Roberta Grossman’s “Extinguished Lives” to Premiere at DOC NYC

Posted on October 14, 2025 by admin

Award-winning filmmaker Roberta Grossman will debut her new documentary short Extinguished Lives at DOC NYC on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the IFC Center in New York.

Presented by DOC NYC and The Lost Shtetl Museum, the film explores a little-known chapter of the Holocaust, focusing on the massacre of Lithuanian Jews by Nazis and local collaborators during World War II. Blending documentary and narrative elements, Extinguished Lives tells the story of a young bride who, after fleeing the Nazi invasion, discovers that the greatest danger lies not with the invaders but with her former neighbors.

Based on survivor testimony, the film reflects Grossman’s ongoing commitment to uncovering overlooked stories of resilience and tragedy. Following the screening, DOC NYC Executive Director Raphaela Neihausen will moderate a panel discussion featuring Grossman, Dr. Jolanta Mickute (The Lost Shtetl Museum), filmmaker Denis Dobrovna (The Consequences of Truth), and exhibit designer Büke Kumyol (RAA).

Tickets are available through DOC NYC and the IFC Center.

“The Spirit of Halloweentown” Documentary to Debut October 24

Posted on October 10, 2025 by admin

The Spirit of Halloweentown, a new documentary from filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb (Jasper Mall, Butterfly in the Sky), will be released on October 24 via Amazon, Apple TV, and YouTube.

The film explores how St. Helens, Oregon, became synonymous with Halloween after serving as the filming location for the 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie Halloweentown. When the movie became a cult favorite, the town embraced its fame, turning itself into a year-round celebration of the holiday.

Thomason and Whitcomb’s documentary offers an intimate look at the locals who have built their identity around Halloween, blending humor and heart while revealing the community tensions that come with small-town fame.

Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOQLVH-nYQ

Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefey Executive Produce Docuseries “Suspicious Minds” Exploring AI and Delusion

Posted on October 8, 2025 by admin

Wondermind and Agoric Media have unveiled the trailer for Suspicious Minds, a new docuseries examining the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health. Created and directed by Sean King O’Grady (The Mill, Our American Family), the eight-part series launches worldwide October 17 across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Substack, and additional platforms.

Executive produced by Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez, Suspicious Minds investigates how emerging technologies like chatbots and machine learning can act as catalysts for delusional thinking. Through firsthand accounts and expert commentary, the series highlights individuals who have developed AI-related psychoses and explores the thin line between perception, paranoia, and reality in the digital age.

The docuseries features psychiatrist Dr. Joel Gold and philosopher Ian Gold, PhD—who first identified the Truman Show Delusion—as well as AI researcher Nick Haber, ethicist Nate Sharadin, and Dr. Amy Levy of the American Psychoanalytic Association. O’Grady also appears on camera, guiding viewers through the growing psychological phenomenon.

Suspicious Minds is produced by Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David Tuohy, and O’Grady, with Teefey and Gomez executive producing under their Wondermind banner.

Jack Black Boards Pirate Radio Documentary “40 Watts From Nowhere” as Executive Producer

Posted on October 7, 2025 by admin

Jack Black has boarded 40 Watts From Nowhere as executive producer. The music documentary from journalist and filmmaker Sue Carpenter chronicles the rise and fall of her 1990s Los Angeles pirate radio station, KBLT.

The film premiered at the 30th anniversary Slamdance Film Festival and later screened as a Centerpiece selection at Newport Beach. It features interviews with Tom Morello, Mike Watt, Don Bolles, and pirate radio activist Stephen Dunifer. Global sales are handled by Alex Nohe and Blood Sweat Honey.

Based on Carpenter’s 2004 memoir, the documentary revisits the Silver Lake scene through archival footage shot in 1998, when Carpenter ran her 40-watt station from an apartment closet, attracting guests like Mazzy Star and the Red Hot Chili Peppers before an FCC shutdown.

40 Watts From Nowhere marks Carpenter’s directorial debut. Black, a longtime figure in the Silver Lake music community, is represented by Ocean Avenue and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

James Beard Winner Eric Wolfinger’s Doc Short “Blessed by Grace” Spotlights Chef Lisa Dahl, Expands Festival Run

Posted on September 15, 2025 by admin

James Beard Award-winning photographer Eric Wolfinger’s short documentary Blessed by Grace is set to screen at a number of festivals throughout 2025 following its award-winning debut.

The film, which tells the story of Sedona chef and restaurateur Lisa Dahl, premiered at the Sedona International Film Festival in March and has since won the Indiana Spotlight Award and Audience Choice Award at Indy Shorts. Upcoming stops include the Newport Beach Film Festival, Burning Man’s Playa Film Festival, the Cordillera Film Festival in Reno, and the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis.

Blessed by Grace traces Dahl’s personal and professional journey after the tragic loss of her son, Justin, in the 1990s. Channeling grief into her culinary career, she went on to build the Dahl Restaurant Group, now operating six acclaimed restaurants in Northern Arizona and employing more than 300 people.

The film highlights Dahl’s resilience, spirituality, and impact on the culinary world, while also capturing her broader philanthropic initiatives.

Barry Avrich Doc The Road Between Us Sets October Release After TIFF Premiere

Posted on September 11, 2025 by admin

Barry Avrich’s latest documentary, The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, will open in more than 125 theaters across North America on October 3 following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film recounts the extraordinary true story of retired Israeli general Noam Tibon, who on October 7, 2023, drove across a country under attack to rescue his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren from terrorists. Blending firsthand testimony with tense, thriller-like pacing, the film retraces Tibon’s 10-hour mission through ambushes and roadblocks on one of Israel’s darkest days.

The TIFF premiere at Roy Thomson Hall received multiple standing ovations, with Avrich, producer Mark Selby, and Tibon himself participating in a post-screening Q&A. The release is backed by The Impact Series, which supports social-issue films aimed at sparking awareness and conversation.

Distributed by Forston Consulting in the U.S. and Cineplex Pictures in Canada, The Road Between Us opens October 3.

“The Art of Adventure” Doc on Robert Bateman to World Premiere at Vancouver International Film Festival

Posted on September 2, 2025 by admin

Alison Reid’s new documentary The Art of Adventure will make its world premiere at the 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival. The feature follows acclaimed Canadian wildlife painter Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster, revisiting their 1957 global expedition and decades of work at the intersection of art and environmental activism.

Screenings are set for October 5 at the Vancouver Playhouse and October 7 at the Granville Island Stage, with Reid, Bateman, and Foster scheduled to attend.

The film traces Bateman and Foster’s early journey in their Land Rover, “The Grizzly Torque,” across Africa and Asia, weaving in Bristol’s original 16mm footage and Bateman’s paintings. It also explores their lasting impact as artists, naturalists, and advocates for conservation.

The Art of Adventure is directed and produced by Reid, whose credits include The Woman Who Loves Giraffes. The film also features appearances by Wade Davis, David Suzuki, Guujaaw, Briony Penn, and others.

Documentary Highlights Wildlife and Water Challenges in the American Southwest

Posted on August 7, 2025 by admin

The official trailer has been released for The American Southwest, a visually rich documentary from Fin and Fur Films and NativesOutdoors, narrated by climate advocate and model Quannah ChasingHorse. The film takes audiences on a journey along the Colorado River, capturing the landscapes, wildlife, and human connections that define the region, while addressing urgent challenges like water scarcity, habitat loss, and climate change.

Directed by Ben Masters (The River and the Wall, Deep in the Heart), the documentary follows the river from its headwaters to its delta, featuring species such as beavers, elk, and jaguars alongside the stories of those who have lived with and stewarded the river for generations. The project was developed in collaboration with NativesOutdoors and producer Len Necefer, Ph.D., ensuring cultural and ecological perspectives are central to the narrative.

The film opens September 5, 2025, in both commercial and independent theaters across Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, Texas, and Colorado. Select screenings will include community events, educational programs, and Q&As with conservationists and Indigenous leaders. A digital release will follow later in the fall.

Hayley Morin’s “Under the Arbor” to Premiere on CBC This August

Posted on July 30, 2025 by admin

The new feature documentary Under the Arbor, from Cree filmmaker Hayley Morin, is set to make its national debut on CBC Gem on August 15, followed by a broadcast premiere on CBC Television on August 16 in Alberta, British Columbia, and the North.

Filmed across Treaty 6 territory over a single powwow season, the documentary offers an immersive and celebratory look at the people and traditions that define the contemporary powwow circuit. Through dancers, drummers, and families, Under the Arbor explores Indigenous identity, generational knowledge, and the joy of gathering—both in the arena and behind the scenes.

Featuring music from Juno Award-winner Fawn Wood and Grammy-nominated Cree Confederation, the film blends cultural expression with striking visuals and heartfelt storytelling. A Cree-language version will also be made available on CBC Gem.

Morin, known for Joe Buffalo and Smudge the Blades, makes her feature directorial debut with the project, which was shot on location in Enoch, Samson, and Tsuu’tina Nations. The film was produced by Hayley Morin Productions and Sentio Films, with support from CBC and several Canadian arts and media organizations.

Josh Brolin-Narrated Supercross Documentary “Pay Dirt” Set for Digital Release

Posted on July 11, 2025 by admin

The documentary Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross, narrated by actor Josh Brolin, will be available globally on digital and TVOD platforms beginning July 18, 2025. The film examines the history and evolution of Supercross, a sport that emerged in the 1970s and has since grown into one of the more intense and physically demanding motorsports.

Directed by Emmy winner Paul Taublieb, Pay Dirt combines archival footage, contemporary cinematography, and interviews with prominent Supercross figures, including Hall of Famers Jeremy McGrath, Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, and Ricky Carmichael. The film also explores the complex figure of Michael Goodwin, who played a key role in popularizing the sport and is now serving a life sentence for murder.

The documentary had its theatrical debut in January 2025 and was previously screened at the Anaheim One Supercross season opener. It is produced by Taublieb Films with support from Monkey Wrench Films, in association with various motorsports stakeholders. A portion of the project’s theatrical campaign benefited the Road 2 Recovery foundation, which supports injured athletes within the sport.

Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross will be available to rent or purchase on Apple TV and other digital platforms.