DOC NYC 2025
FILM FESTIVAL
TMN at DOC NYC 2025: Stories That Shape How We See the World
The art of nonfiction cinema returns to New York this fall with DOC NYC 2025, the largest documentary festival in the United States. Running November 13 to 30, the event unfolds across SVA Theatre, IFC Center, and Village East by Angelika, presenting an expansive lineup of films that reflect the urgency, creativity, and diversity of contemporary storytelling.
NEW YORK CITY. Written by Pablo Herrera
From vérité portraits and political chronicles to experimental essays, this year’s selections capture a world in constant transformation — one defined by resilience, reinvention, and the human search for meaning. More than a festival, DOC NYC has become a mirror of how we understand truth itself, inviting audiences to witness stories that move far beyond the screen.
Here are three reasons it matters:
Opening Night: Whistle
The festival opens with Whistle, directed by Christopher Neliusa, this documentary finds poetry in the unexpected — the world of competitive musical whistling. What begins as a portrait of an eccentric art form evolves into a meditation on self-expression, community, and the universal desire to be heard. It’s a reminder that even the smallest gestures can carry extraordinary resonance.
The opening day will also host the North American premiere of No Mercy, a film interrogating power, violence, and representation by German filmmaker Isa Willinger. We spoke with Isa for our TMN Talks podcast, where she reflected on how women and non-binary directors often approach cinema “from honesty rather than distance.” The conversation opened into questions of gaze, experience, and what it means to look — You can watch our conversation here:
TMN Talks in conversation with Isa Willinger about the premiere of her documentary “No Mercy.” Photo by Andreas Müller.
This year’s centerpiece selections offer two contrasting reflections on culture and creativity. The Merchants of Joy, directed by Celia Aniskovich (Burn It Down!, Call Me Miss Cleo), celebrates the pursuit of happiness as a radical act — profiling artists and dreamers who transform daily life through imagination. Steal This Story, Please! directed by Carl Deal and Tia Lessinturns lens toward authorship and appropriation, asking difficult questions about originality in an age of endless remix. Together, they form a dialogue about ownership, influence, and the creative spirit.
Closing Night: Ask E. Jean
DOC NYC concludes with Ask E. Jean, an intimate and incisive portrait directed by Ivy Meeropol of journalist and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. The film traces her legal battle and its broader cultural implications, revealing a story about courage, identity, and the evolving role of women’s voices in public discourse.
Why DOC NYC Matters
In an era saturated with content, DOC NYC continues to stand apart — not just for its scale, but for its commitment to substance. It remains a vital space for filmmakers who approach reality with imagination, empathy, and purpose.
For TMN®, the festival represents more than an opportunity for coverage. It reflects our mission to champion the next generation of storytellers — young creators who see documentary film not only as a medium for truth, but as a catalyst for change.
As DOC NYC 2025 unfolds, TMN® will be spotlighting the voices, films, and ideas that define this year’s edition — stories that challenge perception, ignite dialogue, and remind us why nonfiction filmmaking continues to matter.
Explore the full program of DOC NYC 2025 and get your tickets on the festival website.
Read more blog posts about DOC NYC 2025 👉🏽 here.
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