The New Yorker Documentary
Gay Figure Skaters Pave Their Own Way in “Icebreakers”
Marlo Poras and Jocelyn Glatzer’s short film explores the legacy of the Gay Games as an all-inclusive answer to the Olympics—and celebrates the queer ice dancers striving to redefine their sport.
An Artist Seeks Reinvention by Living Off the Grid in “Far West”
In Stephen Michael Simon’s documentary, Lala Abaddon leaves New York City and finds peace and creativity in her new hardscrabble desert home.
Lives in Upheaval After an Eviction, in “Last Days on Lake Trinity”
Charlotte Cooley’s short film follows three women as they navigate months of uncertainty after the shuttering of a Florida mobile-home park.
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
When a Crackdown Involving the I.R.A. Backfired, Comically, in “The Ban”
In 1988, when the British government declared that the voices of Sinn Féin or I.R.A. leaders were not to be heard, broadcasters soon discovered a loophole.
A Musical Indictment of the Harris County Jail in “Criminal”
Robe Imbriano’s documentary short uses music and animation to illustrate the grave injustices taking place at Houston’s notorious jail and in the cash-bail system at large.
Gary Shteyngart’s Tragicomedy of the Penis in “The Guy Who Got Cut Wrong”
The author opens up—with pathos, humor, and props—about his experience receiving a botched circumcision.
“Cashing Out” Examines an Investment Strategy That Profited from AIDS Deaths
Matt Nadel’s documentary short explores the moral complexities of buying the life-insurance policies of H.I.V.-positive gay men.
Reëxamining the American Dream in “The Last Carnival”
On the last day of carnival season, migrant workers keep the rides up and running for joyful kids, while they mourn lost time with their own families.
How the Bonds Among Virtual-Reality Furries Saved a Life, in “The Reality of Hope”
A short film follows a friendship in the V.R.-furry community which turns into a radical act of generosity.