Documentary

AFI DOCS 2020 Goes Online. Fest to Open with BOYS STATE

Steven Garza appears in Boys State by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, an official selection of the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Thorsten Thielow.

In the new era of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFI DOCS, the American Film Institute’s annual documentary celebration in the nation’s capital, announced the festival’s 18th annual edition is going global. AFI DOCS will showcase current non-fiction fare in a re-imagined online film festival – “where the best seat is in your house.” AFI DOCS 2020 will open with BOYS STATE, directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine. The festival will run June 17–21 and films will be available to view on DOCS.AFI.com.

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Irish Abortion Rights Documentary THE 8TH to Premiere at Human Rights Watch Film Festival

The 8th directed by Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O’Boyle, and Aideen Kane

The documentary The 8th from directors Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O’Boyle, and Aideen Kane tells the story of Irish women and their fight to overturn one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the world. The film will have its U.S. premiere at the 2020 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, taking place June 11-20, 2020.

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Kenyan Documentary I AM SAMUEL to U.S. Premiere at Human Rights Watch Film Festival NY Digital Edition

I am Samuel directed by Pete Murimi

Kenyan director and 2019 Rory Peck Award winner, Pete Murimi’s documentary I am Samuel will have its U.S. premiere at 2020 Human Rights Watch Film Festival New York Digital Edition in June. The documentary had its World Premiere at the 2020 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

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Netflix Releases Full Trailer for BECOMING, Michelle Obama Documentary

Netflix released the full official trailer for Becoming, the new documentary on former First Lady, Michelle Obama that premieres on the streaming network on Wednesday, May 6.

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HBO Drops Trailer + Release Date for I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK, DocuSeries on Golden State Killer

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, a six-part documentary series debuting Sunday, June 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), on HBO is based on the book of the same name and explores writer Michelle McNamara’s investigation into the dark world of a violent predator she dubbed the Golden State Killer.

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Showtime Releases Trailer for OUTCRY, Docuseries on Texas High School Football Star Greg Kelley Controversy

Outcry, a five-part documentary series examining the gripping story of high school football star Greg Kelley

Showtime released the first look trailer for its five-part investigative documentary series Outcry, produced and directed by Emmy(R) Award-winning filmmaker Pat Kondelis, now set to premiere on Sunday, July 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

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PBS’ American Experience to Premiere MR. TORNADO, Documentary on Scientist Tetsuya Theodore Fujita

Mr Tornado. Pioneering meteorologist Ted Fujita, who transformed our understanding of tornados.

The American Experience documentary Mr. Tornado tells the story of Tetsuya Theodore Fujita, a Japanese-American scientist who devoted his life to unlocking the mysteries of severe storms. Most widely known for creating the Fujita Scale, or F-Scale, of tornado damage intensity, Fujita brought relentless, creative energy to the field of meteorology. His unique, forensic analysis of the aftermath left by destructive forces, borne out of the ashes of the world’s first atomic bombs, enabled him to map science onto a phenomenon thought to be unknowable, forever changing our understanding of tornadoes. Written, directed and produced by Michael Rossi and executive produced by Mark Samels and Susan Bellows, Mr. Tornado premieres Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on American Eexperience on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video App.

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Documentary WOMEN MAKE FILM Exploring Work of Female Filmmakers Set May 5 Release Date

The documentary, Women Make Film, an immense and unprecedented exploration of the work of female filmmakers throughout cinema history, will be released by Cohen Media Group on digital platforms and Blu-ray on May 5, 2020.

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“The Color of Medicine” Timely Documentary on History of African-American Medical Care Available May 12

The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital

The timely new documentary, The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital shines a light on the disparity between the medical treatment that the African-American community receives as opposed to others; an issue that has never been more evident than it has been during the time of COVID-19.

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PBS’ POV Series Announces 33rd Season Lineup, Opens with SXSW ‘We Are The Radical Monarchs’

We Are the Radical Monarchs

POV’s 33rd season premieres on PBS this summer with thirteen documentary features that showcase unsung heroes and unforgettable protagonists – from youth activists in Oakland to caregivers in New York state, from organizers in Atlanta to educators in Appalachia.

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Documentary UP FROM THE STREETS: NEW ORLEANS: THE CITY OF MUSIC Gets Virtual Release

Up From The Streets®: New Orleans: The City of Music

Starting May 15, the New Orleans documentary Up From The Streets ®: New Orleans: The City of Music will be released online to support the musical artists of New Orleans.

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Netflix Releases Trailer for BECOMING, Documentary on Former First Lady Michelle Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the comedy show celebrating the 75th anniversary of the USO and the 5th anniversary of the Joining Forces initiative at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., May 5, 2016. DoD photo by E.J. Hersom

Netflix and Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions released the trailer for the new documentary “Becoming,” an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama. Becoming will be available May 6 on Netflix.

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