The USA’s biggest documentary festival kicks off today as DOC NYC gets ready to screen over 200 documentaries alongside a slate of industry events. That roster is significant, and one that the documentary scene in Canada should notice: in another year, it may be time to officially call DOC NYC North America’s biggest documentary festival. The programme is over twice the size of next year’s anticipated line-up for Hot Docs and is on par with the roster that previously netted Toronto’s doc event the distinction of being North America’s biggest festival devoted exclusively to docs.
The festivals’ alignment in the calendar year means that Hot Docs should be able to weather the course, falling between Sundance and Tribeca and offering a chance for first quarter premieres to shine. It’s also a key spotlight for Canadian docs, so there’s no reason why the both festivals shouldn’t enjoy some healthy competition. But with the awards race increasingly becoming a key factor in the viability of non-fiction films in a tricky marketplace, DOC NYC’s November berth is key for giving a second wind to docs that premiered at Sundance, Cannes, and TIFF, while launching a full slate of competitors. It might have a Toronto critic feeling festival FOMO: from afar, there’s a lot to look forward to in the year ahead based on what’s debuting south of the border.
Here are some highlights screening at DOC NYC this year. Stay tuned for more coverage from the festival.
