Directed by Women

In her Oscar nominated documentary Promises, filmmaker Justine Shapiro took us into the lives of Palestinian and Israeli children in and around Jerusalem. Her new documentary, Our Summer in Tehran, transports us into the seldom seen realm of middle class family life in Iran, transcending overt politics for a perspective Western media has little interest in showing.

In this inspiring documentary, filmmaker Nelson George explores a singular neighborhood in Brooklyn that gave rise to an African-American arts movement in the late 20th century as vibrant as the Harlem Renaissance. Through interviews with Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Lisa Jones Chapman, Branford Marsalis, Lorna Simpson, and many others, Brooklyn Boheme celebrates the rise of a new kind of African-American artist.

Grandma's Tattoos uncovers the fate of thousands of women, mostly teenagers and young girls, who survived the 1915 Armenian Genocide but were forced into prostitution by their captors. This powerful documentary investigates an aspect of history that is too often ignored - the fate of women in conflicts and wars.

An extremely insightful examination of the psychiatrist-patient relationship, this innovative documentary uses role-playing techniques that allow patients to express their innermost thoughts about their psychiatrist and experience in mental institutions. People in White offers a fresh look at the mental health industry and the treatment methods used by mental health care professionals.

What values define the institution of marriage? Can social convention be upended successfully? Quadrangle is a fascinating documentary about two 'traditional' couples, coming out of the free love era and struggling with the monotony of suburban life, that swapped partners and lived in a group marriage in the early 1970s.

A portrait of three women over the age of 50 earning a living as prostitutes, Silver Girls approaches this oft-explored subject from a refreshingly different perspective; discussing sex, sexuality, social mores, aging, female empowerment and independence in a candid, insightful but non-exploitative manner.

The idea of intelligent machines has captivated humankind's imagination for centuries. But recent breakthroughs are poised to make this fantastical dream a reality. Featuring interviews with leading scientists and thinkers, Plug and Pray is a deeply fascinating, occasionally frightening journey into the new world of artificial intelligence, an exploration of what's possible today and what it will mean for us tomorrow.

An award-winning trilogy exploring the changing face of China from the filmmaking team of Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon, this set includes the Academy Award nominated documentary The Warriors of Qiugang, the acclaimed Tongzhi in Love, and the Academy Award winning The Blood of Yingzhou District.

A beautiful and illuminating investigation into the ineffable relationship we have with art, Hidden Treasures introduces us to people who spend their days and nights surrounded by great works of art and have developed powerful, life-changing bonds.

A powerful documentary that captures the stirrings of an environmental movement in China, The Warriors of Qiugang brings to light the incredible efforts of a small village to shut down a chemical plant after years of environmental neglect. It is the third film in a trilogy about the changing face of China, from the filmmakers of The Blood of Yingzhou District and Tongzhi in Love.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011, the Peace Corps has inspired generations of young people into service around the world. Directed by one of its early volunteers, this exceptional documentary offers a fascinating first-person account of the organization's founding, early days and lasting influence. It also engenders greater understanding and a much-needed positive appreciation of Africa.

Jumping rope is one of the most timeless and universal forms of play. In the last 30 years, its popularity has moved it from the sidewalk to the stage. Doubletime profiles two championship teams - one suburban white and one inner-city black - for a revealing look inside an exciting new sport and a snapshot of race in America.

What does it mean to be young and Muslim in today's America? An invaluable and especially timely documentary, Abraham's Children takes us into the lives of 10 Muslim American adolescents, ranging in age from 10 to 17 years old, to share their experiences and hear their stories in their own words.

In the past twenty years, some of the most provocative, controversial and sought-after art has been made in China. This documentary profiles the booming art scene, from new art schools inundated with applications to leading Chinese artists whose work is selling for record breaking prices on the global art market.

The incredible story of how a treasure trove of banned Soviet art worth millions of dollars was found in the desert of Uzbekistan develops into a larger exploration of how art survives in times of oppression. A fascinating documentary about a group of visionary artists and one man who risked his life to rescue their work.

When a young Fidel Castro rescued his friend, Father Llorente, from drowning, he said it was a miracle and prayed to the Virgin Mary. Gabriel Garcia Marquez once gave Castro a copy of Stoker's Dracula which kept him up all night. A witty, engaging collection of personal anecdotes offers new insight into the Cuban leader.

Deep in the Amazon rainforest, three cities form a unique triple border between three South American countries: Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Beautifully photographed, Lands examines the impact of borders, commerce and urbanization on the lives of the local and indigenous population as well as the surrounding ecology.

In the age of Photoshop, Typeface explores the centuries-old tradition of hand-making wood type and the role it played in American graphic design. The latest documentary from award-winning production company Kartemquin Films, Typeface further examines the surprising resurgence of this analog craft in a digital age.

An award-winning documentary, Sweet Crude examines the humanitarian, environmental and economic devastation caused by 50 years of oil extraction in Nigeria's Niger Delta. Filmmaker Sandy Cioffi - imprisoned by the Nigerian military during the shoot and released only after an international outcry - uncovers an international web of oil politics, big business and media manipulation.

An exploration of gender and sexuality in Native American culture, Two Spirits interweaves the story of the life and brutal murder of a Navajo teenager with the largely unknown history of the 'two-spirit' tradition - the acceptance, even celebration, among indigenous cultures of people with both masculine and feminine traits.