Ken Dornstein P’23, the Centennial Davidson Lecturer, Visits CA Film Class

On May 11, author and filmmaker Ken Dornstein P’23 visited a CA documentary film class taught by Ben Stumpf ’88 to share his expertise with students. As a documentary filmmaker, Dornstein has been involved in the production of over 50 films covering a wide array of subjects, including a political uprising in Iran, the Penn State scandal, and “bride kidnapping” in Kyrgyzstan. A longtime senior producer for PBS’s Frontline and author of the memoir The Boy Who Fell Out of the Sky, Dornstein created the three-part Frontline series My Brother’s Bomber, an investigation into the terrorists behind the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Dornstein spoke with students about his career path, the importance of storytelling, and how, as he explained, the line between fiction and nonfiction storytelling isn’t as bright as one might think. He also advised groups of students on the documentaries they are currently working on for class.

Dornstein will return to campus for the Centennial Davidson Lecture in the fall of 2022. The Anne E. ’62 and Jane S. ’64 Davidson Lecture is a distinguished, endowed lecture series that was established by Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Davidson P’62 ’64 in 1966 in honor of their two daughters, Ann Davidson Kidder ’62 and Jane E. Davidson ’64. Look for more details on Dornstein‘s visit to come.

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