Category Archives: Film Festivals

DOC NYC 2020 Overview: Part One

Festival:
The 11th DOC NYC

Dates:
November 11-19

About:
This year, DOC NYC will be available online and nationwide – including US territories – allowing us to reach more nonfiction lovers than ever before. As the Director of Programming of America’s largest documentary festival, I’ll be highlighting our lineup here, over a few posts to try to cover as many titles as possible. First up, a look at the various feature premieres, appearing in different sections throughout the festival.

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New Orleans 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 31st New Orleans Film Festival

Dates:
November 6-22

About:
This standout regional festival moves to a hybrid format this year, presenting films either online or in an open-air context, with more than two-thirds of the lineup represented by nonfiction features.

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In Virtual Release: US KIDS

Coming to virtual cinemas today, Friday, October 30:
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 TV/VOD: CITY SO REAL

Coming to NatGeo tomorrow, Thursday, October 29 and then to Hulu on Friday, October 30:
CITY SO REAL

Director:
Steve James

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Denver, Chicago, St Louis, Full Frame

About:
An expansive five-part portrait of modern-day Chicago against the backdrop of a contentious mayoral race and police trial.

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

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DOK Leipzig 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 63rd DOK Leipzig

Dates:
October 26-November 1

About:
This notable German nonfiction event has slimmed down for its hybrid edition this year, presenting just shy of 40 new documentary features.

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On TV: FEELS GOOD MAN

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens tonight, Monday, October 19:
FEELS GOOD MAN

Director:
Arthur Jones

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
True/False, SXSW, Big Sky Doc, Taipei, Fantasia, Sidewalk, Kyiv

About:
An exploration of the unpredictable development of an influential Internet meme.

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

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NewFest 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 32nd NewFest

Dates:
October 16-27

About:
About a third of the features screening at this year’s hybrid online/drive-in edition of New York’s LGBTQ film festival are documentaries.

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On VOD: TIME

Coming to Amazon Prime tomorrow, Friday, October 16:
TIME

Director:
Garrett Bradley

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
New York, London, Hamptons, Miami, Zurich, Camden, Mill Valley

About:
A longitudinal portrait of a marriage and a family separated by incarceration.

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

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On TV: SOFTIE

Coming to PBS’s POV tonight, Monday, October 12:
SOFTIE

Director:
Sam Soko

Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, BlackStar, Durban, Encounters, Salem, Galway, DOXA, Thin Line

About:
A chronicle of the personal and professional challenges facing an idealistic Kenyan political activist as he decides to run for office.

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

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In Theatres: TIME

Coming to select theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 9:
TIME

Director:
Garrett Bradley

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
New York, London, Hamptons, Miami, Zurich, Camden, Mill Valley

About:
A longitudinal portrait of a marriage and a family separated by incarceration.

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

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