The Doc10 film festival in Chicago, known for being one of the few documentary-exclusive festivals in the United States, is commemorating its 10th anniversary during a tumultuous period for the documentary genre. This year’s event features a carefully curated selection of 10 films that will be screened until May 4. Filmmakers have expressed concerns that the growth of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu has shifted audience demand towards more commercialized content, favoring films about cults, celebrities, and pop stars over more complex and politically charged documentaries.
As the industry navigates these transitions, it faces additional challenges from proposed federal cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which could jeopardize funding for new projects. “It is an existential threat. It is a crisis,” asserted Anthony Kaufman, the senior programmer of Doc10, known for featuring films that frequently make the Oscars shortlists.
Kaufman elaborated on the impact of funding cuts, mentioning how filmmakers are facing rescinded grants. “I know lots of filmmakers who had films that were funded, and now the government is going back and saying to them, ‘We’re rescinding your funding.’ They’ve already spent the money. In some cases, they’ve already made the film, and that money is now being rescinded.”
Cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting also pose significant implications for the documentary filmmaking community, which historically relied on PBS for local and national distribution. “You could say we are almost starting over,” Kaufman remarked. He emphasized that the landscape of the American film industry has seen significant shifts before, and the current environment echoes those earlier times of uncertainty.
Despite these looming challenges, filmmakers at Doc10 remain hopeful and enthusiastic about showcasing their work. Emmy-winning filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, whose documentary The Perfect Neighbor dissects a tragic Florida shooting captured on body camera, emphasized the importance of collaboration among filmmakers. “My own company had a project that just got its grant cut,” she shared. “The grant got cut, and we had to stop working. But did that mean we gave up completely? No.”
This year’s festival highlights a diverse assortment of significant societal themes, reflecting the thoughtful work being created despite the challenges. Notable films cover unjust laws, unconventional relationships, and the revival of a cult-classic true crime television series. Furthermore, the Docs Across Chicago program will offer free screenings at various venues throughout the city, including the Chicago Cultural Center and the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Among the standout films this year is Gandbhir’s The Perfect Neighbor, which chronicles the life and tragic murder of 35-year-old Ajike Owens in Ocala, Florida. The incident, which drew national attention, revolved around a dispute regarding children playing in a public area and sparked a broader discussion about ‘stand your ground’ laws. “The film organically highlights the dangers of stand your ground and how that law and the Castle Doctrine laws are used by people who are emboldened by them,” Gandbhir explained, noting the alarming statistics that suggest an increase of around 700 additional deaths each year due to these laws.
While Netflix is slated to distribute The Perfect Neighbor, Gandbhir is eager to present it at film festivals and engage audiences in discussions following the screenings. Another highlight is Mistress Dispeller, directed by Elizabeth Lo, who delves into a unique story about an emerging industry in China. The documentary details the experiences of Mrs. Li, who enlists a ‘mistress dispeller’ to covertly infiltrate her family to mend her troubled marriage.
Lo spent four years developing the film, which is shot in real time, showcasing the interactions between Mrs. Li, her husband, and his mistress through the lens of the ‘dispeller.’ “When I set out to make this film, I wanted to use the film as a way to get to know mainland China,” Lo stated.
Director David Osit’s film Predators also stands out, exploring the rise and fall of the controversial television show To Catch a Predator, hosted by Chris Hansen. Osit stumbled upon a dedicated online fandom of the show and, intrigued by the emotional complexities it evoked, decided to create a film that invites viewers to reflect on their perceptions of the show and its participants.
“Watching raw footage [of the show] was always really profound to me,” Osit shared. He aims to engage audiences in a deeper examination of the moral dilemmas surrounding the series, which blends elements of true crime and reality television. “We’re not used to watching reality television, documentaries or true crime television in a way that requires contemplation,” he observed, emphasizing the need for nuance in approaching such content.
Doc10 will also feature a shorts program on April 27 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. This program includes a range of short films, one of which is Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme, which follows the experiences of Chicago-based furniture-maker and conceptual artist Norman Teague as he prepares for a solo exhibition while facing personal challenges.
As Doc10 marks this milestone and showcases compelling films, the festival not only celebrates the art of documentary-making but also serves as a response to the evolving landscape of the film industry, encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and resilience among filmmakers.
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