Category Archives: Film Festivals

Human Rights Watch 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 32nd Human Rights Watch Film Festival

Dates:
May 19-27

About:
Nine recent documentaries are included in the lineup of the NYC edition of this well-respected event.

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On VOD: SOME KIND OF HEAVEN

photo by David Bolen

New to VOD via Hulu last week:
SOME KIND OF HEAVEN

Director:
Lance Oppenheim

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Rotterdam, Doc Fortnight, Visions du Reel, New Zealand, Florida, Atlanta, Philadelphia

About:
A profile of several residents of America’s largest retirement community.

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

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In Theatres & On VOD: US KIDS

Coming to theatres and to VOD today, Friday, May 14:
US KIDS

Director:
Kim A Snyder

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Sheffield, Doc Edge, Mountainfilm, Full Frame, Miami, Martha’s Vineyard, NewportFilm, Calgary, GlobeDocs, Bergen, Hamptons, Mill Valley

About:
The young survivors of the Parkland school shooting are followed over a transformative year and a half.

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

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On DVD: THE REASON I JUMP

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, May 11:
THE REASON I JUMP

Director:
Jerry Rothwell

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Docs Against Gravity, London, ReelAbilities

About:
A profile of non-verbal autistic young people, based on the New York Times bestseller by Naoki Higashida.

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

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On VOD: STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET

Coming to VOD today, Friday, May 7:
STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET

Director:
Marilyn Agrelo

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Seattle, San Francisco

About:
A look back at the origins of the pioneering children’s television powerhouse.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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DOK.fest Munich 2021 Overview

Festival:
The 36th DOK.fest Munich

Dates:
May 5-23

About:
The latest edition of this respected German nonfiction event goes online with nearly 100 new and recent features among its lineup.

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True/False 2021 Overview

Festival:
The 18th True/False Film Fest

Dates:
May 5-9

About:
Sixteen new and recent nonfiction features screen in a hybrid format in this thoughtfully-curated Colombia MO-based event.

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On TV: AMY TAN: UNINTENDED MEMOIR

Coming to PBS’s American Masters tonight, Monday, May 3:
AMY TAN: UNINTENDED MEMOIR

Director:
James Redford

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Cleveland, CAAMFest, DocLands, Seattle

About:
A profile of the life and career of the noted author.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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Hot Docs 2021 Overview

Festival:
The 28th Hot Docs

Dates:
April 29-May 9

About:
North America’s largest nonfiction event presents approximately 150 new and recent doc features, available online throughout Canada.

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New Directors/New Films 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 50th New Directors/New Films

Dates:
Apr 28-May 8

About:
The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center celebrate a landmark anniversary for this acclaimed annual showcase, this year offering eight documentaries or hybrids among its 27 new feature presentations.

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