Doc Edge 2016 programme unveiled

Doc Edge 2016 programme unveiled

The Documentary New Zealand Trust presents
THE DOCUMENTARY EDGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2016
 

Be Here Now - the Andy Whitfield Story opens the 11th Documentary Edge International Film Festival (Doc Edge), on Wednesday 4^th May in Wellington and Wednesday 18^th May in Auckland. A powerful and intimate love story, the documentary follows the fight of Spartacus star Andy Whitfield and his charismatic wife Vashti against his cancer diagnosis.

Doc Edge brings 37 feature length films and 15 shorts to Wellington (4^th-15^th May) and Auckland (18^th – 29^th May).

Be Here Now marks the international premiere by Academy Award® Nominee, filmmaker Lilibet Foster. The film has received critical and popular praise, winning the Audience Award for the Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2015. Both Lilibet Foster and Vashti Whitfield will be at screenings in Wellington and Auckland. Watch the trailer.



Wrapping up the festival is Presenting Princess Shaw, a film that follows Samantha Montgomery, A.K.A. Princess Shaw, a singer and YouTuber living in one of New Orleans toughest neighbourhoods. Her soulful voice is discovered by Israeli musician Kutiman, providing the catalyst for an inspiring musical collaboration and new friendship. Presenting Princess Shaw has been described as “inspirational filmmaking of the first order... Astounding and thoroughly inspirational” by Variety and a “joyously uplifting documentary” by Toronto Star. Watch the trailer.

In addition to the earlier titles announced, the Festival’s impressive range of films covers a wide range of issues and follows individuals from all walks of life: musicians, sports players, chefs, activists and everyday people with incredible stories to tell. Several films touch on famous names such as Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise and Nathan East: For the Record.

Major highlights of the Festival include the World Premiere of A Billion Lives, the exposé of corruption behind the rise of vaporisers - the alternative to cigarettes; Among The Believers, an intimate and frightening look into the microcosm of terrorism in Pakistan and a first-class collection of Short Documentaries featuring the 2016 Best Documentary Academy Award® winner; A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, alongside the other Academy Award® finalists.

New Zealand filmmakers are represented in several documentaries including The Sound of Her Guitar, which features country singer Donna Dean as she tours through the southern States of the U.S., and Monterey, which takes audiences behind the scenes of an Auckland Café to discover the highs and lows of a small NZ hospitality business.
 

For the full programme and the latest news regarding the 2016 season, visit the brand new website www.docedge.nz 

KEY DATES:
4-15 May 2016 - Doc Edge Festival: Wellington – The Roxy, Miramar
18-29 May 2016 - Doc Edge Festival: Auckland – Q Theatre, Auckland CBD
13 May 2016 Screen Edge Forum: Wellington – Park Road Post, Miramar
18 May 2016 Screen Edge Forum: Auckland – AUT, Auckland CBD