What’s on Deck at Doc Fest 

Opening Night Feature!  •  Opening Night Social
Official Feature Selections!  •  How to Watch
Community Boost  •  Join the Team  •  Thank you

 

OPENING NIGHT FILM!

 Our opening night film …

… reveals the incredible and untold story of a self-formed garage band — which included Filipina American and queer bandmates — that morphed into the ferocious rock group FANNY. 

Meet one of the most important rock bands
that you have never heard of!

2021 • CANADA • 97 min
Director • Bobbyi Jo Hart
VIEWING REGION: Canada
“Revivify Fanny. And my work is done.”- David Bowie
Meet one of the most important rock bands that you’ve never heard of.
Their lead guitarist could shred. Their musicianship and songwriting were stellar. They were embraced by rock royalty, released five critically-acclaimed albums with Top 40 charted songs, but never broke through.
Oh, and they were women. FANNY: The Right to Rock reveals the fascinating, untold story of a phenomenal band that almost became the “female Beatles”.FANNYtakes viewers on a fast-paced ride following the compelling present day reunion of bandmates 50 years later to record and release a new rock album — expertly intercutting this dramatic story with Fanny’s incredible backstory — illuminated by rare performance archival footage and celebrity interviews with music legends from Bonnie Raitt, Todd Rundgren, the B52’s Kate Pierson and Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastien to Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, the Go Go’s Kathy Valentine, David Bowie’s guitarist Earl Slick, Charles Neville and Steely Dan’s Jeff “Skunk” Baxter.FANNY blasted glass ceilings of racism and sexism back in the 1960s and 70s, with the lesbian bandmates told they either hide their LBGTQ identity or leave the band. And these feisty women of colour now takes on the stigmas of ageism as well, proving that age is just a number, that brown skin is just a colour, and how true success is defined by embracing our identity and letting go of the limits and expectations we put on ourselves. Rock on!
FANNY: The Right to Rock
OPENING NIGHT ONSITE SOCIAL!
RBC and Lunenburg Doc Fest
invite you to the launch of the 8th annual festival!
A longstanding champion of Canadian creatives and engaging stories on screen, RBC joins Lunenburg Doc Fest in connecting film enthusiasts September 23-29.
OPENING NIGHT SOCIAL
generously sponsored by Royal Bank of CanadaThursday, September 23
4-6 pm

The Old Fish Factory, 68 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg

Kick off Doc Fest on Lunenburg’s beautiful waterfront and enjoy a festival preview, delicious hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and vibrant conversation. Join your fellow film fans in celebrating another remarkable event!

An Opening Night Social pass is required to attend.

Buy Your Pass
A limited number of passes for this special event are now on sale. 

All Covid protocols within the public health directives will be in place throughout the event.
DOCS, DOCS, DOCS!

FULL FEATURE DOCUMENTARY LINEUP

REBEL HEARTS

2021 • USA • 104 min
Director • Pedro Kos

VIEWING REGION: Canada

In 1960s Los Angeles a trailblazing group of nuns, The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, bravely stood up to the patriarchy of the Catholic Church, fighting for equality, their livelihoods, and their own freedom against an all-powerful Cardinal who sought to keep them in their place. Their bold acts of faith, defiance and activism turned the Church upside down, helping to reshape our society in ways that continue to resonate today. From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they challenged the notion of what a nun and a woman were supposed to be.

WITH DRAWN ARMS

2020 • MEXICO/USA • 84 min
Director • Glenn Kaino & Afshin Shahidi

VIEWING REGION: North America

At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith raised his fist during the medal ceremony. This defiant gesture has reverberated ever since, adopted by generations of civil rights activists in the fight for social justice. 50 years later, in an attempt to unpack the true scope of his sacrifice, artist Glenn Kaino partners with him to finally tell his story through art.

RETURNING HOME

2021 • CANADA • 72 min
Director • Sean Stiller

VIEWING REGION: Atlantic Canada & Quebec

Canada’s Indian residential school legacy and the decimation of wild pacific salmon stem from a common story: a world where relationships are severed in the service of power, where people become detached from one another and the complex webs of interdependence. Among the Secwépemc in British Columbia, one such story is that of Phyllis Jack-Webstad, a residential school survivor whose experiences inspired the Orange Shirt Day movement.

SEYRAN ATEŞ
SEX, REVOLUTION and ISLAM

2021 • NORWAY • 81 min
Director • Nefise Ozkal LorentzenVIEWING REGION: North America

In the 1960s, the hippies championed the idea of a sexual revolution. They received neither Fatwas nor bodyguards. Today, Seyran Ateş – a Turkish- German lawyer, author, feminist, and one of the first female imams in Europe – is fighting for a sexual revolution within Islam. In return, two fatwas were issued against her, she has received uncountable death threats, and has been living under constant police protection for several years.While working at a women’s centre in 1984, she was shot in the neck by a Turkish nationalist. Seyran Ateş’ choice after the failed assassination attempt was very clear: she could give up or fight back. She experienced the threshold between life and death; this experience has given her strength to keep following her revolutionary ideas.

APENAS EL SOL
(Nothing But The Sun)
2020 • PARAGUAY • 74 minDirector • Arami UllonVIEWING REGION: North America
Facing the consequences of a violent uprooting, Mateo Sobode Chiqueno has been recording stories, songs, and testimonies of his Ayoreo people since the seventies. In an attempt to preserve fragments of a disappearing culture, Mateo walks across communities in the arid and desolate Paraguayan Chaco region, and registers on cassettes the experiences of other Ayoreo who, like him, were born in the vast forest, free and nomadic, without any contact with white civilization, until religious missionaries forced them to abandon their ancestral territory, their means of subsistence, their beliefs and their home.

LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD

2021 • USA • 90 min
Director • Jeremy Workman

VIEWING 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. 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.
Just wait … ’til you see what we have planned for an onsite event.
It may involve A WHOLE BUNCH OF DOMINOES!  😉 Friday, SEPT 24

WRITING WITH FIRE

2021 • India • 93 min
Director • Rent Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh

VIEWING 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.

TAMING THE GARDEN

2021 • Switzerland, Germany, Georgia • 92 min
Director • Salomé Jashi

VIEWING 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.

CLIMBING IRAN

2021 • Italy • 53 min
Director • Francesca Borghetti

VIEWING 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!”.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…”

GOOD EARTH: The Pots And Passion Of Walter Ostrom

2021 • Canada • 49 min
Director • 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.
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.
THE CONDUCTOR

2021 • USA • 90 mins

Director • Bernadette Wegenstein

VIEWING REGION: North America

The 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 ANYTIME

2021 • Japan •  81 min
Director • 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 GIRLS

2021 • 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.

Stay tuned to Lunenburg Doc Fest
for an exciting announcement of our short film programs!
PASSES NOW ON SALE!
Film Passes for this year’s 7-day festival are

NOW ON SALE!

All-Access Passes come with access to every film
this 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.

Watch for the full film program and schedule in upcoming newsletters!

ALL-ACCESS FILM PASS

SUGGESTED PRICE: $35

HOUSEHOLD PASS
for watch parties with people in your household watching together!

SUGGESTED PRICE: $50

Single tickets coming soon …

Buy Now
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/.

Help with your Eventive purchase and managing  your pass here:  https://lunenburgdocfest.com/2021-2/howtoguide/

Test your device compatibility here:  https://help.eventive.org/en/articles/3922588-audience-faq

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/help

Q: 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/forgot

Q: 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.

For other helpful tips go to https://watch.eventive.org/help

JOIN THE TEAM!

Support comes in many forms.

Volunteer with Lunenburg Doc Fest and be part of the local vibrant cultural community!

We seek adult volunteers who share a passion for film, engaging community and supporting a great and growing non-profit organization.

Click HERE to apply!

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 SPONSORS
Anonymous
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
TELEFILM CanadaPLATINUM SPONSORS
CBC Atlantic
Eastlink
The Huskilson Family
Chippie Kennedy & John McLennan
Tina McArthur & Richard Rubenstein
Garry & Mary-Lou PyeGOLD SPONSORS
Adams & Knickle
John & Jenice Benton
Richard Brown & Deborah Kennedy Brown
Rena & Henry Demone
Camelia Frieberg
Inge Hatton
Margaret & Ian Lightstone
Elizabeth Wishart & Bruce MacCormack
Nova Scotia Building Supplies
Carol Postal
Lou & Karen Putney
Allan E. Rubenstein, MD
Town of Lunenburg
Nancy & Brad Unsworth
SILVER SPONSORS
Coloursmith
Pierre Lesperance & Suzie deWitt
Eleven Eleven Group of Companies
David & Roseann Fine
Pat McGowan & Dennis Carter
Nova Wood Products Ltd.
Roland Sitzler
Ed Vaughan
West Nova Fuels
Wilsons SecurityBRONZE SPONSORS
Laughing Whale Coffee Roasters
Nancy Nicholson
Northern Sun
Christian Scheidemann
The Knot PubFRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Allison Smith & Larry Gaudet
Gerald Hallowell
Marilyn & Brian Mackay-Lyons
Robert Presson
Alan Scott
Debora Walsh
Randall Willis
Christine Wilson
FESTIVAL PARTNERS
Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative
Centre for Art Tapes
DOC Atlantic
Eastlink Community TV
HB Studios
Hot Docs
Lincoln Street Food
Lunenburg Arms Hotel and Spa
Narrative Research
Outpost East
Garth & Dorothy Turner
William 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.org

U.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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