The Doc10 documentary film festival will return for its 11th year in Chicago, running from April 24 to May 3 at the Davis Theater. The festival will feature an expanded lineup of documentaries and events, despite losing funding from the National Endowment of the Arts following a call by the Trump Administration to eliminate the agency, according to an April 17 announcement.
Organizers say that this year’s Doc10 is especially significant because it demonstrates resilience in the face of financial challenges. Individual philanthropists stepped in to fill funding gaps left by federal cuts. “They’re not our sole funder by any means,” said CMP co-founder Paula Froehle. “But they weren’t insignificant.” She added, “We would not exist without individuals who believe in the power of media to bring about change.”
The festival’s new “Speak Truth” program aims to inspire conversations on pressing issues through screenings and discussions with filmmakers and community leaders. Froehle said she wanted to “literally lay the bedrock of this festival” on sparking dialogue about topics such as journalism, climate change, and free speech.
This year’s official selections include twelve feature documentaries and several programs highlighting timely themes. Notable films include “Sabbath Queen,” profiling Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie; “The Librarians,” examining censorship; ESPN’s upcoming “Give Me the Ball!” about tennis legend Billie Jean King; and “American Doctor,” featuring Chicago-based Dr. Thaer Ahmad volunteering in Gaza.
Local filmmaker Andrew Freer contributed short films documenting ICE activity during Operation Midway Blitz for a special presentation titled “ICE Under Watch.” Freer said, “This has been potentially one of the most consequential things that’s happened in the last fifty years for our democracy… I’m glad to be included, and that more of this information is getting out there.”
Other highlights include Alysa Nahmias’ “Cookie Queens,” Felipe Bustos Sierra’s protest documentary “Everybody to Kenmure Street,” and Alex Gibney’s exploration of Salman Rushdie’s recovery after his assault in 2022.
Tickets are available for individual screenings as well as passes covering all official selections. Organizers encourage attendees seeking more details or ticket information to visit Doc10’s website.
