THE 5 MUST-SEE DOCUMENTARIES OF THE 2017 DOC10 FILM FESTIVAL

Christopher Campbell | March 30, 2017 | NonFics

Chicago’s DOC10 Film Festival is more of a showcase. All of its curated titles are screened only once, and nothing overlaps. Your best bet is to buy a pass, spend your weekend at the Davis Theater, and partake in the whole program. Maybe you won’t love all the documentaries you see, but you’ll have seen 10 of the past year’s most significant nonfiction features, each one a local premiere. Bring friends, have discussions of what you watch, good or bad, and find out if your favorites match my picks below.

Before I list my highlights of the festival, which returns for a second year this Thursday, March 30th, through Sunday, April 2nd, I need to disclose that one of the docs, Step, was not made available beforehand — Jason Gorber saw it at Sundance, though, and included it on his list of the best of the fest. Out of the remaining nine, I consider five to be essentials, not just for anyone buying individual tickets during DOC10 but for the year and beyond. If you’re unable to attend this weekend, see them when you can.