Through simple means and filming, This is Not a Film presents a vital political statement and a snapshot of life in Iran as enemy of the state.

Director:

Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb

Starring:

Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb

The Invisible War is a vital and frank expose on sexual assault in the U.S. military, shot by master filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film is Not Yet Rated).

Director:

Kirby Dick

Starring:

Amy Ziering, Kirby Dick, Kori Cioca

Angry, powerful, and stirring, How to Survive a Plague is a brilliantly constructed documentary about the activists who pushed for action to combat the AIDS epidemic.

Director:

David France

Starring:

Peter Staley, Garance Franke-Riuta, Mark Harrington

Beautiful, thoughtful, and engrossing, Jiro Dreams of Sushi should prove satisfying even for filmgoers who don't care for the cuisine.

Director:

David Gelb

Starring:

Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Takashi Ono

Monsieur Lahzar is a tender and thoughtful portrait of a man with hidden grief and also a compelling exploration of the teacher-student dynamic.

Director:

Philippe Falardeau

Starring:

Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nelisse, Emilien Neron

An upfront study of a drug addict confronting his demons, Oslo, August 31st makes this dark journey worthwhile with fantastic directing and equally fantastic acting.

Director:

Joachim Trier

Starring:

Anders Danielsen Lie, Malin Crepin, Aksel M. Thanke

Despite its true-crime trappings, The Imposter is an utterly gripping and sometimes heartbreaking documentary thriller cleverly told with narrative flair.

Director:

Bart Layton

Starring:

Frederic Bourdin, Carey Gibson, Beverly Dollarhide

An eye-opening and appealing documentary about an earnest politician up against the closed door drama of climate change.

Director:

Jon Shenk

Starring:

President Mohamed Nasheed

Brooklyn Castle is a warm, engaging, and even uplifting documentary about chess-playing whiz kids.

Director:

Katie Dellamaggiore

Starring:

Justus Williams, Pobo Efekoro, Alexis Paredes

Thanks to the Dardenne brothers' typically fine direction, The Kid with a Bike is a heart-wrenching, thematically and spiritually rich drama.

Director:

Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne

Starring:

Cécile De France, Thomas Doret, Jérémie Renier