Variety’s Doc Dreams NYC Returns Nov 9 With Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ — SkimNews
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- Variety returns to New York City on Nov. 9, 2026, for the third edition of Doc Dreams NYC Live, its flagship event celebrating documentary filmmaking.
- Alex Gibney will participate in a keynote conversation with Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh, discussing his documentary 'Musk' and its unvarnished analysis of Elon Musk.
- Ben Kjar, subject of 'Standout: The Ben Kjar Story,' will appear on a panel, offering personal insight into the documentary about his life.
- Mary Mazzio, filmmaker behind 'Mighty Mary,' will join the event as writer, director, and producer, representing one of the featured nonfiction projects.
- Jana Hojdová and Robert Richardson will present 'Robert Richardson: The White Devil,' with Hojdová as director and Richardson as cinematographer, adding international creative voices to the lineup.
- Shakiba Adil and Elina Hirvonen, co-directors of 'The Secret Reading Club of Kabul,' will discuss their film, highlighting global stories of resistance and education.
- Dana Nachman, director of 'The Second Life of Freddie Nole,' rounds out the confirmed panelists, contributing to the daylong focus on transformative real-world storytelling.
Why it matters: Documentary filmmakers gain a high-profile platform to discuss their work’s cultural impact, while Variety strengthens its role in shaping industry conversation—this event directly connects creators with audiences at a time when nonfiction storytelling faces increasing scrutiny and demand for authenticity.
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