BGDM at DOC NYC 2026

68 films. 49 features. 19 shorts. And a whole lot of Mafiosxs making their mark on documentary.

This year, the Mafia is behind an extraordinary 68 films screening at DOC NYC 2026, marking an incredible moment for our community and the filmmakers whose work continues to shape nonfiction storytelling.

From November 11–19, documentary filmmakers and audiences will gather in New York City for the 17th edition of DOC NYC, one of the world's leading documentary festivals, with online screenings continuing through November 29.

Since launching in 2010, DOC NYC has grown into a major destination for documentary discovery, connecting filmmakers with audiences, industry leaders and opportunities to move their work forward. The festival is also Academy Award-qualifying for documentary shorts, so you already know we're crossing our fingers and cheering on our Mafiosxs. Who knows? We might just have a few more Oscars to celebrate in the BGDM community!

Beyond the screenings, DOC NYC is bringing filmmakers together through DOC NYC PRO, its annual industry conference. On November 18, during the Sound, Image, and the Art of Production PRO Day, our founder and Executive Director Iyabo Boyd will lead Color in the Lens, a special conversation with fellow BGDM members exploring the creative choices behind documentary filmmaking. Also new this year is the Solutions Lab, a space for filmmakers to tackle real challenges around funding, distribution and audience-building.

And because access to these industry spaces matters, BGDM is sponsoring 15 members to attend DOC NYC PRO, giving emerging filmmakers opportunities to connect with industry leaders, learn from their peers, and gain insights to move their work forward. We can't wait to hear what they take away from the experience!

And to top it off, longtime BGDM member JT Takagi will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at DOC NYC's 13th annual Visionaries Tribute on November 11. A filmmaker, sound recordist, and executive director of Third World Newsreel, JT has spent decades championing independent media and stories from communities too often pushed to the margins. Congratulations, JT! Our community celebrates this recognition with you.

Here's your guide to connecting with the Mafia at DOC NYC.

Meet the Members

Wondering who from the Mafia will be in NYC?

Explore our Meet the Members grid to discover which Mafiosxs are attending, learn about their work, and start making connections before the festival begins.

And if you're planning to attend, don't forget to fill out the Meet the Members form so fellow Mafiosxs can find you, reach out, and connect during the festival. Whether you're looking for someone to catch a screening with, exchange ideas, or collaborate on your next project, this is your chance to find your people.

Color in the Lens

Ever wonder what goes into the shots that make a documentary unforgettable?

Join us for Color in the Lens, a BGDM-born conversation taking the stage at DOC NYC PRO, where filmmakers get into the creative decisions behind their work, one frame at a time.

Hosted by BGDM founder and Executive Director Iyabo Boyd, the conversation will bring together fellow Mafiosxs Arielle Knight, Marialuisa Ernst and Khaula Malik for a closer look at their films, The Boys and the Bees, A Place of Absence and The Nobles.

Using still frames pulled directly from their films, they'll unpack the creative choices behind the images, from the risks they took to the moments that shaped their stories. Part conversation, part masterclass, this is a chance to hear fellow Mafiosxs get into the craft of documentary filmmaking.

Wednesday, November 18 | 11:15 a.m.–1 p.m. ET

DOC NYC PRO — Village East by Angelika
181 Second Ave., New York, NY

Panelist

Arielle Knight — Director, The Boys and the Bees

A New York- and Oaxaca-based documentary filmmaker and creative producer, Arielle creates work that celebrates the complexity, imagination, and beauty of BIPOC lives. Her films and producing collaborations have reached audiences at Sundance, Tribeca, BlackStar and other major festivals.

Marialuisa Ernst — Director, A Place of Absence

Originally from Bolivia and Chile, Marialuisa is a New York-based filmmaker whose intimate, politically engaged work explores memory, loss, identity and the connections that transcend borders. A Place of Absence, her feature debut, has received support from the Tribeca Gucci Fund, the NYC Women's Fund and BGDM's Feedback Loop.

Khaula Malik — Director, The Nobles

A Pakistani-born filmmaker raised in Virginia and based between Los Angeles and New York, Khaula creates documentary and narrative work exploring complex human experiences. Her short How the Air Feels won the National Board of Review Student Filmmaker Award, and she has participated in Tribeca CHANEL Through Her Lens and the Cine Qua Non Revisions Lab. She joins the conversation to discuss her film The Nobles.

BGDM Member Films at DOC NYC 2026

With 68 member films screening at DOC NYC, filling your festival schedule with BGDM projects should be easy!

From features to shorts, our community is bringing an incredible range of stories, perspectives and filmmaking approaches to audiences across New York City.

Check out our DOC NYC Member Films Guide below to discover every project worked on by Mafiosxs, add screenings to your festival schedule, and show up for the incredible work our community is bringing to DOC NYC this year.