Schedule of Events:

March 7, 2025

6:05 pm: Feature

First We Bombed New Mexico: This film follows the intimate journey of indomitable Hispanic cancer survivor Tina Cordova who has catalyzed a movement seeking justice for the forgotten residents of southern New Mexico - mostly Hispanic and Native - who suffer multigenerational cancers they tie to the secret poisoning of their land by the Trinity Bomb. This is the story that "Oppenheimer" doesn't tell. And it is a s-hero's journey.

8:00 pm : Meditations Film Block

The Candle: Thid film highlights the often-overlooked trauma and anxiety faced by children of incarcerated
parents, revealing the profound impact of confinement on both the children and their communities.

The Long Long Night: "The Long Long Night" is a new micro-budget TV series that follows Pete (played by Mark Duplass) and Carroll (Barret O'Brien); best friends since they were six, now scrambling to build adult lives that contain some semblance of meaning and purpose. It's a show about people whose want-to's wildly exceed their know-how's.

OCD & Chips: Polly, who has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), navigates through her mundane routine until a customer's arrival triggers a series of intrusive thoughts and compulsions. The film aims to shed light on the condition of OCD and how prominently it can affect people. Viewer Discretion: violence.

We Have Sinned Before You: A game designed to pass the time on Yom Kippur, brings up secrets and difficulties that could tear the Dagan family apart.

American Daydream: An undocumented immigrant has always relied heavily on her legal daughter to get through life in America. Now that The obedient daughter wants to leave to pursue her own dreams. How is this illiterate mother going to survive?

9:35pm : Ambitions Film Block

Safety State: In the dystopian near future, a gay and a lesbian couple form an unlikely friendship as they flee the Midwest for safety in New England.

The Doctor and the Medicine Women: It's the story of a journey from the white walls of a French day hospital to the healing huts in the Ohio woods, where caregivers on both sides attempt to heal addictions through cultural dialogue.

March 8, 2025

Theatre 8

9:15 am: Feature

Like Ashes In Your Coffee: The state of mind of Mrs. Segal unfolds as she cares for her husband, who battles aggressive brain cancer. Through their intimate moments, we witness not only their love but also the intersecting stories of others, which echo their situation. As his condition gradually worsens the stories will raise questions regarding death, justice and God's involvement

11:10 pm : Pathways Film Block

Next Steps: How to Live Your Life and (Maybe) Even Like It: She saw her life branching out before her like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, a possible future beckoned. Luckily, when she turns 25, she gets an instruction manual that tells her exactly how to live her life, so she doesn't have to worry about these things. But as she dutifully follows the steps, the instructions get stranger, and soon, the branches start to blur.

I'm Dead, You're Welcome: Four friends reminisce about their legacy after the wake of their friend's passing. Revelatory private affairs force them to deal with life choices that tangle them closer together in a way they never expected.

Stay At Home, Mom: What happens when a mom gets pushed to the brink...by her adorable offspring…

That's On Me: An Ed Sheeran music video telling the story of Alger, a retired injured biker, who is seeking joy and an escape from boredom through the exploration of new passions.

The Caregiving Connection: Focusing on the cultural obligations and traditions of caregiving in the South
Asian community, this short documentary explores the perspectives of three separate South Asian families
who have become caregivers for one or more of their elders.

Where is Chijioke?: One woman. Ten years. Her missing Brother.

12:45 pm : Feature

Metanoia: Metanoia (beyond fear) is a docu-drama, semi- auto biography and trauma fiction film, it is my PHD research Film in Cinema therapy, the research question was: how can a film act as with catalyst for emotional healing. The film is based on a hybrid of true stories of real characters and real events compiled in a fictionalized story. It utilizes the post traumatic growth and survival journeys of three outcast women as a mechanism of testimony, salvation and working through trauma.

2:25 pm: It Matters Film Block

Beer Saves The World: This film follows the story of Kernza® the world's first trademarked perennial grain and the advocates who grow it, research it, and the brave individuals who make beer with it! Spearheaded by environmental leaders like Patagonia, the grain has moved from concept to consumer proving that perennial plants that heal the soil can also help wash down a plate of nachos.

My Life Between The Reins, Music Video: This is the original music video and theme song written for the film, My Life Between The Reins, an inspirational feature documentary of a young girl with cerebral palsy and her equestrian journey through adulthood as she faces challenges with the help of her family, faith, persistence, and determination to follow her goals & dreams.

I'm Sending Help Now: When a recent retiree can't remember the safe word after accidentally setting off his home security alarm, the situation is made worse by his frantic golden retriever and an overzealous alarm company dispatcher.

Still: A despondent mother's reality crumbles as she faces the unthinkable.

There Are No Words: This film is an artistic recreation of Chanel Miller's victim impact statement, expressed through the diverse lens of many different women from all walks of life. In 2015, a she was sexually assaulted by Brock Turner. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to only six months in prison, serving only three of those months. Chanel initially went by the name 'Emily Doe' but eventually made the personal choice to no longer be anonymous and go by her actual name.

4:00 pm: Feature

Finger Laced Crown: This is a sexy, LGBTQ coming of age drama based in the modern and changing world of fine art, musing the work of spray paint artist Tyrone Webb. Viewer Discretion: sexual content, drug use.

5:55 pm: Points of View Film Block

Small Town Girl, Big Heart" Abby's Courage: A spirited girl from a small town in Texas finds her world changed drastically after a tragic accident where she was thrown from her truck and landed in front of a speeding train. This is a true miracle story of how she not only survived but thrived in the face of her disability.

Funny Thing About Grief: As if dealing with a nasty breakup isn't tough enough, Phoebe Barrett finds out that her ex is dead. Overwhelmed with emotions and mixed feelings, not only over the news but of their history, she has to do the only thing she can do. Deal with the grief. Inspired by true events, Phoebe navigates her way through a journey that we all handle differently. Viewer Discretion: domestic violence.

It's probably not John: In a grief circle, Laura shares her recent journey of losing John. How she sleeps on the floor, can't keep her job, how friends disappear and how time spitefully continues to pass, though she wants it to stop. She shares how one day; she has a pivotal moment that brings her back from the darkness and restores her ability to live again.

The Stories They Didn't Tell Us - Nina's Story: Nina came to the U.S. as a girl in 1975, with her family as refugees from Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon. Her American-born children know little about their mother's past. This documentary reflects separate interviews with Nina and her three 20-something age children, and the stories Nina didn't tell them.

Super Human Anxiety: This story is about a teenage girl, Whitney, who thinks she's hiding her strong emotions well. But, when her elevator breaks down, fate forces her to out her secret

7:30 pm: Documentary Feature

Broken Dolls - Reparation from the Holocaust: 1939: a young Jewish girl escapes Nazi Germany, due to the tenacity of her mother, on a ship bound for Shanghai. They make it to the Jewish Ghetto, and the young girl begins her journey toward 'losing Jewishness'. 80 years later, with the help of her daughter, she fights to reinstate her lost German citizenship and hopes to complete a trip to the country that tried to eliminate her. A journey revealing deeply buried family secrets.

Theatre 9

9:15 am: Promises Film Block

Darcine's Day: We spend the day with Darcine Thomas (Kyla Diane Kennedy), divorced and jobless, as she struggles to get back on her feet. She plans to start a new business to help those living on the street, and struggles to find her own new job. Hitting obstacles at every turn, she comes face to face with the L.A. housing crisis.

Dolly: A grieving mother copes with her daughter's death by buying a doll in her memory.

Hometown Hero: A photographer in Phoenix aspires to change the narrative, "black fathers are absent" through his gallery showing, 'Omnipresent'.

Single Buffalo: As Catherine tries to keep her composure in hopes of finding a connection, her date ticks her off to where she has no other option, but bursting into a musical dance number.

Wabi-Sabi: When an insecure, half Japanese woman is invited on a date to a traditional tea ceremony, her best friend's advice on how to avoid white-guys-with-Asian-fetishes threatens to ruin her love life and sanity.

10:50 am: Feature

No, Not Me!: A love story unfolds amid the social issues of Female Genital Mutilation and the plight of ex-child soldiers who are now adults. Starring Frank Artus, Shoana Cachelle, Selassie Mends-Cole, and Susan Wleh, the film follows a Liberian couple's journey to prove that love can conquer all obstacles, while also addressing the mounting security concerns caused by disadvantaged youth. It is a poignant tale of love in challenging times. Viewer Discretion: violence, female gential mutilation.

12:35 pm: Decisions Film Block

And The Ocean Agreed: Vina is fading away, lost to dementia, but on a rare outing to the ocean, she finds herself and a chance for freedom.

A Shattering: A carefully constructed marriage implodes when an unexpected call unleashes a fragility and pain that have been simmering for years.

Before Everything Changes: On their last days together before one of them moves away, two best friends reevaluate how they feel about each other, realizing they may be harboring romantic feelings.

Flying Bird's Diary: In the early 20th century, Flying Bird is the keeper of the Mohegan language and its interconnected way of seeing the world. After her passing, a white anthropologist's efforts to salvage her work go awry, and her young Mohegan mentee must find a way to secure the tribe's culture. Viewer Discretion: violence.

The Cold Night: Not everyone agrees with the choice of a pregnant mother.

The Candle: This film highlights the often-overlooked trauma and anxiety faced by children of incarcerated parents, revealing the profound impact of confinement on both the children and their communities.

2:10 pm: Workshop with Irin Daniels - Distribution and Marketing Independent Films

Crack the Code: Distribution & Marketing for Independent Films Learn how to navigate the world of independent film distribution and marketing. This session will cover strategies to get your film in front of the right audiences, secure deals, and
build a buzz that drives success. From digital platforms to grassroots campaigns, discover practical tools to maximize your reach and make your film stand out in a competitive industry.

3:30 pm : Documentary Feature

My Secret Country: This is a heartwarming documentary about the enchanting power of childhood imagination. The story follows three children as they embark on a thrilling adventure into their imaginations. When desserts from around the world mysteriously disappear, their imaginary friends, brought to life through charming 2D animation, rally to save the day. Suspecting the mischievous inner voice of doubt, Kritik, the group sets out on a quest to find three magical ingredients that can rescue the world's treats from vanishing forever. Co-written with the young protagonists, this film offers a delightful blend of fantasy and reality that will surely spark wonder in audiences of all ages.

5:05 pm: Revelations Film Block

When Everything Was Blue: A heartfelt drama that unfolds through the intimate lens of a home video camera. It tells the story of Luke, a firefighter, and his family, as they navigate the heartbreaking aftermath of September 11th. Capturing the family's everyday moments, juxtaposed against the backdrop of Luke's declining health due to 9/11-related illnesses, the film immerses us in the love, grief, and strength of a family as they confront a system that chooses to ignore the ongoing challenges of a tragedy that continues to shape their lives.

Angler: Following the recent death of her sister Ivy, Violet attempts to clean out Ivy's apartment in hopes of finding some peace. She gets more than she bargained for when a mysterious camera reveals to Violet that Ivy's troubles were more complicated than they initially appeared, suggesting that someone... or something... may have been behind her untimely end. Viewer Discretion: flashing lights, suicide.

L'attaque: Aurora, since she was a child, has always wanted to defend the world from evil monsters, while for Emma, her sister, monsters only exist in fairy tales. When an unexpected event forces them to confront reality once again, Emma will be forced to question her beliefs: maybe monsters really do exist.

Stigma: During the Covid-19 lockdown, "Stigma" explores the emotional impact on Bochra, a young woman living alone in France. Through webcam exchanges with her parents in Tunisia, Bochra struggles with painful memories and a dark past. Confronted with solitude in her Parisian apartment, she faces shadows of her past, gradually revealing a deeply buried trauma. The film delves into themes of resilience, the importance of family bonds, and the quest for self in an isolated world, leading to a poignant revelation.

6:40 pm: Feature

Pigalle: In two intertwining stories on Pigalle's boulevard, an aging trans sex worker sets out to win a beauty pageant; while an emotionally abused waitress tries to revitalize her relationship. Viewer Discretion: nudity, sexual content, drug use.

March 9, 2025

11:00 am: Feature

I Wish You Were Here: A captivating psychological thriller, Angela returns to her family home in East Cork where she meets the man of her dreams, like the ones she writes about in her books. But under the surface not everything is as it seems and when Angela learns a terrifying truth about herself she's forced to live with the harsh reality. Viewer Discretion: suicide.

12:50 pm: Travelers Film Block

Lequando: A seemingly perfect first date is interrupted by a couple's dating app that has doubts about anything but less than 100% compatibility. Viewer Discretion: flashing lights.

Noodle Therapy: Caught between two worlds, Rose and Jacob, mixed Isaan-Thai teens, distance themselves from their Isaan-Thai heritage. However, attending a traditional ceremony forces them to embrace their cultural identity. As they witness the beauty and significance of the rituals, they discover a sense of belonging they never knew they craved.

The Downtown 666: As the suffocating embrace of a packed train becomes her eerie stage, a budding actress teeters on the edge of sanity. Amidst the throngs of passengers, her relentless quest for recognition morphs into a harrowing descent, blurring the lines between ambition and terror. Will the spotlight she craves reveal her dream or unravel into a haunting nightmare? Viewer Discretion: violence.

Wabi-Sabi: When an insecure, half Japanese woman is invited on a date to a traditional tea ceremony, her best friend's advice on how to avoid white-guys-with-Asian-fetishes threatens to ruin her love life and sanity..

Abir : When Karen brings her homeless cousin Abir into her home, he arouses in her a sense of vitality that allows her to break away from societal norms and question her life. Viewer Discretion: drug use.

2:20 pm : Feature

Different Paths to Holiness: "Close your eyes and each look at your fears for yourself." This is a picture of young people looking for new ways to understand and express themselves. The film has a mosaic structure, six stories create a portrait of our generation. Body, religion, hypnosis therapy, politics, eco-activism, shamanism are the paths on which the protagonists confront their greatest fears and obsessions in the hope of finding release.

3:50 pm: Patterns of Life Film Block

Snowdrops for the Bairns: In 1996, after a horrific school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland, a couple of mums and a tabloid newspaper launch campaigns to make the UK safer for all. Twenty-five years later, these Scottish local heroes reflect back on these unprecedented achievements.

Neenu: Shared Paths: This film is an inspiring documentary that follows Neenu, the first Miss India Wheelchair Beauty Pageant winner, as she navigates the complexities of online dating. Set against the vibrant backdrop of India, the film explores intimate themes of body image, self-acceptance, and intimacy, while highlighting her courage and resilience.

Next Steps: How to Live Your Life and (Maybe) Even Like It: She saw her life branching out before her like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, a possible future beckoned. Luckily, when she turns 25, she gets an instruction manual that tells her exactly how to live her life, so she doesn't have to worry about these things. But as she dutifully follows the steps, the instructions get stranger, and soon, the branches start to blur.

Peace with Myself: Through animation, music and VO, the creator looks back into her past and deals with the sexual abuse that she experienced when she was 9 years old. She realizes that self-hatred, depression and anxiety are not her path.

Ow.: This film, based on a true story, follows EL, an artist who is battling chronic physical and emotional pain, as she attempts to understand what ails her. Invasive testing, cold, dismissive doctors, and a far too chipper roommate, combined with the crippling
pain, bring our protagonist to the edge of her sanity before finally getting some answers.

5:20 pm : Awakenings Film Block

Grace: In her journey toward healing, Grace demonstrates courage under pressure as she actively works to processes the trauma of sexual assault that has been bubbling under the surface for far too long with the help of her supportive therapist, Susan utilizing EMDR therapy. Viewer Discretion: sexual assault.

The Stories They Didn't Tell Us - Nina's Story: Nina came to the U.S. as a girl in 1975, with her family as refugees from Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon. Her American-born children know little about their mother's past. This documentary reflects separate
interviews with Nina and her three 20-something age children, and the stories Nina didn't tell them.

The Curse of Stigma: Lives are forever changed when African men and women experience seizures. Demonized and ostracized, those living with epilepsy are forced to live in the shadows because of a suffocated stigma. A lack of awareness and education causes many to see the neurological condition of epilepsy as a curse from demons and witchcraft.

Kindred Spirits: In a montage of common interactions between two best friends, a young woman reflects on her bittersweet experience with female friendship.

They Call Me The Tattoo Witch: In Hanoi, Vietnam, tattoo artist Tran Ngoc specializes in the rare and challenging art of tattooing over scars. Despite the social stigma surrounding tattoos in Vietnam, Ngoc empowers her clients, including breast cancer survivors and women with self-harm scars, to reclaim their bodies, demonstrating that her work is a profound act of compassion and resilience.

People: A grandmother, mother, and granddaughter take a trip to their cabin in hopes of a peaceful vacation, but concerns arise when Margaret's Alzheimer's overtakes her, as she starts to see people other then her family.

Date: March 7, 2025 - March 9, 2025
 
Location: Harkins Shea 14 - 7354 East Shea Boulevard Scottsdale, AZ 85260

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