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.

On DVD: LINSANITY

linsanityComing to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7: LINSANITY

Evan Jackson Leong’s look at the celebrated basketball player made its debut at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen at SXSW, Hawaii, Hong Kong, NY’s Asian American, LA Asian Pacific, and Pacific Rim, among others, and to enjoy a limited theatrical release.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE GREEN PRINCE

green princeResuming my overview of this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition: From Germany/Israel/UK, THE GREEN PRINCE, Nadav Schirman’s exploration of the unlikely relationship between would-be mortal enemies.

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On TV: TO CATCH A DOLLAR

Coming to the WORLD Channel today, Monday January 6: TO CATCH A DOLLAR: MUHAMMAD YUNUS BANKS ON AMERICA

Gayle Ferraro’s exploration of the potential of microfinance to change women’s lives made its debut at Sundance in 2010. It went on to screen at CPH:DOX and Miami, among other fests, and to have a successful theatrical release around the country.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: CONCERNING VIOLENCE

concerning violenceThis week’s profiles come to an end with the return of alumnus Göran Hugo Olsson to the World Cinema Documentary Competition: Sweden’s CONCERNING VIOLENCE, a provocative meditation on colonialism and liberation in 20th century Africa.

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On Cable: THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE

The Dark Matter Of LoveComing to Al Jazeera America Presents this Sunday, January 5: THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE

Sarah McCarthy’s exploration of adoption and the science of love had its world premiere last year in Moscow. It went on to screen at Toronto, DOC NYC, Antenna, and Lone Star, picking up an award at the latter.

I previously wrote about the doc out of Toronto here.

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2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH

20000 daysExpanding beyond the US, the 2014 World Cinema Documentary Competition kicks off with Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH, from the UK, a hybrid portrait of singer/songwriter Nick Cave.

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On DVD: INEQUALITY FOR ALL

inequalityComing to DVD this coming Tuesday, January 7: INEQUALITY FOR ALL

Jacob Kornbluth’s exploration of America’s widening economic disparity debuted at Sundance last year, picking up a special jury prize. Its fest circuit has included Seattle, Traverse City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, AFI Docs, Zurich, and Deuville, among others.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: WATCHERS OF THE SKY

watchers of skyThe sixteenth and final film in this year’s US Documentary Competition sees the return of a two-time Sundance alum: Edet Belzberg’s WATCHERS OF THE SKY, a far-ranging exploration of the world’s response to genocide.

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Special Screenings: Cinema Eye Honors Nominees

cinema eye honors 2014Coming to NYC’s Maysles Cinema today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, January 3-4: The Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Film Series

The 7th annual Cinema Eye Honors, celebrating excellence in nonfiction film, will take place on January 8 ay the Museum of Moving Image. Thanks to filmmaker/occasional critic Robert Greene, the Maysles Cinema is offering New Yorkers a chance to view three of the criminally underseen nominees of this year’s Spotlight Award, which singles out films from the previous year that deserve more attention than perhaps they have received.

I’ve included links to my previous coverage of each of the films, together with their series screening date and time:
THE LAST STATION
Friday, January 3, 7pm

VALENTINE ROAD
Friday, January 3, 9pm

FUCK FOR FOREST
Saturday, January 4, 4pm (includes Q&A with director)

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2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: RICH HILL

RichHill2The penultimate film in the 2014 Sundance US Documentary Competition closes out today’s doc profiles: Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo’s RICH HILL, a deeply humanistic look at the lives of three adolescents and their impoverished rural town.

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