EXCLUSIVE: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles has announced the lineup for its 2026 DocuSlate Documentary Film Festival, NFMLA’s annual cinematic showcase of “stories spanning continents, generations, and communities.”
The event running November 12-15 opens with the North American premiere of Sergio & Mirta, A Love Story in 8 mm, directed by Fabrizio Laurenti and Niccolò Vivarelli. “Constructed from rediscovered archival footage, the film offers an intimate window into the lives of Italian cult cinema director Sergio Corbucci and his then-wife Mirta Guarnaschelli,” notes a synopsis. “Capturing moments from their romance approximately 75 years ago, the documentary transforms personal images into a moving cinematic time capsule, preserving a little-seen chapter of film history.”
The DocuSlate festival lineup spans seven film programs, highlighted by 12 documentary shorts and five documentary features, accompanied by filmmaker Q&A sessions, industry engagement opportunities, and two virtual panels. Sergio & Mirta, A Love Story in 8 mm is one of two North American premieres in a lineup that also includes one world premiere, one U.S. premiere, one West Coast premiere, and six Los Angeles premieres.
Screenings begin Thursday, November 12, at Cinelounge Sunset Theater in Hollywood (located on the Hollywood Offices campus), continue Friday, November 13, and culminate in a full day of programming on Sunday, November 15, at South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
Scroll for the complete list of 2026 DocuSlate films.
“This year’s selections offer an expansive portrait of the world through the perspectives of filmmakers working at the intersection of personal experience, cultural history, environmental change, political engagement, and community resilience,” states a news release. “Bringing together emerging filmmakers and established voices, the festival features work from Sundance, Tribeca, and SXSW alumni, alongside filmmakers whose collective accomplishments include four Emmy Award winners and two Emmy nominees. Among the selections is Ora DeKornfeld’s The Grandfather Puzzle, which earned Oscar-qualifying status after receiving Mountainfilm’s Best Short Documentary award.”
The 2026 edition highlights the continuing impact of NFMLA’s NewNarratives grant program, the arts and culture-focused nonprofit notes, with two projects connected to past and present grant recipients: The world premiere of Why Is Climate Changing? from 2026 NewNarratives Environmental Storytelling Grant recipient Lu Ren, and The Art of Sharing from 2025 NewNarratives grant recipients Jen and Ric Serena.
The festival concludes November 15 with the Los Angeles premiere of Uncommitted, directed by Razi Jafri and executive produced by W. Kamau Bell. “This investigative documentary examines the emergence, organizing efforts, and political impact of the Uncommitted National Movement, offering a timely exploration of grassroots activism, political participation, and the relationship between communities and institutions of power. With developments continuing to unfold, the film is expected to incorporate new updates following the November elections.”
Beyond the Screen: Connecting Filmmakers, Audiences, and Industry
In addition to its public screenings, DocuSlate 2026 will feature two virtual panel discussions and opportunities for participating filmmakers to engage with entertainment industry professionals, executives, and fellow creatives. These activities reflect NFMLA’s broader mission to help independent filmmakers build sustainable careers by connecting artistic talent with professional resources, industry relationships, and new audiences. Through its combination of film exhibitions, filmmaker conversations, and professional development opportunities, DocuSlate provides a space where documentary artists can share their work while contributing to a broader dialogue about the cultural and social significance of nonfiction cinema.
2026 DocuSlate Official Selections
● Alligator Altar (Dir. Leslie Ramos), USA, LA Premiere
● Buckskin (Dir. Mars Verrone), USA
● Children & Animals (Dir. Walker Kalan, Isabel Haro), USA, LA Premiere
● Don’t Pity the Girl (Dir. Déwun Owusu), South Africa, North American Premiere
● Dwarf Neon Mayfield (Dir. Leland Nally), USA, LA Premiere
● I AM ART: The Redline (Dir. Terry Dillard), USA, US Premiere
● La Tierra del Valor (The Home of the Brave) (Dir. Cristina Costantini), USA
● Moving Joy (Dir. Brittany Lee Sanders), USA, Out of Competition Preview
● Panther Pat (Dir. Ashley Brandon), USA
● Sergio & Mirta, A Love Story in 8 mm (Dir. Fabrizio Laurenti / Writ. Niccolò Vivarelli), Italy, North American Premiere
● The Art of Sharing (Dir. Ric Serena), USA
● The Grandfather Puzzle (Dir. Ora DeKornfeld), Hungary, LA Premiere
● The Row (Dir. Adam Trunell), USA, West Coast Premiere
● The Volunteer (Dir. Owen Dubeck), USA, LA Premiere
● Uncommitted (Dir. Razi Jafri), USA, LA Premiere
● Where Do We Go (Dir. Chloe Antoinette), USA
● Why Is Climate Changing? (Dir. Lu Ren), China, World Premiere