BY KAREN BOSSICK

Watch the powerful new documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” and take part in a reception celebrating the launch of the Sun Valley Film Festival’s new year-round Membership Program on Thursday.

The Sun Valley Film Festival will present an advance screening of a ground-breaking film chronicling the life and career of Matlin, a deaf actress who broke down barriers and reshaped Hollywood’s approach to inclusion while winning an Oscar, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at The Argyros in Ketchum.

The screening will be preceded by a reception with complimentary wine and other refreshments celebrating the new Membership program, which offers such benefits as complimentary admission to Monthly Movies, early access, discounts on Festival passes and invitations to special events throughout the year.

The documentary, directed by Shoshannah Stern, offers a raw, intimate look at Matlin’s journey from her historic Academy Awar win at age 21 for the romantic drama “Children of a Lesser God” to her roles in “The West Wing” TV series and “CODA.” It also examines her advocacy for the deaf community, as well as the challenges she’s faced, including sobriety, industry setbacks and the fight for meaningful representation.

It redefines traditional documentary form by using American Sign Language, or ASL, as the film’s narrative core.

Tickets are $20--free for SVFF Members. They’re available at www.sunvalleyfilmfestival.org or in person at The Argyros.