Category Archives: Film Festivals

DOC NYC‘s fourth day of panels at the IFC Center next Wednesday, November 14, aims to “Protect Your Rights,” offering documentary filmmakers access to discussions exploring critical legal issues involving documentary, as well as practical sales advice. Continue reading →

This fourth post about my DOC NYC shorts programs spotlights a collection of films that look at memories and the past, and their influence on the present.

DOC NYC Program Description:

HOME MOVIES & OTHER MEMORIES:
Wednesday, November 14 at 9:30pm
This program is about the pull of the past, what’s been lost, and what we hold on to. STORYWOODS (8 min, Mary Horan) is a miniature world of dioramas recapturing the magic of the artist’s childhood. BOOMTOWN (12 min, Torben Bernhard, Travis Low) contrasts audio reflections of a once thriving Utah frontier town with its current ghostly state. MOEDER (13 min, Roma D’Arrietta) poignantly reveals the tumultuous life of the director’s mother.THINGS WE KEEP (20 min, David Moore) reflects on the loss of a mother through her old diaries, scrapbooks, photos, and home movies. Video diaries reveal how JULIAN (40 min, Bao Nguyen) was motivated to join the Marines by the example of his grandfather, a WWII hero, and how this decision affected his family.

Why You Should Attend:
There’s a haunting quality to many of the films in this program that gives them a particular resonance for anyone who’s ever lost someone or something of significance. The program is also anchored by Bao Nguyen’s standout film, recently nominated for an IDA Award.

More Info:
To purchase tickets, follow the link from the program page by clicking on the program title above.

DOC NYC, NYC’s documentary festival, begins tonight, while its panel series, Doc-A-Thon, begins tomorrow with four panels exploring how filmmakers can “Get the Money.” Doc-A-Thon continues on Monday (“Shoot Your Doc”) and through the close of the festival on Thursday, November 15. Today’s post focuses on the Masterclasses presented at the IFC Center on Doc-A-Thon’s third day, Tuesday, November 13, under the theme “Finish Your Doc.” These sessions are for those filmmakers who can see the light at the end of the filmmaking tunnel. Don’t walk into post-production blind – learn from Day 3’s post gurus. Continue reading →

This year’s DOC NYC launches tomorrow! As the shorts programmer for the festival, I’m sharing my thoughts on our six thematic shorts collections. This third program explores the universal bonds between family members.

DOC NYC Program Description:

FAMILY TIES:
Monday, November 12 at 7:00pm
The complex relationship between parents and their children is at the heart of this program. THE CAREGIVER (10 min, John Paul Su) profiles a woman who tends to sick children at work and at home. NOBODY’S OFF THE HOOK (28 min, Remy Weber) traces a difficult history of dysfunction and ambivalent reconciliation between a father and his children. CAPTIVE RADIO (23 min, Lauren Rosenfeld) gives hope to Colombian hostages by broadcasting messages from their families. THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR (36 min, Doug Block) examines the deep psychological scars inflicted on children by a horrific case of domestic violence.

Why You Should Attend:
Everyone can relate to the fundamental connection between mothers and fathers and their kids, even if the situations these films’ subjects are in are at times extreme. Of particular note here: Lauren Rosenfeld is in the running for an IDA Award for her film, while Doug Block is known for his personal films 51 BIRCH STREET and THE KIDS GROW UP.

More Info:
To purchase tickets, follow the link from the program page by clicking on the program title above.

DOC NYC‘s expanded panel series, Doc-A-Thon, begins this Friday! A previous post profiled the sessions on offer for Doc-A-Thon’s first day; today’s post looks at the Masterclasses which will be presented at the IFC Center on the second day. As noted before, Doc-A-Thon has a daily filmmaking theme that forms the backbone of the day’s four panels. The theme for Day 2, Monday, November 12, is “Shoot Your Doc.” Whether you’ve started filming, or are itching to get that production started, Day 2’s experts can offer invaluable information to inspire your doc, and hopefully help you make it better. Continue reading →