Political documentaries to kick off film festival Nov. 4

To kick off the 26th Anniversary Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society will spotlight two acclaimed political documentaries Monday, Nov. 4, at the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes.

With screenings scheduled ahead of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, the films address issues including public school censorship and the ongoing effects of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

"Banned Together” will be shown at 12 p.m., Nov. 4. Produced, in part, by Allyson Rice, a local Rehoboth Beach filmmaker, the documentary pulls back the curtain on book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools, and the political forces driving them. "Banned Together" follows three teenage activists fighting book bans in their schools by speaking with national politicians, bestselling/banned authors, constitutional scholars and more, as the film's scope widens to include the larger national picture.

"Banned Together” directors Kate Way and Tom Wiggin will take part in a post-screening question-and-answer discussion.

"War Game," which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. The film sweeps audiences into an elaborate future-set simulation that dramatically escalates the threat posed by the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington, D.C.

The film follows a bipartisan group of U.S. defense, intelligence and elected policymakers spanning five presidential administrations participating in an unscripted role-play exercise.

The “War Game” screening will include a panel discussion with several cast members. Doug Wilson is a Rehoboth Beach resident and former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs under President Barack Obama. Jack Tomarchio was a principal deputy assistant secretary of homeland security for intelligence and analysis during the George W. Bush administration. Maj. Gen. Linda Singh is retired from the Maryland National Guard.

For more information and to purchase passes or single tickets, go to rehobothfilm.com.