Hollywood is struggling, and something more human is rising in its place.

In Q1 of 2025 alone:

🎬 Television production dropped 31%

🎥 Feature film production down 29%

🍿 Box office sales in North America fell by 50% compared to the same time last year.

That’s not a fluke. It’s a shift.

And it’s opening the door for something real.

📈 The global documentary market is projected to nearly double—from $12B to $21B—by 2033.

📺 Doc streaming viewership is up 20% this year.

💡 Even YouTube reports that 75% of watch time is long-form.

Meanwhile, platforms like Olyn are giving filmmakers new tools to connect directly with audiences. No gatekeepers and no middlemen.

AI can write scripts.

Studios can manufacture hype.

But nothing replaces the quiet, disarming power of a real person telling their story, in their own words.

Documentary is what remains when spectacle fades.

And right now, it’s not just surviving, it’s thriving.

At Glacial Etch Media, we specialize in capturing those human moments.

Founder’s stories. Testimonials. Legacy films.

Not just for entertainment, but for meaning, memory, and impact.

🎥 As long as there are overlooked voices and filmmakers willing to listen, the documentary form will never go out of style.

If you’re building something with a story behind it, we’d love to help tell it.