Senior Documentary Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller (Volunteer)

Senior Documentary Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller (Volunteer)

PromiseStudios | Documentary Film, Visual Storytelling & Impact Media

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseStudios

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Senior Creative Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Director of Film & Documentary Production

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, storytelling is not simply about documenting programs.

It is about preserving experiences.

Elevating voices.

Creating understanding.

Building empathy.

And helping communities see one another more clearly.

About PromiseStudios

PromiseStudios is MAP's film, documentary, video production, photography, multimedia storytelling, podcast, and creative media division.

The division creates mission-driven content that educates, inspires, documents, and preserves stories that might otherwise go untold.

Through documentary filmmaking and visual storytelling, PromiseStudios seeks to create work that is cinematic, authentic, human-centered, and socially impactful.

Role Overview

The Senior Documentary Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller serves as a lead creative contributor responsible for developing, directing, filming, and producing documentary projects that advance MAP's storytelling mission.

This role helps uncover and tell meaningful stories centered on children, families, housing instability, education, community resilience, social impact, and human experience.

Working closely with PromiseVoice, PromiseResearch, PromisePublic, PromiseRooted, and community partners, the filmmaker will create short documentaries, impact films, visual essays, and cinematic storytelling projects designed to inform, engage, and inspire audiences.

The ideal candidate brings strong documentary instincts, visual storytelling expertise, and a commitment to ethical, community-centered filmmaking.

This role is particularly well suited for independent filmmakers, documentary producers, Vimeo creators, film festival participants, journalists, and visual storytellers seeking to create meaningful social-impact work.

Key Responsibilities

Documentary Development

• Identify compelling documentary stories and subjects
• Develop concepts, treatments, and production plans
• Research story opportunities and narrative themes
• Support long-form and short-form documentary projects
• Contribute creative vision and storytelling direction

Production & Filmmaking

• Direct and film documentary content
• Conduct interviews and field production
• Capture observational footage and visual storytelling elements
• Manage documentary shoots and production logistics
• Create visually compelling and emotionally resonant content

Storytelling & Narrative Development

• Craft human-centered stories rooted in dignity and authenticity
• Develop strong narrative arcs and documentary structures
• Translate complex issues into engaging visual stories
• Support ethical and trauma-informed storytelling practices
• Ensure stories remain accurate and community-centered

Post-Production Collaboration

• Collaborate with editors and producers throughout post-production
• Review cuts and provide creative feedback
• Support narrative refinement and story development
• Help ensure visual and editorial quality
• Strengthen overall audience impact

Community & Impact Storytelling

• Document community events, initiatives, and special projects
• Capture stories that reflect resilience, belonging, and opportunity
• Support awareness and advocacy efforts through film
• Amplify voices often underrepresented in traditional media
• Create content that encourages dialogue and understanding

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner with PromiseVoice on storytelling campaigns
• Collaborate with PromiseResearch on research-informed documentaries
• Support PromisePublic advocacy and public awareness projects
• Work with PromiseRooted to document community programming
• Align documentary projects with organizational priorities

Creative Responsibilities

The Senior Documentary Filmmaker provides leadership and expertise for:

Documentary Production

Responsible for:

• Documentary films
• Short documentaries
• Impact storytelling
• Visual journalism

Visual Storytelling

Responsible for:

• Cinematic storytelling
• Narrative development
• Interview storytelling
• Human-centered content

Community Documentation

Responsible for:

• Community stories
• Event documentation
• Social-impact filmmaking
• Historical preservation

Creative Development

Responsible for:

• Story concepts
• Documentary treatments
• Production planning
• Creative direction

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in documentary filmmaking, journalism, visual storytelling, film production, media production, or related fields
• Strong portfolio of documentary, journalistic, or narrative work
• Experience conducting interviews and developing documentary stories
• Proficiency with professional camera systems and production workflows
• Knowledge of documentary ethics and storytelling practices
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities
• Passion for social-impact storytelling

Preferred Skills

• Documentary directing experience
• Cinematography experience
• Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or equivalent editing platforms
• Audio recording and production knowledge
• Photography and multimedia storytelling experience
• Film festival, independent film, journalism, or Vimeo showcase experience

Why This Role Matters

Stories preserve memory.

Stories create connection.

Stories help people understand experiences beyond their own.

The Senior Documentary Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller helps ensure that the voices, experiences, and journeys of children, families, and communities are documented with care, dignity, and artistic excellence.

This role helps transform storytelling into awareness, empathy, advocacy, and lasting impact.

Success Measures

• Quality and impact of documentary productions
• Completion of storytelling projects and films
• Audience engagement and reach
• Community participation and trust
• Creative excellence and storytelling quality
• Contribution to MAP's visual storytelling mission

Leadership Participation

The Senior Documentary Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller is expected to:

• Attend relevant creative and production meetings
• Participate in project planning and story development sessions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and community partners
• Support organizational storytelling initiatives

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment required
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
• Foster ethical, respectful, and community-centered storytelling practices

What You'll Gain

• Opportunity to create meaningful documentary work with real-world impact
• Collaboration with nonprofit leaders, advocates, educators, and storytellers
• Access to compelling human-centered stories and social-impact projects
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Portfolio-building opportunities through mission-driven filmmaking
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume, portfolio, reel, film samples, Vimeo links, website, or previous documentary work.

Please highlight experience involving documentary filmmaking, journalism, visual storytelling, cinematography, directing, editing, or related disciplines.

Help tell stories that preserve memory, elevate voices, and create lasting impact through Mentor A Promise.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.