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Out of Plain Sight

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Out of Plain Sight
Official poster
Directed by
  • Daniel Straub
  • Rosanna Xia
Produced by
  • Austin Straub
  • Daniel Straub
  • Rosanna Xia
CinematographyAustin Straub
Edited byAustin Straub
Music byJames Ellington
Production
companies
Distributed bySubmarine
Release date
  • November 16, 2024 (2024-11-16) (DOC NYC)
Running time
94 minutes
Country
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

Out of Plain Sight is a 2024 American documentary film directed by Daniel Straub and Rosanna Xia. Produced by L.A. Times Studios, the documentary unveils the hidden environmental catastrophe just beyond Southern California's shores. It had its world premiere on November 16, 2024, at DOC NYC.[1]

The film won Audience Choice Award at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 15, 2025.[2] It also received the Shared Earth Foundation Award at the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital,[3] the Best Feature award at the International Wildlife Film Festival,[4] the Special Jury Award for Environmental Justice at Mendocino Film Festival, and the Audience Award and an Honorable Mention from the jury at Berkshire International Film Festival.

Summary

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The subject of the documentary is UCSB professor David Valentine's discovery of toxic dumping grounds off the coast of Southern California. It follows Rosanna Xia as she investigates Valentine's initial shocking discovery and the even more alarming revelations that came afterward.[5]

Release

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Out of Plain Sight premiered at the Doc NYC on November 16, 2024, in the Investigation section.[6][7] It was screened at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 7, 2025.[8]

The film also featured in Special Screening – Opening Night at the 31st Slamdance Film Festival on February 20, 2025 in the Spotlight Features.[9]

It closed the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, held in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2025.[10]

Reception

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Steve Kopian writing on Unseen Films described the film as "One of the best films of DOC NYC and of 2024".[11] Andy Howell, writing for Film Threat, said the film "dramatically illustrates both the importance and process of science and journalism, at a time when both are under attack."[12]

Accolades

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Festival/Organisation Date Award/Category Recipient Result Ref.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 15, 2025 Audience Choice Award Out of Plain Sight Won [13]
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital March 29, 2025 Shared Earth Foundation Award Won [14]
International Wildlife Film Festival April 15, 2025 Best Feature Won [4]
Mendocino Film Festival May 29, 2025 Special Jury Award for Environmental Justice Won [15]
Berkshire International Film Festival June 1, 2025 Documentary Jury Award - Honorable Mention Won [16]
Berkshire International Film Festival June 2, 2025 Audience Award Won [16]

References

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  1. ^ "Out of Plain Sight". DOC NYC. November 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  2. ^ Garner, Glen (February 15, 2025). "40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival Winners — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  3. ^ "Shared Earth Foundation Award". DCEFF.org. March 28, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "IWFF 2025 Winners". wildlifefilms.org. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Fausey, Callie (February 11, 2025). "'Out of Plain Sight' Premieres at SBIFF, Detailing DDT Dumping in Pacific". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  6. ^ "L.A. Times and Sypher Studios to Premiere Environmental Documentary Feature 'Out of Plain Sight' at DOC NYC". Los Angeles Times. October 29, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  7. ^ Carey, Matthew (October 10, 2024). "DOC NYC Announces 15th Anniversary Lineup Including 31 World Premieres From 'Drop Dead City' To 'After The Rain,' 'All God's Children' & More". Deadline. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Hammond, Pete (January 17, 2025). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Sets Full 2025 Program, Will Partner With Direct Relief To Raise Funds For L.A. Wildfires". Deadline. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  9. ^ "2025 Film Festival Lineup". Slamdance Film Festival. December 19, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  10. ^ "Shared Earth Foundation Award For Advocacy". DCEFF.ORG. January 28, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  11. ^ Kopian, Steve (November 16, 2024). "Out of Plain Sight". Unseen Films. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  12. ^ Howell, Andy (February 17, 2025). "Out of Plain Sight". Film Threat. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  13. ^ Tangcay, Jazz; Minton, Matt; Lee, Abigail; Coates, Lauren (February 15, 2025). "'Out of Plain Sight,' 'O Horizon' and 'Road of Fire' Among 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival Winners – Film News in Brief". Variety. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  14. ^ @dceff_org (February 18, 2025). "We are thrilled to announce this year's Shared Earth Foundation Award winner and Closing Night Selection - @outofplainsightfilm". Instagram. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  15. ^ Mendocino Film Festival (May 30, 2025). "Congratulations to Out of Plain Sight - winner of our 2025 Environmental Justice Award". Facebook. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "The Berkshire International Film Festival Wraps Spectacular Nineteenth Year Paying Tribute to Award-Winning Actor Brian Cox, Screening 75 Films, With Dozens of Filmmakers, Tea Talks and Events!". Facebook. Berkshire International Film Festival. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
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