Raw, truthful, uncensored _{by Isabella Smith}

“We are all held captive by algorithms, fed a diet of what the metaverse thinks we want to see”, Doc Edge ambassador Judy Bailey says. “That’s why this festival is so important to me. It breaks through the social media dross and offers raw, truthful, uncensored takes on an extraordinarily broad range of topics.”

Doc Edge Festival is returning to Pōneke under the tagline F#&k the Algorithm from the 15^th to the 26^th of July, bringing an enormous programme bursting with compelling, powerful stories that capture a diversity of ideas, cultures, and human experiences. The festival celebrates both local and international filmmakers, displaying 49 feature films and 26 shorts – 28 of which are world premieres. Four winners at the Doc Edge Awards will be eligible for 2027 Oscar® consideration.

Documentary is a vast format. Historical, political, journalistic, therapeutic, poetic, it uncovers truths, challenges audiences, and serves as an important record of voices that would otherwise remain unheard. This year’s programme features 10 categories that deal with topics ranging from dance to war, music to religion, mental health to conservation, corruption to artificial intelligence.

In the Crime & Conspiracy category, Laurits Nansen’s Cambodian Beer Dreams explores the impact on local communities of major international breweries battling it out to dominate the rapidly growing beer market. In the Fearless Wahine category, Raha Shirazi’s A War on Women weaves interviews, archival material, and rare footage taken from inside Iran to reveal 40 years of feminist resistance shaped by prison, exile, and courage across generations and borders.

The category Tūrangawaewae Where We Stand roots audiences in the land, rivers, and oceans that sustain us. Ranginui: Call of the Ice (Julia Sartorio) follows Māori astronomer Rangi Matamua and language expert Mataia Keepa after unexpected snowstorms force them to remain in Antarctica longer than they planned. What ensues is a real-time meeting of science and mātauranga Māori on a landscape of shifting ice, auroras, and storms.

Being Oneself features films that celebrate the courage, humour, and heart required to be yourself. American Doctor (Poh Si Teng) follows three physicians – Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian – turned unlikely friends, united by their oath to save lives in Gaza. Kings of Venice (S.D. Saltarelli, Sveinn Ingimundarson) looks at the motley paddle tennis community of Venice Beach as they struggle against the arrival of pickleball players who are overtaking their beloved courts.

Several screenings feature live Q&A sessions with filmmakers, giving audiences a chance to dive deeper into the stories. If you can’t make it to the cinema, there are virtual cinema passes available. Head online to www.docedge.nz to peruse the programme and immerse yourself in the extraordinary works on offer.