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NYC PREMIERE Groundbreaking trans soul singer Jackie Shane was on the cusp of stardom when she turned away from the music industry and the world. After her death, family members who never knew their pioneering aunt, piece together her remarkable life, uncovering her personal struggles, immense talent, and unmistakable voice. Through never before heard audio recordings and beautifully expressive animation, Jackie tells her own story, in her own words. - Brandon Harrison

The first and second screenings will be followed by a Q&A with directors Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee.

This film contains the following accessibility options for viewers:
Closed Captioning for in-person screenings at IFC Center and Village East by Angelika

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

Accessibility alert for NOV 19, 6:45PM screening:

Due to a recent equipment failure at Village East Cinemas, the room where this film screens is currently not accessible to patrons using wheelchairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. However the film is available to view at home as part of DOC NYC’s online festival. Please reach out to info@docnyc.net with any questions.

NYC PREMIERE As an awkward, bullied yet rebellious kid, Diane Warren found refuge in music and went on to become one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in America, as legendary for her eccentric personality as for her exceptional talent. A laundry list of America’s top singers, and Diane herself, recount the joys and pains of working with the gifted and prolific hitmaker in this intimate, music-rich portrait. - Karen McMullen

The first and second screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Bess Kargman, producer Peggy Drexler, producer Michele Farinola, and editor Dava Whisenant. 


All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

Accessibility alert for NOV 18, 6:30 PM screening:

Due to a recent equipment failure at Village East Cinemas, the room where this film screens is currently not accessible to patrons using wheelchairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. However the film is available to view at home as part of DOC NYC’s online festival. Please reach out to info@docnyc.net with any questions.

NYC PREMIERE This music-filled documentary follows The Black Keys, from their parents’ garages in Ohio to global fame. Geeky Pat and popular Dan develop a unique musical chemistry and style influenced by Mississippi blues, and embark on tour in a minivan. During their rise, they gain fans, wives, acclaim, and well-timed boosts from collaborators like Danger Mouse, RZA, and Beck. When rock-star status and the pressures of fame strain their creative partnership, the duo reckon with the hidden costs of success. - Karen McMullen

The first screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Jeff Dupre and music supervisor Carter Little.

This film contains the following accessibility options for viewers:
Closed Captioning for in-person screenings at IFC Center and Village East by Angelika

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

Accessibility alert for NOV 21, 9:30PM screening:

Due to a recent equipment failure at Village East Cinemas, the room where this film screens is currently not accessible to patrons using wheelchairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. However the film is available to view at home as part of DOC NYC’s online festival. Please reach out to info@docnyc.net with any questions.

NYC PREMIERE Mega-talented keyboardist and songwriter Billy Preston was often referred to as "the best musician in the room." Stylistically influenced by the Black church, Preston’s illustrious career includes collaborations with Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, the Beatles, and more. A private man who turned to drugs to dull the pain of personal trauma, his poignant story unfolds through insights from Billy Porter, Eric Clapton, and Ringo Starr, complemented by rare footage and an original score by Robert Glasper. - Karen McMullen

The first screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Paris Barclay, and producer Jeanne Elfant Festa.

This film contains the following accessibility options for viewers:
Closed Captioning for in-person screenings at IFC Center and Village East by Angelika
Closed Captioning for online screenings

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

Accessibility alert for NOV 18, 9:15PM screening:
Due to a recent equipment failure at Village East Cinemas, the room where this film screens is currently not accessible to patrons using wheelchairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. However the film is available to view at home as part of DOC NYC’s online festival. Please reach out to info@docnyc.net with any questions.

WORLD PREMIERE Janis Ian had one of the most remarkable debuts in modern music history. At the age of 13, she began performing her original songs at New York City gigs alongside future legends. From there, the precocious teenager turned fearless singer-songwriter built a career with many chapters–winning Grammys while navigating personal and professional highs and lows–in a remarkable trajectory now entering its fifth decade. Ian’s emotionally transporting songbook and turbulent life story make compelling echoes for the generation of American women who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s, discovering and voicing their power. – Jaie Laplante

The first screening will be followed by a Q&A with film subject Janis Ian, director, producer and writer Varda Bar-Kar, producer Alessandra Pasquino, executive producer and writer Pierre Hauser, cinematographer Matthew Wilder, and editor Ryan Larkin.

The second screening will be followed by a Q&A with Varda Bar-Kar and Pierre Hauser.

This film contains the following accessibility options for viewers:
Closed Captioning for online screenings

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

Accessibility alert for NOV 21, 7:00PM screening:

Due to a recent equipment failure at Village East Cinemas, the room where this film screens is currently not accessible to patrons using wheelchairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. However the film is available to view at home as part of DOC NYC’s online festival. Please reach out to info@docnyc.net with any questions.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE This rock doc traces Steppenwolf’s journey from their Little Richard- and blues-inspired beginnings in Toronto to their rise as hard-rock pioneers. Despite initial industry skepticism, the band evolved to become top performers with hits like "Born to be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride." The film explores their genesis and triumphs, and the personality clashes that led to their breakup. Featuring interviews with band members, their families, and icons like Alice Cooper, and Cameron Crowe, it’s a deep dive into the band’s fascinating story. - Karen McMullen

The first screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Oliver Schwehm, cinematographer Gabi Kislat, and film subjects John Kay, Nick St. Nicholas, Jutta Kay, and Shawn Kay.

This film contains the following accessibility options for viewers:
Closed Captioning for online screenings

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Disco’s Revenge traces the evolution of disco music from its roots in the 1970s New York underground gay club scene to its commercial peak with Studio 54 and Saturday Night Fever. Through interviews with influential DJs and musicians, the story explores the genre's rise, the eventual backlash, and its reinvention as house music. Featuring iconic dance clubs, electrifying performance clips, and a killer soundtrack, the film celebrates disco’s legacy of freedom, inclusivity, and a vibrant, multiethnic community united by music and dance. - Karen McMullen

The first screening will be followed by a Q&A with co-directors Omar Majeed and Pete Mishara, and film subject Nicky Siano.

This film contains the following accessibility options for viewers:
Closed Captioning for in-person screenings at IFC Center and Village East by Angelika

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

WORLD PREMIERE From his harsh childhood in the burnt-out Lower East Side, musician Harley Flanagan burst onto the punk music scene at age 11 as drummer for his aunt’s band, the Stimulators. The founder of the Cro-Mags tells his inconceivable story, with interviews with hard rockers and icons like Flea, Ice-T, Henry Rollins, Michael Imperioli, and surprising guests. Featuring gritty footage of NYC’s downtown 1970s and '80s music scene, this passionate film showcases Harley’s against-the-odds transformation from chaos to peace, driven by music, family, and personal growth. - Karen McMullen

The first screening will be followed by a Q&A with film subject Harley Flanagan, director Rex Miller, and producer Laura Lee Flanagan.


All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

WORLD PREMIERE This entertaining documentary traces the evolution of Yacht Rock, a genre that rocks, but not too hard. Starting with Steely Dan in 1976 Los Angeles, the film highlights the rise of key players like Toto, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Christopher Cross, their sophisticated musicianship, and their collaborations with rock and R&B artists. Filled with fascinating anecdotes, the film celebrates these universally appealing, sometimes mocked, yet well-loved songs, revealing their enduring cultural impact. - Karen McMullen

The first and second screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Garret Price.

All in-person screening venues provide sound amplification headphones upon request with venue management. IFC Center can also provide a T-Coil loop for compatible devices.

Accessibility alert for NOV 14, 1:15PM screening:
Due to a recent equipment failure at Village East Cinemas, the room where this film screens is currently not accessible to patrons using wheelchairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. However the film is available to view at home as part of DOC NYC’s online festival. Please reach out to info@docnyc.net with any questions.