In 2004, the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival had its humble beginnings as the brainchild of founder Michelle Fino. Fino's vision was clear -- to showcase the best in documentary films, setting the stage for what would become a significant cultural event. The festival's identity underwent several transformations in its early years. From its inception as the Northern Lights Documentary Film Festival, it evolved into the Newburyport Film Society, later becoming the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival. The permanent name change was chosen to emphasize the importance of a sense of place. Two key figures were instrumental in carving the festival's identity The late board member and advisor Lois Smith brought her expertise as a legendary entertainment publicist, having represented luminaries including Marilyn Monroe, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Whitney Houston, WarrenBeatty, and Liza Minnelli. And David Kleiler, co-founder of the Boston Underground Film Festival, played a pivotal role in the nonprofit Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation's founding, contributing significantly to the rescue of the theater. He served as a beloved judge for the festival for years. We honored Kleiler's legacy by establishing the David Kleiler Award after his passing in2019. In 2011, Michelle Fino departed from her role, paving the way for the appointment of a new executive director, Joanne Morris Biggio, who served admirably for more than a decade. She was succeeded by Anne Crays in 2025. The festival's commitment to its mission was further solidified in June 2016 when it transitioned into a nonprofit organization, ensuring its sustainability and impact. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 did not deter the organization. The 16th annual festival persisted in a virtual format, leveraging platforms like Eventive to continue bringing exceptional documentaries to its audience. Over its rich history, the festival has showcased a remarkable 400 plus films.