Documentary Festival DC/DOX Highlights Critical Issues Amidst Military Parade
Over the weekend, just a few blocks from President Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., the third annual DC/DOX documentary film festival kicked off on June 12. This four-day event showcased powerful films addressing some of America’s most pressing challenges, such as school shootings, book bans targeting race and LGBTQIA+ issues, assaults on free speech, and the widening gap in income and wealth.
One of the standout films, "Uvalde Mom," directed by Anayansi Prado, delves into the tragic 2022 mass shooting that devastated the Uvalde, Texas, community, claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers. Prado expressed the significance of screening her documentary in D.C. concurrently with the military parade. "So many films here tackle vital social justice and global issues, making it compelling that this festival coincides with the military parade," she noted. "As a community of documentary filmmakers, we are holding space together, which I see as an act of resistance."
Founded by Sky Sitney and Jamie Shor in 2022, DC/DOX aims to unite innovative perspectives, bold voices, and timely narratives in Washington, D.C. The 2025 edition featured an impressive lineup of 59 feature films and 35 short films from over two dozen countries. Notable documentaries from Sundance 2025, including Geeta Gandbhir’s “The Perfect Neighbor” and David Osit’s “Predators,” were part of this year’s program.
As protests erupted across the U.S. against the Trump administration, Erika Dilday, head of PBS’ POV and America ReFramed, took to the stage during the festival’s June 14 panel discussion to address the recent House of Representatives legislation aimed at cutting PBS’s federal funding for the next two years. "We aren’t going anywhere," Dilday asserted. "We are prepared to fight."
One of the most talked-about documentaries from Sundance 2025, Bao Nguyen’s “The Stringer,” made its DC/DOX debut on June 15. This film, which has stirred considerable controversy, challenges the widely accepted narrative surrounding the iconic "Napalm Girl" photograph taken during the Vietnam War. Nguyen claims that Nick Ut, the Associated Press photographer credited with the image, was not the true author. Instead, the film argues that Nguyen Thanh Nghe, a freelance driver for NBC, captured the photo and has long been overlooked.
Nguyen and his investigative team conducted interviews with 55 individuals, including Nghe and Carl Robinson, a former AP photo editor who alleged he was pressured to alter the credit. They also utilized forensic evidence, such as images and footage from the event, and created 3D models to support their claims that Ut was not in a position to have taken the famous photo.
Following its Sundance premiere, "The Stringer" faced intense backlash. James Hornstein, an attorney for Ut, indicated via email that a defamation lawsuit against the filmmakers was imminent. However, Nguyen, present for the D.C. screening, reported that no legal action from the AP had materialized. Reflecting on the controversy, he expressed surprise at the backlash. "We knew this story would disrupt the photojournalism community," Nguyen remarked. "But it seems that simply asking the question has caused issues. I believe that journalism’s core principle is to ask tough questions and seek the truth. The reactions suggest some may not want these questions posed or may expect specific answers."
In May, after a thorough investigation, World Press Photo suspended Ut’s credit for the iconic image. However, the AP decided against altering the credit. The DC/DOX festival concluded on June 15, leaving a significant mark on the conversation surrounding documentary filmmaking and social issues in America.
