
Feature Selections
The Prison Within
Genre: Documentary
Director: Katherin Hervey
Runtime: 86min
Bio: THE PRISON WITHIN is a relevant and timely documentary exploring the destructive impact of untreated trauma on individuals and communities through the powerful stories of survivors of violent crimes and prisoners incarcerated for murder in circle inside San Quentin prison.
​
Wish Man
Genre: Drama
Director: Theo Davies
Runtime: 89min
Bio:
The true story of FRANK SHANKWITZ, Arizona Motorcycle Cop and tells the story. of his meeting a terminally ill boy which inspires him to to transform his life. This ultimately leads to the founding of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Critics say Wish Man is: "heart wrenching” “funny”, “courageous” "death defying", and ”inspiring”.
Mr. Emancipation
Genre: Documentary
Director: Preston Chase
Runtime: 68min
Bio: Mr. Emancipation is the story of Walter L Perry’s determination to put on a celebration that would transcend divisions of race and class. He staged an Emancipation Day festival that was where everyone wanted to be. Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesse Owens all headed there because, as civil rights activist Dick Gregory said "The largest Juneteenth celebration was not in America, it was in Windsor, Canada.”
The Price of Legacy: Wrestling with a Dynasty
Genre: Documentary
Director: Sergio Valenzuela
Runtime: 82min
Perry, OK is home to a century-old high school wrestling dynasty and the most prolific winning streak in all of sports. But, most don’t know about it.
During the 2016-17 season, the streak was in jeopardy. Decades of sacrifice and tradition were on the line. These teenage kids aren’t just wrestling against an opponent, they are wrestling against the burden of history.
Would this team succumb to pressure or carry on the legacy?
​
Narrated by Trace Adkins.
Hollywood in the High Country
Genre: Documentary
Director: Philip J Arnold
Runtime: 80min
Bio: A History of the Appalachian Theatre explores the efforts of the townspeople to purchase and restore the Art Deco landmark, a seven-year project that resulted in the reopening of the theatre as a performing arts center in 2019.
​
Against the Wall
Genre: Documentary
Director: Kyle Saylors
Runtime: 39min
Bio: This is a true life, inspirational short documentary called, AGAINST THE WALL, about the life of Kevin Foster, who became the only person allowed by the Chinese government to ride a bicycle atop the length of the Great Wall, despite being told by doctors he would never walk or talk again after being electrocuted as a child.
Heart of Gold
Genre: Documentary
Director: Kullachat Jitcajonwanich
Runtime: 84min
Bio: Inspirational True Story : The first female prisoner to have achieved 3 world boxing championship titles and a regional boxing championship title from multiple internationally renowned boxing organizations (WBC, WIBA, WBA PABA) during her time in jail,Siriporn Taweesuk.
Quaranteened: A Virtual Musical
Genre: Musical
Director: Cori Anne Laemmel
Runtime: 73min
Bio: Quaranteened: A Virtual Musical is an all new virtual musical from The Theater Bug, in partnership with MA2LA. The show features the intertwined stories of a group of teenagers trying to stay connected in a world asking them to isolate themselves. It is based on the moment we are living in, told across Zoom classes, FaceTime, TikToks and texts.
​
Short Film Selections
A Heart's Calling
Genre: LGBTQ Drama
Director: Sam Brooks
Runtime: 8min
Bio: A young man is tested once his church and parents find out that he is gay and is instantly isolated and disowned. He is propelled into his journey of self-acceptance, healing, and potentially finding pure love with a nearby waiter.
​
Cinema Mudo
(Silent Movie)
Director: Melo Viana
Runtime: 15min
Bio: The short film proposes, as a background, to expose the history of cinema from the transition between silent and spoken cinema. This exhibition is made through the frames with references to the most representative films of the transition, covering the specific period between 1930 and 1934.
The Musicianer
Genre: Supernatural
Director: Beth Harrington
Runtime: 24min
Bio: Yodelin’ Vern Lockhart is a hillbilly singer with a problem. On the verge of stardom in the late 1920s, he inadvertently has become immortal, a situation he only dimly glimpses. But when he encounters Jo Cullen, a present-day musicologist who’s expert on Vern’s past, he begins to grasp the deal with the devil he’s made. An Americana music saga with a supernatural bent.
​
Why She Smiles
Genre: Documentary
Director: Caroline Sims
Runtime: 39min
Bio: Why She Smiles is the life and story of 34-year old Jamie Sorum and her fatal diagnosis of Huntington's Disease. "Why She Smiles" brings awareness to the necessity of a cure, and Jamie's unfathomable reality of facing each breath with hope, joy, and incredible bravery.
​
Dear Aunt Noa
Genre: Drama
Director: Dana Aliya Levinson
Runtime: 11min
Bio: A worldly transgender environmental activist from bustling LA and a struggling family-man mechanic from small town Ohio walk into a bar, their years of friendship tested by shades of gray in a modern America desperately masquerading in starkly contrasting monotones.
​
Regret
Director: Rachel Grissom
Runtime: 23min
Bio: Mamzelle, a middle-aged farmer in a rural community, made the decision to come out as a teenager. Instead of fleeing to more supportive LGBTQ+ spaces, she has stayed in the hometown she loved. Now, as she cares for a friend's children, Mamzelle begins to realize what this choice has cost her.
Wuchina Twin Time with Greg Kinnear
Directors: Eyon and Ivan Wuchina
Runtime: 19:47
Bio: Our exclusive interview with Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear, one of our all time favorite actors!
He gets candid and goes deep as he discusses:
Brian Banks, portraying real life people, his Oscar nomination, Tom Shadyac, having his own action figure, Aldis Hodge, Mystery Men, his thoughts on Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, The Last Song/Miley Cyrus, Anchorman 2, his favorite movie genres, Auto Focus, California Innocence Project, Little Miss Sunshine, Loser, his favorite actors, As Good As It Gets, his favorite roles, and much, much more!!!
The Flag for the Fallen
Genre: Music Film
Artist: Justine Kane
Runtime: 3:17
Bio: Old Glory stands for the heart of every American who died for our freedoms. Let us never forget their sacrifice. Remember those whom have fallen as you stand with pride and honor. The heart of all those whom have sacrificed, beats on within all who stand for our nations flag. Honor, Freedom and Sacrifice are not just words, but represent the symbol of our great nation
​
America Strong
Genre: Music Film
Artist: Justine Kane
Runtime: 3:17
Bio: A song that pays tribute to the heart of the United States of America and to all of our service members all over the world who protect our freedom, no matter what the cost. It is a reminder to all of those out there who may have forgotten that the United States can be a strong nation, when we stand united. Together We ARE American Strong.
​
Student Film Selections
Hackers
Genre: Documentary
Director: Ethan Wilk
Runtime: 8min
Bio: A professional hacker who has worked both legally and illegally gives his input in regard to the public's negative sentiment toward hackers, discussing their overlooked track record for valiant achievements in advancing the public good.
​
Clark Harris: American Actor
Genre: Documentary
Director: Joseph C. Hurt
Runtime: 13min
Bio: A day in the life with actor, rapper, marine veteran, and Harlem native turned Tennessee resident Clark Harris. Through this short documentary we get an inside look at the motivations and psyche of a working actor.
My Home Movie Festival
Chinese Girl Wants Vote
Genre: Documentary
Director: Jinna Kim
Runtime: 4:56
We Per Se
Director: Jessica Wilson
Runtime: 4:43
Homebound
Director: Anne Goetze
Runtime: 4:11
​