Scrappers Film Group
A Chicago documentary film production company that later became Truth & Documentary.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Scrappers Film Group was a Chicago-based documentary film production company founded by partners Ben Kolak and Brian Ashby. The company developed a body of educational, socially engaged, and issue-oriented documentary work, with an emphasis on using nonfiction storytelling to encourage audiences to question familiar assumptions and develop empathy. Its inaugural film, Scrappers, established the company’s early identity and received two awards at the 2010 Chicago Underground Film Festival: Best Documentary Feature and the Audience Award. The company’s work extended beyond feature documentaries. Its credited projects included The Area, a documentary centered on a Chicago neighborhood undergoing major change; Stateville Calling; Accident, MD; and several web series, including Central Standard: On Education, Popcorn Politics, and Rights Lab. These projects covered education, politics, medicine, civil rights, and community issues, reflecting the group’s interest in public-facing documentary storytelling rather than entertainment production alone. Scrappers Film Group also gained recognition within Chicago’s film community. NewCity Film selected the company for its “50 Chicago Screen Gems” in both 2016 and 2018, acknowledging its contribution to the city’s independent screen culture. The recognition positioned Scrappers among Chicago’s notable film organizations and creative enterprises during the latter part of the 2010s. In 2020, Ben Kolak bought the other partners’ shares and changed the company’s name to Truth & Documentary. Scrappers Film Group therefore no longer operates as the company’s current name. Truth & Documentary retained and maintained Scrappers Film Group’s archives and continued producing client video work and original projects. The Scrappers name is consequently best understood as the former identity of an active documentary-production business rather than as a separate current corporate operation.
History
Scrappers Film Group emerged in Chicago as an independent documentary production company led by founding partners Ben Kolak and Brian Ashby. The company’s inaugural film, Scrappers, provided both its name and an early demonstration of its documentary approach. Rather than concentrating exclusively on commercial entertainment, the group produced nonfiction work dealing with education, politics, medicine, civil rights, and community life. Scrappers received early recognition when its inaugural film won Best Documentary Feature and the Audience Award at the 2010 Chicago Underground Film Festival. Those awards established the company within Chicago’s independent film community and helped define its reputation for accessible, socially engaged documentary work. The company subsequently expanded its output across feature films, short-form work, client projects, and online series. Among its documented productions were The Area, Stateville Calling, and Accident, MD. The group also developed web series including Central Standard: On Education, Popcorn Politics, and Rights Lab. The projects addressed public institutions and social questions, using documentary formats to encourage viewers to reconsider accepted narratives and engage with people whose experiences might otherwise remain unfamiliar. This educational and empathy-oriented mission was a consistent part of the company’s public identity. The company’s standing in Chicago’s creative sector was recognized by NewCity Film, which named Scrappers Film Group among its “50 Chicago Screen Gems” in 2016 and again in 2018. These selections reflected the group’s visibility as a local independent production organization and its contribution to Chicago’s documentary and screen culture. A major organizational change occurred in 2020. Ben Kolak bought the shares held by the other partners and renamed the company Truth & Documentary. The change ended Scrappers Film Group’s use as the company’s operating name, but did not represent the disappearance of its work. Truth & Documentary retained and maintained the Scrappers Film Group archives and continued producing video for clients as well as original projects. The historical Scrappers brand is therefore associated with the company’s earlier documentary identity, while Truth & Documentary is its successor name.
- 2020
Renaming as Truth & Documentary
[1]Ben Kolak acquires the other partners’ shares and changes the company’s name to Truth & Documentary.
- 2018
Second NewCity Film Screen Gems selection
[1]The company is selected again for NewCity Film’s “50 Chicago Screen Gems.”
- 2016
First NewCity Film Screen Gems selection
[1]NewCity Film includes Scrappers Film Group among its “50 Chicago Screen Gems.”
- 2010
Scrappers receives two festival awards
[1]The company’s inaugural film, Scrappers, wins Best Documentary Feature and the Audience Award at the Chicago Underground Film Festival.
Products and positioning
Independent documentary production focused on educational, civic, and socially motivated storytelling.
Documentary feature film · 2010
Scrappers
The inaugural film associated with Scrappers Film Group and the work that gave the company its name. It received Best Documentary Feature and the Audience Award at the 2010 Chicago Underground Film Festival, providing the company with early recognition in Chicago’s independent documentary scene.
Documentary film
The Area
A documentary production cited among the company’s socially motivated films. It reflects Scrappers Film Group’s focus on community issues and on using nonfiction storytelling to examine change and its effects on people.
Documentary film
Stateville Calling
A documentary project produced by Scrappers Film Group. The title formed part of the company’s broader body of educational and socially engaged nonfiction work.
Documentary film
Accident, MD
A documentary production listed among Scrappers Film Group’s works. Its inclusion illustrates the company’s interest in public-facing subject matter and issue-oriented documentary storytelling.
Web series
Central Standard: On Education
An educational web series produced by the company. It extended Scrappers Film Group’s documentary approach into online programming focused on education and public discussion.
Web series
Popcorn Politics
A web series associated with Scrappers Film Group that brought the company’s socially engaged nonfiction perspective to political subjects and online audiences.
Web series
Rights Lab
A web series produced by the group as part of its interest in rights, civic questions, and empathy-building documentary communication.
Brand decisions
2020
Transition from Scrappers Film Group to Truth & DocumentaryStrategyBackground
The company underwent a change in ownership structure when Ben Kolak bought the other partners’ shares.
Action taken
Kolak renamed the company Truth & Documentary while preserving the Scrappers Film Group archives.
Aftermath
Scrappers Film Group ceased to be the company’s current operating name. Truth & Documentary continued client video production and original work.
Recent events
- 2020
Scrappers Film Group renamed Truth & Documentary[1]
Leadership change · Other
Ben Kolak acquired the other partners’ shares and renamed the company Truth & Documentary, which retained the former company’s archives and continued its production activities.
- 2018
Scrappers Film Group again selected among Chicago Screen Gems[1]
Other
NewCity Film selected the company for its “50 Chicago Screen Gems” list for a second time.
- 2016
Scrappers Film Group named a Chicago Screen Gem[1]
Other
NewCity Film included Scrappers Film Group in its “50 Chicago Screen Gems” selection.
- 2010
Scrappers wins two awards at the Chicago Underground Film Festival[1]
Other
The company’s inaugural film, Scrappers, received Best Documentary Feature and the Audience Award at the 2010 Chicago Underground Film Festival.
Sources1 sources
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