On Deck at Doc Fest ...Passes now on sale • Last Chance for Early Bird PriceNew Household Pass • Official Selections! • Opening Night Onsite SocialHow to Watch • What's on in Lunenburg • Community Boost • Thank you
PASSES NOW ON SALE!
All-Access Film Passes
for this year's 7-day festival are
NOW ON SALE!All-Access Passes come with access to every filmthis year's (mostly) online festival has to offer.
Curate your own at-home viewing experience and enjoy our largest selection of international documentaries to date, plus insightful livestream Filmmaker Q&As.
Full schedule coming soon ...Last chance for the * EARLY BIRD * ALL-ACCESS FILM PASSSUGGESTED PRICE: $25*NEW*HOUSEHOLD PASS
for watch parties with people in your household watching together!
SUGGESTED PRICE: $50Tickets for select onsite events and single tickets coming soon ...A limited number of passes and tickets are available for purchase.
Buy Now
MORE OFFICIAL SELECTIONS!
LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD
2021 • USA • 90 minDirector • Jeremy WorkmanVIEWING REGION: Canada
LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD follows 20-year-old sensation Lily Hevesh – the world’s most acclaimed domino toppler and the only girl in her field – as she rises as an artist, role model, and young woman. Filmed for over 3 years across countless cities and featuring appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Katy Perry, Will Smith, YouTuber Casey Neistat, and a steady stream of Gen-Z creators, LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD is a coming-of-age story cloaked within a unique portrait of an artist, a story of how passion and artistry can make dreams come true, and an unlikely American tale of a quiet Chinese adoptee who transforms into a global artistic force with over billion YouTube views. From director Jeremy Workman (The World Before Your Feet) and from executive producer Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), in her first film in a producing role.
Just wait ... 'til you see what we have planned for an onsite event.It may involve A WHOLE BUNCH OF DOMINOES! ;)
LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD
WRITING WITH FIRE
2021 • India • 93 minDirector • Rent Thomas and Sushmit GhoshVIEWING REGION: North America
In a cluttered news landscape dominated by men, emerges India's only newspaper run by Dalit (‘low caste’) women. Armed with smartphones, Chief Reporter Meera and her journalists break traditions, be it on the frontlines of India's biggest issues or within the confines of their homes, redefining what it means to be powerful.
WRITING WITH FIRE
TAMING THE GARDEN
2021 • Switzerland, Germany, Georgia • 92 minDirector • Salomé JashiVIEWING REGION: North America
A powerful man and anonymous man has developed an unusual hobby. He buys century-old trees, some as tall as 15-story buildings, from communities along the Georgian coast and has them excavated to collect them for his private garden. In order to transplant trees of such dimensions, the landscape surrounding them is ripped apart and the people living around them are forced to adapt to the disruption. As the film follows this process, it portrays the needs and values of today’s Georgian society and reflects on the theme of forced migration, where "uprooting" is more than a metaphor.
TAMING THE GARDEN
CLIMBING IRAN
2021 • Italy • 53 minDirector • Francesca BorghettiVIEWING REGION: North America
"People often ask me: "why do you put nail polish?" When I climb they are all gone and scratched. Then I look at them and I feel: "Oooh! I did a lot of climbing today!".Nasim has strong hands adorned with hot-pink fingernail polish. She is the pioneer of outdoor climbing in Iran, where women are supposed to train on ‘indoor’ walls only, during set hours, and only among other women. "The name of my country is Islamic Republic of Iran.It means that women have to cover their head, even if you are a tourist… It’s the law… it’s like for the seatbelts…”.After being a young champion in different sports -from karate to kickboxing- Nasim followed the call of the mountains, and decided to go beyond the barriers imposed on women in her country setting up her own route on the Persian rocks. “Gravity doesn’t ask me what my passport is. It takes you down in the same way, it doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, black or white, Iranian or Italian..."
CLIMBING IRAN
GOOD EARTH:The Pots And Passion Of Walter Ostrom
2021 • Canada • 49 minDirector • Israel Ekanem* Atlantic Canadian *VIEWING REGION: North America
One of Canada’s foremost ceramic artists, Nova Scotia-based Walter Ostrom’s passionate art practice is explored through his own words and those of former students and colleagues around the world.
GOOD EARTH: The Pots and Passion of Walter Ostrom
Buy Your Pass Now
Previously Announced Film Selections
HELL OR CLEAN WATER
2021 • Canada • 88 mins
Director • Cody Westman* Atlantic Canadian *VIEWING REGION: Canada & US
In what appears to be an impossible task, Newfoundland diver Shawn Bath has devoted himself to cleaning up the ocean floor one rotting tire at a time. On the brink of bankruptcy and a break-up, his obsessive endeavour catches the attention of locals and a controversial non-profit organization who would like to assist him in scaling up his operations. Driven by passion and held back by bureaucracy, this inspiring story highlights the enormity of human-caused environmental damage and the power of an individual's determination to make the world a better place.
2021 • USA • 90 mins
Director • Bernadette WegensteinVIEWING REGION: North AmericaThe Conductor takes the audience into the heart of classical music, and into the soul of one of its top artists, the internationally renowned conductor Marin Alsop — the first woman to serve as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra — giving us backstage passes to the artistry and energy that rewards her audiences and inspires her students.
DROPSTONES
2021 • Canada • 57 min
Director • Caitlin Durlak
VIEWING REGION: Canada & USSet on Fogo Island off the coast of Newfoundland, Dropstones is an intimate family portrait that follows a matriarch, Sonya, shortly after she has returned to the home she once yearned to escape. As Sonya raises her two young sons, Luke and Sean, she finds herself drawing on her island’s traditions to meet the challenges of motherhood.
COME BACK ANYTIME2021 • Japan • 81 minDirector • John Daschbach
VIEWING REGION: Canada
COME BACK ANYTIME presents a window into the lives of self-taught Japanese ramen master Masamoto Ueda and his wife Kazuko, who have run their tiny Tokyo ramen shop, Bizentei for more than 40 years. Ueda serves his legendary ramen to scores of devoted customers who have joined him over the decades in making the restaurant an intimate place of community.
A.RTIFICAL I.MMORTALITY
2021 • Canada • 75 min
Director • Ann Shin
VIEWING REGION: Atlantic Canada
If you were able to create an immortal version of yourself, would you? This film explores the latest advancements in AI, robotics and biotech with visionaries who argue for a new age of post-biological life. As scientists point us toward a world where humans and machines merge, we have to ask ourselves will AI be the best, or the last thing we ever do?
HIGH MAINTENANCE
2021 • Israel/Poland • 66 min
Director • Barak Heymann
VIEWING REGION: Canada
Israeli artist Dani Karavan has created nearly 100 environmental installations all across the world. He has won some of the most prestigious international art awards. Yet Karavan is far from satisfied. Karavan becomes embroiled in a serious political and artistic conflict over his latest commission. "High Maintenance" is a straightforward, yet intricate film, emotional and personal without being melodramatic, and as painful as it is humorous and passionate.
BANGLA SURF GIRLS2021 • Canada • 86 mins
Director • Elizabeth D. Costa
VIEWING REGION: North America
Bangla Surf Girls is an observational coming-of-age documentary about three teenage girls who get a rare sense of agency over their lives when they join a surf club. Over the course of three years, we follow Suma, Ayesha and Shobe as they fight unsurmountable odds to follow their dreams.
REBEL OBJECTS
2020 • Costa Rica • 70 mins
Director • Carolina Arias Ortiz
VIEWING REGION: North America
Carolina returns to Costa Rica to try to rebuild the relationship with her father. After a few months, her father is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At that moment, Carolina meets Ifigenia, an archaeologist expert in the stone spheres found in the south of Costa Rica; the country's great enigma. She decides to follow Ifigenia's journey through an erased indigenous history. Through objects and their stories, Carolina learns a different way to relate to death.
ALL-ACCESS FILM PASS• EARLY BIRD •SUGGESTED PRICE: $25*NEW*HOUSEHOLD PASSfor watch parties with people in your household watching together!SUGGESTED PRICE: $50Tickets for select onsite events and single tickets coming soon ...
Buy Now
Stay tuned to Lunenburg Doc Festfor more exciting film announcements!
OPENING NIGHT ONSITE SOCIAL!
The 8th Lunenburg Doc Fest will kick off with an opening night social in beautiful Lunenburg on Thursday, September 23rd.
Join us for delicious hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and vibrant conversation. We look forward to celebrating another remarkable edition of Doc Fest with you.
A limited number of tickets for this not-quite-the-gala ;) special event go on sale soon. Stay tuned! All Covid protocols within the Health Protection Act Order and public health directives will be in place throughout the event.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch this section in future newsletters for helpful tips on how to customize your own at-home festival experience. A handy "How to Watch Guidelines & FAQ" is also available on our website here. (If you joined us for Lunenburg Doc Fest 2020 your Eventive account should still be active, making your upcoming film selections that much easier!)
VIEWING REGIONS
Please note, each film at LDF 2021 is available in one of four viewing regions.
Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PE, NL)
Canada
Canada & USA
North America
The viewing region will be displayed in our upcoming Film Guide at https://lunenburgdocfest.eventive.org/.
VIRTUAL VIEWING FAQ's
Q. Where can I find a list of the films I've 'unlocked'?A: After you Pre-Order or 'Unlock' the screenings you want to watch, go to
http://watch.eventive.org/me to see the full list of films you selected.
Q. What happens if I need technical support during the festival?A: Our virtual festival platform, Eventive, offers live chat support to help you through any issues should they arise.
Get live chat support at https://watch.eventive.org/helpQ: What are these icons on the top-right corner of Eventive?A: These icons will help you navigate your Eventive account.From left to right, they represent:
Film Guide: Click this film-strip icon to browse our film program and schedule.
My Passes: Click this icon to view your pass(es).
My Tickets: Click this icon to view your individual tickets.
Log out: Click this icon to log out of your Eventive account. You will need to be logged in to view Lunenburg Doc Fest content.
Q: What if I don't remember my Eventive password?A: You can reset your password here:
https://lunenburgdocfest.eventive.org/forgotQ: What affects image quality of the films?A: The player auto-adjusts to internet speed. Your internet speed may change depending on how many other users are on your home network, the time of day, etc. If your internet connection is inconsistent you may experience playback problems. If on wifi, try moving closer to your router to improve the connection.
Q: Can I watch content on my iPhone or iPad?A: Yes, you can watch content using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later -- check to ensure you're on wifi first!
Q: How do I watch a livestream Filmmaker Q&A? A: Go to the livestream page (
https://watch.eventive.org/lunenburgdocfest/live) for the schedule of livestreams and to enter livestreams when they are active. Look for the countdown clock on upcoming livestreams to see how long until they’re live.
WHAT'S ON IN LUNENBURG
Celebrations continue in Lunenburg and across the country for the 100th Anniversary of Canada’s famous schooner, Bluenose. Launched in Lunenburg Harbour on March 26, 1921, "The Queen of the North Atlantic" would soon become a legend, renowned for becoming the fastest racing ship in Canadian history and then immortalized on the Canadian dime. The Bluenose 100 Committee of the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society has created a wonderful collection of in-person and virtual events to share the story of Nova Scotia's treasured Bluenose. Details of the year-long celebration can be found at
www.bluenose100.caMany thanks to Bluenose 100 for supporting this year's Lunenburg Doc Fest Youth Workshop!
Lunenburg Doc Fest’s first COMMUNITY BOOST program was very well-received and helped support the community that has always supported us.Lunenburg Doc Fest will once again pay it forward and turn a portion of our donations into COMMUNITY BOOST Gift Cards. We are excited to invite you to participate in Doc Fest’s 2021 COMMUNITY BOOST!For every $500 donated, a Doc Fest sponsor receives $50 in COMMUNITY BOOST Gift Cards (in $25 denominations), redeemable at a variety of local businesses. (If you are unable to redeem your card you may gift it to someone else, or contribute the value back to Lunenburg Doc Fest for which you will receive a charitable tax receipt.) Participating businesses that accept the cards are swapped for equal value in cash from Lunenburg Doc Fest.Doc Fest’s COMMUNITY BOOST is our way of sending our continued support to the community that has always supported us.Please join us and benefit from a little ‘boost’ to our community thanks to LDF’S COMMUNITY BOOST.
2020 Community Boost cards are valid through August 31, 2021.The 2021-22 participating businesses list will be announced soon.
THANK YOU
DIAMOND SPONSORSAnonymousRoyal Bank of Canada (RBC)TELEFILM CanadaPLATINUM SPONSORSCBC AtlanticChippie Kennedy & John McLennanMary-Lou PyeThe Huskilson FamilyChristina (Tina) McArthur & Richard RubensteinSaltboxGOLD SPONSORSAdams & KnickleJohn & Jenice BentonRichard Brown & Deborah Kennedy BrownRena & Henry DemoneColin Carroll & Colleen GallowayCamelia FriebergGorgeous Mistake ProductionsInge HattonHB StudiosMargaret & Ian LightstoneElizabeth Wishart & Bruce MacCormackNova Scotia Building SuppliesCarol PostalLou & Karen PutneyAllan E. Rubenstein, MDTown of Lunenburg
SILVER SPONSORSColoursmithEleven Eleven Group of CompaniesDavid & Roseann FineLunenburg Foundation for the ArtsNova Wood Products Ltd.Julia PriceElizabeth RhinelanderRoland SitzlerEd VaughanWest Nova FuelsBRONZE SPONSORSIronworks DistilleryLaughing Whale Coffee RoastersPierre Lesperance & Suzie deWittNancy NicholsonNorthern SunChristian ScheidemannThe Knot PubFRIENDS OF THE FESTIVALAmos PewterGerald HallowellMarilyn & Brian Mackay-LyonsRuth Anne NicholsonRobert PressonDavid PatrickAlan ScottSkysailSvenja Dee, TulipwoodDebora WalshRandall WillisHimmelman's Trophies and Gifts
FESTIVAL PARTNERS
Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative
Centre for Art TapesDOC AtlanticEastlink Community TVHB StudiosHot DocsLincoln Street FoodLunenburg Arms Hotel and SpaNarrative ResearchOutpost EastGarth & Dorothy TurnerWilliam F. White
JOIN THE SPONSORSHIP COMMUNITY!
Lunenburg Doc Fest is grateful for the support of our Sponsorship Community! If you share a passion for film or wish to connect with our film enthusiast audiences, a Lunenburg Doc Fest sponsorship package will ensure distinguished exposure for you or your brand. The Festival offers a variety of sponsorship levels and packages and you will directly benefit by reaching a culturally savvy audience through festival program guide advertising, social media, logos on printed materials, a sponsor highlight at each screening, and more.Please consider donating to Lunenburg Doc Fest to support our mission and help the festival continue to present evocative documentaries for all ages, special community events, and free educational opportunities for youth and seniors. An official charitable tax receipt will be issued for all eligible gift amounts per CRA guidelines.Lunenburg Doc Fest accepts donations via CanadaHelps.org, e-Transfer to treasurer@lunenburgdocfest.com, or cheque to Box 1497, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0.Securities including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds donations may be made via CanadaHelps.orgU.S. FRIENDS:Lunenburg Doc Fest is an approved beneficiary of the Council for Canadian American Relations (CCAR), a 501(c)(3) public charity in the U.S. that is a "qualified donee" under the Income Tax Act (Canada). For information about CCAR please visit ccar-nyc.org or contact info@ccar-nyc.org.Thank you!
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