Orgs fund political docs
MoMA, Sundance team up for annual fest
Twenty nonfiction films, culled from 15 countries supported by the Sundance Institute's Documentary Fund, will screen at the MoMA film event at the Gramercy Theater April 25-May 2.
Pics, many of which will be making their Gotham preem, deal with topical stories not covered in mainstream media. Among the highlights: "Georgie Girl," about the first transsexual to hold national office in New Zealand; "Landscape of Memory," a series on reconciliation in southern Africa; and, set to close the weeklong event, "Stealing the Fire," an investigation of how Saddam Hussein acquired nuclear technology and the international paper trail that stretches back to Nazi Germany.
"Documentaries have tremendous power to reveal truth and bear witness to human rights issues and abuses around the world," said Sundance founder Robert Redford. "These films reflect the courage and vision of filmmakers from around the world and their fierce commitment to bringing stories of political and social injustice to light. They represent Sundance Institute's commitment, both financially and in principle, to supporting artists with independent voices and in helping them find audiences."
In addition, docu helmers and various other film professionals will be on hand April 26 to discuss production, funding, distribution and exhibition of indie nonfiction films dedicated to social and political issues.
Diane Weyermann, director of the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, and Jytte Jensen, associate curator at MoMA, are organizing the event.
