A decade of cinematic excellence, community camaraderie, and global impact – Lunenburg Doc Fest proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary against the scenic backdrop of UNESCO Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The Festival is thrilled to unveil a spectacular lineup of films for the 2023 edition.

Get ready for a cinematic journey like no other. The 10th anniversary kicks off Thursday, September 21 with hot new doc Carlos. Follow Carlos Santana's journey from 14-year-old street musician to a 10-time Grammy winning global sensation. The documentary features unseen archival footage and tracks, and is a must see for music lovers. The film will be followed by the Festival’s highly anticipated annual celebration, the Paint the Town Red Gala on Lunenburg’s picturesque waterfront.

Lunenburg Doc Fest will close the 10th annual edition on Wednesday, September 27, with a deep dive into the history of The Rolling Stones and the overshadowed legacy of bandmate Brian Jones, offering a fresh perspective on rock 'n' roll history in The Stones And Brian Jones.

“As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, there's truly no better place to be than beautiful UNESCO Lunenburg in late September, especially if you are passionate about documentary films," says Pamela Segger, Executive Director of Lunenburg Doc Fest. "In our tenth year, we proudly stand as a landmark event on Nova Scotia's South Shore offering an extraordinary lineup of documentaries and celebrations — something for everyone."

For ten years, Lunenburg Doc Fest has been a beacon of cultural enrichment, an engine for the screen industry, and a cherished experience for audiences far and wide. This year's festivities promise to deliver extraordinary cinematic journeys, captivating conversations, and thought-provoking documentaries from Atlantic Canada and beyond. These stories will transport you and linger in your heart and mind long after the credits roll.

The curated collection of documentaries dives deep into pressing social issues and inspiring activism. Against The Tide confronts climate change's impact on traditional fishing methods, advocating for sustainable practices and environmental consciousness. Boil Alert unearths the water crisis in Indigenous communities, addressing its repercussions on Indigenous identity and the need for clean water and cultural preservation. What (A) Wonderful World? probes systemic racism and presents potential solutions, offering hope and a call to action for a more inclusive world. Four Daughters profiles a Tunisian mother of four and the dramatic turn when her two eldest daughters disappear, leading to an intimate journey full of hope, rebellion, violence, intergenerational trauma, and sisterhood. Through haunting diaries and first-hand Israeli military images, Innocence portrays the inner turmoil of children who resist enlistment, stories silenced by the nation. Co-presented by the Global Peace Film Festival in Winter Park, Sew To Say profiles 80-year-old artist who shares the untold stories of the longest feminist protest in British history where women protested nuclear weapons deployment, a collective action that changed many lives.

The following collection will take audiences on intimate journeys of self-discovery and identity: Is There Anybody Out There? follows the filmmaker's quest to connect with individuals who share a rare disability, shedding light on ableism and advocating for greater understanding and inclusion. Inspired by the filmmaker's aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, who asked, "Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?" Black Barbie: A Documentary uncovers the origin of the first Black Barbie. Cinematic doc, After Work, shot in the United States, Italy, South Korea and Kuwait, examines the notion of work in the 21st century, as automation and technology free up time, the doc considers what the future could be like in a work-free society. Sister Úna Lived A Good Death documents Sister Úna's poignant journey in her final months, exploring themes of mortality and the art of letting go.

Each of the following documentaries offers a unique perspective on life's complexities and the strength of the human spirit. See the courage and innocence of LGBTQIA2S+ teens in Summer Qamp as they embark on a life- changing camp experience, highlighting the importance of acceptance and self-discovery. Confessions Of A Good Samaritan follows director Penny Lane's journey to altruism, donating a kidney to a stranger, unfolding an intimate and unexpectedly funny and emotional exploration of the nature of kindness. Raising awareness about a pressing global issue The Eternal Memory examines Alzheimer's disease and a couple facing the challenge head-on as they rely on the affection and humour shared between them that remains, remarkably, fully intact. In The Gullspång Miracle a divine premonition leads to a surprising family reunion in a small Swedish town, but soon the lives of three sisters spiral out of control, revealing unexpected twists and turns. Unsyncable, by Nova Scotia’s own Megan Wennberg, celebrates senior synchronized swimmers challenging stereotypes and showcases their resilience in the face of ageism.

Explore the wonders of the natural world and environmental challenges with Deep Rising, which delves into the environmental challenges of deep-sea metal extraction, shedding light on the urgent need for sustainable practices in our oceans. Between The Rains probes the impact of climate change on a drought-stricken culture in Kenya, offering a poignant glimpse into the consequences of a changing climate.

Immerse yourself in the world of music and artistic expression with the following documentaries. Rooted, which follows Dylan Jewers on a captivating journey to discover and preserve Nova Scotian roots music, showcases the power of music in connecting generations and cultures. Ride The Wave profiles a young surfer's thrilling journey to conquer dangerous cold-water waves, celebrating the indomitable spirit of adventure and nature's beauty. Both films screened as part of Lunenburg Doc Fest’s free pre-festival fresh-air Docs on the Dock film series for community members. Joan Baez: I Am A Noise, an intimate portrait of folk singer and activist Joan Baez and her profound impact on music and civil rights, will complete the series on Monday, September 11, 8pm at Zwicker Wharf in Lunenburg.

Five short documentary film programs will ignite curiosity and transport you. Embark on a voyage to the captivating realms of Atlantic Living and the beauty, mysteries, and stories woven by the Atlantic Ocean. Immerse yourself in a rich weave of Atlantic Canadian culture with Artfully Atlantic Canadian and the creative essence of our unique region. Uncover profound connections that bind us in Symbiotic Souls, revealing how even in the most unexpected places the threads of shared humanity lace intricate bonds of unity. Capture heartwarming stories of connection and camaraderie in Tales Of Togetherness — This special presentation was curated with the Grade 7-9 students of Bluenose Academy in mind yet it is open free-admission to everyone. Finally, experience the depth and diversity of Indigenous perspectives in Through Our Lens, which sheds light on the rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures, stories, and enduring connections to the land.

The much-anticipated Dock Market conference runs concurrently with the festival in a hybrid format and offers a platform for industry professionals and documentary enthusiasts to engage in career-boosting discussions and networking opportunities. LDF’s 8th The Dock Market conference and 1-to-1 meetings are unparalleled opportunities for guest filmmakers and screen industry Decision Makers to expand their networks, develop new business opportunities, and advance projects. Select sessions include a panel on Navigating Distribution, On Deck round tables, 1-to-1 meetings, spotlight conversations, an Industry sunset harbour networking cruise, plus an exclusive ‘At the Helm: Short Works with Ben Proudfoot’ filmmaking workshop led by 2022 Oscar winner for Best Short Documentary, Ben Proudfoot, who hails from Nova Scotia. To register or learn more go to https://lunenburgdocfest.com/industry/the-dock-market/.

Lunenburg Doc Fest is honoured to lead the second edition of the DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program. Presented in association with the Documentary Organization of Canada, DOC Atlantic, Telefilm Canada, Northern Film Initiative, CBC, Bell Fund, Innovation PEI, and Lunenburg Doc Fest, the DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program, helps emerging talent from the Black, Indigenous and/or People of Colour (BIPOC) communities to develop documentary projects through mentorship, training, and introductions to key decision-makers in the film industry. One BIPOC emerging media creator from each of the Atlantic provinces will be guided through this rigorous and intimate market-preparation course and mentorship during which their documentary idea will be refined and made pitch-ready for markets at Lunenburg Doc Fest and Hot Docs 2024.

A special DOC is 40! talk and reception on Sunday, September 24, will celebrate the past and future of documentary. All are welcome to join Atlantic region documentary creators for a conversation exploring changes in the documentary ecosystem over the past four decades. The conversation will be followed by an oyster reception to celebrate DOC’s 40th anniversary. This event is sponsored by the Documentary Organization of Canada and is free and open to the public.

Lunenburg Doc Fest (LDF) is shining the spotlight on Nova Scotia's aspiring filmmakers. The Launch $10,000 Documentary Development & Live Pitch Contest, a barrier-breaking initiative aimed at nurturing the talents of emerging underrepresented filmmakers, returns to Lunenburg Doc Fest on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Funded by CBC, Bell Fund, and the Province of Nova Scotia, with in-kind support from the Atlantic Filmmakers

Cooperative, 902 Post Inc., and the Centre for Art Tapes, The Launch offers five underrepresented Nova Scotian media artists a chance to win mentorship and a prize package to bring a short documentary to life over the next year. The finalists will pitch their documentary project live at the 2023 Lunenburg Doc Fest in competition for a $10,000 prize package including cash and in-kind filmmaking services. The audience’s favourite pitch and one voting audience member will also win local Lunenburg products.

All films will screen on-site at Lunenburg Opera House. Passes are on sale now online at https://lunenburgdocfest.com/buy-passes-and-tickets/overview/ or at LDF headquarters, 11 King Street, in the heart of Lunenburg.