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SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH, 2025
This evening is for our Film Festival Judges Awarded films.
To be screened at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Waterbury, CT .
SHORT FILMS
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VECINO
Director - Rolando Meléndez * 2023 * Puerto Rico * 9 minutes * WORLD PREMIERE *
Vecino narrates the story of Javi "Vecino/Neighbor" Cintrón, a local muralist who paints murals of native houses that identify the Puerto Rican community and are in danger of disappearing due to gentrification.
Eight Years and Ninety Miles
Director Luca David Higonnet- Faithfull * 2024 * United States
* 18 minutes * World Premiere
Ocho Años y Noventa Millas, a documentary film that follows professional soccer player Bruno Rendon, after he chooses to defect from his home country of Cuba to attempt to start a professional career in the United States. This decision means he won't be able to return home to see his loved ones for 8 years.The film shines a light on the community Rendon has created in the US while investigating the cost of his decision to chase his dreams and his trajectory since.
Bicycle Island (A donde nos lleva)
Director Mitra Elena Ghaffari * 2023 * Cuba * 22 Minutes *World Premiere
A contemporary mosaic of Havana explores the bicycle as a reclaimed mobility tool and critical resource for the future of the island.
'¡Sí Se Puede! - Trade Union Action in Colombia'
Director - Pieter De Vos* 2023 * Colombia * 33 Minutes
The documentary '¡Sí Se Puede! - Trade Union Action in Colombia' sheds a shocking light on the reality of Colombia, considered the most dangerous country in the world for activists. This film follows the story of Moisés Báron, an oil worker in Barrancabermeja, and Nohelia Mendoza and Nellys Simarra, domestic workers in Cartagena.
The film highlights the numerous political assassinations of activists and the glaring inequality in Colombia, contrasting with the rise of the new progressive government led by Gustavo Petro. While the union leaders continue their fight for social justice, they constantly experience the looming danger and take drastic measures to protect themselves and their families.
Despite the challenges, they find strength in the union and draw hope from Petro's historic election as president and the promise of social reforms. (Watch Trailer)
10 Minute Intermission
FEATURE FILMS
Black is Beautiful
Marco Antonio Ortega * 2023 * United States * 33 Minutes * World Preimere
This short documentary film tells the story of a man who uses his talents to support and lift his community. When the "Black Lives Matter" movement grew in awareness, Marcus Baskerville head brewer of Weathered Souls Brewing Co. wanted to shed light on the growing problem of inequality and police brutality. This is where the "Black is Beautiful" project was born. We follow the impact of the initiative and where it is today. (Watch Trailer)
The Orchestra Chuck Built
Christopher Stoudt * 2023 * United States * 23 Minutes
In 2016, the League of American Orchestras conducted a study that revealed a shocking statistic: only 1.8% of the professional orchestra workforce in the US is Black. From an old church rec room in the inner city of Los Angeles, former lawyer-turned-conductor Chuck Dickerson is on a mission to change that.
Through ICYOLA - The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles — the largest majority Black orchestra in the country — Chuck is creating life-changing opportunities for his community that did not previously exist. The Orchestra Chuck Built is a loving portrait of a tireless mentor and a testament to the transformative power of music. (Watch Trailer)
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