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.