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September 1, 2016

The International Documentary Association Announces Documentary Screening Series Lineup


Los Angeles, LA – September 1, 2016 – The International Documentary Association (IDA) announced today the lineup of their ongoing screening series to begin September 7th with a screening of Otto Bell’s The Eagle Huntress. Additional Series highlights include OJ: Made in America (September 13), Zero Days (October 6), Jim: The James Foley Story (October 26), and Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing (November 3).

The IDA Documentary Screening Series brings some of the year’s best documentary films to the IDA community including members of industry guilds and organizations. "The incredible range of topics in IDA's screening series showcases just how vibrant and dynamic documentary film has become, and how vital is has become as a way to explore our world," says IDA Executive Director Simon Kilmurry. Films selected for the Series receive exclusive access to an audience of tastemakers and documentary lovers during the influential Awards campaigning season.

“The IDA’s commitment to celebrating non-fiction storytelling, fighting fiercely to help filmmakers’ rights of free speech, and promoting the work of out-the-box artists is second-to-none,” said Audrie & Daisy Co-Directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, “The IDA screening series is such an important showcase for new documentary work, particularly when there is an urgent story to tell. We could not be more proud and more honored to be included in this year’s Fall line-up."

Screenings will take place at The Landmark in Los Angeles from September through November. All screenings are free to the public with first seating opportunities offered to IDA members and guild members. Each screening will conclude with a Q&A with the respective filmmakers moderated by industry experts.

Unless otherwise noted, all screenings will begin at 7:30pm. As the lineup for the Series continues to evolve the updated schedule will be available at www.documentary.org/screening-series or by signing up to receive email updates. The current Screening Series lineup is as follows:

  • September 7 – The Eagle Huntress (2016) is the story of Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle hunter. Q&A to follow with director Otto Bell, Aisholpan and her eagle.

  • September 8 – Author: The JT LeRoy Story (2016) tells the story behind literary persona JT LeRoy, the fictional writer created by American author Laura Albert. Q&A to follow with director Jeff Feuerzeig.

  • September 12 – New York Times Op-Docs (2016) A selection of new films from The New York Times editorial department's award-winning forum for short, opinionated documentaries. Films include Taller Than Trees (director Megan Mylan) and The Many Sad Fates of Mr. Toledano (director Josh Seftel) with additional titles to be announced.

  • September 13 – OJ: Made In America (2016) is the defining cultural tale of modern America - a saga of race, celebrity, media, violence, and the criminal justice system. And two decades after its unforgettable climax, it continues to fascinate, polarize, and develop new chapters. Q&A to follow with director Ezra Edelman.

  • September 14 – Class Divide (2016) is a documentary about class division and gentrification in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York City and its effects on public housing. Q&A to follow with director Marc Levin.

  • September 15 – Gleason (2016). After he is diagnosed with ALS, former professional football player Steve Gleason begins making a video diary for his unborn son, as he, his wife, and their friends and family work to raise money for ALS patients as his disease progresses. Q&A to follow with director Clay Tweel and subject Michel Varisco.

  • September 19 – Audrie & Daisy (2016) An urgent real-life drama that examines the ripple effects on families, friends, schools and communities when two underage young women find that sexual assault crimes against them have been caught on camera. Q&A to follow with directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk.

  • September 20 – The Witness (2015). The name 'Kitty Genovese' became synonymous with apathy after news that she was stabbed to death while 38 witnesses did nothing. Fifty years later, her brother uncovers a lie that transformed his life, condemned a city and defined an era. Q&A to follow with director James D. Solomon.

  • September 21 – Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (2016) Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack's unprecedented film celebrates Dr. Maya Angelou by weaving her words with rare and intimate archival photographs and videos from some of America’s most defining civil rights moments. Directed by Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack.

  • September 22 – Amanda Knox (2016) A recounting of the infamous trial, conviction and eventual acquittal of Seattle native Amanda Knox for the 2007 murder of a British exchange student in Italy.

  • October 6 – Zero Days (2016) is a documentary focused on Stuxnet, a piece of self-replicating computer malware that the U.S. and Israel unleashed to destroy a key part of an Iranian nuclear facility, and which ultimately spread beyond its intended target. Directed by Alex Gibney.

  • October 10 – The Ivory Game (2016) shows wildlife activists take on poachers in an effort to end illegal ivory trade in Africa. Directed by Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson.

  • October 11 – Do Not Resist (2016) offers a stunning look at the current state of policing in America and a glimpse into the future. Directed by Craig Atkinson.

  • October 13 – Newtown (2016) takes a look at how the community of Newtown, Connecticut came together in the aftermath of the largest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history. Q&A to follow with director Kim A. Snyder.

  • October 17 – All Governments Lie (2016) takes A look at the life and work of American journalist, I.F. Stone, who leads a one-man crusade against government deception. Q&A to follow with Directed by Fred Peabody.

  • October 18 – Life, Animated (2016) is a coming of age story about a boy and his family who overcame great challenges by turning Disney animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship and brotherhood. Q&A to follow with director Roger Ross Williams.

  • October 20 – Music of Strangers (2015). Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and other international artists of The Silk Road Project discuss their philosophies on music and culture. Q&A to follow with director Morgan Neville.

  • October 25 – Fire at Sea (2016) captures life on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a frontline in the European migrant crisis. Q&A to follow with director Gianfranco Rosi.

  • October 26 – Jim: The James Foley Story (2016) is an in-depth look at the life and work of American journalist James Foley, who was killed by ISIS terrorists in 2014. Directed by Brian Oakes.

  • October 27 – National Bird (2016). Drone whistleblower interviewed about borderless information gathering by the government. Directed by Sonia Kennebeck.

  • November 1 – Solitary (2016) takes an unprecedented look at life inside a supermax prison. Directed by Kristi Jacobson.

  • November 3 – Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing (2016) A look at the inside story of the bombing of the Boston marathon and the aftermath of the terrorist attack from multiple perspectives from the immediate impact through to the present day. Directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg.

  • November 10 – Cameraperson (2016) Cameraperson is both a moving glimpse into one filmmaker’s personal journey and a thoughtful examination of what it means to train a camera on the world. Q&A to follow with director Kirsten Johnson.