When Sky Sitney talks about movies, she nearly hums with a mixture of sharp intellect and infectious passion. As the Director of Programming, Sky oversees the grueling process of selecting the 65 feature films and 35 shorts that will be shown at the SILVERDOCS AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival. Though this is her crush time as the festival approaches, Sky recently agreed to sit down for a brief interview to share her thoughts on this year’s festival. As always, the disclaimer¹ applies.

SILVERDOCS is an international festival focused solely on the “creative, cinematic exploration of non-fiction film.” Concentrated in this 8-day event are opportunities to see a highly diverse slate of films that “extend and push the parameters on a craft level—asking the question ‘What is documentary film, how is it defined, how are we pushing the definition?’”

Excellence and innovation

Sky starts with the basic premise that the filmmaking itself should be exceptional. While some films may have such remarkable stories that they transcend weak technique, the cinematic qualities of film speak first to the viewer, long before the story can unfold. “Being part of AFI brings a legacy of excellence in the arts. First and foremost, we are a film festival, so we ask ‘how is the quality of the film itself?’ We celebrate the art form.”

Over the course of the conversation, Sky mentioned several times that SILVERDOCS is interested not only in the established forms of documentary, but also those filmmakers who “experiment with stylistic choices, forms and techniques more common to the narrative arena. One developing trend that Sky has seen has been a “resurgence of dramatization.” Dramatization has historically seen as suspect (“Almost a bad word,” Sky noted), as less legitimate than the more direct forms of reportage-style shooting, archival footage, interview and other traditional techniques.

But many of the new filmmakers seem more willing to use re-enactment for a variety of purposes, according to Sky. Animation, for example, is being used to denote fantasy life, re-enact a historical event, or reflect interior states. Sky noted how filmmakers who were using re-enactment seemed to be making an effort to clearly demarcate the re-enactment footage—pushing color, form, and techniques to differentiate it from non-fiction footage.

As diverse as SILVERDOCS films are in style, they are equally diverse in terms of origin. “Of the 65 features, and the 35 shorts, 64 countries are being represented,” Sky said. As the SILVERDOCS programming seeks to explore “the ways in which documentary film can ask questions about what is going on in the world,” Sky is committed to presenting a variety of perspectives from different parts of the globe.

Themes

Despite the diversity of styles and perspectives, it seems that every year there are a few unexpected themes that emerge, something that Sky described as “almost a collective unconscious.” Lately, Sky has seen a resurgence of personal stories about life challenges and, in particular, illness narratives. While stories of illness and mortality have “been around since pen and paper and death,” Sky thinks the democratization of the camera may play a key role in the increasing number of these films. As digital video cameras become more affordable and portable, more people can “use the camera as a way to negotiate their own journey towards something that’s difficult.”

One theme that is a constant presence in documentary film is advocacy. Whether advocating for social change, presenting under-represented viewpoints, or preserving vanishing culture, many filmmakers view SILVERDOCS as an opportunity to get their film before a politically active audience. As Sky noted, “here in the DC region, you expect some more policy-focused, political films, advocacy films, in part because filmmakers perceive that these audiences can be changemakers or influentials.”

Sky continued, “I am always truly struck—and proud—during the Q & As by the quality of the questions and discussions. I am sure it is both satisfying and challenging to the filmmakers, since with some of these topics—particularly where political—they may be speaking to real experts on those issues.”

While many themes may recur, Sky is quick to note that there is no theme per se. “People often ask ‘What’s the theme?’ But isn’t documentary enough of a boundary? I don’t want to assert too much of my personal vision or tastes, but I want to be a receptor to a wide variety of the films that are out there. You have to have a standard, a curatorial opinion, but be willing to expand your own personal taste and recognize strong films, even if they aren’t to your own personal preference.”

Striking the balance

Sky noted that it isn’t enough just to be open to great films, but that one must consciously and strategically work to provide a good balance of films. Off the top of her head, Sky began rattling off a list, “You want to avoid redundancies, and seek to include a nice mix of countries and topics. There are so many elements to consider—where else has the film been shown, is this emerging work, is it premiere status, is the work fresh? Is it a film that has broken out at other festivals (Sundance or Berlin), such that festival-goers might expect to see it? Also, how do you treat alumni, whose works may have developed along with the festival? What about master filmmakers? Emerging new work or new artists?”

She continued, “And there are questions of purpose. As a festival are we here to create an opportunity for a new wonderful work to get recognized? Or, might one argue, that as a festival, you can really help a film that has already been on a roll and may do something good for that film.”

It’s about community

Sky works to achieve an attractive balance to serve what she sees as an exceptional opportunity. “There is something incredibly stimulating… inspiring… rejuvenating about the communal experience that one can get at a festival. It is an extremely rare opportunity to see a lot of films that you may not have another opportunity to see, and then to get to talk to the filmmakers and to meet the subjects that inspired them. To engage in a really intimate way with other media-makers and people in the industry. It is a gem of an opportunity.” The reach of SILVERDOCS is far beyond just the DC audience. “We have people coming from all over, due to the international focus—plus industry professionals, distributors, and the media, among others.”

It makes for a lively mix. “The intimacy here is notable—very accessible, democratic. There is very little distraction. The venues are all within walking distance, everyone is invited to the same parties and events. It allows real relationships to form and to connect filmmakers with industry and production colleagues. It is not unusual to see collaborations developing from friendships started at SILVERDOCS.”

At the end of the day, it seems to me that Sky is really speaking to her soulmates. “I am passionate about going to the movies. I just love going to the movies. After an incredibly long day of screening films in my apartment recently, I felt that I really needed a break. So I went to see a movie.”

Footnotes

1. This is a festival to which I have a substantial connection. I have volunteered for the past two years and sat on this year’s Selection Committee. I wrote for the festival catalog and will likely be introducing some of the filmmakers and subjects at the festival. Feel free to adjust for my bias. My blog reportage and opinions, however, do not represent the views of AFI or the SILVERDOCS festival, the Selection Committee, or of any of their staff. No one should construe anything expressed on this site as being endorsed or supported by AFI, SILVERDOCS or anybody other than me.

We are now less than a week from the start of the 2008 SILVERDOCS Festival and Conference!

In this week leading up, I will be previewing some of the films and events that I find particularly exciting. In addition, I have an interview with Sky Sitney, the SILVERDOCS Director of Programming, which I will try to get up here in the next couple of days as well.

During the festival, I will be live-blogging some of the conference sessions, and covering some of the films and social events.

As always, the disclaimer is in full effect¹.

1. This is a festival to which I have a substantial connection. I have volunteered for the past two years and sat on this year’s Selection Committee. I wrote for the festival catalog and will likely be introducing some of the filmmakers and subjects at the festival. Feel free to adjust for my bias. My blog reportage and opinions, however, do not represent the views of AFI or the SILVERDOCS festival, the Selection Committee, or of any of their staff. No one should construe anything expressed on this site as being endorsed or supported by AFI, SILVERDOCS or anybody other than me.

The rumors¹are true! After ceasing blogging in late 2005, I am returning to live-blog the American Film Institute’s SILVERDOCS conference and festival.

SILVERDOCS is an international film festival that, in their own words, “celebrates the power of documentary to improve our understanding of the world.” The festival is set at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center right outside Washington, DC, and runs June 16-23rd. According to AFI, last year’s festival “featured 100 films from 43 countries presented to over 21,000 attendees, including the influential audiences of the nation’s capital and media professionals from around the world.” Having attended last year, I was struck by the enthusiasm and size of the audiences at both the festival and the concurrent conference.

In the interest of full disclosure, this is a festival to which I have a substantial connection. I have volunteered for the past two years and sat on this year’s Selection Committee. I wrote for the festival catalog and will likely be introducing some of the filmmakers and subjects at the festival. Feel free to adjust for my bias.

My blog reportage and opinions, however, do not represent the views of AFI or the SILVERDOCS festival, the Selection Committee, or of any of their staff. No one should construe anything expressed on this site as being endorsed or supported by AFI, SILVERDOCS², or anybody other than me.

While there are some details to be worked out as to approach and content³, keep an eye on this space in the coming weeks. Prior to the festival kickoff, I’ll be blogging on some of the films I think are particularly strong, and maybe even get in some interviews. In addition, at the conference itself, we might be trying out some new blogging-friendly technology and commenting on how it works in the live-blog setting.

1. OK, there are no rumors, but bear with me.
2. Read: They have the good sense to put as much distance between themselves and me as possible.
3. Video? Podcasts? Smell-o-vision? We’re working on it.