Janus Films Secures U.S. Rights to “Carol & Joy” Documentary Short

Janus Films has acquired the entire U.S. distribution rights for "Carol & Joy," a vérité documentary short film revolving around the life of Oscar-nominated actress Carol Kane and her 98-year-old mother, Joy. The film was directed by acclaimed director Nathan Silver, whose previous venture includes the internationally acclaimed “Between the Temples.”

The documentary had its global premiere at the renowned 2025 Telluride Film Festival and gathered much appreciation during its fall festival run which included screenings at the New York Film Festival, Hamptons International Film Festival, and Woodstock Film Festival. It later had its international premiere at the prestigious Viennale.

The documentary will mark its exclusive debut on the Criterion Channel on December 1, 2025. Distribution giant Janus Films will be providing full support to the film, propelling its run for the best documentary short category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Kane's residence on New York’s Upper West Side, which she shares with her 98-year-old mother Joy, a retired dancer and music teacher with a lifelong love for French culture, serves as the backdrop of this vérité short film. Directed by the same team as Kane's previous Spirit Award nominated work “Between the Temples,” the film presents an afternoon of music, friends, and memories at the pair’s home.

The documentary was produced by acclaimed producers Jamie Gonçalves, C. Mason Wells, Hannah Dweck and Theodore Schaefer of Dweck Productions, and Brian Liebman. Executive producers Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas of MountainA and Diane Lanyi are also associated with the film. Holding true to the tradition of legendary cinema vérité makers Albert and David Maysles, the film was shot by award-winning cinematographers Sean Price Williams and Hunter Zimny.

Carol Kane's illustrious career traverses five decades. She bagged an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for “Hester Street.” She is also a two-time Emmy recipient and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her brilliant performance in the television series “Taxi.” Additionally, she was also featured in Netflix hits like “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Hunters.”