Minding the Gap + Intro 15

"A rich, devastating essay on race, class and manhood in 21st-century America." - The New York Times

Nominated for an Oscar at this year's Academy Awards, first-time filmmaker Bing Liu’s documentary Minding the Gap is a profoundly moving coming-of-age saga filmed over 12 years about three skateboarding friends. In his quest to understand why he and his friends all attempted to escape their home lives when they were younger, Bing follows 23-year-old Zack as he becomes a father, and 17-year-old Keire as he gets his first job.

As the film unfolds, Bing gets caught in the middle of Zack’s tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend and Keire’s inner struggles with racial identity - as well as his relationship with his father, who died when he was younger. While navigating a complex relationship between his camera, his friends and his own personal history, Bing explores the gap between fathers and sons, between discipline and domestic abuse, and the significant changes that happen between childhood and becoming an adult.

Full of warmth and humour, as well as some incredible and beautifully shot skateboard sequences, Minding the Gap won the coveted Audience Award at 2018's Doc/Fest. The award is voted for by the Sheffield Doc/Fest cinema audiences, recognising the film that receives the highest audience vote during the Festival. In memory of Dr Clifford Shaw.

This screening will feature a special introduction from Doc/Fest.