Archives: Films

Short Doc about the bird the Limpkin.

Screening as part of the Documentary Shorts program.

Camp Widow is a gathering for widowed people by widowed people. Over the course of three days, attendees speak candidly about death, forge connections with others over shared experiences of loss, and find ways to navigate the tricky waters of grief. Founded by Michele Neff Hernandez, who suddenly became a widow at age 35 when her husband died in a bike accident, the camp offers a way to both recognize tremendous loss, while at the same time celebrating continued life. The film follows an ensemble of campers who are weary of platitudes about grief, and speak to one another from a place of radical honesty that is by turns heartbreaking and darkly hilarious, embracing irreverent humor as a cathartic means of self-expression. This documentary shows the transformative power and therapeutic value of human connection, among those who have experienced loss and trauma. Ultimately, the film asks viewers to think about how we can recognize the grief of others, as well as find resilience during loss in our own lives.

Screening as part of the Documentary Shorts program.

“Don’t Cry For Me All You Drag Queens” pays homage to the legendary Mother Cavallucci by weaving together the present and past to provide a striking portrait of belonging and memory. Joseph “Josie” Cavallucci (aka Mother Cavallucci) is a legendary New Hope drag queen that would host annual wedding celebrations in the 70s and 80s that served as fundraisers and a community party.

Screening as part of the Documentary Shorts program.

Set at a dance studio in Detroit circa 1979 that pays homage to the late 70s when disco music was gospel. Our story revolves around an elderly man who tries to convince a jaded disco dance instructor to teach him how to dance so he can surprise his wife on their 60th wedding anniversary… in one week. A heartfelt story about living life to its fullest.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

Hot off of a win of the country’s largest television cooking show, Chef Buddy Bontemps finds himself under the tutelage of one of the greatest chefs in modern time. Having never been in a perfectionist’s kitchen, he gets devoured.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

An aspiring actress must do the scariest thing she’s ever done: audition for a haunted house. Not because of the spooky stuff. Because it’s depressing.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

A film on anxiety, ZIT tells the story of Gertrude as she prepares to ask her boss for a promotion at work, all while a tiny zit on her forehead slowly grows to become larger-than-life.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

After receiving an innocuous text about a gap in her teeth, a woman’s life spirals out of control.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

Comedic short about grandchildren splitting uo there recently deceased grandmother art collection..and then they come acorss a nude.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

Two women, one finding her footing after a divorce and the other fresh out of college, are interviewing for the same job.

Screening as part of the Narrative Shorts program.

Based on Tove Jansson’s celebrated novel, The Summer Book tells the story of Sophia, a nine-year-old girl who is growing up fast, and her grandmother (Glenn Close), who is nearing the end of her life. Together with Sophia’s father, they spend time at their family’s summer home on a tiny unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland, exploring the islet, talking about life, nature and everything but their feelings about Sophia’s mother’s death and their love for one another – but gradually emotional wounds begin to heal and bonds deepen. Director Charlie McDowell’s stunningly-shot film brings Jansson’s most beloved characters to life and celebrates the fierceness of all-encompassing love. The Summer Book features performances from eight-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close, Anders Danielsen Lie (The Worst Person in the World), and features the debut of Emily Matthews as Sophia.

In Narrative Competition

The banning of books in school libraries, an especially hot topic in 2022/23 news cycles, may not feature high in the headlines given all that’s happened since. But it’s still going on. Kim A. Snyder’s acclaimed documentary profiles select librarians who find themselves on the culture war frontlines uniting to combat book banning and defending intellectual freedom amid censorship in Texas, Florida, and beyond. Their opponents include conservative school boards, censorship groups and publicity-hungry politicians, among others. A cautionary tale and rallying cry, Snyder captures how these librarians transform their seemingly studious profession into a bold stand for freedom.

Expected Guest: Kim A. Snyder

In Documentary Competition