Documentary Film Festivals Vol. 1

This insightful volume explores the global landscape of documentary film festivals, detailing their historical and political significance while examining notable events and their evolution.

This book offers the first comprehensive overview of the global landscape of documentary film festivals. Contributors from around the world provide in-depth analyses of both prominent and alternative festivals, including notable events such as Hot Docs in Canada, Nyon in Switzerland, and Yamagata in Japan. By examining festivals like DocChina, Full Frame in the US, and DocsBarcelona in Catalonia, Spain, this volume highlights the diverse nature of documentary festivals while emphasizing their historical and political contexts.

Documentary Film Festivals Vol. 1 is structured into three distinct sections. The first section addresses the methodological challenges faced by film historians and social scientists when researching documentary film festivals. The second section delves into the historical development of this circuit within the broader context of world and national cinema history. Lastly, the third section reflects on the interplay between politics and festival programming, showcasing how political influences shape festival actions and selections.

Through a detailed exploration of curatorial, organizational, industrial, and political changes within the festival landscape, this book enhances our understanding of how these factors have impacted documentary production, distribution, curation, exhibition, and reception to this day. By mapping the evolution of documentary festivals, Documentary Film Festivals Vol. 1 serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersection of film and cultural studies.