Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22, is a moment to reflect on our relationship with the planet and to learn how collective action can protect the environments we depend on. At the University of St. Thomas Libraries, patrons can explore a wide range of thought‑provoking documentaries that examine climate change, conservation, environmental justice, and the natural world from local and global perspectives. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding, spark classroom discussion, or simply be inspired, these films offer meaningful ways to engage with Earth Day and the ongoing work of caring for our shared home.

• All That Breathes – An intimate portrait of two brothers in Delhi who rescue injured birds while living amid environmental and social collapse.
• The American Buffalo – A sweeping Ken Burns documentary tracing the cultural, ecological, and symbolic history of the American bison and its deep connection to Indigenous peoples and the nation’s identity.
• Bugs That Rule the World – This documentary reveals the essential roles insects play in sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and human survival.
• Climate Refugees: A Global Challenge – A documentary examining how climate change is displacing millions of people and reshaping global migration.
• Dynamic Planet – An educational film explaining Earth’s interconnected systems—geological, atmospheric, and biological—and how they shape life on the planet.
• Earth Emergency – A global look at the accelerating climate crisis and the urgent actions needed to mitigate its most devastating impacts.
• Fast Fashion: The Real Price of Low‑Cost Fashion – An exposé of the environmental, social, and human costs hidden behind the global fast‑fashion industry.
• Gardening for the Planet – A hopeful exploration of how innovative gardening and land‑stewardship practices can help communities adapt to climate change.
• King Coal – A poetic and personal documentary reflecting on coal’s cultural legacy and environmental toll in Appalachian communities.
• Kiss the Ground – An optimistic film advocating regenerative agriculture as a powerful solution to climate change through soil restoration.
• The National Parks: America’s Best Idea – Ken Burns chronicles the visionary effort to preserve America’s natural landscapes through the creation of the national park system.
• Planetary Defenders – A profile of activists, scientists, and Indigenous leaders working worldwide to protect Earth from ecological destruction.
• Silverback – A nature documentary focusing on the life of a dominant male mountain gorilla and the fragile world he protects.
• Single‑Use Planet – An investigation into the environmental damage caused by disposable plastics and the movement to eliminate single‑use waste.

To continue your Earth Day viewing, search the Music & Media Collections for documentaries on climate, conservation, and sustainability.

Exploring the Holocaust through film can be a powerful way to begin understanding one of the darkest chapters in human history. This curated collection brings together a selection of both documentary and feature films that offer meaningful entry points into the topic—whether you’re new to learning about the Holocaust or seeking to deepen your knowledge. While this list highlights key titles to get you started, there are many more films available. To continue your exploration, be sure to search the University Library’s Music & Media Collections for additional resources and viewing options.

From March 1 -April 30, 2026 visitors are also invited to experience Transfer of Memory, an exhibit on display in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library’s main floor rotunda. This portrait‑based exhibition shares the life stories of Holocaust survivors who made their homes in Minnesota, combining photographs and first‑person testimony to illuminate lived histories of displacement, survival, and resilience. The exhibit offers a space to reflect on the importance of carrying memory forward, especially as the number of firsthand witnesses continues to decline.

Documentaries

• 999: The Forgotten Girls – A historical documentary that tells the untold true story of nearly 999 young Jewish women and girls from Slovakia who were deceived into believing they were going to work but were instead deported to Auschwitz in the first official Jewish transport, showing through survivor testimony how a few endured over three years in Nazi death camps.
• Against All Odds: Surviving the Holocaust – A documentary that follows the powerful firsthand accounts of survivors who recount their experiences of endurance, resilience, and the will to live through the atrocities of the Holocaust.
• As a Young Girl of Thirteen – A documentary in which Holocaust survivor Simone Lagrange recounts her experiences before and during her deportation to Auschwitz‑Birkenau and her later role in identifying Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie.
• The Cure for Hate: Bearing Witness to Auschwitz – A documentary that follows former neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier Tony McAleer’s personal journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau to atone for his past, confront the roots and consequences of hate and extremism, and highlight the urgent need to remember the Holocaust and challenge unchecked hatred today.
• Harbor from the Holocaust – Recounts how nearly 20,000 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe found unexpected refuge in Shanghai during World War II and explores their experiences and connections with the city through personal testimonies and historical context.
• Night and Fog – A haunting short documentary that juxtaposes post-war color footage of abandoned Nazi concentration camps with archival black-and-white material to confront the horrific realities of the Holocaust and urge reflection on humanity’s capacity for cruelty and the necessity of memory.
• The Rape of Europa – Chronicles how the Nazis systematically looted, destroyed, and displaced Europe’s artistic treasures during World War II and follows the efforts of historians, curators, and the “Monuments Men” to save and recover those works.
• Shoah – Part 1 & Shoah – Part 2 – Shoah is a nine‑hour documentary by Claude Lanzmann that presents the Holocaust through in‑depth interviews with survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators, without using archival footage. It explores the mechanisms and human experiences of genocide through direct, unflinching testimony.
• The U.S. and the Holocaust – A documentary that explores how American society, politics, and policies shaped the nation’s response to the rise of Nazism and the genocide of the European Jews during World War II.
• To Auschwitz and Back – A documentary that follows Holocaust survivor Joe Engel’s harrowing journey from the Warsaw Ghetto to Auschwitz and Birkenau, his escape from a death train as a teen, and his lifelong mission to share his story of survival and resilience

Feature Films

• Europa Europa – A dramatic true-story film about a Jewish teenager during World War II who survives by concealing his identity and posing as an ethnic German, ultimately joining the Hitler Youth while constantly risking exposure.
• Fateless – Depicts a Hungarian Jewish teenager’s harrowing journey through concentration camps and his struggle to comprehend survival amid unimaginable brutality.
• In Darkness – Portrays a Polish sewer worker who hides a group of Jews in the sewers of Nazi-occupied Lwów, risking his life as compassion gradually overtakes self-interest.
• Jojo Rabbit – A satirical drama about a young German boy in the Hitler Youth whose worldview is challenged when he discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.
• Life is Beautiful – This film centers on a Jewish father who uses humor and imagination to shield his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp.
• Schindler’s List – The true story of German businessman Oskar Schindler, whose efforts saved the lives of more than 1000 Jews during the Holocaust.
• Son of Saul – A Jewish‑Hungarian Sonderkommando prisoner (Jewish prisoners forced to assist the Nazis) in Auschwitz who becomes determined to give a murdered boy he believes is his son a proper Jewish burial despite the mortal danger it brings.
• The Grey Zone – Inspired by real events, a brave group of Jewish prisoners stage the only armed revolt ever carried out within the walls of Auschwitz.
• The Monuments Men – Allied WWII-era art experts go behind enemy lines in Germany to recover works of art stolen by the Nazis, which are slated for destruction if the Third Reich falls. With little combat experience, the ragtag squadron have their work cut out for them.
• The Pianist – Based on the true survival story of Polish Jewish musician Władysław Szpilman as he endures the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.
• The Zone of Interest – The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.
• Woman in Gold – A Jewish woman attempts to reclaim her family’s property, which was stolen six decades earlier during WWII. With the help of an ambitious young lawyer, she starts legal proceedings in various countries around the world.

Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black individuals and communities throughout history. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the struggles for justice and equality while honoring the cultural, artistic, and intellectual impact of Black voices.

This month, we invite you to explore powerful stories told through film with a curated selection of streaming titles from our collection. From documentaries to feature films, these works celebrate Black voices, experiences, and creativity while encouraging a deeper understanding of the past and its influence on the present.

• 42 – The story of two men—the great Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey—whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.
• Black Panther – A superhero known as Black Panther defends Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa that has hidden itself away from the rest of the world. Now, he must face a dissident who wants to sell the country’s natural resources to fund an uprising.
• District Greenwood: The Amalgamated People – In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood District, or Black Wall Street, was one of the most prosperous African American communities in the US. This documentary charts that history and explores the lessons from this time period that can be applied today.
• Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement 1954–1985 – Critically acclaimed documentary tells the definitive story of the civil rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life, and embodied a struggle whose reverberations continue to be felt today.
• Eyes On The Prize III: We Who Believe In Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015 – Inspired by Henry Hampton’s legendary documentary series Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement, this new installment illuminates the bold stories of people and communities who continue to work for equity and racial justice in the years since the birth of the American Civil Rights Movement.
• Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project – An intimate documentary portrait of poet Nikki Giovanni that weaves her reflections on love, activism, aging, and imagination with her lifelong fascination with space and the future.
• Harriet – The incredible true story of one of America’s greatest heroes, Harriet Tubman. From her escape from slavery to the dangerous missions she led, setting free hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad.
• I Am Not Your Negro – This film examines race in America through the words of James Baldwin, using his unfinished manuscript to confront the nation’s history of racism and its enduring impact on Black lives.
• Marshall – This gripping courtroom drama centers on a young Thurgood Marshall in 1941, long before his Supreme Court appointment, as he defends a Black chauffeur accused of assaulting a wealthy white woman in Connecticut.
• Moonlight – A young African American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
• Muhammad Ali – A four-part documentary miniseries about one of the best-known and most indelible figures of the 20th century, a three-time heavyweight boxing champion who insisted on being himself unconditionally and became an inspiration to people everywhere.
• Straight Outta Compton – Chronicle of the seminal rap group N.W.A. and their ‘hood-to-riches success, tracing their story from the mean streets of mid-’80s Compton to their triumphant battles against censorship.
• The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution – Documentary chronicles the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party, exploring its fight against police brutality, racial injustice, and systemic inequality in 1960s and 1970s America. Through archival footage and firsthand accounts, the documentary reveals the movement’s powerful impact, internal conflicts, and lasting legacy.

You can find more films by searching our list of streaming video databases (https://libguides.stthomas.edu/music-media/databases).

Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers an opportunity to honor and reflect on the life, work, and enduring legacy of Dr. King, whose leadership and vision helped advance civil rights and social justice in the United States. Observed each January, the holiday encourages reflection on his commitment to nonviolence, equality, and community service, while inviting individuals to consider how his work continues to shape conversations about justice and opportunity today. The UST Libraries support this reflection by providing access to a wide range of streaming films that explore the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King’s leadership, and the ongoing pursuit of racial justice.

• BlacKkKlansman (2018) – A black detective sets out to infiltrate the Colorado chapter of the Ku Klux Klan with the help of his Jewish colleague. In the midst of the 1970s civil rights movement, they risk their lives to obtain insider information on the violent organization.
• Green Book (2018) – Bouncer Tony Lip is hired by African-American musician Don Shirley to chauffer him around the Jim Crow South in 1962 for an eight-week concert tour. The mismatched men form a friendship as Tony learns first-hand the racism Don must endure to perform.
• John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) – An intimate account of legendary U.S. Representative John Lewis’ life, legacy and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism.
• King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis (1970) – A documentary that follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement.
• King in the Wilderness (2018) – A portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. during the last years of his life, from his part in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to his assassination in 1968.
• Making Black America (2022) – This four-hour series, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., chronicles the vast social networks and organizations created by and for Black people-beyond the reach of the “White gaze.” Gates takes viewers into an extraordinary world that showcases Black people’s ability to collectively prosper, defy white supremacy and define Blackness in ways that transformed America itself.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: The Making of a Holiday (1978) – This is the story of how Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, birthday became a national holiday thanks to the unrelenting drive of his widow, Coretta Scott King, and politicians like Representative John Conyers, Jr.
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a Dream” Speech – On August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech to 200,000 listeners.
• MLK/FBI (2020) – A documentary that examines the FBI’s extensive surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King Jr., revealing how government agencies sought to undermine the civil rights movement through wiretapping, intimidation, and disinformation.
• Mississippi Burning (1988) – A dramatization of the FBI investigation into the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi, exposing the violent racism and corruption that protected white supremacist groups.
• Selma (2014) – The marches from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery to secure voting rights for black Americans are depicted in this docudrama set during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, and which focuses on the actions of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Till (2022) – The story of Emmett Louis Till and the legacy of his mother who pursued justice for her lynched son.

You can find more films by searching our list of streaming video databases (https://libguides.stthomas.edu/music-media/databases).

National Native American Heritage Month, celebrated each November, honors the rich histories, diverse cultures, and important contributions of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples. It’s a time to recognize the resilience and enduring traditions of Indigenous communities, as well as to reflect on their vital role in shaping the history and future of the United States. The month also encourages learning about tribal sovereignty, contemporary issues, and the many ways Indigenous peoples continue to strengthen and enrich the nation.

Looking to learn more about Indigenous histories and achievements? The UST Libraries have you covered with a great collection of streaming films—here are a few to get you started.

• Attla (2019) – The story of George Atttla, an Alaska Native dogsled racer who, with one good leg and fierce determination, rose to international fame and became a legendary sports hero.
• Being Thunder (2021) – Sherenté, a Two Spirit Genderqueer teenager from the Narragansett tribe, courageously continues to dance in female fancy shawl competitions despite discrimination from some tribal leaders, receiving support from family, fellow dancers, and the broader powwow community.
  
• Gather (2020) – A documentary that explores the growing movement among indigenous people to reconnect to their spiritual and cultural identities through food sovereignty and traditional foodways.
• Lakota Nation vs. United States (2022) – A provocative, visually stunning testament to a land and people who have survived removal, exploitation and genocide – and whose best days are yet to come.
• Native America (2018-2023) – A PBS documentary series that explores the rich histories, living traditions, and enduring innovations of Indigenous peoples across the Americas, connecting ancient wisdom to contemporary Native life.
• Rez Metal (2021) – A documentary about a Navajo metal band and the vibrant heavy metal scene throughout the Navajo nation.
• Singing Back the Buffalo (2025) – Indigenous visionaries, scientists and communities are rematriating the buffalo to the heart of the North American plains they once defined.
• Sisters Rising (2020) – The story of six Native American women fighting to restore personal and tribal sovereignty in the face of ongoing sexual violence against Indigenous women in the United States.
• Stolen Spirits (2022) – The documentary follows a Nebraska community’s search for the graves of Indigenous children who died at the historic Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School, exposing how the American Indian boarding-school system attempted to erase Native identity.
• We Are Unarmed (2020) – A fresh look at the Indigenous-led resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

You can find more films by searching our list of streaming video databases (https://libguides.stthomas.edu/music-media/databases).