Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

Sponsored by Mary Strauss

Directed by Jon Sesrie-Goff

Beautifully layered and expressionistic, "After Sherman" is a story about inheritance and the…

Directed by Shaunak Sen

In the darkening backdrop of Delhi's apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote…

Directed by Jamie Boyle

Over a span of three decades, Jamie uses her camera to document life. When her loved ones succumb to…

Directed by Laura Morton & Vanessa Roth

Over the past three decades, the biggest public-health threats to teenagers in the United States…

Directed by Mercedes Kane

Art Johnston and Pepe Peña are the owners of the iconic bar Sidetrack Chicago, and they're also…

Directed by Holly Hardman

For more than 50 years, doctors have been prescribing benzodiazepines: Xanax, Valium, Klonopin,…

Directed by Diane Tsai

In small-town New Hampshire, a young boy's family opens their home to strangers in recovery while…

Directed by Kristy Guevara-Flanagan

An exploration of the female body in Hollywood — 

Directed by Julia Bacha

When a news publisher in Arkansas, an attorney in Arizona, and a speech therapist in Texas are told…

Directed by Bradford Thomason & Brett Whitcomb

For more than 25 years, the American television series "Reading Rainbow" set the standard for…

Directed by Colin Barnicle

Two of the most infamous bank robbers in American history, Carol Marie Williams and Johnny Madison…

Directed by Alastair Evans

Deep in the jungle of Central Vietnam lies the largest cave passage in the world 

Directed by Jordan Orsak

A feature documentary about people coming together for something bigger than themselves. On Nov. 16…

Directed by Chezik Tsunoda

After losing her son, a mother investigates the silent epidemic of childhood drowning and documents…

Directed by Aisha Sultan

Witness the devastating disruption of schooling through the eyes of an unforgettable family. Tyra…

Directed by Ryan White

Opportunity, the veteran interplanetary Mars Exploration Rover, was affectionately dubbed Oppy by…

Directed by Carlos Hagerman & Jorge Villalobos

Accessing the American Dream is still not possible for all, much less those who come from migrant…

Directed by Ron Holwerda

"I owe freedom my life." When Hong Kong's basic freedoms come under attack, media tycoon Jimmy Lai…

Directed by Cheryl Allison

Dumped and alone at a city park, Honk the goose spends his days dodging cars, begging for food, and…

Directed by Michael Ien Cohen

Icons of professional skateboarding, activism, and education

Directed by Clara Kuperberg & Julia Kuperberg

In the 1950s and 1960s, Ida Lupino was the only woman in Hollywood with a serious career as a…

Directed by Denny Tedesco

A group of close friends — 

Directed by Wojciech Lorenc

This film follows two acclaimed musicians determined to use their talents to advocate for social…

Directed by Nick Wong

Discover the life and work of human-rights activist Jack Healey and the activists who taught him…

Directed by Kevin Shaw

When a thriving, top-ranked Chicago African-American elementary school is threatened to be closed…

Directed by Niek Theelen

A documentary about adaptive sports for people with disabilities in Alberta, Canada. Whether people…

Directed by Rebecca Halpern

In the 2000s, chef Charlie Trotter was the toast of Chicago, his eponymous restaurant one of the…

Directed by Geeta Gandbhir & Sam Pollard

Through first-person accounts and searing archival footage, this film tells the story of a local…

Directed by Pratibha Parmar

This docudrama hybrid is based on the life of writer Andrea Dworkin, who called out sexism 

Directed by Alan HIcks

From Grammy Award-winning director Alan Hicks and Academy Award-winning producer Paula DuPré Pesmen…

Directed by Daniele Greco & Mauro Maugeri

Four popular Sicilian feasts illustrate ancient traditions and spectacular rites, often not well…

Directed by Joseph Puleo

This informative documentary tells the story of the Bosnian refugees who fled to St. Louis in the…

Directed by Seth Ferranti

This call-to-action documentary tells the inspiring story of the Rev. Kenneth McKoy, known to St.…

Directed by Ross Kauffman

This feature-length documentary follows oncologist Dr. Carl June as he takes on the impossible:…

Directed by Samuel Guillaume & Frédéric Guillaume

Women and men board a mysterious train that takes them to a suspended bridge between heaven and…

Directed by Emil Benjamin & Brandon Jackson

In the wake of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, Indigenous people across the nation are using…

Directed by Ron Davis

Para dressage is the highest expression of horse training for athletes with a physical disability. "…

Directed by Dana Christian

Filmed in 2020 and 2021, during the height of the pandemic, this documentary features riveting…

Directed by Brett A. Schwartz

Chicago's West Side epitomizes the violent, struggling city seen daily in the media. "Raised Up West…

Directed by Crystal Whaley

This film reveals the history and struggle of contemporary Black women photographers, showcasing and…

Directed by Christopher Harris

Shot in 16mm black and white, "still here" is a study of the vast landscape of ruins and vacant lots…

Directed by Nathan M. Emerson & Kelsey Hammer-Parks

This film explores the uncertain future of the steel guitar, an instrument primarily played by older…

Directed by Saeed Gholipour

A powerful film that spotlights the complex lives of trans people in Iran. Both Shervin and Saman…

Directed by Katrina Miller & Beret E. Strong

"The happiest place in America is Boulder, Colo.," said no Black person ever. "This is [Not] Who We…

Directed by Rachel Lears

Stopping the climate crisis is a question of political courage, and the clock is ticking. Over three…

Directed by Juliana Curi

Uýra, a trans Indigenous artist, travels through the Amazon forest on a journey of self-discovery,…

Directed by Ashley Avis

An immersive journey into the world of wild horses, "Wild Beauty" illuminates both the profound…

Directed by Trevor Frost & Melissa Lesh

Back from war in Afghanistan, a young British soldier, struggling with depression and PTSD, finds a…

Directed by Laura Bermudez & Nicole Bernardi-Reis

During her 70 years as a nun, Sister Maria Rosa Leggol helped more than 87,000 Honduran children…

Directed by Alex Winter

From director Alex WInter