Author Archives: basiltsiokos

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About basiltsiokos

Basil Tsiokos is a Senior Programmer for the Sundance Film Festival, focusing on nonfiction features. He was most recently with DOC NYC for nearly a decade, where he served as Director of Programming since 2014, and with the Nantucket Film Festival as its Film Program Director. Prior to those positions, Basil was the longtime Artistic and Executive Director of NewFest. He has been affiliated with Sundance since 2005 as a Programming Associate. Basil serves on the feature nominating committees for the International Documentary Association Awards and Cinema Eye Honors. He has written about documentaries daily since 2010 on what (not) to doc. Basil holds a Masters degree from New York University and two undergraduate degrees from Stanford University.

2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: CHEF FLYNN

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Will McGarry

CHEF FLYNN
Cameron Yates crafts a compelling coming of age portrait of a talented young chef.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: BELIEVER

Courtesy of Sundance Institute / photo by Dan Argott

BELIEVER
Don Argott follows Mormon rockstar as he advocates for inclusion and acceptance of LGBT people in the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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New York Jewish Film Festival 2018: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 27th New York Jewish Film Festival

Dates:
January 10-23

About:
Not counting retrospective programming, 16 recent features – among them just nine documentaries or hybrids – make up the lineup of this event copresented by The Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Continue reading

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: BAD REPUTATION

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Kevin Kerslake

BAD REPUTATION
Kevin Kerslake profiles the influential musician known as the queen of rock ‘n’ roll.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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On DVD: THIS IS BOB HOPE…

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, January 9:
THIS IS BOB HOPE…

Director:
John Scheinfeld

Premiere:
American Masters (Nov 2017, abridged version)

About:
An in-depth look at the life and eight-decade career of the comedian and performer.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: AKICITA: THE BATTLE OF STANDING ROCK

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

AKICITA: THE BATTLE OF STANDING ROCK
Cody Lucich tells the on-the-ground story of resistance and community at Standing Rock.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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On VOD: DINA

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, January 9:
DINA

Directors:
Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles

Premiere:
Sundance 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, True/False, Full Frame, SF Jewish, Seattle, Sheffield, Sun Valley, Sarasota

About:
A profile an unforgettable woman as she seeks to realize her desires.

My pre-Sundance look at the doc may be found here.

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: A WOMAN CAPTURED

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Bernadett Tuza Ritter

A WOMAN CAPTURED
Bernadett Tuza-Ritter reveals a disturbing case of modern-day slavery in Hungary.

Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition

Country:
Hungary
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On DVD: THE JAZZ LOFT ACCORDING TO W EUGENE SMITH

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9:
THE JAZZ LOFT ACCORDING TO W EUGENE SMITH

Director:
Sara Fishko

Premiere:
New Orleans 2015

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Rotterdam, Full Frame, Cleveland, Florida, BAFICI, Copenhagen Jazz Film Festival

About:
An insider look at NYC bohemia in the late 1950s-early 1960s.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: WESTWOOD: PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Pierre Verdy

WESTWOOD: PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST
Lorna Tucker profiles the uncompromising British designer.

Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition

Country:
UK
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