About
John Haley is a documentary filmmaker and assistant professor of creative media. His work centers on the intersection of personal identity and societal structures, using documentary storytelling to examine how social policies and systems shape individual human lives.
Guided by a minimalist, observational approach, Dr. Haley’s films explore themes such as the death penalty, electoral politics, and American mythmaking. Through intimate, character-driven narratives, his work seeks to contextualize structural violence and national ideals by foregrounding personal experience and lived reality.
Impact Beyond the University
John’s films have screened at numerous national and international festivals, including Doc NYC, Palm Springs International ShortFest, Nashville Film Festival, and Sidewalk Film Festival. These screenings reflect the reach and relevance of his work within contemporary documentary cinema.
His current creative project is a feature-length documentary supported through his CARI work. The film traces a 2,000-mile journey aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder train from Chicago to Seattle, constructing a fragmented portrait of American identity through personal testimonies from individuals living along the route. The project examines competing narratives, contradictions, and myths that shape understandings of the American heartland.
A Passion for Observational Documentary Practice
In the classroom, Haley emphasizes thoughtful observation, ethical storytelling, and deep engagement with subjects. He encourages students to approach documentary filmmaking with patience, curiosity, and respect for complexity, helping them develop work that is both aesthetically intentional and socially engaged.
Through creative scholarship and teaching, Haley prepares students to tell meaningful stories that illuminate the human dimensions of policy, power, and identity.