Roger & Me (1989)

Whatever you may think of Michael Moore now, his scrappy debut - a documentary about the economic and spiritual devastation of his hometown of Flint, Michigan, after General Motors closed its plant -- was the discovery of the 1989 festival. The charismatic Moore worked the crowds like a pro; it was no surprise to see the film take the People's Choice Award a few days later. From there, it was on to New York and a sale to Warner Bros. for a reported $3 million - including $5,000 for each of the five families seen evicted from their homes during the film.