Variety is proud to announce the return of Doc Dreams NYC Live, its marquee event dedicated to honoring the art of documentary filmmaking, on November 10 in New York City. Following a successful debut in 2024, Doc Dreams will once again bring together acclaimed filmmakers, storytellers, and thought leaders for a day of conversations celebrating the power of nonfiction cinema.
Doc Dreams shines a spotlight on the people and projects shaping culture through real stories. Last year’s inaugural program welcomed a distinguished group of participants whose work represented some of the most powerful documentaries in recent memory. Featured voices included Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo,” “The Rescue”), Sara Dosa (“Fire of Love”), Rory Kennedy (“The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari”), Alex Gibney (“The Vow”), Lisa Cortés (“Little Richard: I Am Everything”), and James Adolphus “(Being Mary Tyler Moore”), among many others. Their discussions offered audiences an inside look at the creative process, challenges, and cultural significance behind their acclaimed films.
This year’s 2025 edition of Doc Dreams will continue that tradition, convening some of the industry’s most exciting documentary voices. The full program of speakers and panels will be announced in the coming weeks, but attendees can expect a dynamic day that celebrates creativity, truth-telling, and the impact of nonfiction storytelling in today’s media landscape. This article will be updated with programming in the coming weeks.