Storytelling with video delivers an intimate look at the people and places that make up the bigger picture of important issues. DW’s new YouTube channel, DW Documentary, brings together some of DW’s best documentaries on an online, on-demand format.

Riveting documentaries like Maidan Calling, which tells the story of young people in Kiev who are developing a creative scene fueled by rave music and fashion, present an alternative perspective on major international news issues. Another highlight is #MyEscape, a collection of riveting first person accounts recorded by refugees on smartphones from Afghanistan to Libya. As they made their way to Germany, they took short videos and all the clips put together provide a highly personal and unique portrayal.

Online video is quickly becoming the preferred source for documentaries, and will soon surpass linear television. Users can choose their favorite genres, discover something new on feeds and share their opinions.

With a wide-selection of documentaries covering politics, economics, business, social issues, science and culture along with short documentaries and segments, DW Documentary covers the entire spectrum of important global issues.

The massive influx of refugees into Europe presents a challenge for journalists to cover a story that has been saturated in the European media and somehow lost the human element behind the noise of statistics and politics. The voice of refugees themselves can become lost in the clamor and seeing their stories close up and first hand delivers a poignant and valuable perspective.

DW’s Documentaries and Reports is adding a personal angle to the refugee story with #MyEscape, a documentary special that shares what it is like to come to Europe as a refugee. Using videos and photos that refugees took themselves along the way combined with revealing interviews, #MyEscape allows the refugees to tell this important story in their own words.

The international and cultural expertise at DW played a huge role in conducting follow-up interviews in the refugees languages and in establishing an atmosphere of trust where people felt comfortable telling their stories.

#My Escape will air starting February 13 and is produced in cooperation with WDR and Berlin Producers.