Our Curation Standards
Why These Films?
Every documentary on Reel Facts has been carefully selected to meet our standards for quality and substance. With thousands of documentaries released each year, we're building toward a curated collection of 500 films—each one worth your time.
Our goal is simple: every film included should be one that the vast majority of viewers would rate as "Highly Recommend." This isn't about personal taste—it's about identifying documentaries that deliver exceptional value across five core elements.
What "Highly Recommend" Means
While enjoyment plays an important role in whether we recommend a film, our curation decisions go deeper. We evaluate each documentary against five objective criteria that separate good films from essential viewing.
The Five Core Elements
| Element | What We Look For |
|---|---|
| Storytelling | Is the documentary engaging and well-structured? Does it maintain viewer interest through compelling narrative construction, effective pacing, and clear storytelling that makes the subject matter come alive? |
| Educational Value | Will a broad audience learn valuable and insightful information about history, science, culture, social sciences, politics, current events, or other significant topics? Is the content accessible without being oversimplified? |
| Objectivity | Does the documentary present a well-rounded point of view on its topic? Does it avoid political and scientific biases? Are claims well-researched and properly sourced? |
| Production Quality | Is the film well-made with high-quality cinematography, audio, narration, and writing? Does the technical execution enhance rather than distract from the storytelling? |
| Relevance | Does the topic have significance today from a cultural, scientific, or educational perspective? Will this film still matter to audiences in the coming years? |
Our Selection Process
Initial Curation
Films are initially selected by the Reel Facts curators based on the five core elements above. We start with the question: "Would we highly recommend this to a friend?" If the answer is yes, we then evaluate it systematically against each criterion.
While one person's decision to "highly recommend" a film may vary, we aim to be as objective as possible when assessing these five elements. This helps ensure consistency across our collection and reduces individual bias.
Community Validation
Our curation process doesn't end with the curators. Once a film is added to the collection, we rely on feedback from Reel Facts members to validate our selections.
Your input matters. If members consistently rate a film lower than "Highly Recommend," we take that seriously. Similarly, if members suggest documentaries we've overlooked that meet our standards, those recommendations help shape what gets added next.
Maintaining Quality Over Time
Managing the Collection
With a target of 500 films, we're committed to maintaining a dynamic collection that stays relevant and valuable. This means:
Annual Relevance Reviews: Each year, we review films that may have lost relevance based on their topic. Some documentaries address time-sensitive issues that, while important when released, may no longer resonate with current audiences.
Continuous Updates: We don't wait for annual reviews to make changes. Based on member feedback and new releases, we continually replace films in the collection. Once we reach 500 films we plan to start retiring films from the list to make room for newly added films.
Why These Standards Matter
Documentary filmmaking has never been more vibrant, with streaming platforms releasing hundreds of new films each year. But more content doesn't always mean better content. Our curation standards help you cut through the noise.
When you watch a documentary on Reel Facts, you can trust that it's been evaluated for substance, quality, and lasting value—not just because it's new, popular, or fits a trending topic.
We're building a collection that respects your time and rewards your curiosity. Every film here has earned its place.
Questions about our curation approach? Visit our Provide Feedback or Contact Us pages to share your thoughts.