Posted by Larry Gleeson
AFI DOCS WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Programming Includes Spotlight Screenings of DOLORES and WHITNEY. “CAN I BE ME” at the Newseum, and the World Premieres of ATOMIC HOMEFRONT and SAVING BRINTON
Screening of BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY with Bill Nye in Person
Closing Night Screening of YEAR OF THE SCAB From Director John Dorsey
Washington, DC, Saturday, June 17, 2017 — Weekend highlights include the Spotlight Screenings of DOLORES and WHITNEY. “CAN I BE ME” at the Newseum, and the world premiere of ATOMIC HOMEFRONT (directed by AFI Directing Workshop for Women alumna Rebecca Cammisa, appearing in person). Bill Nye joins audiences for the screening of BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY. AFI DOCS concludes the 2017 festival with the Closing Night Screening of YEAR OF THE SCAB, followed by a panel discussion with director John Dorsey.
WHO: Director Peter Bratt
WHAT: DOLORES – SPOTLIGHT SCREENING
This film honors activist Dolores Huerta — who fought alongside Cesar Chavez to advance labor and civil rights causes beginning in the 1960s — as she reflects on the accomplishments and sacrifices of her passionate career.
WHERE: Newseum, Annenberg Theater, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
WHEN: Saturday, June 17 6:15 p.m. Screening followed by Panel with director Peter Bratt moderated by Variety’s Ted Johnson
WHO: Director Rudi Dolezal
WHAT: WHITNEY. “CAN I BE ME” – SPOTLIGHT SCREENING
An intimate portrait of Whitney Houston through those who were closest to her. This illuminating tale of a pop diva and her tragic trajectory tells the singer’s story from supremely talented teenage gospel singer in her New Jersey church to chart-topping, iconic American chanteuse.
WHERE: Newseum, Annenberg Theater, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington,DC
WHEN: Saturday, June 17 9:00 p.m. Screening followed by a panel discussion with director Rudi Dolezal moderated by The Undefeated’s Soraya McDonald.
Tickets for select screenings are still available. Order online at AFI.com/AFIDOCS. Same day tickets must be purchased in-person at festival venues: Landmark E Street Cinema, the Newseum and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.
WORLD PREMIERE OF SAVING BRINTON
Saturday, June 17 at 4:15 p.m. SAVING BRINTON at the AFI Silver Theatre 2. In his position as small-town Iowa historian and collector, Michael Zahs lucked into the acquisition of one of the rarest collections of turn-of-the-century cinema. Now turning his obsession into purpose, Zahs sets out to restore and exhibit his treasure trove of newsreels, home movies and lost films. Expected guests include directors Tommy Haines, John Richard and Andrew Sherburne, film subject Michael Zahs, producers JT Haines and Trish McDonald, The Library of Congress’ George Willeman and Film Professor Kathy Fuller Seeley.
WORLD PREMIERE OF ATOMIC HOMEFRONT
Saturday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. ATOMIC HOMEFRONT at Landmark E Street Cinema Theater 1. A major metropolitan area in the United States lies dangerously close to a large landfill containing radioactive waste — and an escalating underground fire. As concerned citizens attempt to halt a potential catastrophe, they discover that they may be running out of time to save their homes, health and lives. Spotlight Screening. Expected guests include director Rebecca Cammisa. Q&A moderated by Governing Magazine’s Mattie Quinn.
BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY SCREENING WITH BILL NYE
Sunday, June 18 at 5:45 p.m. BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY at Landmark E Street Cinema Theater 1. The beloved TV personality finds himself in the fight of his life as he goes up against those seeking to debunk and diminish the scientific principles that he’s spent his entire career teaching. In an age where science is constantly under attack, can Bill Nye help save the day? Expected guests include directors David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg, and film subject Bill Nye. Q&A moderated by Climatewire’s Scott Waldman.
YEAR OF THE SCAB CLOSING NIGHT SCREENING
Sunday, June 18, 7:00 PM followed by a panel discussion with director John Dorsey at the Newseum, Annenberg Theater, 555 Pennsylvania AVE NW, Washington, DC
In September 1987, for the first time in U.S. history, replacement football players took the field amidst a union strike. Seen as a second chance for these “scab” players, the ’87 season became a memorable one for the Washington Redskins. A don’t miss opportunity to see up front and personal the trials and tribulations of the key persons involved.
AFI DOCS FORUM: DAYS THREE AND DAY FOUR
Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Festival filmmakers and industry professionals will meet at the AFI DOCS Festival Hub and the Newseum, for the final two days of the AFI DOCS Forum. Each day the Forum explores a unique topic with keynote presentations, conversations, panel discussions, VR demonstrations and micro-meetings. Saturday and Sunday’s AFI DOCS Forum schedule includes:
Saturday, June 17, 10:00 a.m.: Short Order: Making and Distributing Rapid Response Short Docs
Short doesn’t always mean fast in documentary filmmaking, but there are major advantages to making and distributing short docs on a speedy timeline. This panel of makers and funders addresses a faster approach to shorts, outlines available opportunities for support and explores key partnerships vital to working in this mode. Panelists include Brandon Kramer (THE MESSY TRUTH), Kate Mclean (GUT HACK, BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY) and Laura Poitras (RISK). Moderated by Loira Limbal, Vice President, Firelight Media.
Saturday, June 17, 1:00 p.m.: In With the New: The Latest Trends in Documentary Distribution
Staying current with the latest distribution trends is critical to filmmakers’ success in reaching audiences and generating revenue. This panel of industry experts and new players in the distribution space examines the current state of documentary distribution and explains the evolving relationship between theatrical, broadcast and online platforms. Panelist include Dan O’Meara, Vice President, Special Projects & Documentary, NEON, and Michael Tuckman, Founder, mTuckman Media. Moderated by Andrea Meditch (THE CAGE FIGHTER).
Saturday, June 17, 3:00 p.m.: VR Exhibition at the Newseum
Immerse yourself in the latest and best in virtual reality (VR) by experiencing our curated selection of amazing and wide-ranging VR documentaries. VR experiences include: AFTER SOLITARY, CHASING CORAL: THE VR EXPERIENCE, MELTING ICE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S THE PROTECTORS: WALK IN THE RANGER’S SHOES, OPERATION ASPEN, THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE, UNDER THE CANOPY, UNDERWORLD and WE WHO REMAIN.
Saturday, June 17, 4:30 p.m.: No More: How VR is Having Real-World Impact at the Newseum
With lightning speed, VR has emerged as a viable storytelling platform and a major force in documentary. Driving VR’s rise is its huge promise for building stronger empathy in audiences and connecting people to powerful, real-world stories and social issues. This panel will explore how filmmakers and organizations are using VR to change hearts and minds. Panelists include Cassandra Herrman and Lauren Mucciolo, lead artists (AFTER SOLITARY); Imraan Ismail, lead artist (NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS THE PROTECTORS: WALK IN THE RANGER’S SHOES); Hunter Holcombe, Executive Producer, AJ+; and Will Villota, Vice President of Brand, Conservation International. Moderated by Mitch Gelman, Chief Technology Officer, Newseum.
Sunday, June 18, 12:30 p.m.: Moving the Needle: How Programs for Filmmakers Are Making a Difference in Gender Parity
Talk is cheap, but these organizations are making a difference by putting major support and resources behind women-centered initiatives that are giving women filmmakers real opportunities to bolster their own careers, as well as transform the broader documentary landscape. Panelists include Claire Aguilar, Director Programming & Policy, International Documentary Association; Lynn Hughes, Co-Chair, Women’s Impact Network, Producers Guild of America; Terry Lawler, Executive Director, New York Women in Film & Video; and Christa Scharfenberg, Head of Studio, Glassbreaker Films, Center for Investigative Reporting. Moderated by Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director, Women Make Movies.
Sunday, June 18, 2:00 p.m.: Hear Me Now: The Art of Nonfiction Podcasting
This special session illuminates the process of creating nonfiction podcasts. In part one, panelists, including podcasters and NPR, discuss the unique challenges of podcasting. In part two, Hanna Rosin and Alix Spiegel, two of the hosts of the hugely popular NPR podcast “Invisibilia,” present a case study from their new season. Panelists include Morgan Givens, Host, “Dispatches;” Steve Nelson, Director of Programming, NPR; Christa Scharfenberg, Head of Studio, Center for Investigative Reporting; “Invisibilia’s” Hanna Rosin, Liana Simonds and Alix Spiegal. Moderated by “The Big Listen’s” host Lauren Ober.
Sunday, June 18, 4:00 p.m.: Talking Pictures with Ann Hornaday
In her latest book “Talking Pictures,” The Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday guides us through the craft of movie-making, explaining how to watch and evaluate every piece of the process. The book reveals how many of the same skills and techniques used to create fiction works are also used in documentaries. Join Hornaday at the Festival Hub as she talks pictures and signs copies of her new book.
A LOOK BACK AT FRIDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
The Charles Guggenheim Symposium paid tribute to groundbreaking filmmaker Laura Poitras. The Symposium included an in-depth conversation with Poitras along with clips from her acclaimed works, which include this year’s Julian Assange doc RISK, her Academy Award®-winning Edward Snowden portrait CITIZENFOUR (2014), THE OATH (2010), MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY (2006) and FLAG WARS (2003).
The four-day AFI DOCS Forum wrapped its second day Friday in the nation’s capital. Friday’s Forum focused on the role of truth in storytelling, within a “post-truth” world. The media’s purpose to educate the public and the expanding roles of journalism and documentary film were also highlighted.
Photos and a recap from the day’s events will be made available for download in the pressroom at afidocspress.afi.com.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS:
11:00 a.m. ANATOMY OF A MALE BALLET DANCER
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Marcelo Gomes recounts a lifelong dedication to his art while sharing stories from his personal life. The film is an intimate portrait of a man at the top of his game, who knows that his body can only withstand the rigors of the profession for so long. Expected guests include directors James Pellerito and David Barba.
11:00 a.m. AN INSIGNIFICANT MAN
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
Hailed as “a real-life HOUSE OF CARDS” and a “non-fiction political thriller,” Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla’s AN INSIGNIFICANT MAN provides an up-close look at the birth of India’s Common Man Party and the rise of its populist leader, Arvind Kejriwal, who boldly challenges government corruption. Expected guests include director Vinay Shukla.
11:15 a.m. SCHOOL LIFE
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
For nearly five decades, eccentric and brilliant couple Amanda and John have nurtured legions of students through Headfort, Ireland’s last boarding prep school. Progressive pedagogy plays out in a rambling, old-school institution as beloved by its pupils as by the aging couple contemplating a future away from this place of deep roots.
11:15 a.m. 32 PILLS: MY SISTER’S SUICIDE
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
In December 2008, Ruth Litoff took her own life and left behind a legacy of art, love and tragedy. Years later, her sister Hope undertakes a mission to understand Ruth’s illness and her desire to end her life. 32 PILLS documents Hope’s painful journey and serves as a poignant tribute to her beloved sister. Expected guests include producer Beth Levison.
12:00 p.m. MUHI – GENERALLY TEMPORARY
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 1
MUHI tells the story of a young boy from Gaza, separated from his family, whose very existence depends on the loving care he receives from an Israeli hospital. This deeply affecting film makes a compelling case against the border walls that divide families and communities. Expected guests include directors Rina Castelnuovo-Hollander and Tamir Elterman.
1:15 p.m. LA LIBERTAD DEL DIABLO
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
In only a decade, Mexico’s drug wars have left more than 100,000 dead and 30,000 missing. Everardo González’s haunting documentary goes beyond the headlines to give a human face to the conflict. The masked testimonies of both victims and perpetrators offer a powerful and chilling reminder of the systemic violence that has infiltrated Mexican society. Expected guests include director Everardo González.
1:30 p.m. CINE SAO PAULO
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
Once a grand movie palace, the Cine Sao Paulo in Brazil is now crumbled into ruin. Enter Dom Chico, whose father once owned the theater, as he attempts to restore it to its former glory. The film is a love letter to both the movies and the dreamers who love them. Expected guests include director Ricardo Martensen.
1:45 p.m. THE FORCE
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
This compelling exposé focuses on the Oakland Police Department as they undergo efforts to reform an agency riven by years of corruption and criminal activity. This troubling and timely portrait of a police force in crisis won the Best Director Prize at Sundance. Expected guests include director Peter Nicks.
1:45 p.m. LEANING INTO THE WIND – ANDY GOLDSWORTHY
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
Thomas Riedelsheimer’s documentary RIVERS AND TIDES (2001) became a box office smash, delighting audiences with its profile of iconoclastic British artist Andy Goldsworthy. In LEANING INTO THE WIND, Goldsworthy continues his quest to create ephemeral, transformative works of art in unlikely places around the globe.
2:30 p.m. LOOK TO THE RIGHT: A CONVERSATION WITH ANN HORNADAY AND MICHAEL PACK
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 1
In recent years, conservative documentaries have achieved impressive reach with audiences despite being largely absent from the festival, art-house and TV circuits. Filmmaker Michael Pack (THE FALL OF NEWT GINGRICH) discusses how these films connect with viewers, their impact on politics and the connection between production values and policy.
3:30 p.m. LA CHANA
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
Winner of the Audience Award at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, LA CHANA celebrates the incomparable talent and spirit of Spain’s greatest gypsy flamenco dancer as she reflects on her storied past while preparing for a return to the stage in her 70s. Expected guests include director Lucija Stojevic.
3:45 p.m. STRONG ISLAND
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
In 1992, Yance Ford’s brother William was shot to death when he confronted a white mechanic about a car repair. The all-white grand jury chose not to bring charges. In this searing, deeply moving and personal journey, Ford confronts the truths about what happened and examines the gaping hole that William’s death left in the family. Expected guests include director Yance Ford. Q&A moderated by The Washington Post’s Wesley Lowery.
4:15 p.m. MAMA COLONEL
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
In a country still recovering from the scars of war, the headstrong Colonel Honorine Munyole leads a special police unit in the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo — with the mission to serve and protect the women and children of her country when no one else will. Spotlight Screening. Expected guests include director Dieudo Hamadi and film subject Colonel Honorine (schedules permitting).
4:30 p.m. DINA
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 1
The titular heroine of this delightful portrait follows a 49-year-old woman who copes with autism while beginning a fledgling romance with Scott, a Walmart door greeter. This tender story of overcoming obstacles and finding love won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Expected guests include directors Antonio Santini and Daniel Sickles, and film subjects Dina Buno and Scott Levin.
6:00 p.m. DRIES
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
Style icon Iris Apfel calls him a treasure, yet few outside fashion circles know Belgian designer Dries Van Noten’s name. Director Reiner Holzemer’s visually sumptuous portrait provides behind-the-scenes access to the designer’s stunning sartorial creations, his artistic process and his private world. Expected guests include director Reiner Holzemer.
6:30 p.m. THE WORK
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
A moving story of redemption and renewal unfolds in this remarkable vérité film that follows a group of “outsiders” into California’s Folsom Prison to join inmates in an intense four-day therapy session. THE WORK garnered the top documentary prize at this year’s South by Southwest Film Festival. Expected guests include director Jairus McLeary and producer Alice Henty.
6:30 p.m. NOBODY SPEAK: TRIALS OF THE FREE PRESS
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
When online gossip rag Gawker published a sex tape involving Hulk Hogan, the former wrestler sued, but who was the mysterious billionaire bankrolling his legal fees? Using this salacious trial as just one example, NOBODY SPEAK is a cautionary tale about the dangers of the super-rich controlling the message and the media. Expected guests include director Brian Knappenberger. Moderated by The Washington Post’s Alyssa Rosenberg.
7:00 p.m. CITY OF GHOSTS
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
From Matthew Heineman, the Academy Award®-nominated director of CARTEL LAND, comes this harrowing tale of courage under fire that follows the men behind “Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently,” a group of heroic citizen journalists who are fiercely determined to bring to light ISIS’ atrocities in their home city of Raqqa, Syria. Expected guests include director Matthew Heineman.
8:30 p.m. STRAD STYLE
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
A chance social media encounter leads a Stradivarius-obsessed, amateur violinmaker living in rural Ohio to mount the seemingly impossible task of crafting an exact replica of one of the classical music world’s most famous violins, Guarneri’s Il Cannone, in time for a famed European virtuoso’s upcoming tour. Expected guests include director Stefan Avalos.
9:00 p.m. CHAVELA
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
The dramatic, soulful interpretations of Mexican lesbian singer Chavela Vargas paved the way for women seeking equality in a traditionally male world. A renowned nightclub performer reduced to alcoholic impoverishment, Vargas made a triumphant comeback in her 70s that secured her reputation as an artist of uncompromising passion and independence. Expected guests include directors Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi.
9:00 p.m. A GRAY STATE
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
In 2010, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran turned filmmaker David Crowley began crowdfunding a large-scale action film forewarning of a future America gone police state. As chronicled here via his obsessive video journaling, he became a rising star among fringe right-wing groups over the next five years, all the while spiraling toward a violent, tragic and inexplicable end. Expected guests include director Erik Nelson.
9:30 p.m. BRIMSTONE & GLORY
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 1
BRIMSTONE & GLORY offers a front row seat to the National Pyrotechnic Festival in Tultepec, Mexico. With stunning cinematography, dynamic music and little dialogue, this film captures the city’s celebration of the patron saint of fireworks and lets viewers experience sparkle, chaos, flames and brimstone in all their glory. Expected guests include director Viktor Jakovleski and producer Kellen Quinn.
Preceded by short film: RIDERS OF THE WELL OF DEATH
9:30 p.m. SPETTACOLO
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
For the past 50 years, the residents of a tiny hilltop hamlet in Tuscany have come together each summer to mount an original play about their own lives in the town’s medieval piazza. From the filmmakers of MARWENCOL (2010), SPETTACOLO is a delightful portrait of small-town Italian life.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS:
11:15 a.m. SPETTACOLO
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
For the past 50 years, the residents of a tiny hilltop hamlet in Tuscany have come together each summer to mount an original play about their own lives in the town’s medieval piazza. From the filmmakers of MARWENCOL (2010), SPETTACOLO is a delightful portrait of small-town Italian life.
11:30 a.m. STRAD STYLE
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
A chance social media encounter leads a Stradivarius-obsessed, amateur violinmaker living in rural Ohio to mount the seemingly impossible task of crafting an exact replica of one of the classical music world’s most famous violins, Guarneri’s Il Cannone, in time for a famed European virtuoso’s upcoming tour. Expected guests include director Stefan Avalos.
11:30 a.m. A SUITABLE GIRL
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
Tradition, modernity and gender roles converge in this honest portrait of three young women in India as they — and their parents — contemplate their marriage prospects, careers and future happiness. Expected guests include directors Smriti Mundhra and Sarita Khurana.
11:30 a.m. DRIES
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
Style icon Iris Apfel calls him a treasure, yet few outside fashion circles know Belgian designer Dries Van Noten’s name. This artful portrait provides behind-the-scenes access to the designer’s stunning sartorial creations. Expected guests include director Reiner Holzemer.
12:00 p.m. THE FARTHEST
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THATER 1
An iconic space mission gets a cinematic treatment worthy of its impact. Through the most perilous points of the solar system and beyond, this chronicle of NASA’s Voyager program provides an awe-inspiring view of an unparalleled human achievement. Expected guests include director Emer Reynolds. Q&A moderated by Dr. Matthew Shindell, Planetary Science and Exploration Curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
1:45 p.m. TAKE EVERY WAVE: THE LIFE OF LAIRD HAMILTON
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
TAKE EVERY WAVE tells the incredible story of big-wave surfing pioneer Laird Hamilton. Filmmaker Rory Kennedy juxtaposes a wealth of archival footage along with a breathtaking view of Hamilton’s current surfing adventures off the island of Kauai.
1:45 p.m. SHORTS PROGRAM 6: THE UNEXPECTED
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
Featured films: BALLOONFEST, FISH STORY, THE FORESHORE, GORAN THE CAMEL MAN, GUT HACK, THE HANGING, and LONG TERM PARKING. Expected guests include FISH STORY director Charlie Lyne, GUT HACK director Kate McLean, and THE HANGING director Geoffrey Feinberg.
2:00 p.m. THE OPPOSITION
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
In this riveting David-and-Goliath tale, a community of native Papua New Guineans battle developers who try to claim their homeland for a seaside tourist resort. Expected guests include director Hollie Fifer.
2:00 p.m. STILL TOMORROW
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
A farmer born with cerebral palsy, Yu Xinhua has been called China’s Emily Dickinson. Her frankly sexual poem “Crossing Half of China to Sleep With You” became an overnight sensation. Although fame brought her financial independence, Yu struggles to obtain a divorce while yearning for true love.
2:30 p.m. STEP
AFI SILVER THEATRE 1
Meet the “Lethal Ladies,” the amazing step dance team from the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. Amanda Lipitz’s inspiring portrait will have you cheering as the Ladies attempt to finish first in the city’s dance competition and to become the first women in their families to go to college. Expected guests include film subjects Coach G and Paula Dofat.
3:00 p.m. QUEST
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 1
QUEST follows the Raineys, a close-knit, North Philadelphia family as they face innumerable struggles from the 2008 election to today. The film is a powerful and deeply moving portrait that shows how much can change — and how much can remain the same — over the course of eight years. Expected guests include director Jon Olshefski, and film subjects The Rainey Family.
4:00 p.m. NEW CHEFS ON THE BLOCK
AFI SILVER THEATER 2
Opening a new restaurant is not for the faint of heart. Time, money, stress, repeat. Two DC-area chefs put everything on the line to open two very different establishments — Frank Linn’s Frankly…Pizza! and Aaron Silverman’s Rose’s Luxury. Spotlight Screening. Expected guests include director Dustin Harrison-Atlas and film subjects Tim Carman of The Washington Post, Frank Linn and Kate Diamond.
4:15 p.m. SAVING BRINTON
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA 7
In his position as small-town Iowa historian and collector, Michael Zahs lucked into the acquisition of one of the rarest collections of turn-of-the-century cinema. Now turning his obsession into purpose, Zahs sets out to restore and exhibit his treasure trove of newsreels, home movies and lost films. Expected guests include directors Tommy Haines, John Richard, and Andrew Sherburne and film subject Michael Zahs.
4:30 p.m. ANATOMY OF A MALE BALLET DANCER
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
In this intimate portrait of an extraordinary talent, American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Marcelo Gomes is at the top of his game, but knows that his body can only withstand the rigors of the profession for so long. Expected guests include directors James Pellerito and David Barba.
4:45 p.m. THE PARIS OPERA
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
Documenting a season at the Paris Opera — a period set against terror attacks, ballet corps mutiny and a bull preparing for its stage debut — this portrait captures the majesty and chaos of a grand artistic institution.
6:30 p.m. SCHOOL LIFE
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
For nearly five decades, eccentric and brilliant couple Amanda and John have nurtured legions of students through Headfort, Ireland’s last boarding prep school. They contemplate a future away from this rambling and beloved place of deep roots.
6:45 p.m. EL MAR LA MAR
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
A poetic and enigmatic work, EL MAR LA MAR captures life and death at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing, pondering the terrain and the stories of the Sonoran Desert to understand the objects and lives left behind. Expected guests include director J.P. Sniadecki.
6:45 p.m. CINE SAO PAULO
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
Once a grand movie palace, the Cine Sao Paulo in Brazil is now crumbled into ruin. Enter Dom Chico, whose father once owned the theater, as he attempts to restore it to its former glory. Expected guests include director Ricardo Martensen.
7:30 p.m. STRONG ISLAND
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 6
Yance Ford’s searing, deeply moving and personal journey explores the circumstances surrounding his brother William’s 1992 Long Island death by a white mechanic and the deep wounds caused by the incident’s aftermath. Expected guests include director Yance Ford.
8:30 p.m. LEANING INTO THE WIND – ANDY GOLDSWORTHY
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 1
Director Thomas Riedelsheimer reconnects with artist Andy Goldsworthy, subject of his popular documentary RIVERS AND TIDES (2001), who continues his quest to create ephemeral, transformative works of art in unlikely places around the globe.
9:00 p.m. LA LIBERTAD DEL DIABLO
LANDMARK E STREET CINEMA THEATER 7
Victims and perpetrators of drug violence in Mexico offer chilling testimonies in this stunning documentary. Their masked recollections are a powerful reminder of the systemic violence that has infiltrated Mexican society. Expected guests include director Everardo González.
9:00 p.m. BRIMSTONE & GLORY
AFI SILVER THEATRE 2
Bold, booming and beautiful, BRIMSTONE & GLORY transports viewers to Tultepec, Mexico — the country’s pyrotechnic capital — which honors the patron saint of fireworks in an eye-popping annual festival. Expected guests include director Viktor Jakovleski and producer Kellen Quinn.
Preceded by short film: RIDERS OF THE WELL OF DEATH
9:15 p.m. ATOMIC HOMEFRONT
AFI SILVER THEATRE 3
A large landfill containing both radioactive waste and an underground fire is threatening homes, health and lives in one of our major metropolitan areas. Can a group of concerned citizens prevent a potential catastrophe? Spotlight Screening. Expected guests include director Rebecca Cammisa.
About the American Film Institute
Celebrating its golden milestone, the American Film Institute began its mission on June 5, 1967 — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. Established by Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidential mandate in the White House Rose Garden, AFI is America’s promise to educate today’s audiences and tomorrow’s artists. The Institute was anchored by a foundation of luminaries from the film community including Gregory Peck as Chair, Sidney Poitier as Vice Chair, George Stevens, Jr., as Director and CEO with board members Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and Jack Valenti.
In 1969, AFI opened the Center for Advanced Film Studies, now called the AFI Conservatory, an elite MFA program whose inaugural class included Terrence Malik, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. The program’s acclaimed film and television alumni include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Julie Dash, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, David Lynch and Robert Richardson, among others.
In addition to the AFI Conservatory, AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film; AFI AWARDS, honoring the most outstanding movies and TV series of the year; AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.
About AFI DOCS
AFI DOCS is the American Film Institute’s annual documentary festival in Washington, DC. Presenting the year’s best documentaries, AFI DOCS is the only festival in the U.S. dedicated to screenings and events that connect audiences, filmmakers and policy leaders in the heart of our nation’s government. The AFI DOCS advisory board includes Ken Burns, Davis Guggenheim, Chris Hegedus, Werner Herzog, Rory Kennedy, Barbara Kopple, Spike Lee, Errol Morris, Stanley Nelson, D A Pennebaker, Agnès Varda and Frederick Wiseman. Now in its 15th year, the festival will be held June 14–18, 2017, in landmark Washington, DC, venues and at the historic AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD. Visit AFI.com/AFIDOCS and connect on twitter.com/AFIDOCS, facebook.com/AFIDOCS, youtube.com/AFI and instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business, mobile and high speed internet services. We offer the nation’s best data network* and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider.** We’re one of the world’s largest providers of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. Nearly 3.5 million companies, from small to large businesses around the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart solutions.
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*Claim based on the Nielsen Certified Data Network Score. Score includes data reported by wireless consumers in the Nielsen Mobile Insights survey, network measurements from Nielsen Mobile Performance and Nielsen Drive Test Benchmarks for Q3+Q4 2016 across 121 markets.
**Global coverage claim based on offering discounted voice and data roaming; LTE roaming; and voice roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier. International service required. Coverage not available in all areas. Coverage may vary per country and be limited/restricted in some countries.
(Source: Press materials provided by Gabrielle Flamand, AFI DOCS PR, gabrielle@prcollaborative.comand Liza Ameen, American Film Institute, LAmeen@AFI.com)
