Diverse nonfiction fare on topics ranging from artist/activist Joan Baez to Pulitizer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof will be at the center of this year's PaleyDocFest09, the Paley Center for Media announced Tuesday.
The 10th annual documentary festival will be held in New York throughout the month of October.
The festival will open on Oct. 8 with "The Way We Get By," a documentary which looks into how various generations of war veterans deal with the aftermath of their service.
Following on Oct. 9 will be the world premiere of the American Masters "Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound;" a film about the symbolism of the Berlin Wall titled "Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall" on Oct. 20; "The Glass House," about empowering abused young women in Tehran, on Oct. 21; and "Reporter," which looks at the life of New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof on Oct. 22.
A complimentary wine reception will occur before each screening and a Q&A discussion with filmmakers, those in the films and special guests will occur after the screenings.
“With our annual documentary festival, The Paley Center for Media continues its deep commitment to this important and influential filmmaking. Following last year’s historic presidential election where media played an ever-increasing role, the Festival will explore that now-amplified interconnection between politics and culture that can change society,” Pat Mitchell, president and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, said in a statement. “Through the documentaries in the Festival, one will experience the power of this art form to inspire to tell a story in a way that captures our imagination and expands our horizons."
The festival will also host two special events on Oct. 17: The Art of the Documentary Pitch workshop -- which is sponsored by Snag Films and awards the winner a $5,000 grant to be used toward the completion of the film -- and DocuJam, which celebrates the works of young documentary video and filmmakers nationwide.
The complete schedule is as follows:
THE WAY WE GET BY
Thursday, October 8 at 6:30pm
In association with P.O.V.
2009 Special Jury Award, South by Southwest Festival
2009 Audience Award Winner, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
This award-winning film profiles three senior citizens/veterans who find new meaning in their lives by greeting returning troops while intimately conveying what service to country means in these treacherous times. Q&A: Aron Gaudet, filmmaker; Bill Knight, WWII veteran; Jerry Mundy, former Marine; and Gita Pullapilly, filmmaker.
World Premiere
AMERICAN MASTERS: JOAN BAEZ – HOW SWEET THE SOUND
Friday, October 9 at 6:30pm
This first comprehensive documentary to chronicle the private and public life of artist/activist Joan Baez provides unprecedented access to the singer. Bob Dylan, David Crosby, and Reverend Jessie Jackson also share about Baez’s remarkable life. Q&A: Anthony DeCurtis, author and contributing editor, Rolling Stone; Susan Lacy, executive producer, American Masters; and Mary Wardon, filmmaker.
THE ART OF THE DOCUMENTARY PITCH WORKSHOP
Sponsored by SnagFilms
Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 – 4:00pm
A workshop/competition in which five pre-selected emerging documentary filmmakers pitch their ideas to a panel of distinguished documentary executives and producers.
