CNN Starting Documentary Films Unit

After failing miserably to present the news without a liberal slant, CNN is now entering into another purportedly neutral field — documentaries. 

CNN announced on Monday the network is starting a documentary films unit that will produce feature-length documentaries that “will examine an array of political, social, and economic subject matters.”

The unit will be called “CNN Films” and will secure rights to documentaries for air on CNN. These films will be targeted for broader theatrical release.

“CNN Films will bring distinguished, thought-provoking documentary programming to our global audiences on all our television, online and mobile platforms,” said Whitaker. “We want these documentaries to tell compelling stories and stimulate important discussions across CNN’s other programs and websites.”

CNN Films’ first documentary will be “Girl Rising,” which will air in the spring of 2013. 

The film includes voice performances by Academy Award Winners Meryl Streep, Academy Award Nominee Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and Selena Gomez and is directed by Academy Award Nominee Richard E. Robbins.

CNN Films has also signed development deals with Academy Award Winning Director and Producer Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side,” “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” and “Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer”) and Director Andrew Rossi (“Page One: Inside the New York Times”).  Both will develop original documentaries to air on CNN.