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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 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

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

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Cite a Documentary in Other Styles

Documentary in MLADocumentary in ChicagoDocumentary in HarvardDocumentary in VancouverDocumentary in IEEEDocumentary in AMADocumentary in TurabianDocumentary in CSEDocumentary in BibTeXDocumentary in NatureDocumentary in ACSDocumentary in OSCOLADocumentary in BluebookDocumentary in AGLCDocumentary in ASADocumentary in APSADocumentary in AAADocumentary in NLMDocumentary in ACMDocumentary in APSDocumentary in AIPDocumentary in CellDocumentary in ScienceDocumentary in PLOSDocumentary in BMJDocumentary in LancetDocumentary in JAMADocumentary in Elsevier HarvardDocumentary in Springer

Cite Other Sources in APA

Website in APABook in APAJournal Article in APAYouTube Video in APAPodcast in APANewspaper Article in APAMagazine Article in APABlog Post in APAWikipedia in APAPDF in APAInterview in APASocial Media Post in APAGovernment Document in APADissertation or Thesis in APAConference Paper in APALecture or PowerPoint in APAWebinar in APAImage or Photograph in APAMovie or Film in APATV Show in APASong or Music in APAPoem in APACourt Case in APAPatent in APAEncyclopedia Entry in APADictionary Entry in APADataset in APASoftware or App in APAVideo Game in APAPress Release in APAReport in APAPreprint in APABook Chapter in APAChatGPT in APABible in APATED Talk in APAEmail in APAReddit or Forum Post in APAMap in APA

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