With Hollywood launching into awards-season mania, it’s easy to get lost in the spectacle of big studio films and stars striking poses on the red carpet. But while Oscar bait vies for the ever-shifting spotlight, the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State St.) gives cinephiles something that’s more substance than shine. Starting on Saturday, January 4, the center’s Stranger Than Fiction film series will premiere 10 documentaries, most of which have been criminally overlooked by the mainstream media. The thoughtfully curated list touches on stories that range from raw to hysterical, delving into the life of avant-garde jazz musician Kahil El’Zabar, the gender dynamics of modern China, and the culture of propaganda in North Korea and the United States. Filmmakers will be on hand at each screening to answer questions and engage with the audience. Stranger Than Fiction runs through Thursday, February 6. View the schedule and purchase tickets here. Photo courtesy of An Honest Living’s Facebook.