Category Archives: Film Festivals

June 16, 2020 · 3:02 PM

AFI Docs 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 18th AFI Docs

Dates:
June 17-21 (online)

About:
Available online throughout the US, this Washington DC event showcases nearly 30 new feature and episodic documentaries. Continue reading →

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June 11, 2020 · 12:01 PM

Human Rights Watch 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 31st Human Rights Watch Film Festival

Dates:
June 11-20 (online)

About:
The NYC edition of this respected event presents eleven documentary features, available online throughout the US.

BELLY OF THE BEAST

Among the lineup’s offerings are the world premiere of Erika Cohn’s BELLY OF THE BEAST, an exposé of the illegal practice of involuntary sterilizations in California’s women’s prisons. Other selections include Christina Antonakos-Wallace’s FROM HERE, which contemplates belonging and identity through the stories of four immigrants in Berlin and NYC; Sanjay Rawal’s GATHER, about indigenous efforts to reclaim their food sovereignty; Mira Jargil’s REUNITED, about a Syrian family separated across three countries; Juliana Fanjul’s RADIO SILENCE, about a crusading Mexican radio journalist who risks her life to fight against fake news and government corruption; and Ursula Liang’s DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL, about the aftermath of the killing of a black man by a Chinese American police officer.

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June 10, 2020 · 12:01 PM

Sydney 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 67th Sydney Film Festival

Dates:
June 10-21 (online)

About:
This long-running Australian event holds an online edition this year, focused on documentaries, female filmmakers from Europe, and shorts, offering Aussie audiences 12 nonfiction features among its 19 feature presentations. Continue reading →

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June 8, 2020 · 1:31 PM

On DVD/VOD: ADVOCATE

Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9:
ADVOCATE

Directors:
Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaïche

World Premiere:
Sundance 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Docaviv, IDFA, CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, Sheffield, Thessaloniki Doc, Krakow, Human Rights Watch, Doc Edge, Philadelphia, Other Israel, United Nations Association, Antenna, UK Jewish, San Francisco Jewish

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

About:
An exploration of the Israeli justice system through a passionate Israeli attorney working for Palestinian defendants.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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June 5, 2020 · 1:31 PM

On TV: BE WATER

Coming to ESPN’s 30 for 30 series this Sunday, June 7:
BE WATER

Director:
Bao Nguyen

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

About:
A reflection on the brief but impactful career of legendary actor Bruce Lee.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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June 1, 2020 · 12:01 PM

On VOD: THE INFILTRATORS

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2:
THE INFILTRATORS

Directors:
Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra

World Premiere:
Sundance 2019

Select Festivals:
SXSW, Hot Docs, Miami, NY Latino, Montclair, Calgary, Hawaii

About:
A hybrid docufiction project detailing the mission of undocumented youth to be detained by Border Patrol.

I profiled the film before Sundance here.

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May 28, 2020 · 12:01 PM

Hot Docs 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 27th Hot Docs

Dates:
May 28-June 6 (some selections until June 24) (online)

About:
North America’s largest documentary event goes online this year, presenting nearly 100 new features to Ontario audiences, including the world premieres noted below. Continue reading →

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May 27, 2020 · 12:01 PM

On VOD: ON THE RECORD

photo by Martyna Starosta

Coming to HBO Max today, Wednesday, May 27:
ON THE RECORD

Director:
Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

About:
A groundbreaking investigation of sexual assault in the music industry.

My pre-Sundance doc profile may be found here.

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May 26, 2020 · 1:31 PM

On DVD: MIDNIGHT FAMILY

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, May 26:
MIDNIGHT FAMILY

Director:
Luke Lorentzen

World Premiere:
Sundance 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, New Directors/New Films, Sheffield DocFest, CPH:DOX, Hong Kong, Cartagena, Ambulante, Guadalajara, Docville, Full Frame, San Francisco, Freep, Doc10, Sydney, Krakow

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

About:
A Mexico City family struggles to make a living as ragtag private paramedics, facing cut-throat competition to respond to patients in need of urgent help.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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May 25, 2020 · 3:02 PM

On DVD: THE TRADE (SEASON ONE AND TWO)

Season Two | photo by Ross McDonnell

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE AND TWO)

Director:
Matthew Heineman

World Premiere:
Sundance 2018 (Season One) and Sundance 2020 (Season Two)

About:
A gripping docuseries examining complex illegal activities – America’s opioid epidemic (Season One) and human trafficking (Season Two).

I profiled the docuseries before Sundance here and here.

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