Book Talk: Mondo Documentary with Thom Powers
Guests Expected
We’ll be joined by documentary film expert, writer, and podcaster Thom Powers to celebrate the release of his new book Mondo Documentary.
Description
Come to FilmHouse for an evening conversation and book signing with Toronto International Film Festival Documentary Programmer Thom Powers in conversation with SFFILM Director of Programming Jessie Fairbanks. They’ll be talking about his new book Mondo Documentary, which spotlights more than 350 films he’s presented over twenty years at TIFF.
The pair will also highlight new documentaries selected for both TIFF and SFFILM’s upcoming 2025 Doc Stories, giving you the expert scoop from Thom and Jessie to help you plan your fall schedule! Whether you’re a nonfiction devotee or a newcomer, you’ll leave with a fresh watchlist of hidden treasures.
Expect insider stories—including many titles seen at SFFILM Doc Stories—featuring celebrated filmmakers like Werner Herzog, Laura Poitras, Raoul Peck, and Alex Gibney; award-winning titles including Inside Job, Undefeated, and Free Solo; and portraits of music icons like Bruce Springsteen, Grace Jones, Yo-Yo Ma and many more.
A book signing will follow the conversation, books are included with your ticket!
ATTENDEE INFORMATION
Ticket purchases to this event include a free copy of Mondo Documentary by Thom Powers. Please be ready to show your original order confirmation at the door (printed or on your phone) for entry and to redeem your free copy.
Thom Powers has been TIFF’s documentary programmer since 2006 and spent several years overseeing the Mavericks Conversation series. Highlights of his Festival career include the premieres of future Oscar winners Free Solo, Undefeated, and Inside Job; and Oscar nominees such as Attica, Collective, The Cave, Faces Places, and Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. He’s hosted on-stage conversations with esteemed figures including Jane Goodall, Grace Jones, André Leon Talley, Yo-Yo Ma, Samantha Power, Keith Richards, Bill Gates, and LeBron James.
He is the founding artistic director of DOC NYC, the largest documentary festival in the United States, and created many of its offshoot programs including Pro Conference, Visionaries Tribute, Short List, 40 Under 40, and Monday Memo. In 2022, after 12 years as artistic director, he took a new role as DOC NYC’s director of special projects.
Powers is the host of two podcasts: Pure Nonfiction and WNYC’s Documentary of the Week. He is a co-founder of the Montclair Film Festival, the Cinema Eye Honors, and the Garrett Scott Documentary Development Grant. He’s been a speaker at film events across Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia; and a juror at Cannes, Sundance, and CPH:DOX, among other festivals.