Co-producer/featured filmmaker in Documentary! New Trends New Formats MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid for edX by MIT/Harvard University. “This course features new trends and formats in contemporary documentary film with a focus on innovative works in an interactive and multi-platform environment.”

Documentary! New Trends New Formats

2015 Documentary! New Trends New Formats MOOC by UC3M for edX by MIT/Harvard University

MOOC

MOOC Massive Online Open Course: course of study made available over the internet without charge to a very large number of people.

OVERVIEW “This course features new trends and formats in contemporary documentary film with a focus on innovative works in an interactive and multi-platform environment. It includes an overview of essential authors and genres, as well as the contribution of national and international scholars, professionals of the field and documentary makers. The learning experience is enhanced with videos, slideshows, infographics and timelines, to provide the learner with an interactive, reflective and entertaining experience.”

"I worked as associate lecturer (profesor asociado) on lectures in a Bilingual Program including Erasmus students, communication director for Crossing Stages European arts project, and co-produer of a MOOC for edX by MIT/Harvard University. 

edX selected three institutions to launch its first MOOCs in Spanish: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Secretary of Education of Mexico. Out of 20 projects, three were selected, and that’s how Documentary! New Trends New Formats was one of the first edX courses on documentary filmmaking.

Vicedean Pilar Carrera directed the project. Lecturer Eva Herrero worked mostly on academic development and production. Along with lecturer Clara Sáinz de Baranda, we supported academic work and contributed to produce media content. On the side, my work was featured through a documentary film and interview.” —PV

UC3M Projects

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What is documentary filmmaking to you?

Documentary filmmaking is an artistic form of expression that does more than capture reality —it transforms it. It’s about finding deeper truths, uncovering the unseen, and revealing the emotional and intellectual layers that lie beneath the surface.

What are the subjects of your films?

Documentary filmmaking, for me, is more than a need, it’s a true passion. I’m constantly drawn to subjects and, most importantly, characters who come into my life, particularly in non-fiction projects. The experience of working in fiction or theater can feel different, but it’s the real-life stories that resonate most with me.

What’s the aim of your work?

Living in different countries has been a huge inspiration for my work, and I continue to be inspired by the experiences I have in Spain. Filmmaking, to me, is about portraying characters in action within a specific visual context. Characters are the essence of my work. In non-fiction, real people become the heart of the story, their dreams, struggles, and challenges offering a rich narrative. I’m drawn to what drives them, what motivates them, and how their lives unfold.

Can you tell us about one of your films?

New York Spin is my first documentary feature film. It runs for 87min, with a 60min version created for television. The film follows a foreigner living in New York who wants to make the most of his time in the city before returning to his home country. Along the way, he finds inspiration in the diverse people he meets, capturing the spirit of the city through these encounters. Filmmaking, like art, is not just about a beginning or an end; it’s about the journey —both as an artist and as a human being. New York Spin ultimately became a multicultural portrait of the city, showcasing friends from different countries, ethnicities, and faiths. The convergence of their stories and perspectives gave the film a unique local flavor, but also a universal message that resonates with people from all walks of life.

How is technology affecting filmmaking?

Digital technology has deeply influenced both documentary filmmaking and cinema as a whole, just as it has impacted our everyday lives. I believe it’s more than just a distribution tool —it’s a powerful vehicle for creativity. For a long time, cross-media has been designed for various platforms. Now, transmedia opens up opportunities not only for wider distribution but also for the development of richer, more dynamic content.

Do you use technology in your projects?

Reality is what it is, but life is audiovisual. Our daily lives are intrinsically connected to visual media, especially smartphones. Through these devices, we live, breathe, feel, create, and work… and this extends to cinema and documentary filmmaking. In the age of citizen journalism, it’s true that anyone can create non-fiction content. However, for professionals and artists, embracing technology opens new ways of expression and creativity, allowing us to tell stories in innovative ways.

Do you think about screening devices for your films?

As a filmmaker with a background in writing and performing arts, my work often blends different forms of expression. For example, last month we traveled to Northern Mexico to create what I call portraits in motion of a Tarahumara family. While there is a traditional, anthropological aspect to the project, it’s conceived from the outset not for conventional screens in movie theaters or television but for online platforms. It’s a transmedia project designed for multiple screens, with the intention of offering an interactive, flexible, and open experience.

Interview

Alfredo Miralles manager/artist at work for Crossing Stages UC3M European project filming with a smart phone in Italy. Photo for edX MOOC cover.

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