‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem,’ ‘Rehearsals for a Revolution,’ ‘Barbara Forever’ Receive 2026 Albie Awards

Exclusive: Now entering their seventh year, the Maysles Documentary Center's Albie Awards honor documentary filmmakers just before the New York Film Festival — at the top of the Oscar-qualifying season.

Now entering their seventh year, the Maysles Documentary Center’s Albie Awards honor documentary filmmakers just before the New York Film Festival — and at the top of the Oscar-qualifying season. The awards are named after Harlem-based nonprofit Maysles Documentary Center’s founder, Albert Maysles, to recognize achievements in nonfiction film. IndieWire shares this year’s honorees exclusively.

“The Albies are watched by the industry as an early predictor of top contenders for the Academy Awards and other significant honors,” said Kazembe Balagun, executive director of MDC. “In past years we’ve honored the likes of Geeta Gandbhir, Raoul Peck, Joe Brewster & Michèle Stephenson, Bethann Hardison, Steve James and other truly remarkable filmmakers. This year, we are excited to award David Greaves’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem,’ Pegah Ahangarani’s ‘Rehearsals for a Revolution,’ and Brydie O’Connor’s ‘Barbara Forever.‘”

Per the announcement, “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” “is a rare time capsule reunion, capturing Harlem Renaissance luminaries reminiscing and bantering at a lively cocktail party held in Duke Ellington’s Harlem townhouse. Conceived and filmed by legendary filmmaker William Greaves in 1972, the project has been brought to the screen more than 50 years later by his son, director David Greaves, and granddaughter, producer Liani Greaves, alongside Emmy Award-winning producer Anne de Mare, making the film itself a remarkable testament to an intergenerational filmmaking legacy. A brilliant work of cinéma vérité in the tradition of Albert Maysles, it is both an invaluable record of Harlem’s cultural history and a testament to the enduring power of Black creative authorship.”

Neon opens the film theatrically on October 16, starting in New York.

Cannes L’Oeil d’Or winner “Rehearsals for a Revolution” (Sony Pictures Classics) follows the filmmaker as she sketches her own life story across five portraits of resistance. Drawing from personal archives, home videos, street protest footage, newspapers, and recorded voices, she retraces more than 40 years of Iran’s history. From the early days of 1979, until the war that began in 2026, she pieces together intimate and collective memories, forming the portrait of a country shaped by political repression and in constant hope for a revolution.”

Sundance Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award winner “Barbara Forever” explores the life, work, and times of queer experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer, “a pioneering artist who lived boldly, created urgently, and transformed cinema through her singular vision.” It’s executive-produced by Christine Vachon of Killer Films with Kristen Stewart, Maggie McLean, and Dylan Meyer of Nevermind Pictures. Strand Releasing will open the film in September. Mubi will also stream the film.

“The Albies have become known as an intimate industry event. Over the years the Albie Award event sponsors have included Cinetic, Cinereach, ESPN 30 for 30, Gucci, Harlem Community Development Corporation, Mubi, Neon, and Netflix,” said Nelson Walker, director of development. “This year, Maysles is excited to celebrate the Albies with support from Neon, Cinereach, Cinetic, Mubi, Sony Pictures Classics, and Kodak, with additional sponsors to be announced.”

“The event supports Harlem-based MDC’s free filmmaking education program for teens and our 50-seat theater, known as Harlem’s Living Room, the only independent cinema serving Harlem, Upper Manhattan, and the Bronx,” said Rebekah Maysles, president of Maysles Films, Inc. and daughter of Albert Maysles.

The Albie Awards take place on September 23, 2026 at Ginny’s Supper Club @ Red Rooster in Harlem, with the after-party to follow at the Maysles Documentary Center.