Best Documentary Films

Henna Välkky & Eesu Lehtola Create a Collective Subconscious With Animated Doc ‘We are in a Dream’

Co-Directors Henna Välkky and Eesu Lehtola tell DN how they sought to visually evoke the sensibility of dreams for their animated documentary.

Documentary, Premiere

William Williamson Encapsulates the Backbreaking Labour of Vietnam’s Wet Market in ‘All for You’

William Williamson explains how he captured the sheer scale and arduous working conditions of Vietnam's wet market in his succinct and decisive doc.

Documentary

Goh Iromoto Ponders Questions of Time, Mortality and the Balance of Life in Wildlife Feature ‘Land of the Living’

Goh Iromoto reveals how he captured the inevitable struggles of life amidst the grand canvas of Kenya's majestic wildlife in his contemplative documentary.

Documentary

Andree Ljutica Chronicles a Day in a Life on Parole in Non-Conventional Doc ‘Seven Hundred Fifty-Six’

Andree Ljutica unpacks the blend of reenactment and narrativised planning that form the non-traditional style of his empathic parole documentary short.

Documentary, Premiere

Ross Donald’s ‘One Last Spin’ Brutally Lays Bare the Cost Behind Britain’s Pernicious Gambling Addiction

Ross Donald discusses mixing reconstructions with candid direct testimony in his advocacy documentary revealing the ugly side of the British gambling industry.

Documentary

Jo Prichard Takes a Tender Look at the Loss of an Iconic London Bingo Club in ‘The Palace’

Jo Prichard talks to DN about capturing an emotional portrait of a unique community displaced due to redevelopment in her BAFTA nominated directorial debut.

Documentary

Louis-Jack’s ‘Midair’ Captures the Euphoria of Bouldering in Widescreen Anamorphic Glory

Louis-Jack reveals how he created a spirited tribute to bouldering through slow-motion, wide-screen montage and a great use of space.

Documentary

Leo Pfeifer Captures Blind Skater Justin Bishop’s Triumphant Return to the Ramp in ‘One Day You’ll Go Blind’

Leo Pfeifer breaks down the technicality and considerations of contributor comfort behind his naturalistic approach to documentary filmmaking.

Animation, Art & Fashion, Documentary, Live Action, Music

Directors Notes Top 20 Filmmaker Conversations of 2021

Here are 20 of DN's favourite filmmaker interviews from 2021 which exemplify what continues to excite us about the craft of filmmaking.

Documentary

Cherish Oteka Finds the Intimate Heart of a Poignant Story of Institutional Racism in ‘The Black Cop’

Cherish Oteka explains how they used classic documentary hardware & a retrospective 4:3 aesthetic to tell an unflinching story of racism & identity.

Documentary, Live Action

Jonas Bak Casts His Own Mother in Feature ‘Wood and Water’, a Spiritual Piece of Late-Life Slow Cinema

Jonas Bak describes how he wanted to faithfully tell his mother's story through both form and narrative for his debut feature film.

Documentary

Bill Blaine Quietly Reflects on the Nature of Art in Jakub Blank’s Gentle Doc ‘A Walk Around the House’

Jakub Blank explains how he created the subtle, conversational atmosphere of his short documentary about prolific painter Bill Blaine.

Documentary Category