Filmmaker Joe Berlinger (“Crude”) speaks at WESTDOC 2010’s non-fiction keynote conversation. He discusses his legal problems with Chevron after his documentary,

Join Jim Carrey, Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, Jean Houston, Barbara Marx Hubbard for the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment Story Conference 9:00-5:00 PST and GATE2 6:30-11:00 PST New Entertainment and Media Values for a New World - A Celebration of Transformational Entertainment, Media and Arts.

The theme of GATE 2 is "Only a New Seed Will Yield a New Crop: New Entertainment and Media Values for a New World". The evening will be an exploration of what this new, emerging genre is all about, and an inspiration for attendees to become more involved in sharing the energies of their personal transformation with the world through their work.

I just stepped out from a screening of Sing Your Song at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Wow!  I have never been so moved by a movie – alternating wanting to cry and clap.

This powerful film illuminates the life of Harry Belefonte, a man who is loved for his music, acting, personality and his humanitarianism.  He is a true global citizen who has been involved with creating positive change in the world his whole life.  From his beginnings in the Theater in Harlem the marvelous archival footage of him performing as an actor and singer to his role as voice for causes everywhere. 

Its quite awakening to see that a performer of Harry Belelfonte's stature was still subject to the racial segregation the divided our country.  This awoke in him a passion that lives to this day.  his fame and stature enabled him to connect with many leading politicians and thought leaders.  Not only did he lend his singing voice to the actions taking place, but reach leaders such as JFK and RFK and bring the messages of MLK.

One of the stories he tells in the film is how his mother told him to do one thing each day to fight injustice in the world.

His remarks after the screening were equally profound and articulate as those in the film.  His charm and warm enhance the clarity of his message and mesmerizes one.  He told how his mother observed him seaching for a pair of socks over and over in the same places and asked him if he ever thought that the answer lie in place had not yet looked.  It became a mantra that led him around the world seaching for wisdom and the next piece of the puzzle for mankind.

I also had the privilege to see Mr Belefonte in a panel discussion on Film and Movement and he was equally powerful and empowering.

It was quite interesting that the same day I saw this film which highlighted the non-violent part of the civil rights movement, there was also a screening of Black Power Mix Tape which features footage about the Black Power movement which was archived in Sweden and recently discovered.

I hope this movie encourages everyone to sing their song and create a global chorus – it has moved me to do so, never before have I wanted to write like this, to add my voice to this song!

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Today at 5:00 pm EST The Power of Story: How Docs Changed Time

Over the course of the independent film movement, there’s been a major transformation in the landscape of nonfiction filmmaking. We’ve seen the role documentary work can play: from changing societies and communicating diverse human experiences to addressing political and social issues and entertaining audiences with extraordinary and inspiring stories. Meet three figures who have been at the center of changing the face of documentary film, expanding its audience, and redefining its impact.

Nick Fraser has worked as a reporter and television producer and has been the commissioning editor of BBC's Storyville since it started in 1997. Storyville films have won more than two hundred awards, including several Academy Awards, Griersons, Emmys, and Peabodys as well as a Sundance Jury Prize.

Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films, is a highly regarded producer credited with nearly one thousand documentary films, which have earned numerous Academy Awards, Emmys, Peabodys, and, most recently, a DGA Honor. During her long tenure at HBO, Nevins has cultivated many new talents and set the standard for cutting-edge documentaries.

Soledad O’Brien (moderator) is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN and has reported breaking news from around the globe in addition to producing award-winning, critically acclaimed documentary films.

Robert Redford is recognized the world over for the roles he has played and the projects he has directed or produced throughout a distinguished stage and film career. He is an environmentalist and advocate for social responsibility and political involvement and has nurtured countless innovative voices through his nonprofit Sundance Institute and Film Festival.

The Economist Film Project is an initiative by The Economist, in partnership with PBS NewsHour, to showcase independent documentary films from around the world. From Abu Dhabi to Albuquerque, from astronomy to agriculture, the project will showcase films that offer new ideas, perspectives, and insights that not only help make sense of the world, but also take a stand and provoke debate.

The International Documentary Association Awards were presented Dec 3rd at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles.  The ceremony was hosted by Morgan Spurlock.

"Waste Land", a film about the world’s largest trash dump in Rio de Janeiro, as seen through the eyes of an artist, took top honors.  Lucy Walker's film also received the IDA's Pare Lorentz Award.  ("Waste Land" is also being considered for an Academy Award in the Feature Documentary category.)

NBC Universal kicks off its annual "Green Week" November 14th-21st, as part of the company's ongoing environmental initiative, "Green is Universal." NBC's "Football Night in America" will hit the "green light switch," triggering over 40 television and digital platforms across the company to feature environmentally themed programming. Complete programming details for the week can be found at: http://www.greenisuniversal.com/programming/.

We're living in the golden age of documentary films. Thanks to the advent of inexpensive cameras and facile editing software, the number of skilled filmmakers who are reporting from the front lines of the essential stories of our time is truly remarkable. Which is why we've chosen to focus on the new: We've picked the 15 greatest adventure, investigative, and nature documentaries of the 21st century, while also giving nods to ten 20th-century classics that paved the way.