New York, NY — The DOC NYC festival, renowned for its dedication to documentary storytelling, has announced its winners across various categories including U.S. and International competitions, as well as several specialized sections such as Metropolis and Kaleidoscope. Doc NYC, which extends online screenings for audiences nationwide through December 1, delivers a broad spectrum of more than 80 feature films and over 100 short documentaries, with many award-winners among them.
In the U.S. Competition category, the Grand Jury Prize was awarded to “Stone Mountain,” directed and produced by Daniel Kaufman. The film, making its U.S. premiere, presents an intricate exploration of the community around Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. It is noted for its unfiltered view into the racial tensions within the area that hosts the world’s largest bas-relief sculpture — a Confederate memorial.
Special recognition in this category was given to “Black Snow” by Alina Simone, which tells the compelling story of Russian journalist Natalia Zubkova. The film follows her courageous exposé of a coal fire cover-up in Siberia which narrates themes of resistance against governmental disinformation and suppression.
Internationally, the top honor went to “Yalla Parkour,” directed by Areeb Zuaiter. The documentary captured the hearts of the jury with its vivid portrayal of Palestinian youth utilizing parkour to navigate the ruins of Gaza, juxtaposing youthful aspiration with harsh realities.
“Yalla Parkour” was praised for its poignant cinematic craftsmanship, which brilliantly melds personal plight with the palpable grief of geopolitical conflicts. The film’s profound narrative and striking visual storytelling offer viewers an immersive experience into the resilience of the human spirit under adversity.
A special mention in the International Competition went to “Sudan, Remember Us” by Hind Meddeb, spotlighting the Sudanese youth-led uprising. This film has been recognized for capturing the powerful and artistic forms of protest that energized the Sudanese movement for freedom.
The Kaleidoscope section, known for its celebration of experimental filmmaking, awarded “The Falling Sky” by Eryk Rocha and Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha. It delves into the lives of the Yanomami people in the Amazon, blending ethereal cinematography with robust storytelling to discuss broader themes of colonialism and exploitation.
The Metropolis category, which focuses on New York City narratives, recognized “Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse” by Molly Bernstein and Philip Dolin. The documentary centers on Spiegelman’s impactful contribution to art and storytelling, particularly through his controversial and introspective comics that tackle historical atrocities.
In the festival’s Audience Award section, the top accolade was taken by “Slumlord Millionaire,” directed by Steph Ching and Ellen Martinez, which documents the ongoing housing rights struggles in New York City.
The DOC NYC festival not only showcases compelling documentaries but also serves as a platform recognizing burgeoning filmmakers. Through partnerships and newly introduced grants, the festival supports the selected documentarians in broadening the reach and impact of their work.
Additionally, the DOC NYC U Competition highlighted student filmmakers from various New York institutions, showcasing their short documentaries. It embodies the festival’s commitment to nurturing new talent in the documentary filmmaking sphere.
To see a full list of award winners and gain access to the films, viewers can explore the DOC NYC platform available online until the close of the festival.
While the festival celebrates documentary filmmaking and the artistic visions of its participants, it should be noted that this article was generated automatically and may contain factual inaccuracies or omissions. For corrections or retractions, please reach out to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.