America’s largest documentary festival, DOC NYC, celebrates its 5th anniversary next month, presenting over 150 films and events November 13-20. As the festival’s Director of Programming, I’m looking forward to presenting this work to our audience here in New York, and will once again profile each programming section here, starting with our Gala presentations.
DOC NYC Galas
DO I SOUND GAY?
Director: David Thorpe
OPENING NIGHT
US PREMIERE
After a breakup with his boyfriend, journalist David Thorpe embarks on a hilarious and touching journey of self-discovery, confronting his anxiety about “sounding gay.”
Expected to attend: David Thorpe (Director), Howard Gertler (Producer), and Impact Partners’ Dan Cogan, (Executive Producer) and Jenny Raskin (Co-Producer)
THE YES MEN ARE REVOLTING
Directors: Laura Nix & The Yes Men
CLOSING NIGHT
US PREMIERE
A chronicle of the past five years of pranksters The Yes Men, the infamous activists known for duping the media with their impersonations of corporate shills and government stooges.
Expected to attend: Laura Nix and The Yes Men
Why You Should Attend:
DOC NYC’s Galas provide the perfect bookends for over a week of nonfiction immersion. Both films were very well-received upon their world premieres at Toronto last month, selected by TIFF documentary programmer Thom Powers, DOC NYC’s Artistic Director.
In our opening night film, Thorpe’s humorous quest brings him in contact with such personalities as George Takei, Tim Gunn, and Margaret Cho, as well as popular sex-advice columnist Dan Savage, as his personal exploration leads to more universally relatable issues. The film marks producer Howard Gertler’s second foray into nonfiction after several popular fiction features, including SHORTBUS and WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER. Gertler’s first doc, HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE, netted him Oscar and Independent Spirit nominations, and a Gotham Award. Executive producers Impact Partners have been a driving force behind an expansive list of documentaries, including titles such as WATCHERS OF THE SKY, AMERICAN PROMISE, and THE CRASH REEL. Impact’s Dan Cogan will be recognized as the recipient of the Leading Light Award at DOC NYC’s inaugural Visionaries Tribute this year.
Our closing night film is the third documentary revealing the button-pushing antics of The Yes Men – the first, THE YES MEN, screened at Toronto, Sundance, and Berlin, while the second, THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD, included Sundance, Berlin, Hot Docs, and IDFA among its extensive fest circuit. Director Laura Nix has an extensive film background, including producing the second YES MEN film; directing WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT: THE STORY OF HEDWIG, about the making of the hit film adaptation; and directing/producing THE LIGHT IN HER EYES, which was broadcast on POV.
More Info:
To purchase tickets, click on the individual titles above, and follow links for ticketing.
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