DOC NYC ‘s 11th annual Visionaries Tribute gala will honor documentary filmmaker Alan Berliner, Firelight Media president and co-founder Marcia Smith, director Lucy Walker, and CEO of Chicken & Egg Pictures Jenni Wolfson.

The gala will be held on Nov. 13 at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall, kicking off the 15th annual DOC NYC film festival. The event brings together prominent figures in the documentary community from across the country. Hundreds of documentary filmmakers, cinematographers, producers, editors, publicists, and distributors connect with members of the Academy's documentary branch, hoping to win their support.

“For more than a decade, we’ve been proud to present the DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute, a cherished opportunity to assemble over 500 documentary professionals for a celebration of excellence in our field,” says DOC NYC co-founder and director of special projects Thom Powers , who oversees the event. “Alan Berliner is one of the most inventive practitioners of the documentary form. Marcia Smith is esteemed both as a producer and an organization leader at Firelight Media. Lucy Walker has a directing career of extraordinary depth and breadth. And Jenni Wolfson has supported filmmakers all over the world as the head of Chicken & Egg.”

Berliner and Smith will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, which acknowledges individuals with a significant body of documentary film work.

Recognized as a master of essayistic documentaries, Berliner's films include: “Letter to the Editor,” a diverse reflection on newspaper photography, “First Cousin, Once Removed,” about a poet’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease, and “Wide Awake” about the director’s experiences with insomnia.

Smith formally established Firelight Media in 2000 with her partner, filmmaker Stanley Nelson. The nonprofit organization supports, resources, and advocates for documentary filmmakers of color. Over the past 25 years, Firelight Media’s artist programs have supported over 250 filmmakers. Smith has co-written several documentaries alongside Nelson including “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom,” “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities,” “Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple” and  “The Murder of Emmett Till.”

Past Visionaries Tribute Lifetime Achievement honorees include such prominent figures as Nelson, Michael Moore, Barbara Kopple, Frederick Wiseman, Martin Scorsese, Sheila Nevins, D.A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, Albert Maysles, and Errol Morris.

Walker, a director nominated for an Academy Award, will be presented with The Robert and Anne Drew Award for Documentary Excellence. This honor is named after the pioneering husband and wife filmmaking duo. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize provided by Drew Associates and acknowledges a mid-career filmmaker or team that demonstrates exceptional skill in observational filmmaking.

Walker's most recent documentary, “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa” made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Walker's previous documentaries include “Bring Your Own Brigade,” about forest fires; “The Crash Reel” about extreme sports and brain injuries; and “The Waste Land,” set in Brazil and focusing on a garbage dump.

Jill Drew, the general manager of Drew Associates, who initiated the DOC NYC award, states that Walker “has captured numerous unforgettable moments. She possesses unwavering dedication to following narratives wherever they may lead, which perfectly embodies the spirit of this award.”

Three of the past six recipients of The Robert and Anne Drew Award have subsequently won the Oscar for Best Documentary. They are: Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert (“American Factory”); Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”); and Laura Poitras (“Citizenfour”).

Wolfson will be recognized with the Leading Light Award, which is bestowed upon an individual who makes a significant contribution to documentary filmmaking beyond the role of a filmmaker. Under Wolfson's leadership since 2013, Chicken & Egg Pictures has continuously expanded its grant-making and mentorship programs for women and gender-expansive filmmakers, strengthening its commitment to social change through narrative storytelling. Prior to her position at Chicken & Egg, Wolfson served as the managing director at Witness, the international human rights video advocacy organization established by musician Peter Gabriel.

Previous recipients of the Leading Light Award include Erika Dilday, Tabitha Jackson, and Tom Quinn.

DOC NYC’s 2024 festival will take place both in person and online beginning on Nov. 13 and conclude on Nov. 21. The in-person events will take place at New York City’s IFC Center, SVA Theatre, and Village East by Angelika. The fest’s online presentations will extend through Dec. 1, with online screenings available to viewers across the U.S.