The documentary GLENDORA premieres at Dances With Films NY 2026, offering a powerful, community-made portrait of a Mississippi Delta town. Photo: EG PR, used with permission.
Dances With Films (DWF): NY 2026
World Premiere of GLENDORA
Dances With Films (DWF)is an annual independent film festival based in Los Angeles and New York. Founded by Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent, the festival is dedicated to showcasing true independent cinema, requiring that all films in competition have no known directors, writers, or producers attached. (Dances With Films, 2025)
DWF programs feature-length films, shorts, documentaries, and animations that highlight bold, original voices.
The 2026 New York edition of Dances With Films will take place January 15–18 at Regal Union Square in Manhattan. The feature documentary GLENDORA will have its world premiere at the festival. (EG PR, 2025)
GLENDORA
Feature Documentary | World Premiere Runtime: 74 minutes
A film by: Isabelle Armand & Glendora Collaborative
Official DWF: NY 2026 Screening
Friday, January 16 at 4:45 p.m. Location: Regal Union Square 850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
About the Film
In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the village of Glendora may seem quiet and remote. Beneath its stillness, however, lies a vibrant, tightly knit African-American community whose strength, resilience, and creativity thrive despite chronic scarcity.
GLENDORA is the result of five years of close collaboration between filmmaker and townspeople, offering an intimate portrait of life where economic fragility meets profound cultural wealth. Told through the voices of multiple generations, the film weaves personal testimonies with daily rituals, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and funerals, capturing the rhythm of a town that continually rises above its circumstances.
As the Mississippi landscape shifts, so do the stories, revealing both the universality of human experience and the distinct textures of rural Southern life. More than a portrait of place, GLENDORA reflects a larger American history shaped by racial injustice, economic neglect, and structural inequality, while underscoring the community’s determination to remain connected and shape its future.
Made with and by the people who live there, GLENDORA amplifies voices too often unheard, offering a powerful story of culture, resilience, creativity, and collective memory from a town long overlooked, but not easily forgotten.
About the Filmmaker
Isabelle Armand
(Filmmaker, Cinematographer, Writer)
Isabelle Armand is a New York–based documentary photographer and filmmaker whose work interweaves photography, film, and oral testimony to explore the complex layers of people whose histories, lives, and potential have long been undervalued.
Her acclaimed book Levon and Kennedy: Mississippi Innocence Project (powerHouse Books, 2018), which documents the wrongful convictions of two men, has received wide recognition. Her work is held in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Akron Art Museum, and Portland Museum of Art, and has been featured in The New York Times, Art in America, The Economist, The Daily Beast, and more.
GLENDORA is her first feature documentary. She is currently editing a photo book of the same title.
USA | Feature Documentary | 74 Minutes | Not Rated | 2025
Mikaela Hoover and Ruby Modine in Dead Giveaway. Photo: VP Independent, used with permission.
🎬 Philadelphia Film Festival 2025: Celebrating the Best in Global Cinema
Every October, the Philadelphia Film Festival transforms the city into a global stage for cinematic storytelling — welcoming tens of thousands of film lovers, emerging talents, and celebrated filmmakers for an electrifying 11-day experience. (Philadelphia Film Society, 2025)
Curated by the Philadelphia Film Society’s expert programming team, who travel the world from Sundance to Cannes, Berlin to Toronto, the Festival delivers a handpicked lineup of the year’s most talked-about, award-winning, and visionary films. From bold debuts to international sensations, every screening is a chance to discover the next big thing in film.
This year’s Festival runs October 16–26, 2025, featuring 11 days of world-class cinema, exclusive events, and celebrations that bring the city’s film community together.
🌟 Spotlight Feature: Dead Giveaway
World Premiere | Section: Filmadelphia
One of the most anticipated screenings of the Festival is Ian Kimble’s Dead Giveaway, a wickedly funny horror-comedy making its world premiere right here in Philadelphia. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)
Jill (Ruby Modine) wakes up from a blackout night of drinking and partying to find herself covered in blood — and sharing her bed with a dead man. Hungry, hungover, horrified, and possibly a murderer, she scrambles to clean up before her roommate Sarah (Suzann Toni) notices.
When her best friend Lia (Mikaela Hoover) shows up, half-concerned, half-annoyed, she reluctantly agrees to help Jill figure out what happened, but only under one condition: they have to make it to brunch before 3 p.m.
What follows is a blood-soaked comedy of errors involving mistaken identities, suspicious visitors, and a very inconvenient corpse. Between hiding bodies, dodging questions, and keeping their mimosas on schedule, Jill and Lia stumble through a hangover-fueled nightmare where every fix only makes things worse.
With an endlessly creative script by Ian Kimble, Dead Giveaway delivers a sharp mix of horror and humor — and the irresistible chemistry between Ruby Modine and Mikaela Hoover keeps audiences laughing (and screaming) until the very end.
🎥 About the Filmmaker
Ian Kimble is a writer, producer, and director with a background in award-winning short films and independent features. Dead Giveaway marks his feature debut as writer, director, and producer — expanding on one of his original short films. With this project, Kimble cements his place as one of Philadelphia’s most exciting emerging filmmakers.
📅 Screening Schedule
Philadelphia Film Festival 2025 Official Screenings
World Premiere 📍 Friday, October 17 at 9:45 p.m. Location: Film Society Center 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Encore Screening 📍 Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m. Location: Film Society East 125 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or just love a clever dark comedy, Dead Giveaway is a must-see at this year’s Philadelphia Film Festival, proof that the city’s film scene is as bold, fresh, and fearless as ever.
Rui Pedro Silva in Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge. Photo: MoreThan Films, used with permission.
Fantastic Fest 2025: The Tree of Knowledge World Premiere
Fantastic Fest, held annually in Austin and known as the largest genre film festival in the U.S., is back at the Alamo Drafthouse from September 18–25, 2025. Celebrated for spotlighting fantasy, horror, science fiction, action, and cult films, this year’s lineup promises a hauntingly excellent collection of premieres.
One of the most anticipated titles is Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge, having its World Premiere at this year’s festival. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)
In biblical terms, the “Tree of Knowledge” symbolizes free will and the ability to discern right from wrong. For filmmaker Eugène Green, it becomes a metaphor for spiritual awakening and renewal, set against the backdrop of Europe’s booming mass tourism.
The story follows Gaspard (Rui Pedro Silva), a Lisbon teenager who falls into the hands of the Ogre, a man who has struck a pact with the Devil. The Ogre uses Gaspard to lure tourists, transforming them into animals before killing them. Gaspard escapes with a donkey and a dog he has grown attached to, and in an enchanted manor, encounters the spirit of Queen D. Maria I of Portugal. Enraged, the Ogre sets off in pursuit—leading to a fantastical and allegorical journey of survival.
About the Director: Eugène Green
Born in New York City on June 28, 1947, Eugène Green is a French filmmaker, writer, theater director, and actor.
Studied literature and art history in Paris
Founded Le Théâtre de la Sapience in 1977, staging both contemporary poetic and baroque theater
Directed his first feature, Toutes les Nuits (1999, released 2001), winner of the Louis Delluc Prize for First Film
Has since directed 10+ feature films and 6 mini-films
His works have screened at Cannes, Locarno, Berlin, and other international festivals
In 2019, the Fundação Serralves in Porto hosted the first major exhibition dedicated to his cinema
✨ With The Tree of Knowledge, Green brings his signature poetic and philosophical style to Fantastic Fest, offering audiences a surreal and allegorical tale that blends dark comedy, folklore, and fantasy.
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center announces the 46th CineFestival San Antonio. Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.
🎬 46th CineFestival San Antonio: A Celebration of Latinx Film, Music & Culture
July 9–13, 2025 | Multiple Venues Across San Antonio
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is thrilled to unveil the full program for the 46th annual CineFestival San Antonio, taking place July 9–13, 2025. As the city’s original and longest-running Latinx film festival, CineFestival promises a vibrant showcase of stories that reflect the diverse cultural tapestry of San Antonio, Texas, and the Latinx experience in the U.S. and beyond. (CineFestival San Antonio, 2025)
👉 Full schedule, festival passes, and tickets available online.
⚠️ Please Note: Due to mature content and unrated films, parental discretion is advised. All non-English films include English subtitles. Programming and times subject to change.
📍 Screening Venues
Hosted by the Carver Community Cultural Center, the festival will span four iconic locations across the city:
Little Carver Civic Center, 226 N Hackberry St
Jo Long Theatre, 226 N Hackberry St
Santikos Mayan Palace, 1918 SW Military Dr
SAY Sí, 1310 S. Brazos St
🎥 Festival Highlights
With 95 films on the lineup—including 12 features and over 25 screenings of short films—this year’s festival is an expansive tribute to Latinx voices in cinema.
33 films by San Antonio-based artists
38 films produced in or connected to Texas
16 films nominated for the Mesquite Award for Best Texas Short Film
🌟 Headlining Documentaries
Two highly anticipated documentaries will lead this year’s program:
Selena y Los Dinos, directed by CineFestival alumna Isabel Castro, tells the story of the Queen of Tejano Music through never-before-seen footage. Produced in collaboration with Selena’s siblings, the film will premiere with Castro and some cast members in attendance.
Take It Away, by Adrian Alejandro Arredondo and Myrna Perez, follows the life and legacy of beloved Tejano music host Johnny Canales, whose show introduced legends like Selena and Ramon Ayala to mainstream audiences.
“At CineFestival, we share the pride that Selena y Los Dinos brought to Mexican American communities of Texas and beyond.” – Eugenio del Bosque, Festival Director
🎬 Featured Films
Here are some of the standout features included in the 2025 program:
Carnalismo (dir. José Luis Cano) – A vibrant film exploring cumbias, lowriders, and brotherhood in Durango, Mexico.
Hola Frida (dir. André Kadi & Karine Vézina) – An animated journey into the whimsical early life of Frida Kahlo.
Prodigal Daughter (dir. Mabel Valdiviezo) – A deeply personal documentary on family, immigration, and healing.
Spring of the Vanishing (dir. Andrew Glazer) – A chilling look into the crisis of disappearances along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Ladder (dir. Emilio Miguel Torres) – A poetic sci-fi tale exploring age, ethics, and reinvention.
The Place In Between (dir. Laura Perez) – A San Antonio-shot road trip dramedy about grief, reconnection, and unexpected bonds.
Uvalde Mom (dir. Anayansi Prado) – A gripping portrayal of a mother’s courageous act during a tragedy that shocked the nation.
Valentina or the Serenity (dir. Ángeles Cruz) – A poignant story of Indigenous resilience and childhood love.
🏆 Texas and San Antonio Showcases
Mesquite Award Nominees: 16 Texas short films (13 narratives, 3 documentaries) showcasing local talent.
Vistas de San Antonio: Featuring My Rocking Chair by Alejandro Aldana and 17 shorts made by students and local creatives from Northwest Vista College, St. Mary’s University, UIW, and UTSA.
Texas Showcase: 15 short films from across the state, reflecting the bold and fresh perspectives of emerging filmmakers.
🎞️ Shorts & Youth Films
The festival also proudly presents:
U.S. Latinx Shorts Program – A diverse slate of award-winning and thematically rich short films by Latinx creators nationwide.
Youth Films – Projects by filmmakers aged 18 and under, representing schools and media programs in San Antonio, Texas, and neighboring states.
🤝 Supported By
The 46th CineFestival San Antonio is made possible with generous support from:
City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, San Antonio Film Commission, Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, The Ford Foundation, San Antonio Area Foundation, H-E-B, and AARP.
🎟️ Don’t miss this landmark celebration of Latinx stories on screen! Get your passes and explore the full lineup today: 👉 CineFestival San Antonio
Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.
Star People will have its World Premiere at Dances With Films: LA 2025. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.
🌟STAR PEOPLE to Premiere at Dances With Films: LA 2025 🌟
The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller STAR PEOPLEwill have its World Premiere at the 28th Annual Dances With Films: LA on Saturday, June 28 at 7:15p.m. at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. It will hit theaters July 25 and Video on Demand on August 12. (EG-PR, 2025)
🎬 Directed by Adam Finberg in his narrative feature directorial debut, STAR PEOPLE stars a powerhouse ensemble:
Kat Cunning (The Deuce, On Swift Horses)
McCabe Slye (Destroyer, Fear Street Trilogy)
Connor Paolo (The Last Stop in Yuma County, Gossip Girl)
Eddie Martinez (The Sinner, Night Swim)
Bradley Fisher (Westworld)
Adriana Aluna Martinez (Duster)
Written and Directed by: Adam Finberg Produced by: Adam Finberg & Josh Shader Runtime: 103 minutes Language: English Country: USA (2025)
🔭Inspired by Real Events
Loosely based on The Phoenix Lights, the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history, STAR PEOPLE follows a determined photographer (Kat Cunning) who receives a tip that might explain her childhood alien encounter. But as a deadly heatwave grips the region and uninvited guests arrive, her obsessive quest for the truth spirals into something far more dangerous.
🎥 Meet the Filmmaker: Adam Finberg
Adam Finberg, a Phoenix native and graduate of the American Film Institute’s directing program, brings over two decades of storytelling experience to his first narrative feature.
He began in music videos (Armin van Buuren, Otis) and commercials (GoDaddy, Napoleon Perdis), then transitioned to socially conscious documentary work. His film The Business of Recovery exposed corruption in the addiction treatment industry and was featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Washington, D.C.
Finberg has also served as lead editor on numerous unscripted shows across networks like Discovery, MSNBC, Showtime, VH1, and ABC.
Adam Finberg. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Time: 7:15 p.m. Location: TCL Chinese Theater Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
🎞️ About Dances With Films
Now in its 28th year, Dances With Films (DWF) continues to uplift fiercely independent storytellers. Unlike other festivals that focus on celebrity status, DWF champions raw talent, innovative ideas, and relentless creativity. Its alumni have gone on to shape the future of film and television across genres and platforms.
Mark your calendars—STAR PEOPLE is set to be one of the standout sci-fi debuts of 2025.
CineSol Film Festival is taking place in Brownsville this weekend. Photo: CineSol Film Festival.
Film festivals are significant events in the cinematic world, offering a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work to a wider audience, gain recognition, and connect with industry professionals. For filmmakers, festivals provide opportunities for networking, distribution deals, and career advancement. They also allow for creative expression in an environment that celebrates diverse storytelling. For film enthusiasts, festivals offer the chance to experience unique, often experimental films that may not reach mainstream theaters. The appeal lies in the ability to discover new talent, engage in discussions, and immerse oneself in the rich cultural and artistic diversity that films represent.
This weekend is the 31st Annual CineSol Film Festival; it will be held at eBridge Center in Brownsville on December 6, 7, and 8.
CineSol Film Festival is a showcase festival, celebrating achievement in the art of filmmaking. It is dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of screenwriters and filmmakers, and recognizing their artistic contributions. By enhancing public awareness of their artistic endeavors and by encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community alliances, it supports the work of aspiring and established filmmakers. (CineSol Film Festival, 2024)
CineSol made its historic debut in September 1993 in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. It provided the Texas Border Region with its first film festival ever, including cultural art events in the Mexican cities of Matamoros and Reynosa, Tamaulipas. CineSol has traveled throughout the region, bringing voice and vision through film and video directly to border communities.
They will be screening 43 independent films over two days. The independent films are from all over the world including 1 from France, Bulgaria, Canada, Indonesia, Poland, Indonesia, Sweden, the UK, and 7 from Spain. Sixteen films have Rio Grande Valley connections, such as filmed in the RGV or an actor is from the RGV. The complete schedule is available here.
If you are coming from out of town to attend the film festival, their sponsor hotel Courtyard by Marriott Brownsville has discounted rooms for festival attendees. Call 956-350-6500 and ask for the annual CineSol rooms.
Special guest is Brownsville’s Bradley Freeman Jr. – Bradley is the official performer of The Pigeon with Mo Willems Workshop. He is a principal performer on the Emmy-Award-Winning program Sesame Street, where he plays Tamir, Wes, Timmy Twiddlebug, and many others. Additionally, he is a supporting performer with the Disney Muppets. His work has been featured on shows including Sesame Street, The Muppets Mayhem, Helpsters, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Michael Bublé’s Christmas in the City, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days, Elmo’s Mindfulness Spectacular, Tamir on the Street, The Pigeon Explains, and more.
Festival highlights include:
Saturday December 7
1p.m. – 3p.m.Bradley Freeman Jr & Puppeteering. In his presentation, Bradley takes you on a journey from growing up as a Muppet fan in Brownsville, to becoming one of Sesame Street’s principal performers. Not only will there be a live demonstration of the art of television puppetry, there will be an interactive portion, where you may get to perform a character. In addition, there will be a Q&A and signing after the presentation. Room 142 Hidalgo.
3p.m. – 4:22p.m.The Forest Hills directed by Scott Goldberg. Rico descends in the Catskill Mountains after being haunted by nightmares. Starring Chiko Mendez, Edward Furlong, Dee Wallace, and Shelley Duvall. Theater.
Sunday December 8
2:30p.m. – 4:06p.m.Plastic People directed by Ben Addelman and Ziya Tong.Documentary. 90 minutes. Canada. Almost every bit of plastic ends up ground down into “microplastics.” These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in the water and sit in the soil. And now, leading scientists are finding them in our bodies, our organs, our blood, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? Plastic People – The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics. Room 135. Hidalgo.
The eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization 1304 E Adams St Brownsville, TX 78520
The annual film festival will take place during Hispanic Heritage Month from September 29 – October 7, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The largest Mexican film festival outside of Mexico, Hola México Film Festival presented by Toyota, returns for its 15th annual edition on September 29 – October 7, 2023 during Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival will feature 20+ films and 20 short films from its filmmaker-focused program Tomorrow’sFilmmakers Today. Festival passes are available online. (Hola México Film Festival, 2023)
Founded in 2008, Hola México Film Festival, the largest Mexican Film Festival outside of Mexico, strives to highlight the best and brightest talents in Mexican cinematography. Spanning comedies, dramas, horror films and documentaries, the festival showcases high quality films in a festive atmosphere in conjunction with exclusive parties and outdoor concerts. Sponsors include Toyota, Delta, Aeroméxico, and LA Plaza de Cultura Y Artes.
Hola México Film Festival (HMFF) once again will give viewers the opportunity to gather in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to watch a selection of some of the latest and most acclaimed Mexican films. The festival gathers more than 10,000 cinephiles to see 20 + films, many of them making their U.S. or West Coast premiers during red carpet galas with celebrated actors and directors in attendance.
Samuel Douek, the founder and director of HMFF, had this to say about the film festival’s ‘quinceañera’ (15th annual celebration.) “We’re very excited to celebrate our 15th anniversary, our ‘quinceañera’ if you will. A ‘quinceañera is the traditional ‘coming of age’ celebration for a young Latina and I very much feel as if the Hola Mexico Film Festival has not simply grown over the past 15 years, but has truly come of age as has our connection with L.A.’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. In 15 years of showing Mexican cinema to our community we’ve seen the Mexican film industry grow in huge leaps and bounds, coincided by a large growth in audience numbers. Still, through all that growth the essence of HMFF remains the same: fantastic Mexican cinema in luxurious movie theaters surrounded by strangers who become familia via our shared love of this great art form, and the celebration of it all!”
“Cinema serves as an exceptional platform for highlighting the richness and diversity of culture,” stated Alex Chau, Brand Media Manager, Integrated Marketing Operations for Toyota Motor North America. “We are thrilled to renew our partnership with the Hola Mexico Film Festival as they commemorate their 15-year milestone, presenting a captivating showcase of Mexico’s most brilliant filmmakers and talented individuals on the grand stage, coinciding with the vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.”
All the greatest movies have memorable movie theater posters and each year the Hola Mexico Film Festival participates in that tradition, priding itself in working with Mexico’s most sought-after graphic designers to create unique and very collectable poster art. This year’s poster was designed by Tone Olvera, a creative Mexican illustrator and art director with more than a decade’s worth of experience in the highly competitive ad agency world. He brings his style of psychedelia inspired mysticism and bold line ‘blackwork’ imagery to the 15th anniversary HMFF poster which features a mythical character embodying ‘Mexicanness’ and presenting Mexican cinema as an offering to the festival spirits.
The opening night film screening on September 29, 2023 will take place at The Montalban Theater located at 1615 Vine St, Hollywood, CA 90028. HMFF will conclude with a closing night screening a concert at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Downtown L.A., preceded by an award ceremony recognizing the audience’s choice for best film and best short film.
The festival is comprised of the following sections: México Ahora, Documental, El Otro México, and Nocturno. México Ahora features the best of Mexican films released in recent years, covering every genre. Documental includes notable non-fiction films made by Mexican filmmakers. El Otro Mexico highlights experiences of Mexicans rarely portrayed on screen, skillfully presenting perceptive narratives that challenge the status quo. The Nocturno section offers offbeat stories and horror films.
For its 8th edition, Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today (TFT), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the growth of emerging Latine filmmakers, continues its annual partnership with HMFF. TFT selects and showcases 20 exceptional Latine filmmakers and their short films during the festival.
The 10-day program not only provides a platform for these talented individuals but also offers an immersive professional development experience. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with both esteemed Mexican filmmakers and renowned industry professionals based in the U.S., opening doors and expanding networks crucial for their career advancement.
This year’s Slamdance Film Festival will take place from January 20 through January 26, 2023. Photo: Google
The Slamdance Film Festival is an annual film festival focused on emerging artists. It was founded in 1995 by Dan Mirvish, Jon Fitzgerald, Shane Kuhn, and Peter Baxter, along with Paul Rachman after they were unable to submit films to the Sundance Film Festival. The annual week-long festival will take place in Park City, Utah from January 20 through January 26 and is the main event organized by the year-round Slamdance organization, which also hosts a screenplay competition, workshops, screenings throughout the year and events with an emphasis on independent films with budgets under $1million. (Wikipedia, Slamdance Film Festival, 2023)
The distinctly different and impactful films making their world premieres this January in Park City, UT offer an insider’s humanistic view into the lives around us. Where a news headline could merely skim the surface, these films engage, inspire, prompt conversations, and offer hope and empathy. Each of these four films has a running time of under 90 minutes.
“Silent Love” Slamdance Competition Documentary Film “Silent Love” is an incredibly intimate observational documentary that subtly and tenderly portrays the lives of two women raising a pubescent teenager in the conservative setting of a small Polish village.
Each of the characters is completely different, both visually and in terms of character. Each faces different problems. Each has different obstacles to overcome. Together they form a new family, but most of all, it is a universal story about the hardships of raising a teenager in the face of a parent’s death and about taking on new roles.
After their mother’s death, 35-year-old Aga has to take care of her teenage brother, Milosz. There is one thing she is not telling him about: her ongoing relationship with Maja. An unconventional family is being born in a small, conservative Polish village.
Filmmaking Team: Director, Writer and Cinematographer Marek Kozakiewicz, Editors Anna Garncarczyk, Monument and Agata Cierniak, Music by Bartosz Bludau, Producer Agnieszka Skalska, and Agnieszka Dziedzic, Co-produced by Alex Tondowski, and Ira Tondowski. Running Time: 72 Minutes
Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 3p.m. Second Screening: Wednesday, January 25 at 11:15a.m.
“Starring Jerry As Hinself” Slamdance Competition Documentary Feature Film “Starring Jerry As Hinself” is a docu-fiction hybrid that blurs the lines of reality while staying true to the subject and his story. It employs a variety of creative filmmaking techniques to capture the world from Jerry’s perspective. The film is a genre bending meta experience, with our subject Jerry starring in his own recreation of his unique journey. The filmmakers wanted to create something unique that stood out from the traditional documentary, while also reflecting Jerry’s state of mind, so they nested a film within a film.
A family documents how their immigrant father Jerry, a recently divorced and retired Florida man, was recruited by the Chinese police to be an undercover agent, only to discover a darker truth.
Filmmaking Team: Director and Editor Lawrence Chen, Co-Writers Jerry C. Hsu (the star of the film) and Lawrence Chen, producers: Jonathan Hsu, and Lawrence Chen, composer Eric Hölljes with Cinematography by Tinx Chen, and Lawrence Chen. Running Time: 75 Minutes
“Starring Jerry As Hinself” Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 7:30p.m. Second Screening: Monday, January 23 at 2:45p.m.
“The Underbug” Slamdance Breakout Selection Feature Film While the nations came to a standstill owing to the pandemic, another more familiar kind of virus – that of communal violence raged more aggressively than earlier. India witnessed a uniquely cross-sectional humanitarian crisis: the burgeoning of xenophobia fueled by Covid, commingled with the toxic wave of sectarian violence. What India experienced, as did the rest of the world – we live immersed as a world in the great fracture of our times. “The Underbug” is a psychological horror that explores the psyche of people who live on the fringe of society. These are subaltern populations, easily weaponized for the narrow benefit of the political system. Thus began the story of two such men, in a deserted house, playing out what hopefully feels like the abstract psychopathology of our troubled times. The filmmakers hope that ‘The Underbug’ sparks conversation, offering an insight on hate politics and contributes in some small way towards empathy, courage and love.
As India is ravaged by sectarian violence on the eve of its Independence Day, two rioters take refuge in an abandoned house. An eerie presence in the house, however, haunts the men to the edge of sanity.
Filmmaking Team and Stars: Starring Ali Fazal and Hussain Dalal, Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, Written by Shujaat Saudagar, Abbas Dalal, and Hussain Dalal, Produced by Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, and Aman Mann, Executive Producers Shaunak Sen, Richa Chadha, Ali Faz al, Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal. Running Time: 68 Minutes *In Hindi with subtitles*
Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 10p.m.
“With Peter Bradley” Slamdance Competition Documentary Feature Film “With Peter Bradley” embodies the cinematic storytelling that made “The Kid Stays In The Picture” an iconic documentary. “With Peter Bradley” is a celebration of artmaking, resilience, and the creative contributions of Black artists to American life. It focuses a long-overdue lens on Peter Bradley and shines a light on his rightful place in the ongoing movement toward racial equity in the arts and our society. Despite the systemic racism of society in general and the art world in particular, Peter Bradley built an incredible resumé before the age of 35: the first Black art dealer on Madison Avenue (at the prestigious Perls Galleries); likely the first Black abstract artist represented by a major New York gallery (André Emmerich); and curator of what is considered the first integrated modern art show in America (The DeLuxe Show). Peter Bradley explores innovative methods of applying paint to canvas, inspired by nature and the colorful flowers he tends daily in his garden and greenhouse.
79 years old and overlooked since the 1970s, abstract artist Peter Bradley reflects on life and shares his artistic process on the cusp of his rediscovery.
Filmmaking Team: Director, Cinematographer, Editor and Producer Alex Rappoport, Composer Javon Jackson, Executive Producers Adger Cowans, and Robina Riccitiello, Consulting Producers Diane Kolyer, and Beth Levison, and Music Supervisor Ed Gerard. Running Time: 86 Minutes
Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Sunday, January 22 at 12:45p.m. Second Screening: Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30p.m.
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center announces the 43rd annual CineFestival at the historic Guadalupe Theater. Photo: google
San Antonio’s original Latinx film festival returns on July 6 through July 10 at the historic Guadalupe Theater with a large Texas filmmaker presence. Featuring 85 films, including 22 films from San Antonio and 24 films in the Lone Star State, CineFestival San Antonio continues to support local and regional filmmakers while offering a well-rounded program to local audiences that also includes national and international films that highlight artistic excellence and diversity. (Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 2022)
“The amazing response that CineFestival San Antonio got this year to our call for entries, receiving a record number of submissions from filmmakers from across the State and the US, local and international, is a testament to the privileged position San Antonio has as a cultural hub, bridging the cultures of South Texas and the state’s borderlands with the rest of Texas and beyond. This response means focusing the film festival in local and regional works while reflecting artistic excellence in Latinx and indigenous filmmaking is the right path for a festival with such an amazing history to continue in a relevant trajectory that is meaningful to both audiences and participating artists.” – CineFestival Programmer Eugenio del Bosque.
The 43rd annual CineFestival San Antonio will feature 24 screenings showcasing 12 feature films and 73 short films. The festival will open on July 6 with the San Antonio premiere of PEPE SERNA, LIFE IS ART (Dir. Luis Reyes, 2022), a joyous look at the life and work of groundbreaking Mexican-American character actor Pepe Serna, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas whose hundred-plus charismatic scene-stealing roles paved the way for generations of Chicanx actors in Hollywood and beyond.
The closing night film will be the world premiere of ‘Cuerpo,” directed by San Antonio’s own Mark Zuñiga, an ambitious horror film set in 18th century San Antonio exploring the culture and clashes between the Spanish colonists and the indigenous people they are trying to convert; a recipient of the San Antonio Film Commission’s local filmmaker grant, “Cuerpo” is a passion project produced and shot in the San Antonio area with local cast, crew, and an original score.
Other feature films include:
World premiere of the comedy “An Awesome Action Movie,” directed by Luis Antonio Rodriguez and shot in McAllen, Texas, and starring veteran Mexican actor Hector Soberón;
Sundance acclaimed documentary “Mija” by Isabel Castro;
Mexico’s powerful documentary “Comala” by Gian Cassini, which has strong ties to San Antonio;
“A Run for More” by Ray Whitehouse, which follows Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe as the first trans woman to run for city council in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas;
SXSW laureate Iliana Sosa’s “What We Leave Behind,” a love letter to the El Paso native director’s grandfather and an intimate and insightful exploration of her own relationship with him and his homeland;
The social justice horror film “Madres” by Ryan Zaragoza, co-written by San Antonio native Marcella Ochoa who will be in attendance and will also offer a master class for registered filmmakers.
“Jockey” by Clint Bentley, featuring an award-winning performance by Mexican-American thespian Clifton Collin’s Jr., grandson of Aguilares, Texas native character actor Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, most famous for his humorous sidekick roles in 1950s and 1960s John Wayne westerns.
“Earth Mother,” directed by Austin’s Brandon Polanco and starring San Antonio’s Annette Mia Flores.
“Capitol Barbie” by New Mexico native Riley Del Rey is a TV pilot, and a new programming line for CineFestival. A political show about a translatina on Capitol Hill, “Capitol Barbie” deals with delicate and socially pertinent themes, raising questions and opening conversations around racism, homophobia, and transphobia in the work place. The screenplay is written by trans and indigenous filmmakers Riley Del Rey and Violet Martinez.
The Mezquite Awards will be bestowed in two main categories: Audience Awards for the public’s favorite feature film and Jury Awards for Best Texas Short Film. A panel of industry professionals will be part of this year’s festival jury, who will choose the jury award-winning documentary and narrative films from a collection of 14 short films made in Texas, including works from Austin, Buda, Denton, El Paso, Houston, Laredo, and San Antonio.
The ever-popular San Antonio showcase will featuring eight short films made by local artists, including works made by Nathaniel Avila, Guillermina Zabala, Esmeralda Hernandez, Ái Vuong, Samuel Díaz Fernández, Lisa Salinas Sosa, Miguel Contreras IV, Raymond Ramos, and Violeta de León Dávila.
43 CineFestival San Antonio will offer ten free screenings, including Family Day with the Texas premiere of “Ainbo, Spirit of the Amazon” by Richard Claus and Jose Zelada, a US-Peruvian animated feature in the spirit of “Moana” and “Frozen;” and Senior Cinema, featuring an exclusive reprise screening of the documentary “Pepe Serna: Life is Art” dedicated to San Antonio’s elderly film lovers.
Free screenings will also include short film showcases including the Texas short film showcase featuring works from Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Greenville, El Paso; a selection of international short films from Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Peru, Spain, and Venezuela; a collection of short films showcasing Latinx and indigenous talent from around the US; and the always eye-opening Youth Day screenings, featuring films made by artists 18 years old or younger which includes works made in San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, Dallas, Arizona, Connecticut, Peru, and Spain.
All 43 CineFesitval San Antonio screenings will take place at the historic Guadalupe Theater, located at 1301 Guadalupe Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. Full festival schedule and tickets are available online. Individual tickets are $8 and festival passes are $40. The 43 CineFestival San Antonio is made possible thanks to the continuing support of the National Endowment for the Arts, the San Antonio Film Commission, the City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, and the Ford Foundation.
Photo: Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, used with permission.
Khadega in Nausheen Dadabhoy’s An Act of Worship. Photo: Capital K Pictures, used with permission.
In other film festival news, ‘An Act of Worship’ will have its WORLD PREMIERE in Documentary Competition at the forthcoming Tribeca Film Festival 2022. The festival will take place in New York City from June 8 through June 19, 2022. (An Act of Worship, 2022)
‘An Act of Worship’ is a polyphonic portrait of the last 30 years of Muslim life in America. Told through the lens of Muslims living in the United States, the film offers a counter-narrative of pivotal moments in U.S. history and explores the impact of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy on young Muslims who came of age after 9/11. Due to their first-hand knowledge and intimate access to the Muslim community, the filmmaking team is able to take charge of the account, which has previously been shaped by outsiders. ABER’s father was deported when she was 16. Now, she is a community organizer leading a sanctuary city initiative in New York. KHADEGA is an 18-year-old Sudanese immigrant living in Michigan. While she feels compelled to advocate for her community, she struggles to overcome society’s expectations of her and find her own way. AMEENA is a civil rights lawyer in California, but as a mother, she is conflicted between caring for her three young children or sacrificing her time with them to fight for change. Weaving together observational footage of these three women with community home videos, and evocative recollections from individuals impacted by incidents of Islamophobia,’ An Act of Worship’ opens a window into the world of Muslim Americans through collective memory.
NAUSHEEN DADABHOY is a director and cinematographer whose work spans fiction and documentary. She lensed an Oscar nominated film, an Emmy winning documentary, and films that have played at Sundance, TIFF, Locarno and on Al Jazeera, HBO and PBS. Her directorial debut THE GROUND BENEATH THEIR FEET premiered at IDFA.
Running Time: 83 Minutes Language: English, Arabic Country: USA
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2022 An Act of Worship (Section: Documentary Competition) WORLD PREMIERE Directors: Nausheen Dadabhoy Producer: Sofian Khan, Kristi Jacobson, Heba Elorbany
Public screening schedule: Thursday, June 9 at 5p.m. at Village East – WORLD PREMIERE Friday, June 10 at 6p.m. at Cinepolis – 2nd Public Screening Sunday, June 12 at 8:15p.m. at Tribeca Film Center – 3rd Public Screening
SA Examiner 