Six Finalists Selected by the Library of Congress Lavine / Ken Burns Doc Prize – Deadline

Six documentary films are on sale for the third year Library of Congress Ravine / Ken Burns Award For the most award-winning films in non-fiction filmmaking.

Better Angels Society, “A non-profit organization dedicated to exploring American history through documentary films,” announced six finalists on Tuesday. [full list below].. The award-winning filmmaker will receive a $ 200,000 grant “to complete the film in production and support outreach and marketing,” announced at a virtual ceremony on October 26th. For each organization, the runner-up will receive a $ 50,000 grant, and up to four finalists will each receive a $ 25,000 grant.

“Despite the large array of professional American history documentary films that influenced the arts and entertainment industry submitted for this year’s review, the late wide array,” the Better Angels Association said in a statement. I mentioned in. “An internal committee of Florentine Films filmmakers [Ken Burns’ company] National Audiovisual Conservation Center, Library Professional Staff [of Congress]The state-of-the-art video and recorded audio storage feature has reviewed the submission. “

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National judges, including filmmaker Sam PolardMLK / FBI) And Dawn Porter (John Lewis: Good trouble) We selected 6 finalists from the submissions. Parliamentary librarians Carla Hayden and Burns choose the winner. According to The Better Angels Society, the Grand Prize, runner-up, and finalist grants will be awarded to “A feature-length US historic documentary in the Ken Burns tradition.”

A press release announcing the finalists details the selection criteria: “Established in 2019, this annual award is a unique study to tell the story of that touch to the historic aspects of its documentary America. And recognizes filmmakers using fascinating stories. “

These are the six finalists.

BONNIE BLUE: James Cotton’s life in blues, Directed by Bester Clam

The story of the music of James Cotton, a harmonica powerhouse, that shaped blues and rock. Isolated at 9 and Cotton Life Tracks American History-From Mississippi Delta’s Post-Depression Cotton Field to the Live Music Scene in Austin, Texas, Teaching Chicago’s Artistic Reform with the Original Delta Bluesman To be done.

Double exposure (Tentative title), directed by Phil Bertelsen

Ernest Withers cameras captured the joys and sorrows of African-American life and spread the news of civil rights. His photo was also included in the FBI file provided by informant ME-338-R: ErnestWithers. Double exposure (tentative title) unravels the mysteries and motivations of Wizards and raises questions about loyalty, power, and patriotism in very difficult times.

My bridge exposure, Directed by Mark Schaefer

My bridge exposure This is the first featured documentary to tell the melodramatic story of 19th century photographer Edweard Muybridge. Muybridge was the first photographer to photograph something that moves faster than the human eye can see, Leland Stanford’s sprinting horse, and is an important step towards the development of the film.

5 requests, Directed by Gretaschiller

In 1969, black and Puerto Rican students closed the gates of City University of New York with five demands to increase diversity and access to education. Inspired by the revolutionary enthusiasm that swept the country, their protests turned into a two-week historic acquisition that changed the face of higher education.

Free Chor Sue Lee, Directors Julieha and Eugene Yi

After Korean immigrants were mistakenly convicted of the 1973 San Francisco Chinatown gang murder, Asian Americans united more than ever to release Chol Soo Lee. The former Street Hustler will be a symbol of breakthrough movement. But once outside, he self-destructs, threatening the legacy of the movement and himself.

Suddenly and gradually: Detroit bankruptcy, Sam Katz and James McGovern

Welcomed as the spirit of American manufacturing, music and democracy, Detroit kicked an insolvent plunge financial can in 2013, culminating in the bankruptcy of one of the largest municipalities in US history. Gradually and suddenly A fascinating story of a journey through this great American city from disaster to possibility.

documentary Refrain from your criticismDirector Stefan Forbes won the award last year. The first prize of 2019 went to Flannery, A documentary about the writer Flannery O’Connor, directed by Elizabeth Kofman and Mark Bosco.

The award is funded by philanthropists Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine through the Crimson Lion / Lavine Family Foundation and the non-profit organization The Better Angels Society.