Documentary Movies 2018 List

With Betsy West • Julie Cohen

At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior's rise to the nation's highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans – until now.

With Bassem Fayad • Laila Samy • Hanan Youssef • Khalid Abdalla • Tamer El Said • Rasha Salti • Maryam Saleh • Hayder Helo • Basim Hajar

The fictional story of a filmmaker from downtown Cairo played by Khalid Abdalla as he struggles to capture the soul of a city on edge while facing loss in his own life.

With Michael Bolton

This documentary illustrates why the history and the future of Detroit matters in the global landscape. Told through the eyes of Bolton's own discovery, this important story has remained largely obscured by mainstream media's preference to portray only the devastation of the city's downfall, until now. This is the story of the American Dream.

With Natalie Portman • Christopher Dillon Quinn

What’s on your plate? Natalie Portman and Jonathan Safran Foer present this eye-opening look at the food industry and an ethical future free of factory farming.

With Wim Wenders • Alessandro Lo Monaco • Samanta Gandolfi Branca • Andrea Gambetta • David Rosier

Pope Francis - A Man of His Word is intended to be a personal journey with Pope Francis, rather than a biographical documentary about him. The pope’s ideas and his message are central to this documentary, which sets out to present his work of reform and his answers to today’s global questions.

With Ben Anderson • Scott Pomeroy • Brian Bird • Ashley Cooper • Brad Cooper • Martin Butler • Jerry Schemmel • Tad Jones

This inspiring documentary of faith and determination chronicles the harrowing journey of ultra-cyclist/sportscaster Jerry Schemmel, who joins forces with an IronMan triathlete/CEO, Brad Cooper, in the world's most grueling endurance bicycle race.

With Kate Novack

Chronicles the life and career of André Leon Talley, former Vogue magazine editor-at-large and one of the fashion industry’s and New York culture's most influential icons. Beginning his career at Andy Warhol’s Factory in the 1970s before climbing the ranks of the New York fashion editorial world, Talley made a lasting impact by pushing to include African-American models and designers in such major publications as Women’s Wear Daily, W, and Vogue magazine. Today, his judgment is sought by top designers, stylists, and celebrity clientele.

“Andy Irons: Kissed by God” chronicles the struggles of bipolar disorder and opioid addiction as seen through the life of three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons. Irons struggled with the same demons that millions of people worldwide battle with daily. He was an incredible presence on the surfing world stage as the “People’s Champion," the pride of Hawaii and revered around the world for his blue collar rise to fame and success. However, many were unaware of his internal battles that led to his demise.

With Dana Nachman • Don Hardy

Follows a litter of puppies from the moment they’re born and begin their quest to become guide dogs for the blind. Cameras follow these pups through an intense two-year odyssey as they train to become dogs whose ultimate responsibility is to protect their blind partners from harm. Along the way, these remarkable animals rely on a community of dedicated individuals who train them to do amazing, life-changing things in the service of their human. The stakes are high and not every dog can make the cut. Only the best of the best. The pick of the litter.

With Laura Nix

Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats – found right in their own backyards – while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. Take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

With Nicholas Ma • Morgan Neville • Caryn Capotosto

Takes an intimate look at America’s favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rogers. A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this documentary is an emotional and moving film that takes you beyond zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius, who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.

With Paul Van Carter • Nick Taussig • Ian Bonhote • Peter Ettedgui

A documentary on the life of famed fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

With Tom Donahue

Documents Robert Davi, a Frank Sinatra song stylist, as he tries to plan a tribute performance to his singing idol, a re-creation of The Chairman’s famous “Main Event” held in 1974 at Madison Square Garden.

With John Penotti • Sidney Kimmel • Katherine Butler • Anthony McCarten • Dimitri Doganis • Tim Wardle

Follows a trio of people who make the discovery at age 19 that they are identical triplets separated at birth.

With Kevin Macdonald • Simon Chinn • Jonathan Chinn • Lisa Erspamer

With over 200 million album sales worldwide, and remaining the only artist to chart seven consecutive US No. 1’s, Whitney Houston was the voice of a generation. Coming from an esteemed lineage of singers, Whitney was destined to be plucked from her gospel-singing roots to rule the world stage. She inspired a generation of singers from Mariah Carey to Beyoncé and her unforgettable performance of The Star-Spangled Banner unlocked an anthem that had for so long been dismissed by many black artists.

But all these achievements have become a footnote to a story of addiction and self-destruction. With salacious stories filling the columns of tabloid papers and magazines, Whitney had the voice of an angel onstage, but was being torn apart by her demons offstage.

With Lauren Greenfield

Lauren Greenfield’s postcard from the edge of the American Empire captures a portrait of a materialistic, image-obsessed culture. Simultaneously photographic journey, memoir, and historical essay, the film bears witness to the global boom–bust economy, the corrupted American Dream and the human costs of late stage capitalism, narcissism and greed.

With Rachel Dretzin

Far From the Tree follows families meeting extraordinary challenges through love, empathy, and understanding. This life-affirming documentary encourages us to cherish loved ones for all they are, not who they might have been.

With Matt Tyrnauer

Hollywood legend Scotty Bowers spends decades as a sexual procurer for the stars.

With Gerald R. Molen • Dinesh D'Souza • Bruce Schooley

Not since 1860 have the Democrats so fanatically refused to accept the result of a free election. That year, their target was Lincoln. They smeared him. They went to war to defeat him. In the end, they assassinated him.

Now the target of the Democrats is President Trump and his supporters. The Left calls them racists, white supremacists and fascists. These charges are used to justify driving Trump from office and discrediting the right "by any means necessary." But which is the party of the slave plantation? Which is the party that invented white supremacy? Which is the party that praised fascist dictators and shaped their genocidal policies and was in turn praised by them?

Moreover, which is the party of racism today? Is fascism now institutionally embodied on the right or on the left?

Through stunning historical recreations and a searching examination of fascism and white supremacy, Death of a Nation cuts through progressive big lies to expose hidden history and explosive truths.

Lincoln united his party and saved America from the Democrats for the first time. Can Trump—and we—come together and save America for the second time?

With John Prine • Russell Means • Amanda Anderson • Jack Anderson • Joe the Carver • Edith Burke • John Bragg • Steven Oritt

Thirty miles from Manhattan a group of mysterious mountain people fight for recognition as a legitimate Native American tribe from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. What begins as their journey travels the country as Native American’s fight for their rights at Standing Rock, Apache Junction and throughout the United States. Examining through expert interviews and unbridled access to the ­community, the film provides an in ­depth look at the complex past, volatile present and endangered future of the Ramapough Mountain Indians and what it truly means to be a “Native American”.

With Bing Liu

Three young men bond together to escape volatile families in their Rust Belt hometown. As they face adult responsibilities, unexpected revelations threaten their decade-long friendship.

With Kristen Bell • Drew Fellman • Donald Kushner • David Douglas • Steve Ransohoff

At Chengdu Panda Base in China, scientists are dedicated to protecting the species by breeding adult Giant Pandas in order to introduce cubs into the wild. This film follows one such researcher, whose passion leads her to initiate a new technique inspired by a black bear program in rural New Hampshire. What starts as a cross-culture collaboration becomes a life-changing journey for an American biologist who crosses an ocean to join her; a scientist from Inner Mongolia; and a very curious female cub named Qian Qian, born in captivity.

With Wendell Pierce • Quinn Costello • Chris Metzler • Jeff Springer

Hard headed Louisiana fisherman Thomas Gonzales doesn't know what will hit him next. After decades of hurricanes and oil spills he faces a new threat - hordes of monstrous 20 pound swamp rats. Known as “nutria”, these invasive South American rodents breed faster than the roving squads of hunters can control them. And with their orange teeth and voracious appetite they are eating up the coastal wetlands that protects Thomas and his town of Delacroix Island from hurricanes. But the people who have lived here for generations are not the type of folks who will give up without a fight. Thomas and a pack of lively bounty hunters are hellbent on saving Louisiana before it dissolves beneath their feet. It is man vs. rodent. May the best mammal win.