The New York Film Academy Documentary Department is proud to announce the premiere of four NYFA thesis documentaries selected for the renowned DOC NYC Film Festival this Friday, November 11th, from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM at the IFC Center, 323 6th Ave, New York, NY.
Brainchild of the Toronto International Film Festival’s celebrated programmer Thom Powers, DOC NYC has been voted one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “five coolest documentary film festivals in the world.” It’s also one of the most respected, and America’s largest. Based at the West Village’s IFC Center, Chelsea’s SVA Theater and Bow Tie Chelsea Cinema, the eight-day festival showcases new achievements in documentary film along with panels and conversations. This is second year in a row where NYFA student thesis projects will premiere at the festival.
“Whether breaking your heart, opening your eyes or keeping you laughing for 16 minutes straight, these four films announce the arrival of a group of fast rising new Doc-Stars. And they are but the tip of an iceberg,” said Andrea Swift, Chair, NYFA Documentary Department. “We couldn’t be prouder to see them premiere at one of the top documentary festivals in the world.”
The NYFA thesis films that will screen are:
LEAVE-TAKING
Directed by Laura Snow
When Laura was 5 years old, her father moved out of the home and into a trailer in the backyard. Twenty years later, Laura sets out to discover why in this unsentimental, unvarnished family mystery. For anyone who grew up with a father just out of reach, and for veterans and their families still haunted by the horrors of war.
UNWELCOME
Directed by Ida Myklebost
Six year-old Menwar and his family live in a tent at a gas station in Greece. Having fled the Syrian Civil War, they now face the biggest decision of their lives: will they follow the other refugees to a prison-like government camp or break all the rules and make an illegal run for the border.
COACH MIKE
Directed by Anais Michel
Coach Mike instills strict Russian discipline, expects perfection and relentlessly demands that his boxers deliver — even though they are only 6 years old — and mostly just want to get through elementary school in one piece.
MOKSHA
Directed by Pavan Kumar Indla
There’s a hotel in India where people go to die. Here, Narayan seeks Moksha above the roar of the giant ritual fires that cremate the ceaseless stream of dead brought to Varanasi to enter the sacred river Ganges. If one can leave the body behind in Varanasi, it is believed they will be released from the cycle of birth and death, achieving Moksha. Narayan’s is a deep, intimate spiritual journey toward that end.
With limited seats available, you can purchase tickets to NYFA’s DOC NYC screening, here.