The third edition of DC/DOX, a documentary film festival, wrapped up successfully despite coinciding with President Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C. The parade, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, attracted limited crowds and had a negligible impact on the festival’s turnout. Festival co-founders expressed satisfaction with the community’s support for the event. “I think our community has come out in droves even against some challenges or anticipated challenges that didn’t necessarily come to fruition,” said the festival director.
The festival concluded with a screening of “Bodyguard of Lies,” directed by two-time Oscar nominee Dan Krauss, which critically examines U.S. officials’ actions during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. DC/DOX does not hand out awards, instead focusing on creating an egalitarian environment for filmmakers. The festival draws many prominent filmmakers and attendees, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who attended the screening of “Speak,” a documentary about teenagers competing at the National Speech and Debate Association Championships.
DC/DOX continues to solidify Washington, D.C., as a significant destination for nonfiction film enthusiasts.
Highlights from DC/DOX festival
This year’s festival saw participation from notable filmmakers such as Emmy nominee Ryan White, Oscar nominee Rachel Grady, and two-time Oscar nominee Jay Rosenblatt.
Prominent figures in journalism and academia also played integral roles as moderators for panel discussions and post-screening Q&As. These included Patricia Aufderheide of American University, Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin, and former NBC Meet The Press host Chuck Todd. The festival has become crucial for films yet to secure distribution.
“I do think we are experiencing a return to the value of festivals, not just the top 10, but some of the regional festivals. I consider ourselves a heightened regional festival,” noted Sitney. With its emphasis on community engagement and support for filmmakers, the future of DC/DOX looks promising as it continues to grow and attract both regional and national attention.
