Kino Lorber Acquires North American Rights to Mark Cousins’ ‘The Story of Documentary Film’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Kino Lorber has acquired North American distribution rights to Mark Cousins’ “The Story of Documentary Film,” a 16-volume history of the medium that examines over a century of global nonfiction cinema.

In addition to the North American deal, the film has sold internationally to I Wonder (Italy), Filmin (Spain and Portugal), and Madman (Australia/New Zealand). Dogwoof is handling world sales rights.

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“The Story of Documentary Film” made its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where the festival presented chapter 1, “The Beginning.” The film was also an official selection at the 2026 Berlinale, which screened chapters 1 through 4, and most recently at Cannes Classics, which premiered chapters 6 and 7.

Kino Lorber will release “The Story of Documentary Film” on all platforms later this year.

Lisa Schwartz, chief distribution and revenue officer for Kino Lorber said, “Documentary filmmakers have captured the reality of our times since the earliest days of cinema, and celebrating and elevating their work feels more important than ever in our current era of fake news and manipulated imagery.”

“The Story of Documentary Film” is produced by John Archer for Hopscotch Films. The film is executive produced by Clara Glynn, Joslyn Barnes, Frank Lehmann and Diana Bustamente.

The deal for “The Story of Documentary Film” was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and Cleo Veger of Dogwoof ahead of the film’s Cannes Classics premiere.