Underplayed Gems

Public Access (2026)

Public Access poster
Directed by
David Shadrack Smith
Country
United States
Runtime
1h 47m
Elsewhere
IMDb
The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More films like this

How it feels

This documentary covers the wild and influential early days of public-access television in New York City. It focuses on the 1970s and 80s when anyone could make a show.

informativenostalgicchaoticlivelyarchivalfast-pacedretroeye-opening

What happens

Public Access is a 2026 American documentary film directed by David Shadrack Smith in his feature directorial debut. The film chronicles the chaotic and influential history of public-access television in New York City during the 1970s and 80s. It is executive produced by Steve Buscemi, Benny Safdie, and Wren Arthur. The film premiered in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems. Not quite it? You can browse by genre, country and year, or take this one into the 3D catalogue and ask the Catbot for something closer.