MUMBAI:The International Documentary Associations (IDA)DocuWeeks program, a three-week showcase designed specifically to meet the Academy‘s eligibility requirements kicked off on 19 August.

The celebration will take place on 28 September with festivities that include a screening of his 2007 film Into the Wild as well as a compilation of highlights from his acting resume.
 
In the 14 years of its inception, DocuWeeks has qualified 17 Oscar nominees and seven winners.

Filmmakers who participate in DocuWeeks pay the IDA a fee commensurate with the cost of renting a theatre for a qualifying run on their own though it brings with it the added cachet and publicity of part of DocuWeeks curated program.
 
One of this year‘s films, Dying to Do Letterman has raised more than $40,000 on Kickstarter to cover the cost of participation and of additional promotion and publicity.]
 
Another first-week film, Nick Brandestini‘s Darwin has received rave reviews for its portrayal of a small community in California‘s Death Valley.
 
Unfinished Spaces, that screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival earlier this summer, is a striking, eye-opening and beautifully-made documentary about the National Art Schools in Cuba.
 
Other first-week films include The Boy Mir - Ten Years in Afghanistan,S.O.S./State of Security and a program of four short  Documentaries , including Library of Dust.
 
DocuWeeks will continue in New York till 1 September and in Los Amgeles 8 September.