In a week and a half, the 6th edition of DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, begins. As Director of Programming, I’ve spent the bulk of the past several months making film selections with Artistic Director Thom Powers and other members of our team. We’re looking forward to bringing this year’s expanded lineup to NYC audiences. In the lead-up to the festival, I’m planning to profile each section here, as I’ve done the past couple of years – beginning with DOC NYC’s Galas.
Galas
MISS SHARON JONES!
Director: Barbara Kopple
OPENING NIGHT
US PREMIERE
Two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple (HARLAN COUNTY, USA; AMERICAN DREAM) follows soul queen Sharon Jones in a year of adversity.
Expected to attend: Director Barbara Kopple, Subjects Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE
Director: Amy Berg
CENTERPIECE
NYC PREMIERE
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg (DELIVER US FROM EVIL) profiles the rock legend Janis Joplin.
Expected to attend: Director Amy Berg
ONCE AND FOR ALL
Directors: Michael Epstein & Dyllan McGee
CLOSING NIGHT
WORLD PREMIERE
Presented by AOL’s MAKERS, the story of the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference, a watershed event in the global struggle for women’s rights.
Expected to attend: Directors Michael Epstein and Dyllan McGee, Subject Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton
Why You Should Attend:
This year’s Galas all focus on powerful women and are also either directed or co-directed by women directors. Barbara Kopple, a legend within the nonfiction community, is also being honored this year at DOC NYC’s Visionaries Tribute with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This year marks the second in a row to include one of Amy Berg’s films in our lineup, following last year’s world premiere of AN OPEN SECRET. Finally, in addition to the film’s directors, we’re honored to welcome Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton in person on Closing Night!
In her extensive body of work, Barbara Kopple has previously taken on music subjects, including her popular 2006 portrait of the Dixie Chicks, SHUT UP & SING; 1997’s WILD MAN BLUES, about Woody Allen’s New Orleans jazz band tour; and 2009’s WOODSTOCK: NOW & THEN and 2000’s MY GENERATION, on the legendary 1969 music festival and its later anniversary concerts.
Amy Berg followed up her critically acclaimed debut with WEST OF MEMPHIS, on the story of the West Memphis Three, which premiered at Sundance and went on to Toronto and London, among other events. In addition to AN OPEN SECRET, an exposé of teen sexual abuse in the film industry, this past year has also seen Berg release PROPHET’S PREY, about the dangerous leader of a polygamous Mormon sect, which debuted at Sundance at the beginning of this year.
Dyllan McGee founded AOL’s MAKERS in 2012, which to date has shared the stories of more than 300 women. Her previous work includes two Emmy Award winners, THE AFRICAN AMERICANS: MANY RIVERS TO CROSS and TEDDY: IN HIS OWN WORDS; as well as the Emmy-nominated GLORIA: IN HER OWN WORDS and IN MEMORIAM: NEW YORK CITY. Among other work, Michael Epstein directed the Oscar-nominated THE BATTLE OVER CITIZEN KANE and the Emmy-winning HITCHCOCK, SELZNICK AND THE END OF HOLLYWOOD and LENNONYC.
More Info:
To purchase tickets, click on the individual titles above, and follow links for ticketing, where still available. Or consider purchasing one of DOC NYC’s Pass options for access to a variety of programming.
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