Folkstreams.net preserves and allows for the online streaming of documentary films about American folklife and folk culture. Most of these films come from the mid- to late-20th century, and often they are nearly impossible to find anywhere else. You can browse films by subject or region, or search for key words. It is a nonprofit, and according to their website, their mission is “to find, preserve, contextualize, and stream documentary films on American folklife,” but they are also beginning to expand “to include films about folklife in other areas of the world.”

The organization was created by documentary filmmaker Tom Davenport and was part of his effort to help documentary filmmakers to gain greater exposure for their films. The current description of content provided by Folkstreams notes:

The films on Folkstreams were produced by independent filmmakers, often working in partnership with folklorists. These documentaries focus on the culture, struggles, and arts of unnoticed people from many different kinds of communities. The filmmakers were driven more by sheer engagement with the people and their traditions than by commercial hopes. Their films have unusual subjects, odd lengths, and talkers who do not speak “broadcast English.”  But they have permanent value.

Popular categories on the site include Work, Customs, African American Culture, Music, Women, and Arts and Crafts.   

This is a great repository of folklore research, and also a good place to look if you need films to show in a folklore or cultural studies class!