Films in the Humanities was a pioneering effort to bring together films, filmmakers and scholars in public forums throughout the state.
At the core of the program is the showcasing of award-winning documentary films—all funded by Humanities New York—such as Ken Burns, Brooklyn Bridge—with presentations at each screening by the filmmaker and a by a scholar connected to the film. During 1985 and 1986, Humanities NY provided over 90 yearly events for free to audiences at museums, libraries, colleges and community gathering places, thanks to a National Endowment for the Arts Exemplary Award.