Dr. Samuel George  is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and analyst for the Bertelsmann Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, DC. 

Samuel’s documentaries bring viewers up close and personal to people and communities facing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, offering candid perspectives that allow viewers to draw their own conclusions. His films focus on the intersection of politics, economics, social issues, and daily life. Filming on the ground from the Turkish – Syrian border, to the factories of Juarez, Mexico, to elections in West Virginia, the films offer a voice to those impacted by policy and macro trends, but who often are denied a seat at the table where decisions are made. George’s documentaries have screened at film festivals, collaborative events, and have broadcast across the country. Three of his films have in syndication on PBS, and a number of others are available on streaming services . All films are freely available online at http://www.bfnadocs.org.

George is also the co-author and editor of The No Collar Economy: Exponential Change and the Digital Revolution, a graphic arts book published by the Bertelsmann Foundation in 2017, and Our Digital World, a follow-up publication in 2020—projects also completed in his capacity as Bertelsmann Foundation’s Global Markets & Digital Advisor

George graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Oberlin College in 2007, and a Master’s Degree in International Economics and Latin American Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in 2012. He completed a PhD at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in 2024.

IN THE PRESS

Opportunity or price? Documentary explores the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on the Balkans – https://www.voachinese.com/a/7061335.html

56th Public Media Awards Winners Announced – https://www.netaonline.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/pma56-winners-press-release-2024.pdf

“The best things to do in the D.C. area” (Washington Post) – https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/26/dc-area-events-concerts-festivals/

Society of Architectural Historian Award for Film and Video – https://www.sah.org/programs/sah-awards/sah-award-for-film-and-video

“Bitter 2021 ATI strike focus of documentary” – https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/bitter-2021-ati-strike-focus-of-documentary-zoom-discussion/

FILM TALK – “Local 1196: A Steelworkers Strike” – https://youtu.be/lX-h7XUo3mI?t=816

“Wilson Center Hosts China Belt and Road Initiative Documentary Screening” –https://www.thewellnews.com/think-tanks/wilson-center-hosts-china-belt-and-road-initiative-documentary-screening/

OCTFME RECOGNIZES SAMUEL GEORGE AS THE DECEMBER 2021 FILMMAKER OF THE MONTH – https://entertainment.dc.gov/release/fotm-DECEMBER-2021

Screening & Discussion: “Barry Farm: Community, Land and Justice in Washington, DC”, Recording of NYU post-film conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaPFwAv9en8&t=314s

“New Documentary Dives Into the Rich History of Barry Farm-Hillsdale” – https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/560442/new-documentary-dives-into-the-rich-history-of-barry-farm-hillsdale/

“New Documentary Examines Land Justice at D.C.’s Barry Farm” – https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/06/17/documentary-land-justice-barry-farm-dc

“Barry Farm’s Legacy Is The Subject Of A New Documentary By D.C. Filmmakers” – https://dcist.com/story/22/06/16/barry-farm-documentary-dc-free-premiere-mlk-library/

“Americans are more united than we think, but too often united in pain – Reflections on Filming Local 1196” – https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/insight/2022/04/10/samuel-george-americans-are-more-united-than-we-think-but-too-often-united-in-pain/stories/202204040080New

‘Out to Vote’: New documentary shows story of redemption, democracy in Baltimore – https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0403-out-to-vote-20220401-2tlgtzbmcrgynmccxgvwr6tatm-story.html

Labor goes to the Movies – Local 1196: A Steelworkers Strike (Podcast Interview) – https://anchor.fm/labor-goes-to-the-movies/episodes/Local-1196-A-Steelworkers-Strike-e1fqq6m

Power of the Camera: How Documentaries Personalize Policy (Interview) – https://www.policypunchline.com/episodes/2021/1/18/power-of-the-camera-how-documentaries-personalize-policy

A Powerful New Documentary Captures The Impact Of Go-Go Music On Protests Against Gentrification – https://dcist.com/story/20/12/01/documentary-gogo-music-black-lives-matter-gentrification-samuel-george-displacement-protest/https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/12/02/941396358/a-new-documentary-explores-impact-of-go-go-music-on-gentrification-protests-in-d-c

GO–GO CITY: DISPLACEMENT & PROTEST IN WASHINGTON, DC Conversation With Director Samuel George – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs-sha-5q-c

2021 GPFF: OUT TO VOTE // Samuel George – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piMwkcbOZ44

Samuel George, Documentary Filmmaker (Interview) – https://oberlinreview.org/22389/arts/samuel-george-oc-07-documentary-filmmaker/