On Thursday, November 10, in just over two weeks, DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, kicks off its seventh edition. As the fest’s Director of Programming, I’ve led the film selection, and, as in years past, will briefly profile programming here in the lead-up to opening night, beginning with two of our highest profile sections: Continue reading
Category Archives: Film Festivals
2016 DOC NYC in Focus: Galas & Special Events
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
On TV/DVD/VOD: NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU
Coming to PBS’s American Masters, DVD, and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25: NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s tribute to the television pioneer had its world premiere at Sundance this year. It also screened at Nantucket, Hot Docs, Seattle, Montclair, AFI Docs, True/False, Miami, Sarasota, RiverRun, Biografilm, Traverse City, San Francisco Jewish, and Martha’s Vineyard, among other events.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Jihlava 2016 Overview
Jihlava, the Czech Republic’s noted nonfiction fest, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, kicking off tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25 and running through Sunday, October 30. Approximately 90 new documentary features will unspool during the event, in addition to several screenings of retrospective programming, shorts, and talks. The following offers a number of highlights: Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
On TV: WEINER
Coming to Showtime tomorrow, Saturday, October 22: WEINER
Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg’s behind-the-scenes look at a doomed political comeback made its bow at Sundance this year, where it won a grand jury prize. Its fest circuit has included True/False, New Directors/NewFilms, Hot Docs, Full Frame, RiverRun, Nashville, San Francisco, Montclair, Sydney, and the upcoming DOC NYC, where the film appears on the Short List.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On VOD: TRAPPED
Now available on VOD: TRAPPED
Dawn Porter’s look at the impact of restrictive reproductive health care legislation debuted at Sundance this year, winning a special jury prize. It went on to screen at SXSW, Miami, Athena, Martha’s Vineyard, Ashland, and Montclair, and appears at the upcoming DOC NYC in the Short List section. It now comes to VOD via Netflix.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
In Theatres: WE ARE X
Coming to theatres this Friday, October 21: WE ARE X
Stephen Kijak’s portrait of one of Japan’s biggest bands made its debut at Sundance this year, where it won an editing award. The film also screened at SXSW, Vancouver, Seattle, BFI London, Shanghai, Guanajuato, and the upcoming IDFA, among several others.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Doclisboa 2016 Overview
This Thursday, October 20 sees the launch of the 14th Doclisboa, Portugal’s premier documentary film festival. The event closes on Sunday, October 30, with the debut of closing night film IN THE INTERSTICES OF REALITY OR THE FILMS OF ANTÓNIO DE MACEDO, João Monteiro’s portrait of a prolific and eclectic New Portuguese Cinema director. Approximately 70 other new documentary features will unspool in the ten days between, with some highlights noted below: Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
On TV: HOOLIGAN SPARROW
Coming to POV tonight, Monday, October 17: HOOLIGAN SPARROW
Nanfu Wang’s portrait of intimidation against a Chinese human rights activist debuted at Sundance this year. Screenings followed at Nantucket, Hot Docs, Full Frame, Sheffield, Cleveland, Human Rights Watch, Dallas, One World, Thessaloniki Doc, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, Documenta Madrid, Encounters, and Traverse City, among other events.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
In Theatres: MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 14: MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE
Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack’s tribute to the legendary poet and writer had its world premiere at Sundance this year. Its festival circuit has also included Full Frame, Black Harvest, RiverRun, Boulder, deadCenter, Sheffield, DOXA, Montreal Black, and Bentonville, among other events.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Woodstock 2016: Documentary Overview
The 17th edition of the Woodstock Film Festival opens tonight, Wednesday, October 13, and runs through Sunday, October 16. The Hudson Valley-based event presents over 50 feature films, including just under two dozen documentaries.
Debuts and less familiar titles appearing at the fest include: Rob Nelson’s MAGNIFICENT BURDEN, about a socialite turned crusading activist; Lorenzo Pisoni’s CIRCUS KID (pictured), a man’s reflections on growing up in a family circus; David Wachsmann’s FREEDOM RUNNERS, which profiles an Israeli running group for African refugees; Kathleen Dowdey’s GET IN THE WAY: THE JOURNEY OF JOHN LEWIS, a portrait of the notable civil rights leader turned US congressman; Olha Onyshko’s WOMEN OF MAIDAN, on the role women played in the Ukrainian revolution; Matthew Millan’s STRONGER THAN BULLETS, which chronicles the music of the Libyan revolution; Jen Heck’s THE PROMISED BAND, which unites Israelis and Palestinians through a fake music group; and Mickey Lemle’s THE LAST DALAI LAMA?, an intimate portrait of the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
what (not) to doc 