The Tribeca Film Festival kicks off in New York City on April 16^th. With nearly 200 films showing, it’s not easy to decide what to see – but we do know the documentaries are always a very good bet! Here some insiders’ picks from our own documentary filmmakers…

Every single one of our filmmakers is buzzing about:

1971, produced by our very own Marilyn Ness and Katy Chevigny. The documentary focuses on The Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI, which consisted of eight citizens who plotted to steal FBI files and then leak them to the press.

Marilyn told us, “It’s rare to work on a film about a 40-year-old story that jumps off the screen to full inform events of today. The film looks at ordinary people who stood up to injustice and makes you ask yourself, ‘What would you do?’”

Ted Gesing is a Frontline producer, director of Nutria (which won at SXSW in 2003), and collaborating filmmaker at DB Productions. He recommends:

The Overnighters by Jesse Moss: “There’s been serious buzz around this film since Sundance. It’s been a long road for Jesse getting this film out into the world, and I’m excited to finally see it.”

Misconception by Jessica Yu: “Jessica has a remarkable filmography, most notably 2004’s In The Realms of the Unreal. I’m eager to see anything with her name on it.”

Art and Craft by Sam Cullman and Jennifer Grausman: “I have long known Sam as a cinematographer, and I have high hopes for his transition to the directing role.”

My Own Man by David Sampliner: “This is an intimate first-person essay film – the kind that rarely makes it onto the big screen. I’ve followed David’s progress as he put this together, and I’m looking forward to seeing the final results.”

Xan Parker, executive producer at DB Productions, is excited about:

Point & Shoot by Marshall Curry: “When Marshall first told me he was working on this story, it was truly one of those moments when you think: truth really is better than fiction.”

CUT by Anita Thacher: “Anita Thacher is an experimental artist and filmmaker. Her work always intrigues me and sparks the imagination. Plus this is a chance to see several shorts – our favorite form of documentary here at DB Productions!””