I’d first thought to begin my welcome with an acknowledgment that everything has changed. But of course it has, and so it will. Over these last few years the changes have just kept coming. We’ve seen disruption in all sectors of the film world, including the independent space and including documentaries. What does it mean for us? Mostly that we’re happier than ever to welcome you back. 

Makers of change, it just so happens, are the lifeblood of the 2024 DocLands festival lineup. These dozens of films dig right in to the most important issues of our time. And no, it’s not all doom and gloom. On the contrary, within these films you’ll meet many outstanding artists, scientists, activists, and athletes, including several extraordinary individuals who’ve pushed their own personal limits not just for fulfillment but also for the sake of justice, empathy, and human advancement. Where else can you learn what it’s like to surf a seven-story wave, or scale an actual skyscraper, or hike across a continent, or hold your breath for eight straight minutes, in a single long weekend? It’s my great privilege to share with you this amazing array of true stories about how humans relate to the natural world, to technology, to fellow humans, and to themselves.

Yes, ours is a world where history happens fast, and isn’t necessarily taught the way it used to be, let alone scrutinized by other media. It’s a world with some deep divisions. But we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe the culture of cinema can help bridge those divisions. And so we renew our commitment to what we call films of merit, those works which give us some perspective on what it means to be alive together in this complex, quickly changing world.

I extend my special thanks to Programming Director Joni Cooper and her team, as well as everyone who has helped make the 2024 DocLands possible, including you.