DOC NYC ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF SPRING SHOWCASE, MAY 20-JUNE 19
15 NONFICTION FILMS AND SERIES SCREENING ONLINE ACROSS THE US, ALONG WITH TWO IN-PERSON SCREENINGS IN NYC, FEATURING EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH CREATORS PADMA LAKSHMI, AMY POEHLER, RORY KENNEDY, W. KAMAU BELL, TORQUIL JONES, CHRIS SMITH, ELI ROTH, JAMES LEE HERNANDEZ, BRIAN LAZARTE, AND MORE.
NEW YORK, May 12, 2022 – DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, announced today that its popular Spring Showcase screening series will return for a second installment. The four-week online Showcase will offer audiences an opportunity to catch some of the year’s most talked-about nonfiction episodic series and films, paired with exclusive conversations featuring the creative teams behind them.
The free online event runs from May 20 to June 19 and is available throughout the US, with the addition of two in-person screenings at New York’s IFC Center of the films Lucy and Desi (Tues. June 7 at 7:30pm) and Fin (Thurs. June 9 at 7pm).Among the special guests featured in the 2022 edition of Spring Showcase are Padma Lakshmi, Amy Poehler, Eli Roth, Rory Kennedy, John Hoffman, Janet Tobias, W. Kamau Bell, Nick Davis, Torquil Jones, Rob Lindsay, Jenna Rosher, James Lee Hernandez, Brian Lazarte, Chris Smith, and more.
“DOC NYC is excited to bring back Spring Showcase after last year’s successful launch. This continues to be an important spring focal point that builds upon our annual fall festival, now in its 13th year,” said the festival’s Executive Director Raphaela Neihausen. “We’re delighted to offer audiences a free opportunity to discover a diverse array of important nonfiction work.”
This year’s Spring Showcase lineup spans a wide variety of nonfiction formats and subjects, from hosted series to biographies, vérité films and multi-part cultural explorations, covering everything from sports, to wildlife, current events, and culinary traditions. A complete lineup is below.
Spring Showcase programming is co-presented by Apple TV+, discovery+, 30 for 30, Hulu, National Geographic Documentary Films, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and SHOWTIME®.
All screenings are available throughout the US, with select programs also available to watch in Canada.
Viewers can subscribe to individual events or the entire program free of charge. Advance RSVP required – full info at www.docnyc.net/spring-showcase-2022. RSVPs for online screenings close one hour prior to the event start.
Spring Showcase – chronological lineup:
Watch any of the individual events in Spring Showcase or access the entire online slate with an advance RSVP at www.docnyc.net/spring-showcase-2022. RSVPs for each online event close one hour prior to the event start.
Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition
Episode: “Mojo-ho Christmas”
Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition, from award-winning host and executive producer Padma Lakshmi, explores the rich and diverse food culture of immigrant groups across America. Running time: 34 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Padma Lakshmi, Host and Executive Producer.
Co-presented by Hulu
Screening available Friday, May 20 at 12:00pm ET – Saturday, May 21 at 11:59pm ET
Dear…
Episode 2: Sandra Oh and Episode 8: Laird Hamilton
Dear… presents letters written by those whose lives have been changed by the work of iconic trailblazers. Emboldened by actress Sandra Oh’s “It’s an Honor Just to Be Asian” proclamation at the Emmys, a journalist starts an Asian American pride movement; Laird Hamilton’s surfing innovations give a triple amputee encouragement to adapt the sport to his body. Total running time: 1 hour, 3 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Jenna Rosher – (Director/ Cinematographer), Donny Jackson (Executive Producer / Showrunner) and Jane Cha Cutler (Executive Producer).
Co-presented by Apple TV+
Screening available Monday, May 23 at 12:00pm ET – Tuesday, May 24 at 11:59pm ET
They Call Me Magic
Episode 1: JuneBug and Episode 2: Buck
The accomplishments and global impact of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, both on and off the court; featuring interviews with Magic Johnson, his family members and others. Total running time: 2 hours.
Q&A info TBA.
Co-presented by Apple TV+
Screening available Wednesday, May 25 at 12:00pm ET – Thursday, May 26 at 11:59pm ET
30 for 30: Once Upon a Time in Queens
Episodes 2 and 4
Once Upon a Time in Queens tells the story of the 1986 Mets and their incredible season in the greatest city in the world, a fairy tale that will never be forgotten, and never seen again. Running time: 50 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Nick Davis (Director).
Co-presented by 30 for 30
Screening available Friday, May 27 at 12:00pm ET – Saturday, May 28 at 11:59pm ET
Lucy and Desi
From director Amy Poehler, Lucy and Desi explores the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. Running time: 1 hour, 42 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Amy Poehler (Director / Producer), Jeanne Elfant Festa (Producer), Justin Wilkes (Producer) and Robert A. Martinez (Editor).
Co-presented by Amazon Prime Video
Screening available Sunday, May 29 at 12:00pm ET – Monday, May 30 at 11:59pm ET
***Lucy and Desi will also have an in-person screening taking place on Tuesday. June 7 at 7:30pm at IFC Center (323 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY) followed by the same Q&A that plays with the online screening.
Fauci
A portrait of Dr. Anthony Fauci, a public servant, scientist, physician, husband and father whose career spans seven presidents and is bookended by two pandemics: HIV/AIDS, which shaped him, and COVID-19, which has tested him beyond all expectations. Running time: 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with John Hoffman (Director), Janet Tobias (Director) and Dan Cogan (Producer).
Co-presented by National Geographic Documentary Films
Screening available Tuesday, May 31 at 12:00pm ET – Wednesday, June 1 at 11:59pm ET
The Big Conn
Episode 1: Mr. Social Security and Episode 4: I Never Left
The true story of larger-than-life attorney Eric C. Conn who stole more than half a billion dollars in the largest Social Security fraud case in history. Total running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with James Lee Hernandez (Executive Producer / Director) and Brian Lazarte (Executive Producer / Director).
Co-presented by Apple TV+
Screening available Thursday, June 2 at 12:00pm ET – Friday, June 3 at 11:59pm ET
Prehistoric Planet
Episode 1: Coasts and Episode 2: Deserts
Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic docuseries from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas and skies. Total running time: 82 minutes.
Followed by Q&A with Michael Gunton (Executive Producer).
Co-presented by Apple TV+
Screening available Saturday, June 4 at 12:00pm ET – Sunday, June 5 at 11:59pm ET
No Responders Left Behind
No Responders Left Behind follows social activist John Feal, FDNY hero Ray Pfeifer, and Jon Stewart in their fight for health benefits and compensation for 9/11 first responders.Running time: 1 hour, 16 minutes. Followed by a Q&A with Rob Lindsay (Writer / Director / Producer), John Feal (Documentary Subject / 9/11 Activist) and Kelly Zemnickis (Producer).
Co-presented by discovery+
Screening available Monday, June 6 at 12:00pm ET – Tuesday, June 7 at 11:59pm ET
We Need to Talk About Cosby
Episode 3: Part 3
W. Kamau Bell’s exploration of Bill Cosby’s descent from “America’s Dad” to alleged sexual predator through a candid, first-of-its-kind conversation about the man. Running time: 58 minutes. Followed by a Q&A with W. Kamau Bell (Director / Executive Producer), Katie A. King (Executive Producer / Showrunner) and Lili Bernard (Documentary Subject – Cosby Survivor).
Co-presented by SHOWTIME
Screening available Wednesday, June 8 at 12:00pm ET – Thursday, June 9 at 11:59pm ET
Downfall: The Case Against Boeing
A searing investigation of a once-iconic company and its tragic failures. Running time: 1 hour, 28 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Rory Kennedy (Director / Producer).
Co-presented by Netflix
Screening available Friday, June 10 at 12:00pm ET – Saturday, June 11 at 11:59pm ET
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible
Follow the intrepid journey of mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja and a team of Sherpas as they climb 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in seven months. Running time: 1 hour, 39 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Torquil Jones (Director).
Co-presented by Netflix
Screening available Sunday, June 12 at 12:00pm ET – Monday, June 13 at 11:59pm ET
We Feed People
We Feed People, from Oscar®-winning director Ron Howard, spotlights renowned chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen’s incredible mission and evolution over 12 years, from being a scrappy group of grassroots volunteers to becoming one of the most highly regarded humanitarian aid organizations in the disaster relief sector. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Followed by a Q&A with Sara Bernstein (Producer), Meredith Kaulfers (Producer) and Andrew Morreale (Editor).
Co-presented by National Geographic Documentary Films
Screening available Tuesday, June 14 at 12:00pm ET – Wednesday, June 15 at 11:59pm ET
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
Episode 4: “Everything Will Be Fine”
Restaurateur Sarma Melngailis and her deceitful husband stiffed employees and investors out of nearly $2 million. But was Sarma a villain — or a victim? Running time: 1 hour, 1 minute.
Followed by a Q&A with Chris Smith (Director / Executive Producer).
Co-presented by Netflix
Screening available Thursday, June 16 at 12:00pm ET – Friday, June 17 at 11:59pm ET
Fin
Fueled by his fascination, fear and love of sharks, award-winning filmmaker Eli Roth travels the globe exposing the horrors and environmental devastation of the shark fin trade. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Q&A with Eli Roth (Writer / Director) and Regi Domingo (Documentary Subject / Conservationist).
Co-presented by discovery+
Screening available Saturday, June 18 at 12:00pm ET – Sunday, June 19 at 11:59pm ET
***Fin will also have an in-person screening taking place on Thursday, June 9 at 7pm at IFC Center (323 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY) followed by a live conversation with Eli Roth (Writer / Director).
***
About DOC NYC
DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, takes place annually in November; the 13th edition will be held November 9-17, 2022. In addition to premiering feature-length and short documentaries, the festival’s highlights also include DOC NYC PRO—a year-round series of in-depth panels and professional development sessions for filmmakers—and the Visionaries Tribute awards ceremony that honors major figures in the field of nonfiction film. DOC NYC is produced and presented by IFC Center, a division of AMC Networks.
Complete Spring Showcase program information can be found at: www.docnyc.net/spring-showcase-2022