University The News and Documentary program at NYU Journalism prepares students to report and produce for traditional and nontraditional media. Emphasizing not only the story, but the storytelling, the program’s goal is for students to be skilled in both form and content, able tell a story by effectively using all aspects of the medium. The program culminates with each student producing, shooting and editing a 30-minute documentary.

NYU’s showcase includes: Open Season (USA, 25 min., Kristopher Brandt) follows Lad Akins and his army of spear-fishers as they try to take the Atlantic Ocean back from the poisonous lionfish, which threatens its delicate ecosystem. Dai’s Garden (China/USA, 35 min., Ruohan Xu) profiles Chinese slow-food movement pioneer Dai Jianjun, a farm-to-table restaurateur who is dedicated to bringing back vanishing traditional Chinese culture in an era of rapid urbanization and industrialization.