documentaryfestival

Director Biography – Blaze Nowara (SECRET ON THE HILL)

Blaze is a documentary and travel filmmaker based in New York City. He has worked in countries around the world including Jordan, Colombia, Brazil, Portugal, Kenya, Panama, Canada, Nepal, Mexico, Thailand, Ireland, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Short Film: SECRET ON THE HILL, 16min., Brazil, Documentary

People hear “Brazil” and think samba, fútbol, and Rio. But there’s another story happening across the country. Taking place in one of Rio’s roughest favelas, Secret on the Hill follows Monique Silva, a young Brazilian American woman seeking to reconcile her relationship with her dad. In a country where HIV is stigmatized, her father’s concealment… Continue reading Short Film: SECRET ON THE HILL, 16min., Brazil, Documentary

Short Film: THROUGH THE STORM, 14min., USA, Documentary

Unexpectedly caught in the path of category 5 hurricane Maria, a small team of humanitarians make the decision to ride out the storm. When the rain and winds subside, the team sets out on a mission to deliver sustainable clean water solutions to populations throughout the Caribbean. Film Type: Documentary, Short Runtime: 14 minutes 40… Continue reading Short Film: THROUGH THE STORM, 14min., USA, Documentary

Director Biography – Michael J. Grundmann (BREAKING FREE)

Mike Grundmann is an associate professor of journalism at James Madison University in Virginia. He has independently produced, shot and edited 10 documentaries, most of them national award winners broadcast by PBS affiliates. He was also a reporter and editor for a dozen newspapers in California, Nevada and Philadelphia, culminating at the Los Angeles Times.… Continue reading Director Biography – Michael J. Grundmann (BREAKING FREE)

Short Film: BREAKING FREE, 12min., USA, Documentary

At a Virginia stable where equine therapy is practiced, veterans with PTSD process their trauma through largely nonverbal and tranquil means. Horses can read people, and the rapport that develops often allows vets to make amazing progress. Project Links Website

Short Film: AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT STORY, 6min., USA, Documentary

Do you want to know about undocumented immigrant #Facts and #Real World Immigrant Data? Are you tired of hearing undocumented immigrant stereotypes and misinformation that is fear-based? In 1981, I ran across the US-Mexican border at 7 years old for 12 hours across the desert. We were running away from civil war-torn El Salvador. My… Continue reading Short Film: AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT STORY, 6min., USA, Documentary

Director Biography – Ruth Grimberg (LEARNING TO SWIM)

Ruth is a self-shooting documentary filmmaker based in London. Her short documentaries focus on the lives of ordinary people who show extraordinary courage and strength in facing up to personal and political challenges using intimate yet respectful observational camerawork to frame the unfolding stories told in their own voices. Looking at life in contemporary Britain… Continue reading Director Biography – Ruth Grimberg (LEARNING TO SWIM)

Short Film: LEARNING TO SWIM, 10min., USA, Documentary

Ingrid and her son Ross welcome Syrian refugee Ahmed into their home in the quiet English countryside and find a way to resist the uncertainty and fear we all face. Project Links Website Twitter News & Reviews “Uncovering Hidden Stories” The Smalls https://www.thesmalls.com/article/uncovering-hidden-st

Short Film: EMMA, 11min., USA, Documentary

Multi-talented transgender student navigates life at the historically Catholic and conservative University of Notre Dame. Film Type: Documentary Runtime: 11 minutes 30 seconds Completion Date: December 22, 2018 Production Budget: 0 USD Country of Origin: United States Country of Filming: United States Film Language: English Shooting Format: Digital Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Film Color: Color

HIGHLIGHTS – AUGUST 2019 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS: BEST FILM: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HIMALAYAN SHEPHERD BEST DOC CHARACTER: Áine Gallagher in LOVE & FEAR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: NOTES FROM A BEEKEPPER BEST MUSIC: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HIMALAYAN SHEPHERD THEME: Tradition & Culture NOTE: All 6 films presented received multiple votes for BEST FILM… Continue reading HIGHLIGHTS – AUGUST 2019 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival