The stories we consume profoundly influence how we treat each other, how policy is built, how ideas are shaped, and how we see the world around us. And the people behind these stories — creatives working at the intersection of journalism, documentary film, and social media — play a more vital role in our society than ever before: their work quite literally creates culture and transforms lives.

As old paradigms dissolve to reveal new modes of producing and distributing visual media and as newsrooms continue to pivot to the next industry trend, there’s an urgent need for a cohesive support network — one that connects and supports this diverse new generation that's finding innovative ways to push the ever-evolving medium of nonfiction video into the future.

Syncing our programming with the shifting tides of our members’ needs, the Video Consortium strives to fill this industry void, serving as an organized form of mutual storytelling aid and as the virtual bridge that connects nonfiction creators — of all backgrounds and geographies, worldwide — with resources to wield their cameras with integrity, sensitivity, and humility, in the name of informing and inspiring audiences everywhere.

VC was born during a time of monumental industry change, from visual journalist Sky Dylan-Robbins. Sitting at her desk at The New Yorker magazine in 2015, she craved community in the siloed journalism industry and collaboration within the then-burgeoning digital video scene. Imagining how empowering it would be to connect with the industry’s growing number of video journalists, Sky emailed new hires at Vox, The New York Times, TIME, and a handful of indie documentary filmmakers. A week later, on a wintry evening at the back of an East Village bar in New York City, this small group of camera-wielding creatives sat together, clinking glasses, trading video secrets, and inspiring each other with their hopes for the industry’s future.

After a handful of local chapter launches, hundreds of industry gatherings, thousands of connections and friendships forged, innumerable jobs filled and films made, and with the integral help of journalists and filmmakers around the world, VC incorporated as a nonprofit in 2016 and began its transformation into the global media organization it is today.

VISUALS CREDITS

Trailer by VCers Sam Vladimirsky and Sky Dylan-Robbins, featuring gorgeous VC member footage by Victoria Rivera and Soren Nielsen, Mike Shum, Mac Premo, Souki Mehdaoui, Nico Muñoz, Alex Clark, Sam Wanjohi, and Martin Awano; and stunning photography by VC members Bellyfire Productions, Oresti Tsonopoulos, Chase Collum, Frank Sun, and Leslye Davis.

Photos featured by VC members and visual storytellers Jake Winsett and Michelle Pomeroy of Bellyfire Productions, Oresti Tsonopoulos, Chase Collum, and Leslye Davis.