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Margaret Mead Film Festival

About the Mead

The American Museum of Natural History's Margaret Mead Film Festival features documentary films, shorts, and other media that increase our understanding of the complexity and diversity of peoples and cultures around the world.  

Inspired by anthropologist Margaret Mead's groundbreaking use of film and photography, the Mead celebrates ever-changing modes of storytelling, new technologies, and increased access to communities near and far while presenting the best in non-fiction film and hybrid works.

The Mead aims to connect viewers to cultures and communities around the world, creating empathy and understanding through visual media. Hundreds of filmmakers and scholars, thousands of moviegoers, and more than 40 international nonfiction films and media converge over four thrilling days of screenings, conversations, and parties.

See you at the Mead!

2019 Festival Highlights 

movie theater showing image of lion coffin. On the left of the stage is one of his masterpiece coffins from the Museum’s anthropology collections.
Hundreds of filmmakers and scholars, thousands of moviegoers, and over 40 international nonfiction films and media converge over four thrilling days of screenings, conversations, and parties at the Mead.
One man applies red paint to his face while another man with black paint glyphs on his chest and abdomen films closely
Special events and dialogues complement our extraordinary slate of films each year. Join us for dynamic conversation exploring what it means for community-based artists and filmmakers to tell their own stories.
girl wearing vr headset and smiling
Anthropologist Margaret Mead documented cultures and helped others connect to communities around the world using the groundbreaking medium of her time, film. The Mixed Media Lounge  showcases virtual reality, augmented reality, and more as modes to encounter diverse cultural stories.
Young girl playing with a soccer ball
On Thursday, October 17 at 7 pm, join us for Freedom Fields for our Opening Night screening and reception.
Crew filming in the woods
Collectively illuminates how media empowers communities whose voices were previously underrepresented. In our second edition of this program, three American collectives represent a diverse group of visual storytellers—Appalachian filmmakers, community voices of Chicago, and Pacific Islander media-makers.
Mead Award Slide
The Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award recognizes documentary filmmakers who embody the spirit, energy, and innovation demonstrated by anthropologist Margaret Mead. The award is given to a filmmaker whose US premiere feature-length film displays artistic excellence and original cultural storytelling. Learn more about this year’s contenders and jury!
Mead volunteer smiling at a VR check in table
Mead volunteers are integral to festival operations—from flyer distribution to screen testing films to staffing our virtual reality stations. We are lucky to work with such a talented and passionate group! Learn how to get involved.

Contact Us

Phone and Email

Phone: 212.769.5305
Fax: 212.769.5329
[email protected]

Mead Festival Location

American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024-5102

Mead Festival Social Media

Mailing List

Sign up for the Mead mailing list on our Newsletter page - select "Film at the Museum" to receive film details, event updates, and special promos.

Films Tickets and Passes Special Events and Dialogues Schedule Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award