The 33rd Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFF) recently concluded, bringing nine days of captivating storytelling, powerful social issues, and celebrations of the documentary genre to Hot Springs, Arkansas. This year’s festival, recognized as North America’s longest-running documentary event, honored compelling films that showcased resilience, creativity, and the importance of telling stories from diverse perspectives.
The 2024 edition awarded top honors to films like Zurawski v Texas, a documentary executive-produced by Jennifer Lawrence, Hillary Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton, which won both the Jury Prize for Best Feature and the Hot Springs Matt DeCample Audience Choice Award. The festival’s highlights also included world premieres, filmmaker forums, and a salute to the art of documentary storytelling.
Zurawski v Texas: Highlighting Abortion Rights
Directed by Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault, Zurawski v Texas centers on women’s personal battles with Texas’s strict abortion laws, which nearly cost them their lives. Featuring intimate perspectives from the plaintiffs, the film examines the profound impact of restrictive healthcare policies on women’s health and rights. This documentary’s dual recognition with both the Jury Prize for Best Feature and the Audience Choice Award shows how deeply it resonated with viewers and critics alike.
The jury, comprising film programmer Penelope Bartlett, filmmaker Darius Clark Monroe, and PR expert Jamie Shor, described Zurawski v Texas as a “moving and urgent film.” According to them, it reflects the importance of protecting bodily autonomy and reproductive rights by shedding light on the human cost of restrictive abortion laws.
No Other Land: Voices from the West Bank
This year’s Critics Jury Prize went to No Other Land, an impactful documentary by a team of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers. The film follows the stories of Palestinian villagers facing expulsion by the Israeli army from their West Bank homes. Shot from the ground-level perspective of everyday life, No Other Land reveals the historical injustices and challenges Palestinian communities face. Critics appreciated the film’s balanced approach, which encourages viewers to reflect on the human experience and the sociopolitical issues around territorial conflicts.
The critics jury, including Variety and New York Times contributor Addie Morfoot, awarded a special mention to Mistress Dispeller, directed by Elizabeth Lo. The documentary, described as a “thought-provoking and empathetic piece,” presents a complex story of love and relationships in 21st-century China, delivering an intimate look into Chinese society and the consequences of cultural traditions.
Porcelain War: Art, Conflict, and Resilience
Another favorite with the audience was Porcelain War, directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev. Set in Ukraine, the film follows artist Andrey Stefanov’s journey as he collaborates with his wife, Anya Stasenko, on delicate porcelain sculptures in the middle of the ongoing conflict with Russia. Leontyev’s dual role as a trainer for the Ukrainian army while pursuing his passion in art adds depth to the story, highlighting resilience in times of war. Porcelain War won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature, underscoring the emotional impact it had on audiences.
Best Short Documentary: The Final Copy of Ilon Specht
The Best Short Documentary award went to The Final Copy of Ilon Specht, directed by two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot. This documentary tells the story of Ilon Specht, the woman behind Revlon’s iconic tagline, “Because I’m Worth It.” The jury praised Specht’s candid and resilient spirit, reflected in her lasting contribution to advertising. Even from her deathbed, Specht’s voice serves as a feminist manifesto, inspiring viewers to value their worth. Proudfoot’s short film was celebrated for its intimate portrayal of a trailblazing woman who left an indelible mark on the advertising world.
Additionally, the jury gave a special mention to Motorcycle Mary, directed by Haley Watson, while Emily Sheskin’s Livestreams with Grandmapuzzles won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film. Both films demonstrate the unique and varied perspectives short documentaries can bring to audiences.
33rd HSDFF: A Celebration of Filmmaking
This year’s Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, running from October 18–26, saw a lineup of nearly 100 films from around the globe, representing diverse voices and unique perspectives. The festival included two world premieres, a three-day Filmmaker Forum, and screenings of works-in-progress by Southern filmmakers. In addition to honoring established filmmakers, the festival also celebrated emerging talents and showcased local stories.
One of the most anticipated events was the presentation of the Brent Renaud Career Achievement Award to Steve James, the filmmaker known for documentaries like Hoop Dreams and Life Itself. Festival director Ken Jacobson commented on the significance of bringing the documentary community together in Hot Springs, a place with its own rich historical connections. The festival’s location not only offered a picturesque backdrop but also provided an environment of creative collaboration and inspiration for filmmakers and audiences alike.
Jacobson noted, “This year’s festival wasn’t just about screening great documentaries. It was a real celebration of documentary filmmaking as an art and craft.” He highlighted the many ways documentaries contribute to our understanding of history and contemporary issues, from local Southern stories to international narratives that resonate across borders.
Honoring Documentary Filmmaking and Its Influence
The 33rd HSDFF proved to be a meaningful platform for documentaries that illuminate both history and pressing contemporary issues. This year’s lineup included American Coup: Wilmington 1898, which premiered during the festival and examines a pivotal moment in American history when a violent coup d’état overthrew a legally elected government in Wilmington, North Carolina. Another premiere, Louder Than Guns, explored gun violence and the debate surrounding gun control, resonating deeply with American audiences.
The festival also offered an educational and networking experience through its Filmmaker Forum, which featured panel discussions, Q&As, and masterclasses for filmmakers. Many sessions, like the Showcase of New Works by Southern Filmmakers, allowed regional filmmakers to share their works and gain insights from seasoned industry professionals.
This year’s jury members included both filmmakers and critics, each bringing a unique perspective on storytelling and the role of documentaries in society. The feature jury comprised Penelope Bartlett, Darius Clark Monroe, and Jamie Shor, while the shorts jury included Lisa Cole, Maggie Li, and Michael Lumpkin.
