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: SEEING ALLRED

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Alex Pollini

SEEING ALLRED
Sophie Sartain and Roberta Grossman craft a candid profile of the controversial women’s rights advocate.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING
Nathaniel Kahn offers a privileged look into the intersection of high art and commerce.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: ON HER SHOULDERS

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Alexandria Bombach

ON HER SHOULDERS
Alexandria Bombach chronicles the efforts of a young woman to advocate for her people on the global stage.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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On DVD: THE CHALLENGE

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 2:
THE CHALLENGE

Director:
Yuri Ancarani

Premiere:
Locarno 2016

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Hot Docs, Edinburgh, SXSW, Dubai, New Directors/New Films, True/False, Thessaloniki Doc, Göteborg, Encounters, Taipei, Traverse City, Melbourne, Docs Against Gravity, Docaviv, San Francisco

About:
A privileged look at the lives of ultra-rich Qatari amateur falconers.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: MINDING THE GAP

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Bing Liu

MINDING THE GAP
Bing Liu crafts a sensitive, personal portrait of a group of longtime friends.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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On TV: 500 YEARS

Coming to PBS’s POV tonight, Monday, January 1:
500 YEARS

Director:
Pamela Yates

Premiere:
Sundance 2017

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Human Rights Geneva, Human Rights Watch London, Ashland, Full Frame, Seattle, Human Rights Watch New York

About:
The completion of a 35-year trilogy focused on the resistance of Guatemala’s indigenous Mayan population.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE LAST RACE

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

THE LAST RACE
Michael Dweck explores a once-thriving but now vanishing subculture of stock car racing in Long Island.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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On TV: THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens tonight, Monday, January 1:
THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN

Director:
Jennifer M Kroot

Co-Director:
Bill Weber

Premiere:
SXSW 2017

Select Festivals:
Cleveland, DOXA, Ashland, Nashville, Montclair, Martha’s Vineyard, Oxford, Provicnetown, Galway, Frameline, Outfest, LGBT fests in Boston, Tel Aviv, San Diego, Vancouver, Hong Kong

About:
On the life and work of the acclaimed author of the TALES OF THE CITY series.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: KUSAMA – INFINITY

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Harrie Verstappen

KUSAMA – INFINITY
Heather Lenz presents a thoughtful look at the life and art of the celebrated queen of polka dots.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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2018 Sundance Docs in Focus: KAILASH

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

KAILASH
Derek Doneen profiles one man’s tireless mission to end child slavery.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
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