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

Back By Popular Demand: Erwin Helfer and Mama Yancey Screening at Old Town School of Folk Music

April 26, 2019 at 9:38 am / Blog

After a sold out event in January, Media Burn presents a second showing of archival video featuring legendary pianist Erwin Helfer and the late blues singer Estelle “Mama” Yancey on Saturday, April 27, as part of a celebratory evening of live gospel and blues music at Old Town School of Folk Music in Ravenswood. In 1982, future Chicago Blues Festival Coordinator Barry Dolins filmed an intimate performance and conversation between Erwin Helfer and an 86 year-old Mama Yancey at the … Continue reading →
Gary Fencik

1/23/1990 / Jamie Ceaser
Bull’s Game – 1/23/1990

1/23/1990 / Jamie Ceaser
B-Roll: orphans, Marc and Alan

1/19/1990 / Jamie Ceaser
Ed & Marc

1/19/1990 / Jamie Ceaser
B-Roll: house, walking out, orphans

1/10/1990 / Jamie Ceaser
B-Roll Night

1/10/1990 / Jamie Ceaser
Club Lago – tape 16

1/10/1990 / Jamie Ceaser