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This doesn’t feel like a documentary built to inform; it feels like one built to correct something that should have never been lost in the first place. CEREMONY doesn’t ease you into the story or hold your hand as it guides you through its themes. It expects you to listen, to sit with discomfort, and to recognize that what’s being uncovered here isn’t just history, it’s something that’s still actively shaping the present.

The most powerful documentaries rarely feel the need to scream the message they’re sharing. They invite you to slow down, listen, and notice the connections shaping the world around you. DAUGHTERS OF THE FOREST operates in exactly that space, building an emotional and intellectual experience that feels both intimate and expansive. By the time the film reaches its final moments, it becomes clear that this isn’t simply a documentary about fungi or ecology. It’s about the fragile relationship between knowledge, culture, and survival.

Sometimes the most impactful films take the least amount of time to dig at you. SOUVENIR builds toward a realization. Set during a summer at a coastal Australian resort, the film follows Keira, a teen on vacation with her family, as she secretly navigates her relationship with her girlfriend, Zoe. At first, the tension feels typical of young love, with insecurity, longing, and emotional dependence. Then Zoe begins taking photos of Keira during sex without clear consent. The shift is subtle but powerful.

THEM THAT’S NOT starts inside a family gathering that feels familiar and immediately alienating. A moment like this should be communal and connective, a time when shared loss pulls people closer. Instead, writer/director Mekhai Lee frames it as a space thick with unspoken distance, emotional misalignment, and the calm violence of being unseen. The film’s power doesn’t come from dramatic confrontation but from the ache of coexistence, the way grief can feel isolating even when you’re surrounded by people who share your blood.

As a sidebar, I want to start this review by asking readers, if they haven’t seen the film, don’t read the review. I know that sounds wild, but I was lucky enough to go into this without knowing anything, and I think it truly enhanced the experience. ERUCTATION offers up a premise that sounds like a joke and then immediately dares you to laugh for the wrong reasons. On paper, a documentary about a woman attempting to break the world record for the loudest female burp feels tailor-made for satire, something disposable, maybe even condescending. What director Victoria Trow delivers instead is a tightly constructed, observed portrait of confidence, ambition, and self-acceptance that refuses to punch down on its subject or treat it as a joke.

There’s a particular kind of pressure that comes from being asked to perform grief the way others expect. DUA JI understands that pressure, and it never lets the audience forget how tightly it’s bound to gender, family, and inherited obligation. Set during the funeral of A-Hsien’s mother in rural Taiwan, the film isn’t interested in catharsis or confrontation in any conventional sense. Instead, it focuses on the strain of endurance, the exhaustion of compliance, and the quiet calculations that come with knowing exactly what’s expected of you, even when your heart is somewhere else.

BAGGAGE, a stop-motion animated short directed by Lucy Davidson, transforms a routine airport experience into a heartfelt narrative about our unseen ‘baggage.’ This five-minute film cleverly uses animation to explore themes of friendship, vulnerability, and self-acceptance, all without a single line of dialogue.

Stepping into a video store feels like stepping into another time—rows of worn VHS tapes, the hum of fluorescent lights, and the faint echoes of forgotten films. There’s an eerie charm to these relics of the past, a mix of nostalgia and quiet unease that makes them the perfect setting for horror. This film understands that atmosphere well, crafting a story that thrives on sentimentality and the fear of what lurks just out of sight. The film brings a sharp, striking take on old-school horror while exploring the unsettling relationship between media and reality.

MAKE ME A PIZZA carves out its niche in a way I didn’t expect; it boldly questions societal norms and creates these conversations through an erotically charged narrative. This anti-capitalist commentary turns the spotlight on material versus intangible values, captivating viewers with its depth and originality. Spearheaded by Talia Shea Levin and Woody Coyote, this film emerges from pandemic-induced isolation as a poignant story, offering more than just a slice of entertainment but a whole pie of profound societal critique.

When I started screening RESYNATOR, I expected an insightful documentary into the history of a “musical instrument;” instead, I got an emotionally charged journey that struck a chord more profound than any thriller ever could. Alison Tavel's journey to connect with her father, the late Don Tavel, transforms from a simple story into an expedition through the heart of music, innovation, and the bonds of family through time. This is a voyage into the soul of creativity and the unbreakable bonds that music can forge.

Can you imagine where we as a society would be if it weren’t for the women over the years who weren’t afraid to speak up? Those women who risked everything to step into venues where they weren’t welcome. As much as we’ve fallen backward with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I can only imagine we would be even further behind if it weren’t for women like Liz Carpenter! Diving headfirst into the heart of 20th-century activism, SHAKING IT UP: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LIZ CARPENTER not only chronicles but celebrates the life of a woman who left an indelible mark on journalism, political reform, and the fight for women's rights. Through the visionary lens of Christy Carpenter and Abby Ginzberg, the film emerges as a vivid portrait of Liz Carpenter's remarkable journey. This documentary is a compelling exploration that resonates with the vibrancy of Carpenter's legacy, making it an essential watch for anyone fascinated by the figures who have shaped our modern world.

Journey into CAN, Kailee McGee's latest cinematic and most personal film, feels like a whirlwind tour through the life and creative alleys of Los Angeles, showcasing not just a battle against cancer but a redefinition of artistic expression in the wake of personal struggles. This film stands out not only for its subject matter but also for its ability to weave together a narrative that is as deeply personal as it is universally relatable. With a blend of humor and sincerity, McGee manages to turn a story about cancer into a beacon of inspiration and creativity that resonates far beyond its initial premise.

Welcome to the heart of Illinois (the s is silent) with ADRIANNE & THE CASTLE; viewers are treated to an enchanting and genuine blend of heartfelt storytelling and artistic innovation. Directed by Shannon Walsh, this documentary navigates the life of Alan St-George, whose homage to his late wife, Adrianne, transforms their shared dream into a vivid reality. This film is a canvas where personal tales of devotion meet the expansive power of creativity, painting a picture that’s both intimate and grand.

It’s just one straw, right? You may look at things differently after venturing into PLASTIC PEOPLE; you're not just watching another documentary about the dangers of our climate and health. You're embarking on a profound journey that peels back the curtain on the plastic engulfing our planet. With Ben Addelman at the helm and Ziya Tong leading the charge, this documentary does more than just inform; it grabs you by the conscience and doesn't let go. It's a narrative loaded with urgency and a personal mission that challenges us to see plastic in a new light. PLASTIC PEOPLE is, without a doubt, a beacon of change in the documentary genre.

SONGS FROM THE HOLE serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity, encapsulating the transformative power of music and art amidst life's darkest chapters. Directed by Contessa Gayles and featuring James "JJ’88" Jacobs and Richie Reseda, this film orchestrates a symphony of emotions, blending real-life anguish with the radiance of redemption. With its innovative narrative technique, the film crafts an odyssey of a soul seeking solace and expression through the strings of creativity, making it a must-watch for those who cherish the art of resilience.

With perhaps the best opening introduction in documentary history, we go on a crazy journey that’s almost too insane to be believed. DICKWEED does all of that and more, pulling us into a whirlwind narrative set in the unsuspecting streets of Orange County. Here, Michael's routine life as a dispensary owner takes a dramatic turn one night in 2012, plunging into a nightmarish ordeal. Under the direction of Jonathan Ignatius Green, this isn't merely another recount of crime; it's an exploration of human resilience and the relentless pursuit of justice. The film hooks you from the outset, promising a journey filled with intrigue and the unyielding human will to overcome.