Catch Inspiring Films About Billie Jean King, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sara Bareilles, and More at the June Festival
DC/DOX Festival Announces Signature Screenings for Fourth Edition
The DC/DOX Festival has unveiled its Signature Screenings lineup for the upcoming fourth edition of the film festival, which will take place from June 11 to 14 in Washington, D.C. This year’s program features a diverse selection of compelling documentaries, highlighting both cultural icons and pivotal moments in history.
The festival will open with Give Me the Ball!, a documentary that explores the life of tennis champion and cultural pioneer Billie Jean King. Directed by Oscar nominee Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff, the film includes interviews with King, her wife Ilana Kloss, and tennis legends Chris Evert and Rosie Casals, along with pop icon Elton John.
On June 13, the festival will conclude with Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial Vs That’s the Weight of the World), directed by Oscar winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. This documentary will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival earlier in June. Questlove is known for his Academy Award-winning work on the 2021 documentary Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).
In addition, the festival’s Centerpiece Screening on June 12 will feature Sara Bareilles: Good Grief, directed by Josh Alexander. The film follows Bareilles as she returns to the recording studio after seven years, offering a raw and personal look at her creative process amid recent losses.
The DC/DOX Spotlight Screening on June 14 will showcase The Lorraine, which tells the story of the motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Directed by Sam Pollard, the documentary also highlights the remarkable lives of its owners, Walter and Loree Bailey.
DC/DOX co-founder and festival director Sky Sitney emphasized the festival’s mission, stating, “With our fourth year, DC/DOX continues to bring our audiences together with films that are not only beautifully made, but have something important to say. These four films perfectly capture the ways documentary films can introduce us to new stories, give us a different perspective on ones we think we know, and inspire us to continue fighting for the kind of world we want to live in.”
Jamie Shor, co-founder of the festival, added, “DC/DOX remains committed to bringing together filmmakers, journalists, thought leaders, and film lovers of all kinds in the nation’s capital to celebrate these stories. In this Signature Slate, we are blown away by stories of courage: both in the personal and the public.”
DC/DOX was founded in 2022, aiming to unite innovative visions and bold voices in documentary filmmaking. Last year’s festival featured Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which recently won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, alongside several other notable films.
DC/DOX 2026 Signature Screenings
Opening Night Screening: Thursday, June 11
Give Me the Ball!
Directors: Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff
This documentary offers an intimate portrait of tennis legend Billie Jean King, revealing the personal toll behind her groundbreaking achievements.
Centerpiece Screening: Friday, June 12
Sara Bareilles: Good Grief
Director: Josh Alexander
A raw, cinematic portrait of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles as she navigates her creative process following personal loss.
Closing Night Screening: Saturday, June 13
Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial Vs That’s the Weight of the World)
Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
A captivating exploration of the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire, showcasing their influence and legacy in music.
Spotlight Screening: Sunday, June 14
The Lorraine
Director: Sam Pollard
This documentary recounts the inspiring story of the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. King’s assassination, and the remarkable lives of its owners.
