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Public Access

Play trailer Public Access 2026 1h 47m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Public Access is the untold story of the most subversive media experiment ever to take over our television sets. ​​​​​​​Public Access takes viewers through the archives of Manhattan's access TV channels and its revolutionary impact on how we create and consume media. Using rare primary-sources and interviews with creators who brought the marginalized, the underground, and sometimes downright illegal into New Yorkers' apartments in the 1970's-90's, this feature-length documentary explores a ground-breaking space for self-expression which pushed First Amendment boundaries and conjured a world where anyone could have their own TV show.

Critics Reviews

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Daniel Fienberg The Hollywood Reporter 3d
There are good and righteous thoughts in Public Access and I think the points it wants to make get through if you work at it, but man the journey to get there is chaotic. Go to Full Review Vikram Murthi IndieWire 3d
C+
Public Access frequently does a disservice to its actual material, which sits at the nexus of community service and avant-garde art, by having its sound and imagery constantly restate one another. Go to Full Review Gregory Nussen Screen Rant 12h
7/10
Smith's kaleidoscopic and deeply moving documentary is a wildly impressive archival project that curates a wide breadth of footage from a period of public television that was especially radical in its application of free speech. Go to Full Review Abe Friedtanzer Awards Buzz 3d
7/10
Watching this film feels like emerging from a time capsule to a world that looks just different enough from what’s being shown on screen, a path to get to truth and discovery highlighted by trial, error, and having a good time. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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David Shadrack Smith

Director

Sara Crow

Producer

Anne-Marcelle Ngabirano

Producer

Wren Arthur

Executive Producer

Steve Buscemi

Executive Producer

Benny Safdie

Executive Producer

Movie Info

Synopsis Public Access is the untold story of the most subversive media experiment ever to take over our television sets. ​​​​​​​Public Access takes viewers through the archives of Manhattan's access TV channels and its revolutionary impact on how we create and consume media. Using rare primary-sources and interviews with creators who brought the marginalized, the underground, and sometimes downright illegal into New Yorkers' apartments in the 1970's-90's, this feature-length documentary explores a ground-breaking space for self-expression which pushed First Amendment boundaries and conjured a world where anyone could have their own TV show.
Director
David Shadrack Smith
Producer
Sara Crow, Anne-Marcelle Ngabirano
Production Co
part2 pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 47m