As an ardent admirer of documentary films and the talented individuals who bring these powerful stories to life, I am thrilled to learn about this year’s DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute gala. The honorees – Alan Berliner, Marcia Smith, Lucy Walker, and Jenni Wolfson – are truly deserving of the recognition they will receive.
This year’s 11th annual tribute gala hosted by DOC NYC will recognize four exceptional figures in the documentary world: Alan Berliner, a renowned documentary filmmaker; Marcia Smith, the president and co-founder of Firelight Media; Lucy Walker, an acclaimed director; and Jenni Wolfson, CEO of Chicken & Egg Pictures
On November 13th, the gala is scheduled at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall, marking the beginning of the 15th annual DOC NYC film festival. This event draws the elite figures from the documentary community on both coasts. A multitude of documentary filmmakers, cinematographers, producers, editors, publicists, and distributors will mingle with members of the Academy’s doc branch, aiming to secure their votes
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve taken great pride in hosting the DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute, an esteemed gathering that brings together approximately 500 documentary professionals to honor outstanding work within our industry,” says Thom Powers, co-founder and director of special projects at DOC NYC. “Alan Berliner is known for his innovative approach to documentaries, Marcia Smith is respected as both a producer and a leader in Firelight Media, Lucy Walker’s directing career spans an impressive range, and Jenni Wolfson has been instrumental in supporting filmmakers worldwide as the head of Chicken & Egg.”
Berliner and Smith are set to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Prize, recognizing their significant contributions in the field of documentary filmmaking
Known for his expertise in essayistic documentaries, Berliner’s films encompass: “Letter to the Editor,” a thought-provoking reflection on the impact of newspaper photos, “First Cousin, Once Removed,” which delves into a poet’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease, and “Wide Awake,” a personal account of the director’s struggles with insomnia
In the year 2000, Smith, along with her filmmaking partner Stanley Nelson, officially established Firelight Media. This non-profit organization has been championing documentary filmmakers of color for the past 25 years by providing support, resources, and advocacy. To date, more than 250 filmmakers have benefited from their artist programs. Smith has collaborated with Nelson on numerous documentaries such as “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom,” “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities,” “Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple” and “The Murder of Emmett Till.”
Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award from the Visionaires Tribute have been figures like Nelson, Michael Moore, Barbara Kopple, Frederick Wiseman, Martin Scorsese, Sheila Nevins, D.A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, Albert Maysles, and Errol Morris
Filmmaker Walker, who was nominated for an Oscar, is set to receive the Robert and Anne Drew Award for Outstanding Documentary Achievement. This award acknowledges excellence in documentary filmmaking and carries a $5,000 cash prize, which comes from Drew Associates. The award is named after the trailblazing husband-and-wife filmmaking duo. It specifically honors a filmmaker or team in the mid-career stage who excel at observational filmmaking techniques
The latest documentary by Walker, titled “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa,” made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and can now be streamed on Netflix. Previous documentaries by this filmmaker include “Bring Your Own Brigade” that delves into forest fires, “The Crash Reel” which explores extreme sports and brain injuries, and “The Waste Land,” a film set in Brazil centered around a garbage dump
Jill Drew, the head of Drew Associates and founder of the DOC NYC award, praises Walker for capturing numerous unforgettable moments. Her tenacity in pursuing stories regardless of where they take her truly reflects the essence of this award
Over the past six years, three winners of The Robert and Anne Drew Award have subsequently been honored with an Oscar for Best Documentary. These individuals are: Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert (for “American Factory”); Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (for “Free Solo”); and Laura Poitras (for “Citizenfour”)
Wolfson is set to receive the Leading Light Award, given to an exceptional individual who significantly impacts documentary production in a role other than being a filmmaker. Since 2013, under Wolfson’s leadership, Chicken & Egg Pictures has been growing its grant and mentorship programs for female and gender-diverse filmmakers, intensifying their dedication to promoting social change through compelling storytelling. Before her time at Chicken & Egg, Wolfson served as the managing director at Witness, an international human rights video advocacy organization established by musician Peter Gabriel
Past recipients of the Leading Light Award include Erika Dilday, Tabitha Jackson, and Tom Quinn.
In 2024, the DOC NYC festival will occur both physically and digitally, starting on November 13 and ending on November 21. The live events will be held at New York City’s IFC Center, SVA Theatre, and Village East by Angelika. Meanwhile, the online segments of the festival will continue until December 1, allowing viewers nationwide to stream the presentations
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2024-09-04 17:54