How do I cite a documentary in APA?

To cite a documentary in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the APA format for a documentary citation?

The APA format for a documentary is: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of documentary [Film]. Studio/Distributor.

What does the in-text citation look like for a documentary in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Director, Year)

How to Cite a Documentary in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite documentary films and non-fiction films in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

APA Reference List Format

Here is the standard APA format for citing a documentary in your reference list:

Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of documentary [Film]. Studio/Distributor.

APA Example for a Documentary

A complete APA reference for a documentary, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Ferreira, B. (Director). (2021). Paper trails [Documentary]. Northlight Films.

Matching in-text citation: (Ferreira, 2021)

APA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Director, Year)

Narrative

Director (Year) documents...

Key APA Formatting Rules

Italicize the documentary title and add the [Film] bracket descriptor.
List the director using the Director role in parentheses.
Use the studio or distributor as the publisher.
If a director is not credited, use the production company as the author.
For one watched on a streaming platform, add the platform and URL at the end.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your documentary.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: apa.csl

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a documentary in APA?: To cite a documentary in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APA format for a documentary citation?: The APA format for a documentary is: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of documentary [Film]. Studio/Distributor.
What does the in-text citation look like for a documentary in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Director, Year)