Boaz Dvir

Boaz Dvir is an Associate Professor of Journalism at Pennsylvania State University's College of Communications, where he serves as the Donald P. Bellisario Career Advancement Professor and directs both the Hammel Family Human Rights Initiative and the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative.

Dvir is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on ordinary people who transform into trailblazers under extraordinary circumstances. His research interests span documentary filmmaking, journalism ethics, new media, nonfiction storytelling, and multimedia reporting, with particular emphasis on human rights, Holocaust education, and historical narratives.

Dvir's filmography demonstrates consistent exploration of transformative historical narratives, with recent works examining educational innovation, child poverty, military history, and Holocaust-related subjects. His publications show a trajectory from historical documentaries toward more contemporary social issues while maintaining his focus on human rights and social justice themes.

Scientific Awards:

• Best Director, Green section, 2019 NEZ International Film Festival
• Most Inspirational Film, 2019 Twin Falls Sandwiches Film Festival
• Best Documentary, 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
• Best Documentary, 2011 ITN Film & New Media Festival in Los Angeles

Dvir has received significant recognition for his work, including a Lilly Endowment grant from the Religion News Service to research spiritual aspects of the Holocaust. His documentaries have been distributed by major platforms including PBS, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, and have screened at prestigious venues worldwide such as Columbia University's Global Center in Paris and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

As director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative, Dvir leads efforts to develop educational resources for K-12 teachers and has secured significant funding, including a $5 million gift from alumni to support this work. His initiative has partnered with institutions like the Jewish Federation and Albright College to present educational programming on Holocaust education and antisemitism.