Sunday, October 10, 2010

Independent Documentary Thriving in Brooklyn

This entry was originally published at Hope For Film

Guest post by Steve Holmgren.

We are back to our regular twice weekly events at UnionDocs, a documentary arts space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. UnionDocs’ microcinema continues to be an exciting place to see important nonfiction films: from classics made by the likes of George Stoney, Rosa von Praunhiem, and Pare Lorentz to underseen crtical favorites like October Country and The Carter to boundary-pushing experimental work made by artists like Lynne Sachs, James T. Hong, and Ken Jacobs. In addition, UnionDocs presents panels and lectures, including talks last year on distribution and access (Richard Amromowitz, Todd Sklar, Ashley Sabin) and documentary criticism (Thom Powers, Richard Brody, Lisa Rosman, Ed Halter), as well as nonfiction photography, audio, interactive art, and writing. Always followed by engaging discussions with presenting artists.

We also host a year-long program for twelve emerging artists called the UnionDocs Collaborative. The participants collaborate on interdisciplinary group nonfiction production, and also attend private weekly workshops, sometimes with visiting artists. Between the collaborative, and the artist conversations, UnionDocs is a site for conversations about the future of documentary.

Coming up this Sunday (TODAY), we welcome back French music video maker Vincent Moon, who has redefined the genre with his intimate and profound Take Away Shows with bands like Grizzly Bear and Beirut. We will host a panel investigating documentary journalism and global perspectives in digital media, with guests from Wall Street Journal’s video team and Breakthrough.tv among others. We also are continuing a monthly screening series with vital NYC independent and avant-garde distributor The Film-Makers Coop, and this month kick off a new screening series with Cineaste Magazine.We are trying to do our part to keep the flame going for independent and boundary pushing documentary. For a list of upcoming events and to sign up for our weekly email list visit: www.uniondocs.org

Post by Steve Holmgren, Programmer at UnionDocs and independent Producer (Putty Hill, forthcoming documentary The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye)

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