How Telluride Turned Into a Mecca for Documentary Awards Hopefuls

variety.com:

Addie Morfoot Contributor The Telluride Film Festival’s emphasis on documentary has not wavered in recent years. But the prominence of nonfiction fare at the 49th edition has arguably made this year’s Telluride the autumn Sundance, where some of the biggest buzz is for docs.

The lineup, kept under wraps until the eve of the fest’s opening on Sept. 2, includes 16 docs from novice and veteran documentarians, including Steve James (“A Compassionate Spy”), Matthew Heineman (“Retrograde”), Chris Smith (“Sr.”) Ondi Timoner (“Last Flight Home”) and Ryan White (“Good Night Oppy”). (Additional “secret” screenings have yet to be announced.) The rising level of documentaries at the Colorado fest is largely due to the influence of Telluride executive director Julie Huntsinger. “This year, there is almost parity with the narrative features in the [main feature] program,” says Huntsinger, who co-directs Telluride with Tom Luddy. “It’s not us actively seeking it.

For lack of a better word, it’s what the marketplace is doing. Every year when we put the program together, we select from what is out there, and some of the best movies each year are docs.” Longtime Submarine Entertainment sales agent Josh Braun senses a distinct vibe around docs at Telluride 2022.  “It feels like there’s a different sense of the value around docs in terms of their positioning at Telluride this year.” Another reason Telluride has a growing number of docs in its lineup each year is because they “are not remakes,” says Huntsinger. “They’re not derivative.

It’s not something you’ve ever seen before. You are astonished by a new and compelling story.”One example Huntsinger gives from this year’s lineup is “Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis,” the first