Doc Edge have announced that Whitney Can I Be Me, the poignant and insightful life story of superstar Whitney Houston, has been selected to open the 12th annual Doc Edge Festival! Playing on 10th May in Wellington and on 24th May in Auckland, where the red-carpet opening will include the film awards and guests rubbing shoulders with many of the acclaimed international filmmakers, including the multi award-winning director of Whitney Can I Be Me, Nick Broomfield.

The full Doc Edge programme offers audiences 49 feature length films and 20 short films, representing the very finest of international and New Zealand-made documentaries.

Made with largely never-seen before footage and exclusive live recordings, Whitney Can I Be Me tells Whitney Houston’s emotionally poignant life story with insights from those closest to her. English director Nick Broomfield is renowned in the film world for his idiosyncratic style of investigative and experimental filmmaking. Broomfield’s many accolades include; The Sundance First Prize, The British Academy Award, The Prix Italia, The Hague Peace Prize, and The Amnesty International Doen award!

Closing the festival is a film that introduces another enigma in Max Gimblett: Original Mind. One of New Zealand’s most successful and internationally prominent living painters, Max Gimblett has lived in America since 1962. The film offers a stunning portrait of the eccentric, creative genius, who believes he may have been a Japanese woman in a prior life. The multi-talented Australian director Rhys Mitchell, known for his acting roles in TV series Upper Middle Bogan and Barracuda, will be attending the Festival.

Another big name who will deliver a key note address at the Screen Edge Forum is film luminary Gabo Arora. Arora is the first-ever Creative Director at the United Nations; Founder and President of LightShed, a virtual reality and social impact start-up; and an award-winning filmmaker.

Prevailing themes in this year’s programme include documentaries showcasing true heroes; including Ambulance, Becoming Warren Buffett, My Hero Brother and NZ’s own, Making Good Men, and films focused around inspirational women, such as Bride of the Nile, Supergirl and Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

New Zealand filmmakers will be revealing a wide selection of shorts, and feature length films including the world premieres of features Wilbur: The King in the Ring, Set In Stone, This Air is a Material and Delaney Davidson: Devil In The Parlour.

With over 30 international filmmakers and guests, Doc Edge Festival 2017 is set to enthral and inspire audiences with true stories by acclaimed documentary makers. Click here for the previous media release detailing the first 9 films confirmed.

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Doc Edge Festival reveals full festival programme