DOC NYC 2023 Revealed: ‘Cover-Up,’ ‘Predators,’ ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ Lead Exciting Lineup!

DOC NYC, the largest documentary festival in the United States, has announced its complete schedule for its 16th installment, boasting 116 full-length documentaries and 113 short films spread over four main categories: Short List: Features, Short List: Shorts, Winner’s Circle, and the newly introduced Selects Encore.

The in-person events of the festival will take place from November 12 to November 20 at IFC Center, SVA Theatre, and Village East by Angelika, followed by online screenings available until November 30. The lineup includes 30 world premieres and 34 U.S. premieres, and a number of filmmakers will be present.

“This year’s lineup showcases films that are artistically innovative, courageously personal, and globally urgent,” remarked Jaie Laplante, the festival’s Artistic Director.

Below is the complete list of films.

Highlights in Feature Documentaries

Short List: Features

This key section of DOC NYC, which started in 2012, has become known for previewing potential award-winning documentaries, with 13 of the last 14 Oscar winners for Best Documentary Feature having been featured here. The 2025 lineup is curated by Jaie Laplante and Thom Powers, Director of Special Projects.

“2000 Meters to Andriivka” — Directed by Mstyslav Chernov and produced by Chernov, Michelle Mizner, and Raney Aronson-Rath; Chernov follows up his Oscar-winning work with a new documentary capturing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine through a deeply human perspective.

“Apocalypse in the Tropics” — Directed by Petra Costa and produced by Costa and Alessandra Orofino; This film explores the alarming rise of Christian fundamentalism in Brazil and its pervasive influence on the country’s politics.

“Co-Existence, My Ass!” — Directed by Amber Fares and produced by Rachel Leah Jones and Fares; Israeli comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi uses humor to promote equality between Palestinians and Israelis.

“Come See Me in the Good Light” — Directed by Ryan White and produced by White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, and Stef Willen; This intimate film follows poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they navigate terminal illness with love and humor.

“Cover-Up” — Directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, produced by Yoni Golijov, Poitras, Obenhaus, and Olivia Streisand; The film investigates journalist Seymour Hersh’s exposés of U.S. government deceit.

“Cutting Through Rocks” — A NYC Premiere by directors/producers Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni; In rural Iran, a female council member empowers young girls through motorcycle riding, challenging patriarchal norms.

“Heightened Scrutiny” — Directed by Sam Feder and produced by Amy Scholder, Feder, and Paola Mendoza; The documentary follows Chase Strangio, the first transgender man to argue in front of the Supreme Court, through his work with the ACLU.

“Mistress Dispeller” — Directed by Elizabeth Lo and produced by Emma D. Miller, Lo, and Maggie Li; In China, a woman employs a professional to covertly break up her husband’s affair, revealing desperate measures taken by women to preserve their marriages.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” — NYC Premiere by directors David Borenstein and Pasha Talankin, produced by Helle Faber; A Russian teacher clandestinely films the increasing militarization of his students amid war propaganda.

“My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay” — Directed by Mariska Hargitay and produced by Hargitay and Trish Adlesic; Hargitay explores the life and legacy of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, using rare archival materials.

“Orwell: 2+2=5” — Directed by Raoul Peck and produced by Alex Gibney, Peck, George Chignell, and Nick Shumaker; An expansive film essay on the themes of power and propaganda inspired by George Orwell’s writings.

“The Perfect Neighbor” — Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and produced by Alisa Payne, Gandbhir, Nikon Kwantu, and Sam Bisbee; This documentary uses police bodycam footage to depict a fatal neighborhood conflict in Florida, examining the implications of “stand your ground” laws.

“Predators” — Directed by David Osit and produced by Jamie Gonçalves, Kellen Quinn, and Osit; The film revisits the controversial TV show “To Catch a Predator,” questioning the media’s role in justice and voyeurism.

“Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” — Directed by Sepideh Farsi and produced by Javad Djavahery and Annie Ohayon-Dekel; Through a series of video calls, this film chronicles the experiences of a young Palestinian photojournalist as a witness to resistance.

“The Tale of Silyan” — Directed by Tamara Kotevska and produced by Kotevska, Jean Dakar, Anna Hashmi, and Jordanco Petkovski; A magical realist tale from Macedonia about the friendship between a man and a wounded white stork.

Noteworthy Short Films

Short List: Shorts

“All the Empty Rooms” — Directed by Joshua Seftel; A poignant exploration of the bedrooms of children who have died due to gun violence, captured through the lens of a photojournalist.

“All the Walls Came Down” — Directed by Ondi Timoner; After losing her home to a California wildfire, Timoner reveals the deep inequalities exacerbated by such disasters.

“Am I the Skinniest Person You’ve Ever Seen?” — Directed by Eisha Marjara; This film delves into the dangerous consequences of a diet pact between two sisters, leading to one sister’s struggle with an eating disorder.

“Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud” — Directed by Brent Renaud and Craig Renaud; A heartfelt tribute to journalist Brent Renaud, who was killed while reporting in Ukraine, completed posthumously by his brother Craig.

“Children No More: Were and Are Gone” — Directed by Hilla Medalia; In Tel Aviv, activists hold silent vigils to mourn the children of Gaza, facing hostility with steadfast quiet.

“The Devil Is Busy” — Directed by Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir; This documentary follows a day in the life of an Atlanta abortion clinic, where staff and patients navigate a hostile environment.

“Last Days on Lake Trinity” — Directed by Charlotte Cooley; Three single women in South Florida fight to prevent their eviction from a trailer park, striving to protect their community and dignity.

“Maybe It’s Just the Rain” — Directed by Reina Bonta; A Filipino American soccer player revisits her roots through a combination of World Cup victory and family narratives.

“Oh Yeah!” — Directed by Nick Canfield; This film traces the journey of the iconic song “Oh Yeah” from its avant-garde origins to global pop culture fame.

“Qotzuñi: People of the Lake” — Directed by Gastón Zilberman and Michael Salama; The Uru-Murato people of Bolivia face the vanishing of Lake Poopó, confronting the loss of their ancestral home and cultural identity.

“The Reality of Hope” — Directed by Joe Hunting; A virtual reality friendship leads to a real-world act of compassion when one friend donates a kidney to another.

“Songs of Black Folk” — Directed by Justin Emeka and Haley Watson; A Juneteenth concert bridges generations, celebrating the enduring music of resilience and freedom.

“Tessitura” — Directed by Lydia Cornett and Brit Fryer; Transgender opera singers take the stage, challenging both gender norms and artistic conventions.

“Tiger” — Directed by Loren Waters; A Muscogee Creek artist reconstructs her life and artistic expression after enduring personal loss and illness.

“We Were the Scenery” — Directed by Christopher Radcliff; Vietnamese war survivors take control of their narrative, using home movies to reclaim their history.

Acclaimed Festival Winners

Winner’s Circle

Established in 2019, this section celebrates films that have already received critical acclaim and awards at other major festivals around the world.

“Below the Clouds” — Directed by Gianfranco Rosi; A stunning black-and-white exploration of Naples that weaves together personal memories and historical context. It received the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

“Holding Liat” — Directed by Brandon Kramer; This poignant documentary follows a family’s relentless search for a loved one abducted amid the chaos of the Middle East. It won the Berlinale Documentary Award.

“The Librarians” — Directed by Kim A. Snyder; Librarians across the United States face challenges of censorship and book bans, fighting to keep diverse voices accessible. It was honored with the Best Documentary Feature award at the Dallas International Film Festival.

“Life After” — Directed by Reid Davenport; An in-depth examination of the ethical questions surrounding assisted dying and disability. It received the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award at Sundance.

“Secret Mall Apartment” — Directed by Jeremy Workman; The film documents a group of artists in Rhode Island who covertly build a living space inside a mall, reflecting on creativity and community in unexpected places. It received the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at IFF Boston.

“Seeds” — Directed by Brittany Shyne; A lyrical portrayal of Black farmers in the American South, exploring themes of heritage and perseverance. It won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at Sundance.

New and Noteworthy

Selects Encore

Introduced in 2025, this section revisits standout documentaries from DOC NYC’s year-round Selects series, highlighting films that have resonated with audiences and critics alike.

“It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” — Directed by Amy Berg; An intimate look at the life and work of musician Jeff Buckley, told through family archives and personal stories.

“Monk in Pieces” — Directed by Billy Shebar and David C. Roberts; This film offers a deep dive into the world of performance artist Meredith Monk, featuring appearances by Björk and David Byrne.

“One to One: John & Yoko” — Directed by Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards; A revealing documentary exploring the lives of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their time in Greenwich Village, highlighted by restored concert footage.

“Suburban Fury” — Directed by Robinson Devor; This film reexamines the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford, casting light on the broader context of American political unrest.