Sage acquires GOOD DOCS, distributor of documentaries that do good in the world

SAGE

Sage Publishing, a leading academic publisher, has acquired GOOD DOCS LLC, a film distribution company promoting social justice through powerful documentaries. This partnership adds over 370 films to Sage's library of video content, providing educational resources and promoting critical thinking on important societal issues. 

“We are proud to partner with GOOD DOCS in magnifying these important stories as part of our shared commitment to promoting social justice,” said Kiren Shoman, executive vice president, editorial, and global executive lead of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Sage. “GOOD DOCS, like Sage, was founded by a passionate woman committed to creating a more equitable world. The company will help us live Sage's values by providing educational, diverse perspectives and pedagogical resources that reflect the world we live in.”  

GOOD DOCS is known for amplifying the stories of marginalized communities and showcasing solutions to complex problems through films created by established documentarians who are also educators, journalists, artists, activists, and community members. The videos champion creative expression, reflect intricate social dynamics, and provoke critical thinking, making them ideal for engaging classroom conversations. 

GOOD DOCS was founded in 2013 by award-winning filmmaker Sarah Feinbloom, who has dedicated her career to creating impactful documentaries. GOOD DOCS films have been shown at major film festivals worldwide and many have received multiple awards. The American Library Association voted Feinbloom’s film "What Do You Believe?" one of the best videos for young adults, and it has been shown in over 2,000 schools and colleges worldwide. 

“Sage is a company in which I wholeheartedly believe; for nearly 60 years, they’ve led academic publishing in areas that promote social justice, driven by the same commitment to education, rigorous inquiry, and social change that has guided us,” Feinbloom said. “Sage’s founder ensured that Sage would remain independent forever, protecting the very values that have sustained GOOD DOCS. Their commitment to social justice and human rights reflects a serendipitous overlap in values and mission between our companies.”  

“GOOD DOCS provides a remarkable library of documentary film content to the educational market, which we know instructors, students, and academic librarians value very highly,” said Sage Senior Director Michael Carmichael. “In GOOD DOCS, we also have found a key partner that promotes anti-racism, social justice, and equity through its powerful, thought-provoking films, which aligns very closely with the mission of Sage Video too. We cannot wait to work with the GOOD DOCS team.”  

As part of the agreement, GOOD DOCS will become a subsidiary of Sage while maintaining its dedication to serving filmmakers, customers, and communities as it has done in the past. The collaboration with Sage offers the opportunity to integrate GOOD DOCS' content with Sage Video collections, further promoting the GOOD DOCS brand and the work of its filmmakers to a wider and more global audience. 

The acquisition follows last week's announcement that Sage acquired Cambridge Business Publishers. 

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About Sage 

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, 24-year-old Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.  

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to: 

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact 

• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning 

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas