Media Burn Archive - Four decades of documentaries

Welcome to Media Burn

Media Burn Archive collects, restores and distributes documentary video created by artists, activists and community groups. Media Burn is a project of the Fund for Innovative TV, which has been producing challenging documentary video and television since 1990.
Our Mission

Our mission is to use archival media to deepen context and encourage critical thought through a social justice lens.
Donate

The national significance of the collection of more than 8,000 videos has been recognized with grants from the National Archives, the “Save America’s Treasures” program of the NEH, the NEA, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Your support is a critical part of our success. Please donate today.
Our video transfer services

The boxes of tapes in your basement or closet may be deteriorating much faster than you think. You will have no better chance of transferring them successfully and for a reasonable cost than today. Media Burn is a boutique footage transfer service that provides highly personalized attention to your project.

New Videos

[Aristide speaks to Carver Community Club]

Politics
The March for Disarmament

1982-6-12 / Global Perspectives on War and Peace

Part of the Global Perspectives on War and Peace Collection. Large rally to support disarmament in Central Park. June 12th, 1982. Continue reading →
Chicago Home Video Day is this Saturday!

May 21, 2019 at 2:37 pm / Blog

Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E Chicago Ave, in the CommonsWhen: Saturday, May 25th, noon to 4pm, drop by any time Admission: Programs in the Commons are always free! Museum admission is required for gallery access.How: The rules are simple – bring your VHS, VHS-C, Hi-8, Video 8 or Mini-DV cassette to the team of inspectors, who will make whatever repairs are necessary to ensure the tape is playable, and can answer your questions about videotape care and … Continue reading →
A Vision Comes to Life: Chicago’s 57th Street Art Fair, The First Fifty Years 1948-1997

1997-01-01 / Arts & Culture, Chicago, Studs Terkel
Kids event: make a video time capsule on May 18!

May 13, 2019 at 9:38 am / Blog

Media Burn Archive works to preserve important videos so they’ll be able to be watched far into the future. At the Video Time Capsule Workshop, families will be able to preserve their own memories and create a special message for their future selves! You’ll work together to write and produce video time capsules, explore kids videos from different eras, learn about the ways videos used to be made, and showcase your creativity with a Polaroid craft. The Video Time Capsule … Continue reading →
Democratic Powerhouse Thomas Hynes Dies at 80

May 8, 2019 at 9:51 am / Blog

Thomas Hynes, Chicago Democrat who held office for more than 40 years, died May 4 after a long illness. He was an influential member of the Democratic National Committee. First elected to the Illinois Senate in 1970, he became its youngest President at 31. From his base in Chicago’s 19th ward, he was long-serving Cook County assessor. He also decided to run against Harold Washington in the 1987 Chicago mayoral race. While he was a part of the Democratic party, … Continue reading →
Tracing the Light

2009-01-01 / Arts & Culture, Chicago, Performance

Long version of film about making the show “Tracing the Light” by Donna Blue Lachman. Continue reading →
Tracing the Light

2009-08-08 / Arts & Culture, Chicago, Performance

Acorn Theater. complete show. Continue reading →