Category Archives: Film Festivals

DMZ Docs 2021 Overview

Festival:
The 13th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival

Dates:
September 9-16

About:
More than 70 new and recent feature documentaries are presented at this notable South Korean nonfiction event.

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In Theatres: FAYA DAYI

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 3:
FAYA DAYI

Director:
Jessica Beshir

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, BlackStar, True/False, Full Frame, Visions du Reel, Seattle, New Directors/New Films, Rotterdam, Melbourne

About:
A poetic, sensorial journey into the highlands of Harar in eastern Ethiopia, the birthplace of khat.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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Telluride 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 48th Telluride Film Festival

Dates:
September 2-6

About:
More than 60% of the new feature offerings of this celebrated Colorado cinephile event are represented by nonfiction.

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Venice 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 78th Venice International Film Festival

Dates:
September 1-11

About:
The A list Italian festival returns with approximately 80 features, among them just 14 documentaries, while the autonomous sidebars present 17 docs among their 38 feature presentations, including the following.

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Special Screening: SEARCHERS

Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films tomorrow, Saturday, August 28:
SEARCHERS

Director:
Pacho Velez

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Docaviv, Visions du Reel, Minneapolis-St Paul, AFI Docs

About:
An exploration of online dating apps and the need for human connection during a time of enforced isolation.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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Jerusalem 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 38th Jerusalem Film Festival

Dates:
August 24-September 4

About:
This respected Israeli event presents more than 100 features, including approximately 30 documentaries.

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On VOD: BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE

Coming to Paramount+ this Friday, August 20:
BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE

Director:
Lucy Walker

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

About:
A compelling and comprehensive essay exploring the history and causes of wildfires.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On TV/VOD: IN THE SAME BREATH

Coming to HBO/HBO Max tomorrow, Wednesday, August 18:
IN THE SAME BREATH

Director:
Nanfu Wang

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, SXSW, MoMA’s Documentary Fortnight, Cleveland, San Francisco, Seattle, Human Rights Watch, Full Frame, Provincetown, Thessaloniki Doc, Docaviv, Doc10

About:
An investigation of the dual forces of propaganda and patriotism in the response to the coronavirus outbreaks in both China and the US.

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On DVD: THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, August 17:
THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS

Director:
Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, Cannes, Telluride, Toronto, New York, San Sebastian, Zurich, Hamptons, Mill Valley, El Gouna, Aspen, Taipei Golden Horse, Thessaloniki Doc, Stockholm, Singapore

Notable Recognition:
The doc was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
Enter the secretive world of the only people–and dogs–who are able to find the elusive white Alba truffle, the most expensive ingredient in the world.

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

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In Theatres & On VOD: HOMEROOM

Coming to theatres and to Hulu this Thursday, August 12:
HOMEROOM

Director:
Peter Nicks

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, BlackStar, Hot Docs, True/False, Full Frame, San Francisco, IFF Boston, Ashland

About:
An intimate profile of an Oakland high school class in the tumultuous year of COVID and a widespread reckoning of racial injustice.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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