Editor

New Docs: Films in Competition travels around the globe for stories about family, war, and love with stops along the way for tortoises, call centers, art fraud, a war refugee Afro-Pop band, and asparagus as a metaphor for globalization!
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival founder, CEO, and Artistic Director Nancy Buirski released the slate of seventy-four new documentaries chosen for the New Docs: Films in Competition, newly sponsored this year by A&E IndieFilms.

"The films this year explore both the intimate and communal realities of daily life around the world. From Baghdad to Ohio, filmmakers took on subjects like elections, the displaced of Africa, the challenges of eating disorders and the deep flaws in our court systems and brought new perspectives. From crosswords to wild rock-n-roll spectacles, from the bush country in Botswana to a daring prison musical, the festival will offer a rich panoply of narratives," Buirski said.

This year the slate of far-reaching documentaries include films from fifteen countries and is a mix of fifty-four features and twenty shorts, with twelve World Premieres, eight North American Premieres, and four U.S. Premieres. A&E IndieFilms has become the sponsor of this portion of Full Frame's programming, and as Buirski observes "A&E's support makes it clear how seriously they take their commitment to the documentary." Nancy Dubuc, Senior Vice President, Non-Fiction & Alternative Programming, A&E Television Networks, says that supporting New Docs: Films in Competition was important to A&E, "We're thrilled about our newly increased sponsorship of Full Frame -- the festival is so intimate and brings together all the top people in documentary. It's a great fit for A&E IndieFilms."

A&E Network's recently launched A&E IndieFilms is a prime time programming umbrella on the network, featuring the best in new independent feature documentaries. Under A&E IndieFilms, the network has established a grant with the International Documentary Association for outstanding documentaries in progress, increased its Film Festival presence and co-brands selected theatrical releases, including feature documentaries acquired for airing following their theatrical runs.

Full Frame's New Docs: Films in Competition netted 1100 submissions this year from filmmakers both in the U.S. and from around the world. These films were watched by a carefully chosen panel that includes members of the film community, university professionals, and others. "We are proud of our selection committee" Buirski says. "Their choices last year meant that we showed our audiences last spring seven out of the ten films nominated this year for an Academy Award®. Their discerning eye and willingness to take chances on filmmakers-- known and unknown--result in a stellar lineup of filmmakers who are telling not only wonderful stories, but do so in ways that challenge and reward the viewer and will spark conversation and debate for the rest of this year."