As we are all too well aware, truth is far stranger than fiction. So this month, go all in and immerse yourself in the non-fiction world with Boston’s only all-documentary film festival. The 11th annual GlobeDocs Film Festival will take over screens across the city from October 22–26, with a virtual component running October 26–November 2. The lineup includes 15 features and 15 shorts covering topics that range from climate change and social justice to sports, science and the arts.
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Produced by The Boston Globe, the fest remains a standout on the local calendar for its mix of national buzz and New England flavor. Many of this year’s titles have already been making waves on the festival circuit, while others will make their world premieres right here in Boston. Screenings will take place at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the Seaport.
Opening night kicks off with A Life Illuminated, directed by Tasha Van Zandt. The documentary follows Dr. Edith Widder, a Tufts alum and one of the world’s foremost oceanographers, as she dives into the mysteries of deep-sea bioluminescence. Her groundbreaking work, including capturing the first-ever footage of the giant squid, ties closely to Massachusetts’ legacy of marine research and innovation. Both Widder and Van Zandt will attend the premiere for a post-screening Q&A.
Two films making their world premieres bring distinctly personal stories to Boston. With Cathedrals, filmmaker Dan Algrant revisits his collaboration with two Black artists 50 years later, offering an intimate look at friendship, creativity and the passage of time. Croft, executive produced by Gary Sinise, centers on Hal Croft, a decorated Marine and record-breaking track coach grappling with aging, trauma and purpose.
Closing night will feature Ask E. Jean, a portrait of journalist and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. Directed by Ivy Meeropol, the film captures Carroll’s evolution from media trailblazer to outspoken advocate for accountability and truth.
Also screening is The Librarians, executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, about the fight against book bans and the librarians standing up for intellectual freedom. It’s a timely story for Massachusetts, which ranked fourth nationwide for book removal attempts in 2022.
Individual tickets start at $15, and full-access passes are $150. Virtual access runs through November 2, letting film lovers everywhere join in on Boston’s most thoughtful weekend of cinema. For a full lineup and more information, click here.