New York City's documentary film festival returns November 11–29 with more than 200 films, filmmaker conversations and screenings exploring music, culture, identity and contemporary life. Teens Media Network previews four documentaries from this year's program.
NEW YORK CITY | TMN Editorial
The 17th edition of DOC NYC returns to New York City this November, bringing together filmmakers, audiences and industry professionals for one of the largest celebrations of documentary cinema in the United States.
Running from November 11 to 29, 2026, the festival will present more than 200 films alongside dozens of special events, discussions and filmmaker Q&As. In-person screenings will take place November 11–19 at venues including IFC Center, SVA Theatre and Village East by Angelika, while the online program will remain available through November 29.
This year's selection spans international stories, cultural movements, social issues, music and the arts. The festival also includes DOC NYC PRO, a conference program dedicated to documentary filmmaking and the industry behind it.
For Teens Media Network, four films stand out for their perspectives on music, creativity, cultural memory and the changing media landscape. From the personal recordings of a young musician to the history of one of the internet's earliest social networks, these documentaries offer different ways of examining how culture is created, experienced and remembered.
You can also explore our coverage from last year's festival, including filmmaker interviews and film reviews, here.
MYSPACE
Director: Tommy Avallone | 95 min | American Stories
Myspace. Still photo.
Before Instagram, TikTok and today's creator economy, MySpace introduced millions of people to a new way of presenting themselves, discovering music and building communities online.
Directed by Tommy Avallone, MySpace revisits the rise and decline of the social networking platform that helped define internet culture during the 2000s.
The documentary examines how MySpace transformed online communication, launched entertainment careers and influenced everything from music discovery to political campaigning.
For an entire generation of musicians and independent creators, the platform offered an early opportunity to reach audiences without relying exclusively on traditional media channels.
Beyond its nostalgic appeal, the film provides a historical perspective on the digital platforms that now shape cultural production, creative careers and the relationship between artists and their audiences.
Screenings: November 12 | Village East by Angelika; November 13 | IFC Center
BEL
Director: Louise Lockwood | 92 min | Sonic Cinema
Bell. Still photo.
Directed by Louise Lockwood, BEL tells the story of Kenyan-Scottish singer-songwriter Beldina Odenyo, whose death by suicide left behind an unfinished musical project and a deeply personal archive of recordings, performances and video diaries.
When Bel's sister Leah sets out to complete the album, the process becomes an exploration of the artist's life, her experiences with racism and isolation and the emotional struggles that accompanied her creative journey.
The documentary examines the relationship between artistic expression, identity and mental health, while considering how music can preserve someone's voice beyond their lifetime.
Screenings: November 15 and 17 | Village East by Angelika
THE LAST CRITIC
Director: Matty Wishnow | 83 min | Portraits
The Last Critic. Still photo.
What makes music criticism valuable in an era of streaming platforms, algorithms and instant reactions?
Director Matty Wishnow explores that question through the career of Robert Christgau, one of America's most influential music critics, whose writing has documented and challenged popular music for decades.
Known for his sharp opinions and distinctive reviewing style, Christgau helped establish music criticism as a cultural conversation in its own right. The film revisits his celebrated and controversial reviews while exploring the personality behind the writing.
At a time when music journalism continues to evolve, The Last Critic offers an opportunity to reconsider the role of critics, editorial independence and the importance of developing a personal perspective on music.
Screenings: November 16 and 17 | Village East by Angelika
SUMMER 2000: THE X-CETRA STORY
Director: Ayden Mayeri | 96 min | Sonic Cinema
Summer 2000: The X-Cetera Story. Still photo
Long before social media became a platform for aspiring musicians, four childhood friends in California were making music, recording videos and imagining their future as pop stars.
Directed by Ayden Mayeri, Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story follows the unexpected rediscovery of an album the friends recorded during their preteen years. When the music resurfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the women, now in their thirties, reunited to revisit the project and the friendships behind it.
Using childhood diaries, VHS recordings and personal archives, the documentary explores the freedom of making art at a young age, before professional expectations and adult responsibilities begin to shape creative decisions.
The film raises an interesting question: what happens to our earliest creative ambitions as we grow older, and what can we learn from revisiting them?
Screenings: November 15 | Village East by Angelika; November 19 | IFC Center
DOCUMENTARY CINEMA AND CULTURAL STORYTELLING
Although these four documentaries explore different subjects, they share an interest in how creative work becomes part of our cultural history.
BEL examines music as a personal legacy. The Last Critic considers the influence of journalism on how we understand artists. Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story revisits the creative possibilities of childhood, while MySpace documents a technological shift that changed the relationship between artists and audiences.
Teens Media Network will be attending DOC NYC 2026 to explore these four films and share more from this year's festival.
The full festival program, screening schedules and tickets are available at docnyc.net.
