DocuSlate Day 2

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents its annual line-up DocuSlate documentary program, spotlighting documentary filmmakers and stories from around the world with a selection of features and short documentaries across six programs, beginning on Friday evening and continuing on Sunday afternoon. 

Sunday’s programming begins with DocuSlate Shorts I, a collection of short documentaries about overcoming challenges, healing, and forging new paths forward. This block includes the stories of a recovering after a near-death experience, making a home in an unlikely place, a deep dive into family histories of survival, being a pioneer in a sport, and emigrating from the US for a better life.

The afternoon continues with the paired presentation of documentarian Vivian Denny Veidt’s feature film Pack Is Here in a Los Angeles Premiere and Camilo Silva’s short documentary The Canary, which each tell stories about individuals and communities pushing back against rising efforts to dim trans visibility. The Canary focuses on a librarian and mother’s fight against transphobic book bans, while Pack is Here invites us into the world of  trans roller derby players and their wider derby community. “I hope you’ll not only be entertained and enlightened but also inspired to be an advocate for change. Our roller derby family has shown us that a better world is possible, and it’s up to all of us to make it a reality,” says Veidt.

Next, the line-up presents DocuSlate Shorts II, a selection of compelling short documentaries highlighting important and urgent issues, including the lives of undocumented farm workers, barriers to abortion access, community policing, and the need for criminal records pardons. 

The evening concludes with the Los Angeles premiere of Sean P. Fahey’s For Kicks, opened by Denise Pendleton, Phil Lee and Darryl Manuel short documentary What’s Black About It? Burrell: Advertising Revolution. Each explores a piece of the history of Black representation in the 1970’s and 80’s. What’s Black About It? tells the fascinating story of a major turning point in Black media representation through advertising, told collectively by those who were in the room. For Kicks tells the story of Black martial arts in films through the lens of one performer’s personal experience.  

NFMLA showcases films by filmmakers of all backgrounds throughout the year, across both our general and InFocus programming. All filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their projects for consideration for upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the schedule for InFocus programming, which celebrates diversity, inclusion and region by spotlighting  communities of filmmakers within our filmmaking community as part of our monthly program.

The South Park Center is an ADA compliant venue and is wheelchair accessible. We request captioned films from all filmmakers participating at our Festival. For any accessibility needs, please send a request to info@nfmla.org at least 72 hours prior to the event.