The Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking were founded in late 2007 to recognize and honor exemplary craft and innovation in nonfiction film.  Cinema Eye’s mission has been to advocate for, recognize and promote the highest commitment to rigor and artistry in the nonfiction field.

The inaugural Cinema Eye Honors were held at New York City’s IFC Center in on March 17, 2008.  Jason Kohn’s MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET) received three awards that evening, including Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking.  Alex Gibney followed up his Oscar win for TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE with the Cinema Eye for Outstanding Achievement in Direction.  Gibney also served as a presenter at the event, along with filmmakers Barbara Kopple, Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky, Sam Pollard, Alan Berliner and Ross Kauffman.

The second edition of Cinema Eye was held at New York’s Times Center on 41st Street on March 29, 2009.  Ari Folman’s WALTZ WITH BASHIR received four honors, including Oustanding Achievement in Direction, and James Marsh’s MAN ON WIRE took three, including Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking.  Presenters at the event included Al Maysles, DA Pennebaker & Chris Hegedus, Morgan Spurlock and musician/artist Laurie Anderson.

The third edition of Cinema Eye will be held at the Times Center on January 15, 2010.  It will mark the first time the Honors will be presented prior to the Academy Award ceremonies.

The Cinema Eye Honors leadership team for 2010 includes three co-chairs: filmmaker Esther Robinson, San Francisco Film Society programmer Rachel Rosen and filmmaker/writer AJ Schnack, who founded the awards.

Thom Powers, the documentary programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, chairs the Cinema Eye Nominations Committee, and Andrea Meditch serves as chair of the Cinema Eye Advisory Board.

Indiepix, the New York-based online distributor of independent films, returns in 2010 as Founding Sponsor and Co-Producer of Cinema Eye.

In the words of IndiePix’s Bob Alexander, “The exceptional talent and craftsmanship within the film industry has been under-acknowledged. Documentary filmmaking is so intricate, yet the men and women behind the scenes rarely receive acknowledgement for the outstanding work they produce. We really want to show our support to nonfiction filmmakers and focus on explicitly honoring the craft involved.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who nominates films for Cinema Eye?

Representatives from top film festivals showcasing nonfiction work are invited to participate by nominating five films in each category from a list of eligible films.  For the 2010 Honors, the nominations committee was chaired by Thom Powers (Toronto) and included the following members: Meira Blaustein (Woodstock), Heather Croall (Sheffield), Sean Farnel (Hot Docs), Ben Fowlie (Camden), Tom Hall (Sarasota/Newport), Doug Jones (Los Angeles), David Kwok (Tribeca), Caroline Libresco (Sundance), Janet Pierson (SXSW), Rachel Rosen (San Francisco), Sky Sitney (Silverdocs), Sadie Tillery (Full Frame) and David Wilson (True/False).

Why aren’t there more international film festivals represented on the nominating committee?

Although we invited representatives of several top international festivals, due to our revised schedule for 2010 (nomination deadlines in late October), it became impossible for some of them to participate in this year’s awards.  Cinema Eye will continue to reach out to international programmers for future Honors.

Is the Cinema Eye leadership team involved in nominating films for the Honors?

Rachel Rosen, one of the 2010 Co-chairs, and Thom Powers, Chair of the Cinema Eye Nominations Committee, both vote for nominations in their roles as festival programmers.  2010 Co-chairs Esther Robinson and AJ Schnack do not vote during the nominations process.

How do films become eligible for Cinema Eye?

Films become eligible by fulfilling one of four criteria:

1. Screening at three of the following international film festivals (listed chronologically): Sundance, Berlin, True/False, SXSW, Full Frame, Tribeca, Hot Docs, Cannes, Silverdocs, Los Angeles, Toronto and IDFA.  For the 2011 Honors, Sheffield Doc/Fest will be added to the list of qualifying festivals.

2. Screening at two of the above film festivals and winning a grand jury prize at one of them.

3. Screening at two of the above film festivals and reporting at least $5,000 in North American theatrical box office.

4. Reporting at least $20,000 in North American theatrical box office.

Is there an entry fee?

No.

Who is responsible for confirming Cinema Eye eligibility?

While the Cinema Eye team makes every effort to track festival screenings and theatrical receipts, it’s up to the filmmaker to make sure that Cinema Eye is aware of a film’s eligibility.