The International Feature-Length Competition is a testament to the development and growth of documentaries from submissions across the world. This category presents documentaries that bring novelty to the language of cinema by telling stories with depth and complexity. These films, to us, can serve to build a discourse in documentary film, placing a perspective that defends its own ideas. The films in this category are packaged with creative storytelling and approaches that not only convey issues, but also use documentary as a medium for social reflection and intervention.
This year’s films have moved on from the heady days of the global pandemic, when face masks, isolation, and social distancing were common themes that emerged in each work. This year’s entries are strong and diverse in terms of style, subject matter, and regional distribution. This category showcases documentaries that remind us of the diversity of humanity and the common struggle for a meaningful, safe, and peaceful life.
We have selected 12 films that capture the breadth of human experience from China to Mexico, Armenia to Myanmar.