Oscar-winning Arnold Schwartzman, co-founder of the Academy's Documentary Branch, and Christine La Monte join the award-winning President of the festival jury, Frederico Lapenda, for a lively conversation.

How do we capture the truth without losing the art of the story? Documentary filmmaking is a unique craft that balances the raw unpredictability of real life with the structured vision of cinema. This panel explores the profound impact of non-fiction storytelling—how it can give a voice to the voiceless, challenge global perceptions, and serve as a powerful catalyst for social change. Our experts discuss the delicate process of building trust with subjects, the ethical responsibilities of the filmmaker, and the creative techniques used to turn real-world events into compelling, cinematic experiences.