Lighthouse International Film Festival Highlights Award-Winning Documentaries and World Premiere of ‘These Colors Never Fade’
Lighthouse International Film Festival Unveils Documentary Lineup for 18th Edition
The Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) has officially announced its documentary lineup for the 18th edition, featuring a collection of highly anticipated nonfiction films. The festival will be held from June 10 to 14 on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Among the featured documentaries is My NDA, directed by Juliane Dressner and Miriam Shor, which made its debut at SXSW. This film examines the challenges faced by individuals bound by non-disclosure agreements. According to the filmmakers, "three individuals risk everything by breaking their silence to expose how NDAs have been weaponized to conceal rape, racial discrimination, corporate crimes, and other unlawful activity – reclaiming their voices from the institutions that tried to bury them."
In the Documentary Competition, Public Access, directed by David Shadrack Smith, will also screen following its premiere at Sundance. The film chronicles New York City’s public access television as a platform for marginalized voices, stating, "Before the internet and social media, Public Access television gave ordinary people something radical: their own channel."
Another compelling entry, Seized, directed by Sharon Liese, joins the competition lineup. The documentary takes a closer look at a police raid on the Marion County Record, a small-town newspaper in Kansas. "The film unfolds in real time through police body-cam and surveillance footage, revealing the raid’s chaos, the bombshells that followed, and the devastating personal toll on the newsroom," notes the description.
The Special Screenings section will feature two world premieres, including Our Colors Never Fade, directed by Jim McSherry. The film follows LGBTQIA+ civilians who leave their everyday lives to defend Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, providing an intimate portrayal of their experiences.
Allan Holzman’s Celluloid W-W-Wars will also premiere in this section, offering a personal narrative that explores his journey as a director with a stutter. His career path took unexpected turns, leading to an exploration of communication through film.
Additionally, Rachel Mason will present My Brother’s Killer in the festival’s Spotlight section. This documentary ignited a long-buried investigation into the murder of Bill Newton, shedding light on a significant chapter in LGBTQ+ history.
LIFF continues to emphasize the importance of showcasing independent films and fostering meaningful connections between filmmakers and audiences. Actors Jason Alexander and Tony Shalhoub will attend as special guests, featuring a special revival screening of the classic comedy Big Night.
As the festival approaches, it promises a diverse array of documentaries that blend urgent themes with the resilience of storytelling. The complete list of documentaries announced includes titles like The Art of Adventure, The Ascent, Blood and Guts, and Ice Grave, highlighting unique human experiences and significant social issues.
For a full overview of the documentary lineup and their screenings, audiences eagerly await the festival’s opening day.
