Best Documentary

In The Great Muslim American Road Trip, rapper Mona Haydar and her husband Sebastian Robins embark on a 3,000-mile journey along historic Route 66, uncovering the deep-rooted and often overlooked history of Islam in America. In this three-part travelogue, the young Muslim American couple travels from Chicago to St. Louis, Amarillo, and across the Southwest, enjoying the iconic highway’s quirky roadside attractions while discovering stories of faith, identity, and belonging. From refugees to artists, scholars to activists, they meet a diverse array of Muslim Americans who challenge stereotypes and celebrate their heritage. As Mona and Sebastian reflect on their own spiritual journey and marriage, the series offers an intimate, moving portrait of love and faith on the open road. Directed by Alex Kronemer, this powerful documentary reframes what it means to be American and Muslim today. Original Title : Great Muslim American Road Trip Director : Alex Kronemer Cast : Mona Haydar, Sebastian Robins 00:00:00 - Episode 1 00:51:48 - Episode 2 01:40:28 - Episode 3

In an age ruled by data, computers now play judge and jury—predicting crimes before they happen, assessing bail decisions, and profiling citizens through invisible algorithms. Computers v. Crime explores how predictive algorithms, trained on biased historical data, are transforming our justice system. While they promise safety and efficiency, these tools often reproduce racial and economic inequalities, all behind the mask of neutrality. From gang databases to bail scores, who benefits—and who gets hurt? This gripping documentary reveals how technology, once seen as objective, is now raising critical questions about fairness, accountability, and the future of justice itself. Original title : Computers v. Crime Director : Llewellyn M. Smith Cast : Keith David, Hany Farid, David Keith

Trust Me, directed by Emil Trier, tells the fascinating and unsettling true story of Waleed Ahmed, a young Norwegian entrepreneur once hailed as a prodigy and dubbed “Norway’s Mark Zuckerberg.” At just 18 years old, Waleed launched his own tech startup, captivating the media, seducing politicians, and even gaining the attention of royalty. With bold claims and a magnetic personality, he built a public image rooted in innovation, youth, and promise. But behind the scenes, his empire was a carefully crafted illusion. In a shocking twist, Waleed was arrested by the FBI and sentenced to 11 years in a U.S. federal prison for fraud. Through interviews, archival footage, and a gripping narrative, Trust Me explores the dangerous power of charisma, the seductive pull of success, and how a society eager for hope can be easily deceived. More than just a tale of fraud, it’s a chilling portrait of ambition gone too far—and a sobering reflection on the thin line between visionary and con artist. Original Title : Trust Me Director : Emil Trier Production : Thomas Robsahm, Nicolai Moland - Zentropa International Sweden, Snakeoil Media Productions

Surviving Progress explores the dangerous paradox at the heart of modern civilization: what we call "progress" might actually be leading us toward collapse. Based on Ronald Wright’s concept of the “progress trap,” this documentary journeys through history, economics, biology, and politics to reveal how technological advancement, debt, overconsumption, and ecological destruction are threatening the future of humanity. Ronald Wright’s bestseller A Short History of Progress inspired this cinematic requiem to progress-as-usual. Throughout human history, what seemed like progress often backfired. Some of the world's foremost thinkers, activists, bankers, and scientists challenge us to overcome progress traps, which destroyed past civilizations and lie treacherously embedded in our own. With powerful visuals, expert commentary, and haunting parallels to the fall of past empires, the film challenges viewers to rethink growth, power, and sustainability. Are we too smart for our own survival, or is there still time to change course? Original title : Surviving Progress Directors : Mathieu Roy, Harold Crooks Cast : Ronald Wright, Mark Levine, Robert Wright, Jane Goodall, Marina Silva Produced by Martin Scorcese

Fake War – Propaganda in War is a gripping five-part documentary series that unveils the evolution of modern war propaganda and its powerful impact on public perception. Beginning with World War I, when mass media was first weaponized on a global scale, the series traces how propaganda techniques were refined and expanded—most infamously by the Nazi regime. Under Joseph Goebbels and his Ministry of Propaganda, media became a tool for mass seduction and ideological control. The Vietnam War marked a turning point, becoming the first "television war," where uncensored images of conflict entered homes worldwide, fueling public dissent. But the U.S. learned from this media defeat: coverage of the 1991 Gulf War was tightly controlled, with staged footage and restricted access for journalists. Today, propaganda has entered a new digital phase—terrorist organizations like the Islamic State invest millions in high-end media campaigns, spreading fear and ideology through social media. This series offers a chilling exploration of truth, manipulation, and the media’s role in shaping modern warfare. Director : Ute Weidemeyer Original Title : Fake War - Propaganda in War 00:00:00 - Part1 : When The Pictures Learned How To Lie 00:43:22 - Part2 : Delusion of the Masses 01:28:19 - Part3 : The Power Of Uncensored Images 02:14:24 - Part4 : Staged Media War 02:58:36 - Part5 : Propaganda 2.0

Opioids, Inc. is a gripping investigative documentary that exposes how one man’s ambition turned a breakthrough cancer pain treatment into a vehicle of mass addiction and corporate greed. At the heart of the story is billionaire entrepreneur John Kapoor, founder of Insys Therapeutics, who introduced Subsys, a fentanyl-based spray up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Marketed as a solution for late-stage cancer pain, Subsys quickly became the center of a nationwide scandal. Through exclusive interviews, whistleblower testimony, and rare footage, the film reveals how Kapoor and his team built a ruthless sales machine that used bribery, deception, and insurance fraud to push the drug beyond its intended use. Doctors were incentivized with lavish payments, speaker fees, and personal perks. Sales reps with no pharmaceutical training were told to get results “by any means necessary.” As Subsys prescriptions soared, so did patient overdoses and deaths. Federal investigations uncovered forged signatures, fake diagnoses, and a company culture driven by profit at all costs. In a historic legal case, John Kapoor became the first pharmaceutical CEO convicted under U.S. racketeering laws. This shocking true story is a searing indictment of Big Pharma's darkest corners—and a sobering look at how profit motives can destroy lives. Original Title : Opioids, Inc. Director : Thomas Jennings Cast : Nathaniel Yeager, Roddy Boyd, Gillian Tett

Inherent Good is a powerful and timely documentary that explores the transformative potential of Universal Basic Income (UBI) in modern America. Narrated by comedian and activist Trae Crowder, the film journeys through struggling communities, where families live paycheck to paycheck, facing impossible choices daily. It exposes the flaws of the current welfare system and presents UBI as a dignified solution to poverty, inequality, and economic stagnation. Featuring voices from working-class citizens, experts, and political figures, Inherent Good challenges deep-rooted myths about work, welfare, and worth—urging us to rethink freedom and what it really means to live with dignity. Director : Steve Borst Cast : Andrew Yang, Trae Crowder

After years of calculated neglect, Jaffa is now being "rediscovered" as a prime real estate investment opportunity. This documentary follows the deeply personal battles of longtime residents facing eviction, while exposing the city’s dramatic transformation and the political and social forces behind it. Jaffa, once a major port in the Middle East and the sister city of Tel Aviv—named “the most expensive city in the world” by The Economist—has evolved into a global tourist destination, a nightlife hotspot, and a highly sought-after real estate gem. Tourists, partygoers, and even residents are seduced by its Oriental charm and romantic authenticity. But beneath this gleaming surface lie deeper, darker currents of racism, greed, and injustice. Located just south of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean coast, Jaffa’s soaring land value has pushed rents to unaffordable extremes, displacing families who have lived there for generations. Meanwhile, state-backed institutions carry out aggressive evictions, with profits funneled almost exclusively to private developers and the government. A Guide to Gentrification reveals the true cost of beauty and location, seen through the eyes of those who are being pushed out. Original Title : Jaffa : A Guide to Gentrification Director : Keren Shayo, Lavi Vanounou A Trabelsi Production - Osnat Trabelsi

God vs. UFOs is a provocative documentary by Mark Christopher Lee that delves into the potential collision between extraterrestrial contact and religious belief. Featuring insights from experts like Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb and former UK Ministry of Defence official Nick Pope, the film explores theories ranging from ancient aliens influencing human spirituality to government conspiracies like Project Blue Beam. With discussions on interdimensional beings, AI's role in interpreting alien encounters, and the possibility of UFOs being perceived as divine entities, this documentary challenges viewers to reconsider the boundaries between science, religion, and the unknown Director : Mark Christopher

Holy Silence, directed by Steven Pressman, delves into the Vatican's response to the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust. The documentary highlights the efforts of Pope Pius XI, who sought to denounce anti-Semitism, and the contrasting silence of his successor, Pope Pius XII. Through archival footage and expert interviews, the film examines the moral complexities and political considerations that influenced the Church's actions during this dark chapter of history. It also sheds light on the roles of American officials who attempted to sway Vatican policy, offering a nuanced perspective on faith, diplomacy, and the consequences of inaction. Director : Steven Pressman Cast: David Strathairn, Marco Barricelli

This gripping documentary chronicles the lives and legacies of Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, and Henry "Hap" Arnold—military titans who shaped the outcome of World War II and redefined American global power. From daring battlefield maneuvers in the Pacific to the creation of the Marshall Plan and the rise of U.S. air supremacy, their strategies changed history. With rare archival footage and powerful narration, the film explores how these generals turned personal conviction into national victory. A tribute to vision, sacrifice, and leadership in times when the world stood on the edge of collapse.

In March 2002, members of the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong hijacked a state TV station in Changchun, China, to counter the government’s relentless propaganda and spread the truth about their practice. The aftermath was devastating: police raids engulfed the city, and comic book illustrator Daxiong, a Falun Gong practitioner, was forced to flee. Arriving in North America, Daxiong believed the hijacking had worsened the violent repression. However, his views were challenged when he met the lone surviving participant of the hijacking, who had managed to escape China and was now living in Seoul, South Korea. This documentary blends powerful real footage with breathtaking 3D animation, inspired by Daxiong’s art, to retrace this extraordinary act of defiance and its far-reaching consequences. It’s a harrowing and exhilarating story of persecution, courage, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom. Original Title : Eternal Spring: The Heist of China´s Airwaves Director : Jason Loftus the wild story of how Falun Gong hacked Chinese news

Fight to Live, directed by Tom Haramis, is a raw and deeply personal documentary that follows the extraordinary journey of Australian fighter Bec Rawlings. From a turbulent childhood in Launceston to surviving a violent relationship, Rawlings’ life has been marked by struggle—but never surrender. The film traces her rise through the brutal world of MMA and bare-knuckle boxing, where she carved out a name not only as a fierce competitor but as a symbol of resilience. Combining powerful interviews, intimate moments, and intense fight footage, Fight to Live explores how one woman turned pain into power, becoming a voice for survivors and an inspiration for athletes everywhere. It’s not just about winning in the ring—it’s about reclaiming your life and refusing to be broken. Original Title : Fight to Live Director : Tom Haramis Cast : Bec Rawlings, Enson Rawlings, Jacqui Rawlings

A deep dive into Vatican scandals, from wartime silence and financial corruption to pedophilia cover-ups and internal power struggles. The film traces the fall of Benedict XVI, the bold reforms of Pope Francis, and the enduring resistance he faced—culminating in his death and a Church at a crossroads.

In New Haven, pizza isn't just food—it's a sacred tradition. This documentary delves into the city's legendary pizzerias—Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern—where fiery debates over the best slice fuel generations of passionate eaters. Featuring mouthwatering pies charred to perfection, deep-rooted immigrant history, and a loyal fanbase that includes celebrities and politicians, this film explores the cultural phenomenon of "apizza." From the secret recipes passed down through families to the long lines of devoted customers, witness how New Haven became the undisputed pizza capital of America. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer, one thing is certain: this isn't just pizza. Director : Gorman Bechard Cast : Lyle Lovett, Henry Winkler, Rick Nielsen, Dave Portnoy

In 1911, the world was stunned when Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa vanished from the Louvre. The man behind the audacious theft? Vincenzo Peruggia — an unassuming Italian housepainter working in Paris. How did someone so ordinary manage to pull off one of the greatest, yet least known, art heists in modern history? And was his motive simply money, or something far more personal? Mona Lisa Is Missing, a documentary by writer-director Joe Medeiros, is a captivating investigation into this true story that blends humor, heart, and historical intrigue. Through archival photographs, animations, and interviews with historians, art experts, and Peruggia’s own descendants, Medeiros uncovers a tale of misplaced patriotism, personal pride, and the legacy left behind. As Medeiros follows the thief’s trail through France and Italy, he also unearths the poignant story of Peruggia’s daughter — a woman searching for the truth about a father she never knew. Known as “Macaroni” by his French coworkers, Peruggia kept the masterpiece hidden for two years, believing he was returning it to its rightful home. This documentary offers more than just a compelling whodunit — it’s a touching portrait of a man trying to find meaning, dignity, and a place in history. Original Title : Mona Lisa is Missing : The Man Who Stole The Masterpiece Réalisation : Joe Medeiros Production : Midair Rose Production - Anne Rohinsky-Clement, Eileen White