Viewfinders Competition

VIEWFINDERS celebrates both established and emerging filmmakers who bring a distinct directorial voice to their work. The selection takes us to Afghanistan in “Armadillo” (pictured), Vietnam in “The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan,” rural India in “Pink Saris,” ocean voyages in “Discoveries of a Marionette,” and upstate New York in “Windfall.” We follow a teenage girl facing high school graduation in “Kati with an I” and a young man facing life choices in “Five Weddings and a Felony”.

These films range in style from observational to essayistic; and in mood from suspenseful to humorous for a spectrum of contemporary documentary trends.

The jury is tasked to honor one film that appeals most strongly to their sensibilities as an outstanding achievement in both form and content. We hope this selection will surprise, inspire and spark debate.

• Armadillo (Janus Metz) U.S. Premiere – Winner of Cannes Critics Week, Armadillo is a harrowing portrayal of the current conflict in Afghanistan. The film follows a contingent of Danish troops into the chaos of combat in a way that stirs debate over the rules of engagement. 
  
• The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan (Henry Corra) – During the Vietnam war, McKinley Nolan mysteriously disappeared – rumored to be either a traitor, captive or American operative. Now his family goes searching for answers.
• Discoveries of a Marionette (Bjarte Mørner Tveit ) U.S. Premiere – Norwegian director Bjarte Mørner Tveit draws upon a rich personal archive of 8 mm film left by his grandfather Alf, who was secretive about his experiences as a globe-trotting sailor.
• Five Weddings and a Felony (Josh Freed) World Premiere – Director Josh Freed turns a Flip camera on his own relationships as a twentysomething. Peeling away neurosis and narcissism, the film is a compelling portrait of modern love.
• Kati with an I (Robert Greene) World Premiere – Over the course of three tumultuous days, Kati – a teenage girl in Alabama – has to confront big life choices over love, family and her future. As Kati’s half-brother, director Robert Greene gains an intimacy that makes viewers feel part of the family.
• Pink Saris (Kim Longinotto) – In northern India’s state of Uddar Pradesh, the crusading Sampat Pal Devi dispenses street justice like a self-appointed Judge Judy, leading the “Pink Gang” of female enforcers.
• Windfall (Laura Israel) – After wind turbines are proposed for installation in upstate New York, the community’s excitement turns to suspicion over what the project entails. This eye-opening story exposes the dark side of wind energy development and the potential for financial scams.