This animated documentary delves into the infamous Pizza Connection trial, which uncovered how the Sicilian Mafia ran a multi-billion-dollar heroin operation in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Heroin, refined in clandestine labs in rural Sicily, was shipped to New York, often hidden in crates marked as olive oil or cheese. Once in the city, the drug was distributed through seemingly ordinary pizza parlors, which also served as fronts for money laundering, dealing mostly in cash to avoid a paper trail. The operation was eventually infiltrated by FBI agent Joe Pistone, also known as Donnie Brasco, who spent six years undercover. His meticulous work and recordings, along with international law enforcement cooperation spurred by new legislation like the RICO Act, led to a global crackdown. The investigation culminated in the Pizza Connection trial in 1985, which saw 18 defendants convicted for narcotics trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering, effectively dismantling a vast criminal enterprise.

This documentary, 26.2: Journey to the Finish Line of the TCS New York City Marathon, follows four New Yorkers as they train for the iconic race, each with a unique and inspiring story. The film highlights the journeys of a retired math teacher, an NYPD administrative aide, a public defender, and an elevator mechanic, who collectively have overcome a stroke, cancer, a devastating house fire, and even finishing last in a previous marathon. Produced with support from New York Road Runners, this film isn't just about athletic prowess, but about resilience, determination, and the profound personal reasons that drive participants to cross the finish line.

This video delves into the intricate operations behind New York City's vibrant street food scene, highlighting the challenges faced by its 20,000 mobile food vendors, many of whom are immigrants. It features Pandora Bakery in The Bronx, a 24/7 operation founded by Constantinos Kotzias, which bakes tens of thousands of donuts and other pastries daily for hundreds of food carts, restaurants, and hotels. Georgios Michailidis, the General Manager, explains the precise baking process. The video introduces mobile food vendors like Naty Gonzales and Carmen Flores of Las Reinas del Sabor, operating near West 87th Street and Broadway, and Petey Stathopoulos of Petey's World Cafe at East 32nd Street and Park Avenue South, who share their daily grind and struggles. Catherine Piccoli, Curatorial Director at the Museum of Food and Drink, and Mohamed Attia, Managing Director of the Street Vendor Project, provide historical context on street vending, tracing it from the 1800s immigrant pushcart peddlers to modern-day challenges posed by restrictive permit caps, high black-market rental fees (up to $25,000 according to the Immigration Research Initiative), and increased police crackdowns. Vendors continue to protest, urging the New York City Council to implement reforms that would create more permits and provide essential support, with the New York City Health Department also playing a role in regulating food safety.