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Mini Docs is an all-new original video series created and produced by Connecticut Public's award-winning visuals team. Featuring everyday voices and striking visuals, we explore our state’s identity through the hearts and minds of the people who live here. These videos are short and powerful. New episodes are released every month. Watch now!

Miss Gen From Georgia

When Geneva “Gen” Idlette was young, she worked on Jimmy Carter’s family farm in Plains, Georgia. She's now 91 years old. Miss Gen reflects on growing up in the Deep South and witnessing Carter confronting the Klu Klux Klan before he was a political leader.

Video by David Wurtzel

The American Mural Project

The American Mural Project, located in Winsted, Conn., is the world’s largest indoor collaborative mural and a tribute to American workers. It's a one-of-a-kind work of art — at five stories high, the mural is a visual history of America shown through its workers. In this Mini Doc, Founder and Artistic Director of AMP, Ellen Griesedieck, tells the story of how the massive three dimensional mural came to be. From visiting a Boeing manufacturing plant to collaborating with over 15,000 people across all 50 states, through partnerships, schools and nonprofits, the original concept has bloomed into not only a "tribute and a challenge", but also into an education and programming space for the arts.

Video by Kevin Kuhl

Metal Sam

For 21 year old 'Metal Sam' music is freedom. A native of Afghanistan, he and his family were in Kabul during the Taliban takeover. Forced into worry and fear - he threw away his guitar which was seen as supportive to western culture. Now, two years later, his family have found their way to a better life in New Haven, Connecticut, where Metal Sam has re-established his true passion of playing metal guitar and expressing his art.

Video by David Wurtzel

Chelsea Cutler: A New Generation of Music

In a state where mainstream talent is difficult to be discovered, 26-year-old singer, song-writer and producer, Chelsea Cutler who was born and raised in Westport, Connecticut is on her way to being a new face and representation of Connecticut and the talent that lays within. After being discovered through SoundCloud during her time at college, she is now signed with Republic Records home to artists like Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, The Weekend, Pink Floyd and more. We talked with Chelsea on her story as an artist, her struggles with the industry and her identity, and what it was like for her to grow up in Connecticut, while she takes on one of her biggest shows in New England at the nationally renowned music festival, Boston Calling.

Video by Ayannah Brown

More Than a Movie

When Michael Jungden purchased The Mansfield Drive-In over 45 years ago, it was covered in overgrown weeds and grass. Jungden and his family developed it into something meaningful. Today his wife and two daughters operate the drive-in, carrying on his life’s passion and the tradition of outdoor communal cinema.

Video by David Wurtzel

Teen Chefs, Big Dreams

Chef Nate Bradshaw is a beloved culinary teacher at Wilbur Cross High School. About ten years ago, he started a competitive cooking team with students who stay after school to learn the nuances of culinary arts and restaurant management. Despite having little publicity and no budget to buy food and equipment for the competition, Bradshaw’s team went from placing in the top 50 to winning first place in the nation in just a few years. The students currently fund their team by catering school events and selling ice cream sandwiches in between classes. Bradshaw uses the cooking team as a launching point for them to secure scholarships and jobs in the industry. In this Mini Doc, we follow Chef Bradshaw and his students to the National ProStart Invitational, where high schools from around the country compete under pressure to create the best culinary experience in the nation.

Video by Ryan Caron King

Back To Life | The Aircraft Restoration Team

The Aircraft Restoration Team are the volunteers behind the scenes at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT. In a joint effort to preserve and restore historical aircrafts, the volunteers from all walks of life are preserving their personal stories through their shared love of aviation. While the public enjoys the finished aircrafts, many are not aware of how they were brought back to life or by whom.

Video by David Wurtzel

Light The Beacon

Since 2015, the beacon atop the Heublein Tower on Avon Mountain has been dark. Through the efforts of the Friends Of Heublein Tower and the state of Conn., it has been restored and will be relit on May 20th during a ceremony at the Talcott Mountain Collective in Simsbury with food, drinks and music.

Part of The National Register of Historic Places, the Tower is known as an iconic landmark for many, and provides beautiful 360 degree views of Hartford and the Farmington River Valley from the top of Talcott Mountain State Park. In this video hear more about the importance of the historic landmark, the Heublein Family who owned it, and ongoing efforts for its restoration.

Video by Kevin Kuhl

The Perfect Vision

Keith Haley and Sietska Morgan are both legally blind. Yet they don't let that disable their lives. Their shared passion of playing blind ice hockey on 'The Hartford Braillers' brought them together. They soon after discovered other shared interests such as cooking and a general sense of adventure. Their story is one of resiliency, spirit, and human connection.

Video by David Wurtzel and Mark Mirko

Adger Cowans

Adger Cowans is an 85-year-old photographer and visual artist in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He has worked with celebrated photojournalist Gordon Parks, photographed jazz greats, movie stars and Hollywood sets -- and bore witness to several eras of American history through the lens of his camera. In this video, he reflects on his life's work, the racism he faced working in a predominately white industry, and what motivates him to make art.

Video by Ryan Caron King and Tyler Russell

Jumpfest

The Salisbury Ski Jumps have been embedded in northwestern Connecticut's culture since Norwegian immigrants started teaching locals how to ski in the 1920s. In this video, we go to the 96th Annual Jumpfest to learn about this long standing tradition, and get some advice from young ski jumpers on how to brave the heights.

Video by Ryan Caron King

100 Jumps

On June 16, 2021 Storrs skydiver Doug Hendrix set a record for most jumps performed in a single day by one person in Connecticut. Hendrix fundraised for the event in support of the Ellington Fire Department.

Video by David Wurtzel

Championship Rounds

Experts say that exercise can help reduce symptoms of Parkinson's and other movement disorders. Some Connecticut residents are taking their fight to Whaling City Athletic Club in New London.

Video by Ryan Caron King

The Atomic Vet

Hank Bolden was one of thousands of soldiers exposed to secret nuclear weapons tests during the Cold War. He is one of only a few African Americans still alive to tell the story.

Video by Joe Amon and Ryan Caron King