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Social Change Films:
A Sunburnt Summer (19:49)
A single mother has to deal with the situation, in which her son was raped by the son of her boss.
Director
Zicheng Li
Zicheng Li
Writer
Zicheng Li
Zicheng Li
Producer
Cindy Wu, Ivy Xiao
Cindy Wu, Ivy Xiao
Cinematographer
Huazhang Dai
Huazhang Dai
Production Designer
Jolene Zhao
Jolene Zhao
Editor
Mozhu Yan
Mozhu Yan
Sound
Jingjue Zhou
Jingjue Zhou
Composer
Huazhang Dai
Huazhang Dai
Cast: Grace Chang, Nic Tom, Jennifer Wang, Kathy Khanh Nguyen, and Michael Cho
C'est Parfait (19:35)
On the day and African family from Zaire is reunited in America, their world is torn apart when a family member is kidnaped and war from Rwanda, one of their neighboring countries crosses over into their country.
Director
Muhasani Kasomo
Muhasani Kasomo
Writer
Muhasani Kasomo
Muhasani Kasomo
Producer
Raeshib Aggerwhil
Raeshib Aggerwhil
Cinematographer
David Carstens
David Carstens
Production Designer
Denver Kotian
Denver Kotian
Editor
Muhasani Kasomo
Muhasani Kasomo
Sound
Muhasani Kasomo
Muhasani Kasomo
Composer
Alex Cap
Alex Cap
Cast: Morgan Dixon as Naya Jabari, Dennis Mailu as Abasi Jabari, Rio Oiye as Tomi Jabari, Christina Mwambayi as Furaha Jabari, Elester Latham as Bill, Krystel Roche as Sarah, Bill Walthal as Officer Barnes, Ee Talley Jr. as Hakim, Mariah Wilson as Keisha, Benjamine Schnao as Officer Rodriguez, and Yazzmyn Shelby as Girl on Skates.
It Happened One Night (9:57)
In 2022 after Roe v. Wade is overturned, a woman struggles to find the care that she needs after being sexually assaulted.
Director
Jabree Webber
Jabree Webber
Writer
Jabree Webber
Jabree Webber
Producer
Jabree Webber
Jabree Webber
Cinematographer
Sebastian Schrils
Sebastian Schrils
Production Designer
Tatiana Sitnikova
Tatiana Sitnikova
Editor
Megan McVey
Megan McVey
Sound
Nicole Thompson
Nicole Thompson
Composer
Jaimie Pangan, Mateus Freire
Jaimie Pangan, Mateus Freire
Cast: Paulina Bugembe as Tia, Duain Richmond as Daniel, and Kayla Rosenberg as Newscaster (Voice).
La Ruta (20:00)
A Guatemalan woman undertakes the journey to the U.S. border to seek asylum with her daughter, but first they must try and survive Mexico's infamous Route of Death.
Director
Star Victoria
Star Victoria
Writer
Star Victoria, Roberto Saieh, Denisse Pfeiffer
Star Victoria, Roberto Saieh, Denisse Pfeiffer
Cinematographer
Becky Bau Chen
Becky Bau Chen
Production Designer
Jack Walterman
Jack Walterman
Editor
Mario Andrew Fierro
Mario Andrew Fierro
Sound
Kyle J. Miller, Trisha Golec
Kyle J. Miller, Trisha Golec
Composer
Alvaro Balvin Benavides
Alvaro Balvin Benavides
Cast: Laura Vallejo as Lucia, Lydia Martinez as Carmen, Miguel Izaguirre as Matias, Maxim Alexander as Nicolas, Nubit Areval as Desperate Woman, Joseph Lloyd Lopez as Father Fernandez, Eric Alonso as Truck Driver, Justin Noble as Border Patrol Sunglasses, Victor Mondragon as Raft Guide 1, Shawn Balentine as Raft Guide 2, Ivan Espinoza as Truck Partner, Marjorie Rodriguez as Woman In Truck, Shawn Balentine as Border Patrol 1, and Bruce Van Patten as Border Patrol 2.
LESSONS LIVED (17:06)
LESSONS LIVED is a story is about a grandmother's search for understanding from the imprisoned killer of her grandson Jamison. Bertha suffers from an inner conflict between her religious beliefs of forgiveness and revenge.
Director
Mark A. Vinzant
Mark A. Vinzant
Writer
Mark A. Vinzant
Mark A. Vinzant
Producer
Mark A. Vinzant, Charlotte Guerry, Katie Vanetten
Mark A. Vinzant, Charlotte Guerry, Katie Vanetten
Cinematographer
Sohil Vaidya
Sohil Vaidya
Production Designer
Ari Bach, Chris Armienti
Ari Bach, Chris Armienti
Editor
Lorraine Wheat, William McCleavy
Lorraine Wheat, William McCleavy
Sound
Walter Ledesma
Walter Ledesma
Composer
Qingnan Ma
Qingnan Ma
Cast: Starletta Dupois, Michael Sarcinelli, Carnetta Jones, and Vincent Washington.
Limelight (13:43)
In the midst of a rebellion in the Republic of Congo, two young women must grapple with their political allegiances and their love for each other.
Director
Claire Gostin
Claire Gostin
Writer
Ana Telfer
Ana Telfer
Producer
Aodhan Ozawa Burns, Samantha Sadoff
Aodhan Ozawa Burns, Samantha Sadoff
Cinematographer
Elizabeth Hook
Elizabeth Hook
Production Designer
Westen Blair, Francisco Covarrubias
Westen Blair, Francisco Covarrubias
First Assistant Director
Zoe Mills
Zoe Mills
Art Director
Steele Stewart
Steele Stewart
Editor
Mia Tess
Mia Tess
Sound
Derrie Kwan, Shannon Thomson
Derrie Kwan, Shannon Thomson
Composer
Anthony Sabatino
Anthony Sabatino
Cast: Sigin Ojulu as Bria, Joy Sunday as Didienne, Jean-Michel Richaud as Mr. Giroux, Tito Londole as Chassa, Peterjohn Minto as Luc, and Newton Mayenge as Security Guard/Radio Announcer.
MIDSUMMER (18:58)
Midsummer is the story of Liam Mckay, a 17 year-old-boy from a conservative town in the Midwest. Over the next 48 hours we witness the transformation of a teenager as he is faced with life changing decisions.
Director
Bash Ackhar
Bash Ackhar
Writer
Bash Ackhar, Gracie Corapi
Bash Ackhar, Gracie Corapi
Producer
Mehmet Gungoren, Celia Rettenmaier
Mehmet Gungoren, Celia Rettenmaier
Cinematographer
Jono Seneff
Jono Seneff
Production Designer
Maren Jensen
Maren Jensen
Editor
Dagmawi Abebe
Dagmawi Abebe
Sound
Eric Han
Eric Han
Composer
Andrew Gerlicher
Andrew Gerlicher
Cast: Corey Foglemanis as Liam, Clare Carey as Alma, Perry Anzilotti as Father Anzilotti, Lendra Terrazzano as Erin, Miguel Angel Garcia as Diego, Jodi Harrison as Sherry, Brian Habicht as Lou, Cody Escott John as Danny, Nick Masters as Matt, and Joseph Slupski as Trace.
Sweet Potatoes (29:53)
1951, Mexico City. After synthesizing the main component of the contraceptive pill, young scientist Luis Miramontes deals with the religious and personal consequences of his groundbreaking invention.
Director
Rommel Villa
Rommel Villa
Writer
Rommel Villa
Rommel Villa
Producer
Andrea Porras Madero, Damon Laguna
Andrea Porras Madero, Damon Laguna
Cinematographer
Luke Sargent
Luke Sargent
Production Designer
Kristina Wong
Kristina Wong
Editor
Rommel Villa, Sebastian Silva
Rommel Villa, Sebastian Silva
Sound
Eric Han, Chris Garcia, Ryan Vaughan
Eric Han, Chris Garcia, Ryan Vaughan
Composer
Jesper Ankarfeldt
Jesper Ankarfeldt
Cast: Jorge Adrian Espindola as Luis Miramontes, Daniel Pinte as Padre Alfonso, Azucena Acevedo as Lilia Vidal, Emilio Cuaik as Carl Djerassi, Frank Forte as Jorge Rosenkranz, Diego Israel Soto Ortiz as Lucho, Scarlett Yamilet Guzman as Lily, Maximiliano Ibarra as Pedro, Sofia Estela Duenes as Patricia, and Luz Carrasco Hurtado as Dona Demetria.
The Ball Method (18:49)
Alice Ball, a 23-year-old African American chemist living in 1915 Hawaii fights against racial and gender barriers to find an effective treatment for leprosy. An almost forgotten true story of African American genius and contribution to world-health.
Director
Dagmawi Abebe
Dagmawi Abebe
Writer
Dagmawi Abebe, Javier Carmona
Dagmawi Abebe, Javier Carmona
Producer
Mehmet Gungoren, Yeon Jin (Grace) Lee
Mehmet Gungoren, Yeon Jin (Grace) Lee
Cinematographer
Bash Achkar
Bash Achkar
Production Designer
Nikki Flemming
Nikki Flemming
Editor
Dagmawi Abebe, Steven Markowitz
Dagmawi Abebe, Steven Markowitz
Sound
Cabba Jiaxuan Cai
Cabba Jiaxuan Cai
Composer
Rahman Altin
Rahman Altin
Cast: Kiersey Clemons as Alice Ball, Kyle Secor as Dr. Hollmann , Elizabeth Hales as Nurse Addie, Cj Uy as Kalani, Ernie Rivera as Test Patient, Cailin McDonald as Nurse Harper
The Cypher (14:57)
With his reputation and a potential record deal on the line, Khalil fights to keep his secrets safe during an underground freestyle rap competition in Philadelphia.
Director
Letia Solomon
Letia Solomon
Writer
Wes Akwuobi
Wes Akwuobi
Cinematographer
Basil Simon Schneeberger
Basil Simon Schneeberger
Production Designer
Anthony Gaitros, Katherine Munis
Anthony Gaitros, Katherine Munis
Editor
Derek Bosko, Alesia Williams
Derek Bosko, Alesia Williams
Sound
James Grisom, Christopher Hernandez
James Grisom, Christopher Hernandez
Composer
Matt Head, Julian Banks, Ben Kenobe, Ace Brav
Matt Head, Julian Banks, Ben Kenobe, Ace Brav
Cast: Nigel Cox as Khalil, Kerrice Brooks as Kiki, Juan Gil as Marc, O'Shay Neal as Yung Reap, Nelcie Souffrant as Roxy, and Alexander Robinson as Trev.
Time's Up (7:04)
While Clara waits for the subway to arrive at the station, she has to deal with a man who starts harassing her.
Director
Hortense Lingjaerde
Hortense Lingjaerde
Writer
Hortense Lingjaerde
Hortense Lingjaerde
Producer
Hortense Lingjaerde
Hortense Lingjaerde
Cinematographer
Adriana Serrato
Adriana Serrato
Production Designer
Jessica Quattrini
Jessica Quattrini
Editor
Hortense Lingjaerde
Hortense Lingjaerde
Sound
Alex Rivers
Alex Rivers
Composer
Raashi Kulkarni
Raashi Kulkarni
Cast: Kristin Mochnick as Clara, William Budinich as Damon, Cozy DesRoches as Alicia, Adriane Shown as Meg, Daniel Flohr as Fuber Driver, and Anthony Mangini as Pizza Delivery Man.
Variables (24:00)
In the middle of the Bosnian War, a teenage math-wiz is given a way out of the bloodshed when his math club gets an invitation to compete at the 1995 International Math Olympiad in Canada. Inspired by true events.
Director
Sabina Vajraca
Sabina Vajraca
Writer
Sabina Vajraca
Sabina Vajraca
Producer
Miles Alva, Wes Akwuobi
Miles Alva, Wes Akwuobi
Cinematographer
Eugene Koh
Eugene Koh
Production Designer
JoyAnna Hatcher
JoyAnna Hatcher
Editor
Thomas Mendolia
Thomas Mendolia
Sound
Chris Garcia, Martin Robertson
Chris Garcia, Martin Robertson
Composer
Dika Chartoff
Dika Chartoff
Cast: Mira Furlan as Mrs. Medic, Haris Turcinhodzic as Nikola, Amila Kapetanovic as Senita, Leona Paraminski as Selma, Ena Catic as Ajla, Dzenan Nalbant as Serb Sniper, Goran Ivanovski as Cazim/Guard, Dzemil Hadziabdulahovic as Older Guard, Rachel Christianson as Nikola's Host Mom, and Alexandru Achindinov as Red Cross Aid Worker.
Welcome Back (20:00)
After being deported back to dangerous and communist Venezuela, Rosa and her daughter must find a way to escape to a nearby town in Colombia.
Director
Tiffany Kontoyiannis
Tiffany Kontoyiannis
Writer
Tiffany Kontoyiannis
Tiffany Kontoyiannis
Producer
Roy Arwas, Tiffany Kontoyiannis, Karly Perez-Arevalo
Roy Arwas, Tiffany Kontoyiannis, Karly Perez-Arevalo
Cinematographer
Becky Baihui Chen
Becky Baihui Chen
Production Designer
Valeria Nicole Guevara Gomezjurado
Valeria Nicole Guevara Gomezjurado
Editor
Roy Arwas
Roy Arwas
Sound
Lars Struck
Lars Struck
Composer
Jesper Ankarfeldt
Jesper Ankarfeldt
Cast: Jocelyn Gallardo as Rosa, Marina Gross as Sofia, Dianna Aboujian as Carmen, Randy Washington as I.C.E Driver, Matthew Nilsen as American Little Boy, and Jacqueline Cabral as America Little Girl.
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