DOC NYC is America's largest documentary film festival, now in its 17th edition, presenting 200+ films in-person across four Manhattan venues and online nationwide. It is a major awards-season bellwether for documentary features, with a strong track record of screening Oscar-nominated and winning films.
In-person screenings Nov 11–19; online screenings continue through Nov 29. Box office opens at venues 30 min before first show daily. Advance tickets available at IFC Center from Nov 6–11, daily 10:30am–10pm.
A/C/E/B/D/F/M to West 4th St–Washington Sq
Every November, documentary lovers take over a stretch of downtown Manhattan for DOC NYC, the biggest documentary festival in the country. The 17th edition runs in person from November 11 to 19, then keeps going online through November 29, so you can catch films from your couch whether you live in Bushwick or Boise.
What is DOC NYC?
DOC NYC started in 2010 and has grown into what it calls America’s largest documentary film festival. This year it is presenting more than 200 films across four Manhattan venues, plus an online program available nationwide. The festival was founded by Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers. Neihausen is Executive Director and Jaie Laplante is Artistic Director, while Powers, who stepped down as Artistic Director after 12 years, is now Director of Special Projects.
Why should you care if you aren’t in the industry? Because DOC NYC has become a real awards-season bellwether. It has a strong track record of screening documentaries that go on to Oscar nominations and wins. If you like being the person who saw the big doc months before everyone else was talking about it, this is where that happens.
The home base is IFC Center in the Village, with screenings also at SVA Theatre, Village East by Angelika and The New School. All four are within an easy walk or short subway hop of each other, which makes double and triple features very doable.
What’s on this year
Opening Night. The festival kicks off November 11 at SVA Theatre with the U.S. premiere of The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs, directed by Èlia Gasull Balada and Matteo Norzi, according to Variety.
Centerpiece. On November 13, also at SVA Theatre, the Centerpiece slot goes to the NYC premiere of Union Town from Barbara Kopple. Variety reported that the film marks Kopple’s return to the subject of union labor, territory she knows better than almost anyone in American documentary. For a city with New York’s labor history, this one feels right at home.
Closing Night. The festival wraps with Totality, which the festival describes as an immersive portrait of the 2024 total solar eclipse. The Closing Night date and venue have not been announced in the details we have, so keep an eye on the official schedule.
Special Presentations. Variety reported that this year’s Special Presentations include two world premieres: Joe Berlinger’s Primetime Preacher$ and Abhay and Halavah Sofsky’s Palace of Gold. Berlinger fans already know what he can do with a true story.
DOC NYC PRO. For filmmakers and industry folks, the DOC NYC PRO conference runs November 12 to 14 and November 16 to 19 at Village East by Angelika. Specific panels and speakers have not been announced in what we’ve seen.
The Subject Matter grant. Subject Matter will award a $30,000 grant to one social issue documentary in the program. It will also give a matching $30,000 grant to a nonprofit working on the issues the film addresses. It’s a nice reminder that a lot of these films want to change things, not just entertain.
Beyond these highlights, the full slate of 200-plus titles hasn’t been detailed here. Guest appearances and Q&As have not been announced either, so check the festival’s program as November gets closer.
Tickets and how to go
DOC NYC has a pricing tier for almost every kind of viewer. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Opening, Closing and Centerpiece: $30 general admission, $25 for IFC members.
- Regular screenings: $20 general admission, $18 for seniors and children, $16 for IFC members.
- Short List, Winner’s Circle, Selects Encore and weekday matinees: $15 general admission, $12 for IFC members.
- Online screenings: $13 general admission, $9 for IFC members.
If you plan on seeing a lot, the passes are where the value is. A 10-Ticket Pack costs $170. The All Film Pass is $995, but the early bird price of $699 runs through October 17. The Online Film Pass is $250, or $199 if you buy by October 18. There’s also an Online Shorts Pass for $49, a low-commitment way to sample a wide range of work.
Advance tickets in person. IFC Center sells advance tickets from November 6 to 11, daily from 10:30am to 10pm. During the festival, each venue’s box office opens 30 minutes before the first show of the day.
Getting there. IFC Center is at 323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street. Take the A, C, E, B, D, F or M to West 4th St-Washington Sq and you’re basically at the door. Coming from Brooklyn, the A, C, F and B, D lines make this an easy ride. Addresses for the other three venues weren’t included in the details we have, so double-check your ticket before you head out.
A few local tips:
- Buy the big nights early. Opening, Centerpiece and Closing are the hottest tickets.
- Weekday matinees at $15 are the best deal going if your schedule allows.
- If a weekend sells out, remember the online program runs through November 29.
- Leave a little buffer between screenings at different venues. They’re close, but Q&As can run long.
Frequently asked questions
When is DOC NYC 2026?
In-person screenings run November 11 to 19. Online screenings continue through November 29.
Where are the screenings?
IFC Center is the main venue. Films also screen at SVA Theatre, Village East by Angelika and The New School, all in Manhattan.
What is the Opening Night film?
The U.S. premiere of The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs, directed by Èlia Gasull Balada and Matteo Norzi, on November 11 at SVA Theatre.
How much are tickets?
Regular screenings are $20 general admission, $18 for seniors and children and $16 for IFC members. Special event screenings are $30, and online screenings are $13.
Can I watch from outside New York?
Yes. The festival offers an online program nationwide that runs through November 29. You can buy single online tickets, an Online Film Pass or an Online Shorts Pass.
Is there a deal for seeing lots of films?
The 10-Ticket Pack costs $170. The All Film Pass is $699 at the early bird rate through October 17, then $995.
Who runs the festival?
DOC NYC was founded in 2010 by Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers. Neihausen is Executive Director and Jaie Laplante is Artistic Director. Powers, who stepped down as Artistic Director after 12 years, is now Director of Special Projects.
About this article
- Fact-checked before publication.
- Published · Updated
