From acclaimed auteurs to emerging directors to visual artists that push the limits of documentary film, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) announced 70 selected documentary film titles to the program sections Frontlight, Masters, Paradocs, Paradocs: Amsterdam Art Weekend at IDFA, and Best of Fests, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award for Jørgen Leth. The new selections include world premieres from Oeke Hoogendijk, Louise Detlefsen, Louise Kjeldsen, and Basir Mahmoud.
In the 1970s, the Bronx was on fire. Left unprotected by the city government, nearly a quarter-million people were displaced as their close-knit, multiethnic neighborhood burned to the ground, reducing the community to rubble. While insidious government policies caused the devastation, it was the African American and Latino residents who bore the blame. Through rich archival and home movie footage, testimonials from retired FDNY firefighters and brass, as well as Bronx historians and community organizers, Decade of Fire reveals the real reasons for the devastation and shows what can happen when a community chooses to fight back and reclaim their neighborhood. A film by Vivian Vázquez Irizarry, Gretchen Hildebran and Julia Steele Allen, Decade of Fire premieres on Monday, November 4, 2019, 10:00-11:00 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video App.
The documentary Gay Chorus Deep South, winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Tribeca Film Festival, released a power new official trailer, weeks before it opens in theaters. Gay Chorus Deep South directed by David Charles Rodrigues documents the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus as they embark on a tour of the American Deep South, in response to a wave of discriminatory anti-LGBT laws and the divisive 2016 election.
The Guardian of Memory (El guardián de la memoria), the second feature film by Mexican director Marcela Arteaga, will have its U.S. premiere in the official competition at the 2019 edition of the Margaret Mead Film Festival taking place October 17 to 20 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
YouTube released the trailer for the documentary The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash, from director Thom Zimny (Elvis Presley: The Searcher, Springsteen on Broadway), which will be available for free on YouTube beginning Monday, November 11.
Showtime released the official trailer for The Kingmaker, the new documentary film from Emmy(R) winning director Lauren Greenfield (The Queen of Versailles), that centers on the indomitable character and controversial political career of Imelda Marcos.
La prima donna, the new documentary film by Tony Saccucci starring Licia Maglietta will world premiere as the pre-opening film of the 14th Rome Film Fest (October 17th to 27th 2019).
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam announced the first film selections for IDFA 2019, taking place November 20th to December 1st. The curated program sections include 54 titles from the new focus programs It Still Hurts, Re-releasing History, and The Villain, the Retrospective and Top 10 of Guest of Honor Patricio Guzmán, and a special tribute section to D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
Objector directed by Molly Stuart makes its World Premiere as the “Spotlight Centerpiece Film” of the 2019 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of Atalya, who like all Israeli youth, is obligated to become a soldier. Unlike most, she questions the practices of her country’s military and when she refuses military duty, is imprisoned for her dissent.
The award winning documentary – PBS FRONTLINE presents On The President’s Orders co-directed by James Jones and Olivier Sarbil, offers alarmingly close, intimate access to the harsh battle for the streets and soul of the Philippines. With bold and unflinching imagery, this cinematic new documentary which has captivated festival audiences worldwide will be making it’s US Theatrical release opening in New York October 4th and LA October 18th as well as nationwide PBS Broadcast in October.
Animal Planet acquired the documentary film Watson, which chronicles Sea Shepherd founder Captain Paul Watson, who has spent his life sailing the globe to keep our oceans and their inhabitants safe. Watson had its World Premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was runner-up for the Documentary Audience Award. Additional screenings this year will include Zurich Film Festival, Hamptons International Film Festival and Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, among others. Watson will open in select U.S. theaters this fall and premieres on Animal Planet later this year.
From Executive Producers Stephen Curry and Viola Davis, and Co-Produced by Mariska Hargitay, the documentary Emanuel looks at the aftermath in Charleston, South Carolina when a 21-year-old white supremacist opened fire at Emanuel AME Church, leaving nine African Americans dead, and leaving their families and the nation to grapple with this senseless act of terror. Emanuel opens in theaters on October 11th in NYC at Cinema Village and October 18th in LA at Laemmle Music Hall.