This Is Not a Fiction 2024

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

The American Cinematheque proudly presents ‘This Is Not a Fiction,’ its inaugural documentary and non-fiction film festival from April 10th to 18th, 2024. Spanning nine days across three venues—Aero Theatre, Egyptian Theatre, and Los Feliz 3—the festival showcases 44 films and 11 short films, hosts over 21 filmmakers and subjects for Q&As, celebrates with a special anniversary panel, and unveils six premieres.

The inaugural festival includes a dynamic lineup of repertory classics, cutting-edge documentaries, television programs, experimental works, essay films, fiction and more. ‘This Is Not a Fiction’ goes beyond the limits of genre, with a lineup reflecting the boundless possibilities of non-fiction storytelling, and is a celebration of non-fiction as a form of filmmaking and its profound impact on our lives, from its influence in art and entertainment to its power in education, political advocacy and social discourse.

With a diverse slate exploring some of the most noteworthy and pioneering non-fiction works from across the world today, the festival opens at the Aero Theatre with the Los Angeles premiere of THANK YOU, GOODNIGHT: THE BON JOVI STORY (Hulu), a four-part, all access docuseries chronicling the epic past and uncertain future of one of the most recognizable bands in the world and its frontman Jon Bon Jovi. Following the screening, filmmaker Gotham Chopra and Jon Bon Jovi will participate in a Q&A.

Additional Los Angeles premieres include POWER (Netflix Original), a deep dive into the untold history of American policing that asks, “Who is more powerful: the people — or the police?” followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Yance Ford and a screening of STRONG ISLAND (Netflix Original), an emotional and unflinching look at filmmaker Yance Ford’s family’s devastation and lingering pain after the murder of their son and brother, William Ford, for the festival’s closing night; CATCHING FIRE: THE STORY OF ANITA PALLENBERG (Magnolia Pictures), an insightful exploration of the life of the Rock N’ Roll muse; a 4K restoration of LUMUMBA: DEATH OF A PROPHET (Janus Films), a compelling investigation by legendary filmmaker Raoul Peck into the tenure and tragic assassination of revolutionary Patrice Lumumba; and “Incident,” a gripping montage reconstructing a 2018 Chicago police shooting from a variety of sources, depicting the event and its aftermath. The festival will also feature the theatrical premiere of RYUICHI SAKAMOTO | OPUS (Janus Films) in Dolby Atmos, a poignant concert film curated by the renowned musician himself, featuring twenty pieces spanning his illustrious career, directed by Neo Sora. In addition to premieres, the festival will feature special presentations of GIRLS STATE (Apple TV+) + Q&A with filmmakers and producers Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, moderated by Amy Nicholson, a stirring coming-of-age tale that offers a fresh perspective on what it means to govern and STEVE! (MARTIN) A DOCUMENTARY IN 2 PIECES (Apple TV+) + Q&A with filmmaker Morgan Neville, a documentary on one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment.

To mark the inaugural year of ‘This Is Not a Fiction,’ the American Cinematheque will commemorate the 15th anniversary of ESPN’s highly acclaimed sports documentary series, 30 FOR 30, featuring a panel discussion with VP and executive producer, ESPN Films, Marsha Cooke, and filmmakers Barbara Kopple, Brett Morgen, and Jeff Tremaine, as well as others to be announced. Together, they’ll celebrate the award-winning series’ promising future while revisiting its first season, offering curated clips from films such as THE HOUSE OF STEINBRENNER, JUNE 17TH, 1994, THE BIRTH OF BIG AIR, and more.

‘This Is Not a Fiction’ will also pay tribute to filmmakers Barbara Kopple (HARLAN COUNTY, USA, AMERICAN DREAM), Brett Morgen (KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK), Bill Morrison (“Incident,” DECASIA, DAWSON CITY: FROZEN TIME) and Jeff Tremaine (JACKASS: THE MOVIE) as well as a retrospective honoring the work of Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor featuring LEVIATHAN, SWEETGRASS, DE HUMANI CORPORIS FABRICA, SOMNILOQUIES, FOREIGN PARTS and CANIBA. It will also celebrate the films of documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger, whose long and distinguished solo career began with Bruce Sinofsky; together they co-directed six films including BROTHER’S KEEPER and PARADISE LOST: THE CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HOOD HILLS.

The lineup will also host in-person conversations with filmmakers including Sandi Tan (“Gourmet Baby” and SHIRKERS), Cle Sloan (BASTARDS OF THE PARTY), Martha Coolidge (NOT A PRETTY PICTURE), James Benning (LANDSCAPE SUICIDE), Thom Andersen (LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF), Terry Zwigoff (CRUMB), Christopher Guest (WAITING FOR GUFFMAN) and Kirsten Johnson (CAMERAPERSON).

Finally, the festival will feature a virtual Q&A with veteran documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman paired with a screening of his groundbreaking debut, TITICUT FOLLIES, presented on 35mm. Other repertory screenings include Patricio Guzmán’s NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON, Chris Marker’s SANS SOLEIL, Harmony Korine’s TRASH HUMPERS, Abbas Fahdel’s HOMELAND: IRAQ YEAR ZERO, Albert and David Maysles’ GIMME SHELTER and SALESMAN, Jonas Mekas’ LOST, LOST, LOST, the short films of Jean Painlevé, Jeff Margolis’ RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE IN CONCERT, Alanis Obomsawin’s KANEHSATAKE: 270 YEARS OF RESISTANCE, Marlon Riggs’ TONGUES UNTIED and BLACK IS…BLACK AIN’T, and Jafar Panahi’s THIS IS NOT A FILM.