An inter-dimensional fever dream about DMT and the margins of human perception. Ian Clark’s “Animal in Ascension” is a psychedelic documentary that follows a young man as he shares his thoughts and reflections on life while we also observe his day-to-day living in Miami. Julian, our subject, invi...

An archival exploration of a St. Louis housing project, Pruitt–Igoe, that tends to the dark spaces concealed in a collective past. Lorenzo Bradford’s “shadow work” is an experimental archival documentary where awashed materials are recycled and used to examine Black life and dispossession. Broken...

A documentary about the end of a young man’s musical project told through the anecdotes and recollections of everyone who helped along the way. “The Death of Art Slob,” directed by musician Amar Ahmad, is a poignant ode to suburban scenes, house shows, college towns, and the American enclaves whe...

An aging synth-pop musician reflects on her past as a “street-level superstar” and her present isolation in rural Colorado. “Space Lady,” directed by Sophia Feuer, is a quietly absorbing documentary portrait of an outsider, a mystic with paranormal intuitions. As she tells it, the Space Lady (aka...

A young boy in rural America moves through a typical day trying to keep himself entertained and out of trouble. The observational documentary, “Mason,” directed by Oliver Shahery, follows the titular subject as he shoots at squirrels, plays with toy cars, and drinks Coke. Shahery refrains from ex...

A mix of archival and new footage documents a spiritual and philosophical movement founded in Bulgaria in the early 20th century that embraces the greater good. Alice Fassi directs “In Light,” part documentary, part visual poem, about the Universal White Brotherhood, a practice of living in harmo...

A poetic rumination on a former relationship told through the locations it took place in New York City, part personal reflection, part film essay. “Lucky Strike,” directed by Benjamin Ades, frames its meditations on love and film with memories of the romance and philosophical musings on fate. Hav...

After 35 years as the official Elvis impersonator of Las Vegas, Jessie Garon confronts an uncertain future as his public persona begins to fade away. “A King,” directed by Ivan Olita, is a stylized documentary portrait on the sexuality, and loss of self, of an aging performer. With a sparkling fa...

Fifty years ago Jack and Betty were hit by a train and survived. In the unexpectedly comedic memoir documentary, “Deerwoods Deathtrap,” they recount the story to their son, filmmaker James P. Gannon. On a trip to New Jersey from their native Pennsylvania, with two young children and a mother in t...

Extremophiles are organisms that exist when nothing else can survive. In this environmental documentary about pollution, director Leah Shore presents a slide show of lethal hot spots in Brooklyn as a duo in matching grey suits strike ominous poses. Beginning with the infamous Gowanus Canal, which...

In this stylized personal essay, a renter says goodbye to their apartment. “What I Had to Leave Behind,” directed by Sean David Christensen, is a lovely ode to moving out, built around a self-deprecating voiceover and jazzy score. Memories spring to mind about every corner of the apartment — the ...

A harrowing account of a leadership seminar gone rogue in 1970’s California. In “You've Never Been Completely Honest,” a hybrid-documentary directed by Joey Izzo, a mixture of animation and reenactment footage brings to life a brutal audio interview. In 1972, a man named Gene recounts his experie...

The lives of a group of thirty-something artists weave together as they grapple with the idea of parenthood. Allegra Oxborough directs “A Blue Morning: Conversations Among Artists on Parenthood,” a slice-of-life documentary following two couples with kids, and a third contemplating a family. Capt...

While pondering the need to endlessly capture her life in photos and videos, a filmmaker attempts to be present in the moment. Shereen Lani Younes directs “how can i be present when photographs exist,” a self-reflective video essay narrated with stream-of-consciousness musings over a smorgasborg ...

On a never-ending channel surf through streaming platforms, TV shows, movies, and commercials, two friends talk on the phone about bad relationships and good storytelling. Jack Dunphy directs “Amanda,” an examination of media overconsumption alongside a provocative portrait of a messy friendship ...

In this collection of anonymous stories shared by queer men, a connection is drawn between queer life and nature. “I Wish There Was a Guy Term for I Love You,” directed by Andy Motz, is an experimental documentary narrated with tales of first time flings and intimate meet-ups framed as a series o...

In this unsparing portrait of a contentious relationship between father and child, a young filmmaker explores family history through impromptu interviews and old photographs. A reflexive essay documentary, “Father, Can’t You See I’m Burning?”, directed by Grant Conversano, offers a penetrating st...

Inspired by the photo book format, this short documentary focuses on the seasonal workers of a small island. Charlie Weber directs “Small Hours,” a collection of summer snippets captured with evocative visuals and an ambling spirit. Kids do backflips off a pier, walk along the beach, work jobs at...

At 92 years of age, Ruth Young still maintains an active life aided and accompanied by her jolly 53 year old friend, David Matiz. Emma Baiada directs “Old Young,” a beautifully observed documentary portrait on life, death and companionship. Ruth goes about her days working in the yard, or reviewi...

A hybrid documentary about two trans men, who used to date in middle school, reconnecting 10 years later to develop a narrative film about their past. Brit Fryer and Noah Schamus direct “Across, Beyond, and Over,” a film made with warmth and vulnerability about the creative process and revisiting...

A mother and daughter trip on Mushrooms together on the Jersey Shore. Part documentary - part scripted - part improv - this film is an exploration of what it means to be a mother and daughter and how we cope with love and death. | Directed by Rivka Rivera. Cast: Amy Berkman, Rivka Rivera.

In 1968, a young flight attendant bought 900 lbs of marijuana in Jamaica and tried to smuggle it out. Directed by Matthew Salton.

A dancer reflects on a recent injury in Anne Hollowday’s “Physical Thoughts.” A vivid portrait rendered with striking images and poetic narration, it’s a film about the limits of verbal expression (“we all have thoughts; we don’t share many of them”) and the possibilities of physical expression (...

A time capsule portrait of life during the Covid-19 quarantine. “Everything’s Cancelled,” a film by Pham and Mitch deQuilettes, is a personal, off-the-cuff documentary about a group of people holed up in their homes (often shot through exterior windows), getting by however they can. They spend th...