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How to Cite a Documentary in APA?

Published in Citation 2 mins read

Citing a documentary in APA style is similar to citing other audiovisual materials. You'll need to include the title, director, producer, distributor, and year of release.

Here's a general format for citing a documentary:

In-text citation:

  • (Director's Last Name, Year)

Reference list entry:

  • Director's Last Name, F. (Director). (Year). Documentary Title [Film]. Distributor.

Example:

In-text citation:

  • (Attenborough, 2020)

Reference list entry:

  • Attenborough, D. (Director). (2020). A Life on Our Planet [Film]. Netflix.

Additional considerations:

  • If the documentary is a series:
    • Include the episode title and number in the reference list entry.
    • Use the episode title in the in-text citation.
  • If the documentary is available online:
    • Include the URL in the reference list entry.
    • If available, specify the platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo) where the documentary is hosted.

Example:

Reference list entry:

  • Attenborough, D. (Director). (2019). Planet Earth II: Islands [Film episode]. BBC Earth.

Practical insights:

  • Double-check the accuracy of the information you include.
  • Use the APA Style Guide for more detailed information.
  • If you're unsure about how to cite a particular documentary, consult with your instructor or librarian.

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