Big Apple stories in Metropolis

There are 8 million stories in the naked city; this competition showcases seven of them. The appeal of these films, however, radiates far beyond their setting of New York City. The subjects include silent era film pioneers in Blazing the Trail: The O’Kalems in Ireland; a mysterious resident of the Chelsea Hotel in Girl With Black Balloons; the Sugarhill Gang of hip-hop fame in I Want My Name Back; anti-advertising activists in This Space Available; and a notorious Wall Street crook in Unraveled. Also part of the Metropolis Competition are Lemon, playing as the Gala Centerpiece and First Position, playing in Kaleidoscope Family Docs.

The jury will honor one film that is exemplary not just for New Yorkers, but for audiences far and wide. We urge you to join the jury in watching all seven films to remind yourself what makes NYC such a transformative place.

JURY PRIZE: 35mm Film Recording and Digital Cinema Package (DCP). Provided by The Documentary Film Group at PostWorks New York, offering comprehensive post and laboratory services for non-fiction filmmakers including data workflows, edit systems, multi-format conform, color grading, 35mm prints and digital cinema.

2010 Winner: To Be Heard, directed by Roland Legiardi-Laura, Edwin Martinez, Deborah Shaffer, Amy Sultan.