and storytelling skills.
Their work is recognized. Students will earn credentials to provide clear, shareable proof of what they have accomplished.
They join a global community. Students connect with peers from other schools and countries, expanding their network and perspective.

Many Docathon events are open-access, allowing all participating students to submit their films for consideration. Others are private and limited to selected schools. Event details are listed in the How to Share Your Film section of our website, and we also discuss suitable options during an introductory call.

All upcoming Docathon dates are published on our website, though some events are private or open only to selected schools. Before you sign up, we typically discuss upcoming dates with you on a call and identify the most relevant Docathon events for your students.

Selection criteria can vary slightly depending on the event, but films are usually chosen based on a combination of a powerful, well-told story, relevance and adherence to the event theme, and technical skills appropriate to the students’ level.

Docathon Showcase events are often held as part of a student conference bringing together schools from multiple countries.
If a film is selected, students are guided towards preparing a short introduction to present their film to the audience. In most cases, students can take part remotely via video link, and in-person attendance is not required.
If a school chooses to attend in person, travel costs are the responsibility of the school or students, and arrangements are made directly with the host organisation. The Docathon team is happy to help connect you where useful.

Don’t worry, even if their film is not selected, students can still join the Global Student Film Exchange (SFX) and share their work with a wider audience.
They can also organize workshops or their own events around their film.
Finally, if a film narrowly misses a specific Docathon Showcase selection, we may also offer consideration for another Showcase later in the year.

Students who have completed a Docathon film are invited to join. Teachers and students from eligible schools who are curious about Docathon or still in the process of making their films may also be invited to take part.

The SFX is an online event which typically lasts around an hour. Students share their films in small groups in breakout rooms organized by theme or topic, creating space for meaningful discussions and exchange of ideas.

Prior to the event, students should:

prepare a short introduction for their film, including guiding questions related to its topic (a template is provided by the Docathon team)

sign up at least one week in advance and submit their guiding questions

On the day, students access the Zoom link, with reminders sent through their teacher.

Students earn the Global Perspectives Leader Credential, endorsed by RMIT. More details can be found in the student leadership section of the Docathon hub.

A workshop is a student-led 30–45 minute session for at least 10 participants, in which the student organizer presents their film and guides participants to reflect on the issues it raises and explore potential solutions in greater depth.

Any student can lead a workshop, but it’s especially suited for those ‘rockstar’ students who are eager to take on leadership opportunities, and who are passionate about their film, the issues it explores, and using storytelling to create change.

Students can deliver workshops on site at their school, either as part of a classroom, a student conference, or an extracurricular activity.
Workshops can also be delivered online, with a teacher or guardian present for safeguarding purposes.

MAD provides self-guided tools so that students can successfully create, and deliver their workshops independently.

Students earn the Issue Impact Leader Credential. More details can be found in the Credentials section of this FAQ.

Hosting a Docathon allows your school to celebrate connection with the community by inviting a range of partners.
It raises awareness of your school’s commitment to innovation, community engagement, and global citizenship.
It also provides students with opportunities to take on a different kind of leadership, developing skills and experiences that go beyond the classroom.

Any school can host a Docathon. We’ve worked with a wide range of schools, from state schools in the Philippines to international schools in Monaco!

You can host a Docathon anytime that works for your school. It can be a standalone event or run alongside an existing event in your school calendar.

Most events take place in your school auditorium or another convenient space on campus. However, some schools have also successfully hosted Docathons entirely online.

Credentials are recognised markers of learning and leadership that validate a learner’s knowledge and skills through assessment by an authority deemed competent to do so. They recognise real, student-led work—created, shared, and led beyond the classroom.
MAD credentials are aligned with globally recognised frameworks, including the OECD Global Competence framework and XQ competencies, ensuring they reflect the skills and capabilities students need for real-world impact.

Many powerful student achievements—especially those developed through extracurricular or project-based learning—are difficult to recognise and evidence alongside traditional academic results. Our credentials provide clear, credible proof of what students have achieved and the skills they have demonstrated.

Credentials are issued digitally, making them easy to share on social media, CVs, or portfolios. Each credential includes details about the achievement it represents, helping recruiters or viewers understand the skills and experience the student has gained.

Credentials are sent directly to the teacher, who can then share them with the students.

Students earn credentials by creating a documentary, sharing it through a Docathon event or Student Film Exchange, and taking on leadership roles such as hosting events, leading discussions, or running workshops.

Credentials recognise student leadership and strengthen student portfolios. Through partnerships with Open Planet (Issue Impact Leader) and RMIT University (Global Perspectives Leader), students gain recognised validation of real-world skills and impact.