É Tudo Verdade / It's All True

Ancient Chinese wisdom would say that it is still too soon to measure the impact of the incredible global transformations that have taken place since the end of the Cold War, symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It is obvious, though, that the global scenario is far more complex, contrary to what was initially proclaimed by some, in a process that includes the impact of the digital revolution on the arts and culture, behavior and communications.

It is no coincidence that the documentary has also reached a new and never-before seen level of aesthetic complexity, public recognition and productive energy. The cinema of reality, driven by more democratic access to concrete means of production and by the expanded base of non-fictional narratives, has been expanded horizontally and vertically across societies and countries. Wi- thin this context and over this period, the number of festivals specifically dedicated to documentaries has increased, as have the openings for the production of more traditional events.

With its pioneering work in Latin America for almost a quarter of a century, It’s All True can be seen as part of this global process. The undoubted strength of Brazilian production, with its long-recognized tradition in the area, as can be seen in the work of Alberto Cavalcanti and Eduardo Coutinho, to cite but two examples, is the leading force behind this movement, being confirmed by the extraordinary range of films we have the privilege of presenting in this, the festival’s 24th year.

The invitation from the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for It’s All True to be- come, as of June last year, a classifying event for the feature-film category of the Oscars, pre-qualifying winners of both the Brazilian and International competitions, as it has already been doing for the winners of the short-film categories, straight away elevated the international recognition of our work to a new level and increased the responsibility of our activities both in Brazil and elsewhere.

This distinction naturally transcends the specific scope within which It’s All True works. On the one hand, it also recognizes the group of filmmakers, producers and technicians dedica- ted to the documentary, from Brazil, Latin America and the rest of the world, who have believed in the festival every year as a mirror of the excellence of their projects. On the other, it highlights the essential commitment of the institutions and companies (working as one to make the festival possible) to documentary production and, in these enormously important times, to the very stability of It’s All True. To everyone, in the name of the exceptional team producing this festival, I ex- tend our most heartfelt thanks.

To the cinema-goers, we say welcome, and send you our best wishes for great experiences and wonderful times in this ocean of truth!

AMIR LABAKI

Founder and General Director

It’s All True - International Documentary Film Festival