documentary film festival – Page 22 – Documentary Film Festival. Los Angeles & Toronto

Director Biography – Julie Lipson (THE RIVER)

Julie Lipson is a screenwriter who grew up in Nevada City and now lives in LA, who has never directed her own work until… THE RIVER. In 2017, Julie sold a television series called Excess to Universal Cable Productions and E! Network. She also recently sold a series to Super Deluxe, based on the New… Continue reading Director Biography – Julie Lipson (THE RIVER)

Short Film: THE RIVER, 10min, USA, Drama/Family

A young piano student with a difficult life makes a meaningful connection with the mother of one of her peers.\ News & Reviews “IFC MIDNIGHT BUYS US RIGHTS TO SURVIVAL THRILLER RUST CREEK” Variety https://variety.com/2018/film/news/ifc-midnight-rust- Film Type: Short Runtime: 10 minutes Completion Date: September 8, 2018 Production Budget: 3,500 USD Country of Origin: United States… Continue reading Short Film: THE RIVER, 10min, USA, Drama/Family

Director Biography – Jingyi Wang (SUNSET GLORY)

Director, Writer, Videographer. Graduated from Nanjing University majored in Chinese Literature and Syracuse University majored in Television, Radio, and Film. Always trying to explore the current under the calm surface of life.

Short Film: SUNSET GLORY, 9min., USA, Drama/Family

Reese is trapped in a seemingly peaceful and quiet room but trying to tell an incredible horrendous story again and again. Film Type: Short, Student Genres: Drama, Family Runtime: 9 minutes 1 second Completion Date: October 27, 2017 Production Budget: 2,000 USD Country of Origin: United States Country of Filming: United States Film Language: English… Continue reading Short Film: SUNSET GLORY, 9min., USA, Drama/Family

Director Biography – Lian Morrison (BEHIND BANANA VACCUM)

Lian Morrison is an award-winning filmmaker & graduate from the Prague Film School where she first learned to hone her skills in creative filmmaking. Today, she has her own successful filmmaking company, Tin Bird Productions based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Lian loves giving audiences glimpses of the lives of others in her films. Her first… Continue reading Director Biography – Lian Morrison (BEHIND BANANA VACCUM)

Short Film: BEHIND BANANA VACUUM, 11min., Canada, Documentary/Music

A behind-the-scenes look into this new-age punk band and its unexpected lead singer. Film Type: Documentary Genres: Comedy Runtime: 12 minutes 17 seconds Completion Date: February 20, 2019 Production Budget: 100 USD Country of Origin: Canada Country of Filming: Canada Film Language: English Shooting Format: Digital Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Film Color: Color

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)