American Cinematheque Launches Major New L.A. Documentary Festival This Is Not a Fiction (EXCLUSIVE):

The American Cinematheque is kicking off a robust new Los Angeles nonfiction film festival dubbed This Is Not a Fiction, running from April 10-18. The festival opens with docuseries “Thank You, Good Night: The Bon Jovi Story,” with Jon Bon Jovi in-person at the Aero Theatre for the L.A. premiere screening.

The event will include in-person tributes to distinguished documentary filmmakers including Barbara Kopple, Joe Berlinger, Brett Morgen, Bill Morrison, Kirsten Johnson, Terry Zwigoff, Jeff Tremaine and Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor, as well as a virtual Q&A with Frederick Wiseman.

Other premieres will include “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus,” “Power,” “Strong Island,” “Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg,” a restoration of “Lumumba: Death of a Prophet” and “Incident,” plus special presentations of Morgan Neville’s “Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces” and “Girls State.” A celebration of the 15th anniversary of “30 for 30” will feature a panel discussion with VP and executive producer of ESPN Films Marsha Cooke, producer Daniel Silver and filmmakers Kopple, Morgen and Tremaine.

Screenings will take place at all three American Cinematheque venues, the Aero, the Egyptian and the Los Feliz 3, including 42 films and 11 short films with more than 20 filmmakers and subjects attending for Q&As. The program will showcase a broad swath of non-fiction filmmaking, from classics to television programs and experimental works.

“’This Is Not A Fiction’ goes beyond the limits of genre, with the lineup reflecting the boundless possibilities of non-fiction storytelling,” said co-founders Chris LeMaire, Senior Film Programmer, and Cindy Flores, Film Programmer. “The festival is a celebration of non-fiction as a form of filmmaking and its profound impact on our lives, from its influence in art and entertainment to its power in education, political advocacy and social discourse.”

The tribute to Berlinger will include screenings of “Brother’s Keeper” and “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.” Berlinger said, “I’m excited to include the work I made with the late Bruce Sinofsky, and it is especially gratifying to screen these archival 35mm prints, giving L.A. audiences the intended experiences on their original celluloid formats.”

April will be a big month for local cinephiles with the first Los Angeles Festival of Movies also launching from April 4-7 at several eastside venues.

See the This Is Not a Fiction lineup or view this article at Variety.