This year, Doc Edge turns 20. Two decades of truth, chaos, and films that cut to the bone.

To mark the occasion, I thought it would be more fun — and far more revealing — to skip the usual press release and let the founders speak for themselves.

So I sent ten questions to Festival Directors Alex Lee and Dan Shanan. No PR filters. No softballs. Just a chance to reflect, remember, and spill a few stories from behind the curtain.

Their answers — candid, clever, and surprisingly emotional — paint a portrait of what it really takes to build a world-class documentary festival from scratch.

Spoiler: it involves courage, chaos, and occasionally, champagne.

Here’s what they had to say.

What were you thinking?!
What made you believe starting a documentary festival in New Zealand 20 years ago was a good idea?

Back then, there wasn’t really a platform dedicated to showcasing the breadth and power of documentary storytelling in New Zealand. We believed that audiences here would connect with real stories from around the world, and that NZ filmmakers deserved their own space to shine. 20 years on, we are proud to see that instinct was spot on.

Do you remember the first film you programmed — or the first one that made you think, “We’re onto something”?
Was there a breakout title or moment early on that made it all feel real?

That’s a hard question. We chose well over 110 films in our first year.  I think the moment of clarity came when we watched all the submissions and realised that we had so many good films, narrowing the films was very difficult. Watching all the films made us realise there were so many topics to cover and that documentary was a critical means to create knowledge and inspire conversation. All our curated films were impactful; and enabled New Zealand to get a broader and deeper view of the world.

What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened at Doc Edge?
A guest gone rogue? A last-minute film drop? A standing ovation for something totally unexpected?

It was totally unexpected to have Prime Minister Helen Clark attend the opening of our very first festival, and give a speech about her love of documentaries and their importance. That really set the tone for how seriously people take this art form.

We were stunned at the time, but it was a good reminder that, as our tagline says, “Life Unscripted” which always keeps us on our toes!

Has your taste in documentaries changed since running the festival?
Be honest: are you more into the crowd-pleasers now or still chasing the tough stuff?

To be honest — both! Over the years, our appreciation for the craft has deepened. We still love the bold, challenging stories that push boundaries, but we have also learned the value of a great crowd-pleaser that can connect with a wide audience. It’s all about balance and keeping the programme fresh and surprising.

What’s the biggest ‘almost’ in Doc Edge history?
A film or guest you nearly secured but didn’t — and still think about.

There are so many films to choose from even if you lose one film, there are always at least another 5 contenders to take its place. However, audiences often ask why we don’t have a film or why we do not program the films they want to see but they don’t realise the complicated and difficult route we need to navigate to get a film. That is probably what we think about involves ensuring audiences know we are doing our best to secure the best films and this sometimes does not happen because of timing, commercial considerations of the sales agents and filmmaker preferences. As an Oscar qualifying film festival, we are respected for our choices and sometimes, not getting a film is due to matters beyond our control.

You’ve seen 20 years of docos — what makes a great one stand out from the pack?
Give us the Doc Edge cheat code.

It always comes down to story and heart. A great doc takes you somewhere unexpected, connects you emotionally, and stays with you long after the credits roll. Strong characters, great access, truth and a clear point of view — that’s the magic combo. It needs to push the dial and inspire conversation. You don’t need to agree with each other, but you can agree to disagree, have a civil conversation so you can understand the other point of view. Ignorance and a refusal to listen destroys humanity. And of course, a little surprise never hurts.

Which year nearly broke you?
Running a festival is no joke. Was there one fest that nearly ended it all?

To be honest, when you are running a charity, you find yourself at a breaking point pretty much every year! But 2020 was next level. The pandemic hit just weeks before the festival, and we had to pivot fast to an online version — we were only the second festival in the world to go fully virtual. Huge kudos to the team for pulling that off. Five years on, we are still offering a virtual cinema and audiences across New Zealand continue to appreciate the access. What started as a crisis move has now become a core part of what we do.

We hope and pray each year, that we don’t have to undergo the same rituals and toil. Keeping the passion going is critical.

What’s your go-to ritual once the festival is finally over?
Champagne? Sleep? An appointment with your therapist?

All of the above! 😊 The reality is, as soon as one festival ends, planning for the next one begins. But we do make time to pause, celebrate with the team (and a glass of bubbles), and catch up on a bit of much-needed rest… before diving back in.

If Doc Edge had a motto (unofficial or otherwise), what would it be?
The real one. Not the PR one.

Make it happen.

When you are running a festival, especially one that is independent and charity-based, there is no other option. No matter the obstacles, the show must go on!

What would you say to your 2005 selves, standing in front of a tiny screen with 20 people in the audience?
Would you warn them, congratulate them, or just give them a stiff drink?

All of the above! We would say: you have got no idea what you are starting but stick with it. There will be challenges you can’t imagine, but also moments of joy and connection that make it all worthwhile. And yes, definitely hand over a stiff drink for the road ahead.

— Roger Wyllie, View Mag

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