‘How does an undocumented documentary filmmaker document themself?’ is a question artist-filmmaker Miko Revereza carries through his work, which is largely informed by his experience living as an undocumented migrant in the US for over 20 years.

Archéologie de la lumière invites us into the heart of Minganie’s landscapes in Quebec. A place surrounded by countless presences. Everything there is perception. Every perception emerges from the interplay between the observer’s gaze and the living world: the trees, the moss carpeting the forest floor, the water winding through rocks, light filtered by the canopy, the sun’s reflection on the restless sea, the northern lights dancing across the night sky. To perceive is to attune ourselves to the movement of air and wind, to the distant clouds gathering and heralding a storm.

Open City Documentary Festival is excited to announce the full programme for its 16th edition, taking place in person from 14th to 19th April.  Throughout the week we’ll be screening 125 new and historical films across London at our venues Barbican, Bertha DocHouse, BFI, Close-Up Film Centre, Institute of Contemporary Arts, and Rich Mix, where the Festival Hub will be based.

What is a village?  Who are the villagers? Whether urban or rural, ancient or evolving, villages across the world are diverse and resilient with their own identities, conflicts and celebrations.

These films tell of the resilience, adversity, pleasures and rituals of village people and life. The programme includes films by UK and international artists and filmmakers including Colm Higgins (IRL), Sebastian Molina Ruiz (MEX), Sasha Waters (US) and Edward Smyth (UK) and more.