Cinéma vérité filmmakers aim to create a sense of reality and authenticity by using handheld cameras, natural lighting, and minimal editing. They often use small crews or even work alone, allowing them to be more inconspicuous and capture spontaneous moments.

Key figures in the development of cinéma vérité include French filmmakers Jean Rouch and Edgar Morin, who coined the term in the late 1950s. Their film "Chronicle of a Summer" (1961) is considered one of the earliest examples of cinéma vérité.

Cinéma vérité has influenced many documentary filmmakers since its emergence. It has also had an impact on other forms of filmmaking, with its emphasis on naturalistic storytelling and techniques like handheld camerawork being adopted in fiction films as well.