Boston’s all-documentary film festival returns in-person October 22-26 and online October 26-November 2.
Media Contacts:
Alex DeLuca / [email protected] / 603-557-7742
Bryan Barbieri / /[email protected] / 508-340-1576
BOSTON, September 22, 2025 — The GlobeDocs Film Festival, Boston’s all-documentary festival, has officially announced the lineup for its 11th year which will take place in-person October 22-26 and virtually from October 26 through November 2, 2025, marking an expansion to twelve days. Produced by The Boston Globe and presented by Cross Insurance, the festival will feature 30 films from award-winning filmmakers and conversations with Globe journalists as well as guests from around the world.
The lineup includes 15 feature-length and 15 short documentary films curated by Lisa Viola, Director of Programming for GlobeDocs, highlighting a wide range of current topics including investigative journalism and photojournalism, the environment, sports, LGBTQ+ and women’s issues, scientific innovations, healthcare, addiction and mental health, history, politics, the arts, BIPOC voices, and social justice. In-person screenings will take place at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Boston Seaport. Virtual screenings are presented via the Eventive platform and are accessible to viewers anywhere in the US.
The festival will open with A LIFE ILLUMINATED, by award-winning director Tasha van Zandt, on Wednesday, October 22 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. The film follows renowned marine biologist Dr. Edith Widder (a greater Boston native and Tufts University grad) as she embarks on an extraordinary journey into the magical world of deep sea bioluminescence, and will feature a Q&A with director Tasha van Zandt and Dr. Edith Widder.
This year’s Centerpiece film is THE STRINGER, directed by Bao Nguyen, which documents a two-year investigation to uncover the truth behind the attribution of one of the most-recognized photographs of the 20th century, and will screen on Saturday, October 25 at The Brattle Theatre. Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it was dubbed one of the “most reviewed films in the festival’s history,” the film has continued to generate news headlines as well as an official statement from the Associated Press in response to evidence the documentary uncovered. Attendees will have the opportunity to screen THE STRINGER prior to its Netflix premiere later this fall.
Closing the festival will be the New England Premiere of ASK E. JEAN, directed by Ivy Meeropol, on Sunday, October 26 at The Brattle Theatre followed by a Q&A with director Ivy Meeropol. ASK E. JEAN tells the thrilling and adventurous life of beloved advice columnist and gonzo journalist E. Jean Carroll, the only woman to beat President Donald Trump in court. Twice.
Additionally, this year GlobeDocs will feature two World Premieres of films produced locally: CATHEDRALS, created by Don Wright & Dan Algrant and directed by Algrant, and CROFT, directed by Brandon Millett and Jonathon Link.
CATHEDRALS follows filmmaker Dan Algrant as he reconnects with two Black filmmaking collaborators from Boston, exploring the power of human connection and creative bonds, becoming a revealing portrait of their continuing struggle and what it means to be Black in today’s America. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Dan Algrant and Don Wright.
CROFT tells the story of Reading’s beloved Harold “Hal” Croft, a teacher and war hero who achieved astonishing success as Reading High School’s record-breaking Boys’ Track and Field Coach. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Brandon Millett and Hal Croft.
GlobeDocs will continue to celebrate new local talent through its Emerging Filmmaker contest, where filmmakers ages 18-25 were encouraged to submit a short original documentary to be considered for inclusion in this year’s festival. This year’s winner, GEORGE’S YARD SALE, directed by Tufts University student Ray Feinleib, will screen as part of the Local Shorts program at The Brattle Theatre on Sunday, October 26.
All screenings will be followed by in-person or virtual discussions with filmmakers, moderated by accomplished Boston Globe journalists. Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to vote for the annual Audience Award which is awarded to one feature film and one short film, and includes a cash prize.
“We love that GlobeDocs brings the best documentary filmmakers to thoughtful Boston audiences,” said Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media. “As we celebrate year 11 of this impactful and well-regarded festival, we continue to witness the power of documentary filmmaking in sparking meaningful conversations and opening up new perspectives.”
“GlobeDocs is thrilled to present a lineup of 30 new, groundbreaking documentaries, spanning a diverse range of topics and styles, unfolding over five days across Boston,” said Lisa Viola, Director of Programming. “We are delighted to welcome both seasoned and emerging filmmakers from across the country to join us alongside local filmmaking legends. Together, we will engage in meaningful conversations with award-winning Globe journalists and invite the film-loving community to participate in celebrating this invaluable medium both in-person and online.”
Festival tickets and all-access passes can be purchased online at Globe.com/filmfest.
The lineup for the 2025 GlobeDocs Film Festival is listed below:
OPENING NIGHT FILM
A LIFE ILLUMINATED (Massachusetts Premiere)
2025, US, 89 minutes
Directed by Tasha van Zandt
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
ASK E. JEAN (New England Premiere)
2025, US, 91 minutes
Directed by Ivy Meeropol
Centerpiece Film
THE STRINGER
2025, US, 100 minutes
Directed by Bao Nguyen
ANDRÉ IS AN IDIOT
2025, US, 88 minutes
Directed by Tony Benna
THE BEND IN THE RIVER (New England Premiere)
2025, US, 82 minutes
Directed by Robb Moss
CATHEDRALS (World Premiere)
2025, US, 87 minutes
Created by Don Wright & Dan Algrant, Directed by Dan Algrant
THE CHAPLAIN & THE DOCTOR
2025, US, 85 minutes
Directed by Jessica Zitter
COVER-UP
2025, US, 117 minutes
Directed by Laura Poitras, Mark Obenhaus
CORONER TO THE STARS
2025, US, 83 minutes
Directed by Ben Hethcoat, Keita Ideno
CROFT (World Premiere)
2025, US, 93 minutes
Directed by Brandon Millett, Jonathon Link
THE LIBRARIANS
2025, US, 92 minutes
Directed by Kim A. Snyder
LOVE+WAR (Massachusetts Premiere)
2025, US/UK, 96 minutes
Directed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin
SHUFFLE
2025, US, 82 minutes
Directed by Benjamin Flaherty
THE TALLEST DWARF
2025, US, 92 minutes
Directed by Julie Forrest Wyman
THIS IS NOT A DRILL (New England Premiere)
2025, US, 80 minutes
Directed by Oren Jacoby
LOCAL SHORTS PROGRAM (In Person)
BUZZ
2025, US, 5 minutes
Directed by Nina Ruggero
GEORGE’S YARD SALE / Emerging Filmmaker Contest Winner
2025, US, 9 minutes
Directed by Ray Feinleib
KEYTAR BEAR
2025, US, 12 minutes
Directed by Kely Maloney
MASSISSIPPI
2025, US, 21 minutes
Directed by Mac Hudson
THE POMTASTICS
2025, US, 14 minutes
Directed by Anna Carroll
YOUR OPINION, PLEASE
2025, US, 14 minutes
Directed by Marshall Granger
VIRTUAL SHORTS PROGRAM 1: New Films by GlobeDocs Alumni
BODY OF NOISE
2025, US, 8 minutes
Directed by Al Crockett
DUKAKIS: RECIPE FOR DEMOCRACY
2024, US, 28 minutes
Directed by Erin Trahan, Jeff Schmidt
I WANTED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
2025, US, 12 minutes
Directed by James Pellerito
THE RETURN
2025, US, 22 minutes
Directed by Jeremy S. Levine
VIRTUAL SHORTS PROGRAM 2: Adaptations & Appreciations
FORWARD IS A PACE
2025, US, 18 minutes
Directed by Robin Oroso
RICHARD NEUTRA’S MASLON HOUSE
2025, US, 29 minutes
Directed by Scott Goldstein, Dave Yakir
SIGNS FROM THE MAINLAND
2025, US, 18 minutes
Directed by Michael Cestaro
SIMPLE MACHINE
2025, US, 23 minutes
Directed by Sara Hendren
THE WILD GIRL OF BRUSHVALLEY TOWNSHIP
2025, US, 30 minutes
Directed by Heather Cassano
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