Sundance to feature five films with ties to Stanford documentary program
The Stanford University MFA Program in Documentary Film is pleased to announce the selection of five films with significant contributions from its alumni and current students at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Read a longer piece about this in the Stanford Report.
Entre le Feu et le Clair de Lune
Dominic Yarabe (MFA '24) will premiere her thesis film Entre le Feu et le Clair de Lune in the Short Documentary Competition. This U.S.-Côte d'Ivoire co-production explores the filmmaker's father's childhood memories of war in his West African village, interweaving past and present as they work together to complete his unfinished book.
Death Education
Ethan Wu, a current second-year student in the program, will also feature in the Short Documentary Competition with Death Education. The film follows a high school teacher in China as they introduce a death education class, examining cultural attitudes towards mortality and loss.
Hold Me Close
Aurora Brachman (MFA '21) brings her short documentary Hold Me Close to the festival's Documentary Short Film Program. Co-directed and co-produced with LaTajh Simmons-Weaver, this compelling work chronicles the relationship between Corinne and Tiana, two Queer Black womxn who share a home and experience life's joys and challenges together. The film will have its world premiere at Sundance.
Life After
Reid Davenport (MFA '16) returns to Sundance with his latest feature documentary Life After, competing in the U.S. Documentary Competition. The film investigates the story of Elizabeth Bouvia, a disabled Californian woman whose 1983 fight for the "right to die" sparked a national debate. Davenport previously won the U.S. Documentary Directing Award at Sundance in 2022 for his I Didn't See You There. Life After was co-produced by fellow Stanford alumna Lyntoria Newton (MFA '17) and shot by Daniel Chavez (MFA '16), showcasing the collaborative spirit fostered by the program.
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, directed by Shoshannah Stern, explores Matlin's groundbreaking career as a Deaf actor and her reflections on being a trailblazer in Hollywood. The film features editing by Sara Newens (MFA '11) and associate producing by Ellie Wen (MFA '19).
The Stanford MFA in Documentary Film and Video program, known for its small cohorts and emphasis on collaboration, continues to nurture independent voices in documentary filmmaking. The program's focus on both creative expression and critical thinking prepares students to create innovative, impactful films that resonate with contemporary audiences.
