JANE CAMPION, DONNA SUMMER AND RACHEL WARD TO FEATURE AT THIS YEAR’S DOC EDGE FESTIVAL

Doc Edge is thrilled to announce a suite of new films for the 2023 Festival and introduce its new membership programme, providing documentary lovers with exclusive access to a world of thought-provoking and inspiring films. Members will enjoy a range of benefits, including discounted tickets, early bird access to the festival programme, and invitations to special events such as the 2023 festival's programme launch on 26 April. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to attend a special screening of The UnRedacted, a highly anticipated film from Doc Edge 2022, at SkyCity Theatre in Auckland.

The UnRedacted follows a group of men trained by Al-Qaeda who transferred from Guantanamo to the world’s first rehabilitation centre for “terrorists” located in Saudi Arabia. The film, directed by Meg Smaker, sparked a heated debate about the freedom of expression and censorship in the arts.

In addition to the four films previously announced for this year's festival, Doc Edge is delighted to announce the following exciting selections:

20 Days in Mariupol (Ukraine, Dir. Mstyslav Chernov)
As the Russian invasion begins, a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting the war's atrocities.                                                                                                                                                           
African Moot (South Africa, Dir. Shameela Seedat)
Follows some of Africa's top law students as they head to Botswana for the annual mooting competition. Here they compete in a mock debate case in the high court, on the topic of African Human Rights.                                                                             

Apolonia, Apolonia (Denmark, Dir. Lea Glob)
Lea Glob first portrayed Apolonia Sokol in 2009, and over the years returns to film her. A special bond develops between the two women and the result is a fascinating portrait, spanning 13 years, of a young woman trying to find her place in the world.                                                                                                           
Call Me Dancer (USA, Dirs.  Leslie Shampaine, Pip Gilmour)
Follows a young, talented street dancer from Mumbai whose parents' insistence is that he follow a traditional path. While he is determined to be a professional dancer, the odds are stacked against him.                                                                                                                          
Deep Rising (USA, Dir. Matthieu Rytz)
The fate of the planet's last untouched wilderness, the deep ocean, is under threat as a secretive organisation is about to allow massive extraction of seabed metals to address the world's energy crisis.                                                                                                                                      
Eat Bitter (Central African Republic, China, Dirs. Ningyi Sun, Pascale Appora-Gnekindy)
Against the backdrop of civil war in the Central African Republic, a Chinese construction manager and local African labourer work on opposite ends of the spectrum to construct a sparkling new bank. As deadlines loom, unexpected twists threaten their jobs, relationships, and plans for a better life.                                                                                                                                      
Gumbo Coalition (USA, Dir. Barbara Kopple)
National justice leaders Marc Morial and Janet Murguia join forces to fight structural racism and a troubling resurgence of white supremacy in the Trump era.                                                                             
Iron Butterflies (Ukraine, Dir. Roman Liubyi)
Malaysia airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine by Russian forces on 17 July 2014. The ramifications of attacks like this are explored and we are confronted with the truth of what happened.                                                                                                                                      
Jane Campion - The Cinema Woman (France, Dir. Julie Bertuccelli)
A pioneer among filmmakers, Jane Campion has carved out a unique place for herself in the traditionally masculine pantheon of cinema. For the first time, filmmaker Julie Bertuccelli draws the portrait she deserves, in a film that is unapologetically subjective and offbeat, very much mirroring Jane's own trailblasing journey in cinema and life.                                                                                                                                      
Love to Love You - Donna Summer (USA, Dirs. Roger Ross Williams, Brooklyn Sudano)
Tells the extraordinary story of disco queen Donna Summer through a rich archive of unpublished film excerpts, home videos, photographs, artwork, writings, personal audio and other recordings that span the life of one of the most iconic performers ever to shake a room to its timbers.                                                                                                                                                 
Lyra (Ireland, Dir. Alison Millar)
Biopic of murdered journalist Lyra McKee in the context of troubled Northern Ireland. Follows her life story through her own words, alongside the tributes of colleagues, family and friends.                                                                                                                                      
Praying for Armageddon (Norway, Dir. Tonje Hessen Schei)
An influential movement of Christian fundamentalists in the US, who with millions of dollars in backing and threads into the government are fighting for the end of the world.                                                                                                                                                                     
Rachel's Farm (Australia, Dir. Rachel Ward)
Award-winning film director and actress Rachel Ward is the last person you’d expect to join a farming revolution.                                                                                                                                                                                                 
The upcoming films at the 2023 Doc Edge Festival offer a diverse range of perspectives on a wide array of topics, from environmental activism to the power of art in times of political turmoil. Featuring stories of female journalists, the legacy of disco queen Donna Summer, and many more, this year's festival promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking event that will resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. With such a rich tapestry of films to choose from, Doc Edge is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience that will leave viewers feeling both enlightened and inspired.

Tickets for the festival are on sale from 26 April and can be purchased through the festival’s website. For more information and updates, visit docedge.nz and follow Doc Edge on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.