Author Archives: basiltsiokos

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.

November 12, 2015 · 3:02 PM

2015 DOC NYC in Focus: Short List

This year’s DOC NYC preview concludes with the Short LIst, our re-presentation of some of this year’s most notable nonfiction, fifteen films likely to receive serious consideration during Awards Season. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

November 12, 2015 · 2:12 PM

RIDM 2015 Overview

Montreal’s premier nonfiction event, RIDM, celebrates its 18th edition this year beginning tonight, Thursday, November 12, and wraps up next Sunday, November 22 with the debut of Pascal Sanchez’s LES VAILLANTS, an observational film set in a local public housing development. Approximately 70 new feature docs will screen over the course of the eleven-day festival, with highlights noted below: Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

November 12, 2015 · 1:31 PM

2015 DOC NYC in Focus: Docs Redux

DOC NYC looks back to the past in returning section Docs Redux. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

November 12, 2015 · 12:46 PM

On DVD: KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Friday, November 13: KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK

Brett Morgen’s revelatory profile of the Nirvana frontman had its world premiere at Sundance this year. Screenings followed at Berlin, Miami, Dublin, Full Frame, and Hot Docs, among others, and the film appears as part of DOC NYC’s Short List this month.

I profiled the film before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

November 12, 2015 · 12:01 PM

2015 DOC NYC in Focus: DOC NYC PRO – Insiders Conference – Breaking In, New Road Maps

DOC NYC PRO’s Insider Conference comes to a close on Thursday, November 19 with Breaking In, New Road Maps, a day focused on expanding the nonfiction space to diverse and emerging voices, Copresented by The City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and creative partner Chicken & Egg Pictures. All of the Insiders Conference DOC NYC PRO sessions include access to the new PRO Lounge, begin with morning bagels and coffee from 9:15-10:00am, and conclude with Happy Hours from 5:00-6:00pm. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

November 11, 2015 · 3:02 PM

In Theatres: HOT SUGAR’S COLD WORLD

Coming to NYC’s IFC Center for Midnight shows this Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14: HOT SUGAR’S COLD WORLD

Adam Bhala Lough portrait of and Internet-famous music producer had its premiere at SXSW this year. Fest screenings have followed at Hot Docs, London, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Jewish, among others.

I previously wrote about the film here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

November 11, 2015 · 1:31 PM

2015 DOC NYC in Focus: Shorts

This year, we’ve expanded our shorts programming at DOC NYC, including more Shorts Programs, shorts screening before feature presentations, and our new DOC NYC U initiative. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

November 11, 2015 · 12:46 PM

On DVD: MALA MALA

New to DVD this week: MALA MALA

Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini’s look at transgender Puerto Ricans and drag queens premiered at Tribeca last year. It also screened at Provincetown, Austin LGBT, Sydney’s Queer Screen, and Miami LGBT, among other events.

I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

November 11, 2015 · 12:01 PM

2015 DOC NYC in Focus: DOC NYC PRO – Insiders Conference – Reaching Your Audience

DOC NYC PRO’s Insider Conference continues on Wednesday, November 18 with a day of audience engagement: Reaching Your Audience. All of the Insiders Conference DOC NYC PRO sessions include access to the new PRO Lounge, begin with morning bagels and coffee from 9:15-10:00am, and conclude with Happy Hours from 5:00-6:00pm. Continue reading →