“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…,” Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities. But this quote also perfectly captures the current state of the documentary industry. More independent documentary films and series of exceptional quality are being made than ever before. However, there is a pressing dilemma that filmmakers face: how to get their remarkable work to viewers. Unfortunately, distribution opportunities have dried up in the past year, causing deep anxiety among nonfiction filmmakers.
In Episode 2 of Doc Talk, we delve into these crucial concerns with Thom Powers, the documentary programmer at the Toronto Film Festival. Our podcast, hosted by filmmaker John Ridley and FilmmakerFocus’s documentary editor Matt Carey, is produced by FilmmakerFocus and Ridley’s Nō Studios. We are proud to present this podcast in partnership with National Geographic Documentary Films.
Powers, a highly respected figure in the documentary world, not only diagnoses the reasons behind the sluggish acquisition market but also offers an optimistic view of the future of documentary filmmaking. He also discusses some of the hottest documentaries that premiered at TIFF, including a film that he describes as a “WTF” experience. This film tells the story of a man who was confined in a room, naked and alone, for over a year, all for the sake of a proto-reality TV series.
Furthermore, Powers shares his perspective on whether the Motion Picture Academy’s Documentary Branch, which determines the Oscar doc shortlist and nominations each year, unfairly eliminates some major filmmakers from consideration. He believes that these filmmakers are being punished for their popularity.
If you love the art of documentary film, then Episode 2 of Doc Talk is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of the documentary industry.
Listen below:
