Girl Rising to Help Launch CNN Films

CNN will begin developing and airing feature-length documentaries, the news network announced Monday. The first entry, titled Girl Rising, includes narration by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington and Selena Gomez.

The film, directed by Richard E. Robbins, focuses on female education and follows several girls from around the world on their quest to overcome obstacles and realize their dreams. It is scheduled to air in spring 2013.

Morgan Spurlock developing a documentary series for CNN

The new division, CNN Films, will develop features that "examine an array of political, social, and economic subject matters," CNN said. The company has already signed deals with documentarians Alex Gibney and Andrew Rossi, who both will be developing original features for the network.
While the documentaries will initially air on CNN, the network reportedly plans to enter them in film festivals and distribute them to theaters as well.