Your First Look at this Season's Contending Documentary Films
Documentary Spotlight will host a spectacular line-up of creators for an afternoon of powerful discussions about the significance of documentary storytelling.
The event will feature an all-star list of panelists who will share clips and engaging in illuminating conversations covering their projects and the state of the industry.
The event will feature an all-star list of panelists who will share clips and engaging in illuminating conversations covering their projects and the state of the industry.
Hosted by Thom Powers
Location
Vista House
Hollywood Hills
Address provided upon confirmation
Hollywood Hills
Address provided upon confirmation
Date & Time
October 18, 2024
3:00 PM
Doors Open
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Clips & Conversations
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Reception
*Food & Refreshments provided
3:00 PM
Doors Open
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Clips & Conversations
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Reception
*Food & Refreshments provided
FEATURED DOCUMENTARIES
& PANELISTS
& PANELISTS
Additional Programming Coming Soon
DAUGHTERS
NETFLIX PRESENTS
Four young girls prepare for a special Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers, as part of a unique fatherhood program in a Washington, D.C. jail.
Panelist:
Natalie Rae
CO-DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Natalie Rae is an award-winning director devoting much of her career to women’s rights. Her work has been commissioned by the U.N. and Gates Foundation. She is the recipient of two Cannes Young Lions nominations. Working with artists such as Leon Bridges, H.E.R., Anderson Paak, Rae brings a distinct style and effervescent energy to music videos, commercials, and now her first feature documentary.
Natalie Rae
CO-DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Natalie Rae is an award-winning director devoting much of her career to women’s rights. Her work has been commissioned by the U.N. and Gates Foundation. She is the recipient of two Cannes Young Lions nominations. Working with artists such as Leon Bridges, H.E.R., Anderson Paak, Rae brings a distinct style and effervescent energy to music videos, commercials, and now her first feature documentary.
I AM: CELINE
AMAZON MGM STUDIOS PRESENTS
Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I AM: CELINE DION gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar as she comes to terms with a life-altering illness. Her revelations and anguish become a testament to the power of music and deep resilience of the human spirit.
Panelist:
Irene Taylor
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Irene Taylor’s documentaries have been shown worldwide for the last 20 years. Her films have won multiple Emmy, Peabody, Du-Pont Awards, and she is an Academy Award nominated Director.
Taylor's most recent film I AM: CELINE DION debuted in theaters and on Prime Video in June. Notable projects include: Trees And Other Entanglements and Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements.
Irene’s personal and professional experiences prompted her to start an accessibility advocacy group in 2019, The Treehouse Project. Taylor founded Vermilion Films in 2006 she is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences & the Television Academy.
Irene Taylor
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Irene Taylor’s documentaries have been shown worldwide for the last 20 years. Her films have won multiple Emmy, Peabody, Du-Pont Awards, and she is an Academy Award nominated Director.
Taylor's most recent film I AM: CELINE DION debuted in theaters and on Prime Video in June. Notable projects include: Trees And Other Entanglements and Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements.
Irene’s personal and professional experiences prompted her to start an accessibility advocacy group in 2019, The Treehouse Project. Taylor founded Vermilion Films in 2006 she is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences & the Television Academy.
Panelist:
Dr. Paula Barreras
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
—
Dr. Paula Barreras is an Assistant Professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Barreras specializes in rare immune mediated conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord including stiff person-syndrome, neurosarcoidosis and spinal cord disorders such as neuromyelitis optica, MOG associated disease, and transverse myelitis.
Dr. Barreras completed her medical school at the university of the Andes followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship in neuroimmunology at Johns Hopkins University. Then she completed her neurology residency and clinical neuroimmunology fellowship also at Johns Hopkins before joining Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her research focuses on identifying predictors of outcomes in rare neuroimmunological diseases.
Dr. Paula Barreras
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
—
Dr. Paula Barreras is an Assistant Professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Barreras specializes in rare immune mediated conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord including stiff person-syndrome, neurosarcoidosis and spinal cord disorders such as neuromyelitis optica, MOG associated disease, and transverse myelitis.
Dr. Barreras completed her medical school at the university of the Andes followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship in neuroimmunology at Johns Hopkins University. Then she completed her neurology residency and clinical neuroimmunology fellowship also at Johns Hopkins before joining Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her research focuses on identifying predictors of outcomes in rare neuroimmunological diseases.
FRIDA
AMAZON MGM STUDIOS PRESENTS
An intimately raw and magical journey through the life, mind, and heart of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Told through her own words for the very first time — drawn from her diary, revealing letters, essays, and print interviews — FRIDA reaches new visual heights with lyrical animation inspired by her unforgettable artwork.
Panelist:
Carla Gutiérrez
DIRECTOR/EDITOR
—
Carla Gutiérrez is an Emmy-nominated documentary director/editor. Her directorial debut, FRIDA, premiered at Sundance 2024 and she edited the Oscar-nominated films RBG and LA CORONA. Carla is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and the American Cinema Editors.
Carla Gutiérrez
DIRECTOR/EDITOR
—
Carla Gutiérrez is an Emmy-nominated documentary director/editor. Her directorial debut, FRIDA, premiered at Sundance 2024 and she edited the Oscar-nominated films RBG and LA CORONA. Carla is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and the American Cinema Editors.
Panelist:
Victor Hernandez Stumpfhauser
COMPOSER
—
Víctor Hernández Stumpfhauser is a Mexican composer and pianist based in Los Angeles, California. Over the past 12 years, he has scored various Mexican feature films and television series. In 2014 he performed piano and contributed additional music to Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Oscar-winning film “Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”. In 2016, he composed the score for Roberto Sneider's “You're Killing Me Susana,” starring Gael García Bernal. His latest work can be heard in James Schamus' six-episode drama series for Netflix called: "Somos." and in Carla Gutiérrez's intimate documentary for Amazon Prime about the iconic Mexican artist: "FRIDA".
Victor Hernandez Stumpfhauser
COMPOSER
—
Víctor Hernández Stumpfhauser is a Mexican composer and pianist based in Los Angeles, California. Over the past 12 years, he has scored various Mexican feature films and television series. In 2014 he performed piano and contributed additional music to Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Oscar-winning film “Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”. In 2016, he composed the score for Roberto Sneider's “You're Killing Me Susana,” starring Gael García Bernal. His latest work can be heard in James Schamus' six-episode drama series for Netflix called: "Somos." and in Carla Gutiérrez's intimate documentary for Amazon Prime about the iconic Mexican artist: "FRIDA".
NO OTHER LAND
CINETIC MEDIA PRESENTS
For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer Yatta being destroyed by Israel's occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist who wants to join his fight.
Panelist:
Yuval Abraham (virtual)
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER, EDITOR
—
Yuval Abraham is an Israeli filmmaker and investigative journalist from Jerusalem.
Yuval Abraham (virtual)
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER, EDITOR
—
Yuval Abraham is an Israeli filmmaker and investigative journalist from Jerusalem.
Panelist:
Basel Adra (virtual)
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER, EDITOR
—
Basel Adra is a Palestinian lawyer, journalist and filmmaker from Masafer Yatta. He has been an activist and documentarian since 15, fighting against Israel's mass expulsion of his community.
Basel Adra (virtual)
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER, EDITOR
—
Basel Adra is a Palestinian lawyer, journalist and filmmaker from Masafer Yatta. He has been an activist and documentarian since 15, fighting against Israel's mass expulsion of his community.
PORCELAIN WAR
PICTUREHOUSE PRESENTS
Winner of the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary, PORCELAIN WAR is a stunning tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, embodying the enduring hope and passion of ordinary people living through extraordinary circumstances. As war ravages their homeland, three artists choose to stay in their native Ukraine, armed with their art, their cameras, and for the first time in their lives, their guns.
From the Academy Award®-winning producer of THE COVE and the Emmy® Award-winning producer of CHASING ICE, and the team behind the Grammy® Award-winning QUINCY, PORCELAIN WAR is one of the most celebrated documentary features of 2024.
Panelist:
Brendan Bellomo
DIRECTOR, WRITER, EDITOR
—
BRENDAN BELLOMO (Director, Writer, Editor) was the recipient of a 2009 Student Academy Award® for Live Action Narrative. Bellomo’s passion for storytelling was first sparked when he was a child. Beginning his career in visual effects, he supervised the 2012 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner and Oscar® nominee for Best Picture Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight). Most recently, Bellomo was the executive producer on the Netflix Original Chupa.
Brendan Bellomo
DIRECTOR, WRITER, EDITOR
—
BRENDAN BELLOMO (Director, Writer, Editor) was the recipient of a 2009 Student Academy Award® for Live Action Narrative. Bellomo’s passion for storytelling was first sparked when he was a child. Beginning his career in visual effects, he supervised the 2012 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner and Oscar® nominee for Best Picture Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight). Most recently, Bellomo was the executive producer on the Netflix Original Chupa.
SUGARCANE
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILMS PRESENTS
A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning.
Panelist:
Emily Kassie
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND CINEMATOGRAPHER
—
Emily Kassie is an Emmy® and Peabody®-nominated filmmaker and investigative journalist. Kassie shoots, directs and reports stories on geopolitical conflict, humanitarian crises and people caught in the crossfire. Her work for The New York Times, PBS Frontline, Netflix and others ranges from drug and weapons trafficking in the Saharan desert to the Taliban's crackdown on women, garnering multiple Edward R. Murrow, World Press Photo and National Press Photographers awards. Following the economic exploitation of the refugee crisis, she won the Overseas Press Club and National Magazine awards. Her first documentary on intermarriage in post-genocide Rwanda won the student Academy Award.
Emily Kassie
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND CINEMATOGRAPHER
—
Emily Kassie is an Emmy® and Peabody®-nominated filmmaker and investigative journalist. Kassie shoots, directs and reports stories on geopolitical conflict, humanitarian crises and people caught in the crossfire. Her work for The New York Times, PBS Frontline, Netflix and others ranges from drug and weapons trafficking in the Saharan desert to the Taliban's crackdown on women, garnering multiple Edward R. Murrow, World Press Photo and National Press Photographers awards. Following the economic exploitation of the refugee crisis, she won the Overseas Press Club and National Magazine awards. Her first documentary on intermarriage in post-genocide Rwanda won the student Academy Award.
Panelist:
Julian Brave NoiseCat
DIRECTOR
—
Julian Brave NoiseCat is a writer, filmmaker and student of Salish art and history. His first documentary, Sugarcane, directed alongside Emily Kassie, follows an investigation into abuse and missing children at the Indian residential school NoiseCat’s family was sent to near Williams Lake, British Columbia. Sugarcane premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where NoiseCat and Kassie won the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary. A member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq'escen and descendant of the Lil'Wat Nation of Mount Currie, he is concurrently finishing his first book, We Survived the Night, which will be published by Alfred A. Knopf.
Julian Brave NoiseCat
DIRECTOR
—
Julian Brave NoiseCat is a writer, filmmaker and student of Salish art and history. His first documentary, Sugarcane, directed alongside Emily Kassie, follows an investigation into abuse and missing children at the Indian residential school NoiseCat’s family was sent to near Williams Lake, British Columbia. Sugarcane premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where NoiseCat and Kassie won the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary. A member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq'escen and descendant of the Lil'Wat Nation of Mount Currie, he is concurrently finishing his first book, We Survived the Night, which will be published by Alfred A. Knopf.
THE LAST REPUBLICAN
MEDIA COURTHOUSE DOCUMENTARY COLLECTIVE PRESENTS
Congressman Adam Kinzinger is the first Republican to hold President Trump accountable for the Jan. 6th Insurrection. It costs him friends, family and his career. While documenting Adam Kinzinger’s last year in Congress, director/comedian Steve Pink - a far left progressive - forms a surprising and humorous friendship with his conservative counterpart.
Panelist:
Steve Pink
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Steve Pink began his career by writing and co-producing the films Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity. He went on to direct Hot Tub Time Machine, About Last Night, and Accepted. Steve has also directed multiple television series including Santa Clarita Diet, Cobra Kai on Netflix, and Wayne on Amazon Prime. Most recently, he directed the critically acclaimed film The Wheel, his first independent feature that enjoyed its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in 2021.
Steve Pink
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Steve Pink began his career by writing and co-producing the films Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity. He went on to direct Hot Tub Time Machine, About Last Night, and Accepted. Steve has also directed multiple television series including Santa Clarita Diet, Cobra Kai on Netflix, and Wayne on Amazon Prime. Most recently, he directed the critically acclaimed film The Wheel, his first independent feature that enjoyed its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in 2021.
WILL & HARPER
NETFLIX PRESENTS
When Will Ferrell’s good friend of 30 years, Harper Steele comes out as a trans woman, the pair embark on a road trip to process this new stage in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country she loves as her authentic self.
Panelist:
Josh Greenbaum
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Josh Greenbaum is an award-winning director, writer and producer known for his distinct style of documentary and narrative filmmaking that skillfully blends humor and humanity. Greenbaum’s current film is WILL & HARPER, which premiered to high critical acclaim at Sundance and was acquired by Netflix. He is also known for his other documentary work in THE SHORT GAME, BECOMING BOND, THE PLAYBOOK, TOO FUNNY TO FAIL, and BEHIND THE MASK.
Greenbaum has also written and directed projects for ABC, CBS, Fox, Comedy Central and the CW, as well as dozens of short films.
Greenbaum made his narrative feature directorial debut in 2021 with the Critics Choice-nominated BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, and followed that up with last years’ STRAYS.
Josh Greenbaum
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
—
Josh Greenbaum is an award-winning director, writer and producer known for his distinct style of documentary and narrative filmmaking that skillfully blends humor and humanity. Greenbaum’s current film is WILL & HARPER, which premiered to high critical acclaim at Sundance and was acquired by Netflix. He is also known for his other documentary work in THE SHORT GAME, BECOMING BOND, THE PLAYBOOK, TOO FUNNY TO FAIL, and BEHIND THE MASK.
Greenbaum has also written and directed projects for ABC, CBS, Fox, Comedy Central and the CW, as well as dozens of short films.
Greenbaum made his narrative feature directorial debut in 2021 with the Critics Choice-nominated BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, and followed that up with last years’ STRAYS.