Showcase of the best FILMS in the world today.
Audience Awards:
Best Feature Film: PIERRE PINONCELLI, THE ARTIST WHO CUT OFF HIS FINGER
Best Short Film: PICNIC AND A LITTLE MUTINY
Best Direction: THE LIGHT OF TRUTH: RICHARD HUNT’S MONUMENT TO IDA B. WELLS
Best Story: AFTER ORANGE
Best Nature Film: SAPPHIRE GIRLS
Best Cinematography: THE FORCADOS: BROTHERHOOD OF THE BULLS
Best Human Interest Film: BLACK & BLUE
Best Artist Film: ROCK PAPER PAINT: ART OF THE PEOPLE
Best Inspirational Film: WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST?
Best Society Film: INDIA’S MEGA FESTIVALS
See info for each film:
AFTER ORANGE, 81min., USA
Directed by Jennifer Ducker
AFTER ORANGE explores the stigma of being an ex-con. The day to day struggle, both external, in trying to do the essentials of everyday life: find a job, care for their family, pay the bills, and the internal: Increasing their self-worth, the guilt of betraying their loyalties and finding the confidence to strive for a better future. Following the lives of ex-gang leader Jeffrey Padilla and fellow cell mate and gang member Jeremiah Otero, we follow the first five years after their release. Can
they beat the recidivism statistics and remain free?
https://www.afterorangefilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Afterorangefilm
https://www.instagram.com/afterorangefilm
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
PIERRE PINONCELLI, THE ARTIST WHO CUT OFF HIS FINGER, 85min., France
Directed by Virgile Novarina
Since his two hammer attacks on Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain urinal in 1993 and 2006, artist Pierre Pinoncelli has been known the world over for this iconoclastic and subversive act. This resounding artistic attack obscured the rest of his career in the eyes of the public. Stopping painting in 1966 to devote himself to happenings, Pinoncelli has never ceased to denounce the contradictions of our society. Pinoncelli is the man who sprayed André Malraux with red paint in 1969, who robbed a bank to protest against apartheid in 1975, who publicly mutilated himself in Colombia to free Ingrid Bétancourt and denounce the violence of the FARCS in 2002. Portrait of an extraordinary artist by Virgile Novarina.
http://www.pinoncelli-lefilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FilmPierrePinoncelli/
https://twitter.com/VirgileNovarina/
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
SAPPHIRE GIRLS, 20min., China
Directed by Zhuoheng Liu
The left-behind girls in the mountains of Hunan province rely on basketball to get out of the mountains and change their fate.
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
THE LIGHT OF TRUTH: RICHARD HUNT’S MONUMENT TO IDA B. WELLS, 70min., USA
Directed by Rana Segal
This feature documentary weaves together sculptor Richard Hunt’s process and life story, with that of civil rights crusader, suffragist and antilynching activist, Ida B. Wells. Hunt creates the Light of Truth monument for the Bronzeville community at the former site of the Ida B. Wells Homes. Wells’ history and the sculptor’s history intersect in their mutual reaction and actions as they confront the injustices of racism with their work.
http://amonumentforidabfilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/aMonumentForIdaB/
https://twitter.com/idafilm
https://www.instagram.com/lollyvangogo/
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
THE FORCADOS: BROTHERHOOD OF THE BULLS, 31min., USA
Directed by Bob Krist
Unlike the Spanish or Mexican bullfight, in the Portuguese version, the bull lives to return to the ranch. But by the time he has been chasing the cape-wielding bandelahieros and been prodded with barbs by the cavalieros on horseback, he’s plenty angry.
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
BLACK & BLUE, 16min., Australia
Directed by Hamish MacGregory
When Rupert is “up” he paints himself blue and becomes Zarcon. Made by his son, Black & Blue is a character study of a person living with bipolar disorder.
https://www.instagram.com/ham_mac/
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
ROCK PAPER PAINT: ART OF THE PEOPLE, 34min,. USA
Directed by Audrey Daniel
This is a two part film, a story which documents the dynamic flood of public art which occurred during the social upheaval magnified by the pandemic and the history of Public Art and social justice in the Bay Area. This is an ode to the artists that have taken on the role of leaders using art to create awareness in murals, poster art, as well as ground breaking memorials, that have been created to address social change
http://rockpaperpaint.com/https://www.instagram.com/rock.paperpaint
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST?, 10min., Lebanon
Directed by Raafat Abou Daka
“What Makes an Artist” is an introspective documentary that delves into the lives of the internationally renowned sculptor brothers Assaf, exploring the unexpected paths that led them to their craft. The film peels back the layers of their fame to reveal the human side of their journey, offering a rare glimpse into their early struggles and the alternate careers they nearly pursued.
https://www.instagram.com/raafat.ad/
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
INDIA’S MEGA FESTIVALS, 45min., India
Directed by Umang Chaudhri, Vishal Chib
India’s glorious past, mysterious ancient kingdoms, colorful rituals and traditions, grand architectural marvels, rich culinary variety, and grand festivities have enchanted travelers through the ages. And one such traveler is legendary chef Gary Mehigan who’s back in India with something unique on his mind – to explore India’s mega festivals! On National Geographic’s new series ‘India’s Mega Festivals’ we go behind the scenes of India’s grandest and biggest festivals that have been celebrated over centuries across the land! Through six episodes, we follow Gary’s adventures as he gets unprecedented access to intimate rituals and spectacles of each festival, over multiple days! Through Gary’s fresh perspective of the pomp and show, we get to experience India and its bounty in an all-new light. In this series, Gary experiences the mega festivals of Holi, Onam, Ganesh Utsav, Eid, Hornbill, Durga Puja, Chithirai and Hemis festivals.
https://www.facebook.com/NA
https://www.twitter.com/NA
https://www.instagram.com/NA
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
PICNIC AND A LITTLE MUTINY, 39min., USA
Directed by Jacek W. Laskus
Aboard a sailboat crewed by four blind individuals and a sighted captain, we’re invited to their picnic in this part doc-part fantasy. Sharing experiences and observations of being sightless in a visual world the group collectively rebel.
Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.
Documentary Film Festival. Los Angeles & Toronto 