“What the New Jersey Symphony has established, bringing music to the Garden State in schools and in six different cities, is a sincere accomplishment. And it’s never been better.” –nj.com
This October, experience a wide variety of events with the New Jersey Symphony. A program for everyone!
Experience Disney’s groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation. Enjoy iconic moments and childhood favorites like never before!
The whole family will love Disney’s ‘Fantasia in Concert’ (October 23–26), with repertoire from the original 1940 version and ‘Fantasia 2000’ being performed by the New Jersey Symphony while Disney’s stunning footage is shown on the big screen at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, Count Basie Performing Arts Center in Red Bank, and State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.
PROGRAM
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ in Concert
Morristown –Thursday, October 23, 7 pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown
Red Bank – Saturday, October 25, 2 pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts
New Brunswick – Sunday, October 26, 2 pm, State Theatre New Jersey
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Estimated concert duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Constantine Kitsopoulos has established himself as a dynamic conductor known for his ability to work in many different genres and settings. Equally at home with opera, symphonic repertoire, film with live orchestra, music theater, and composition, his engagements have led him to conduct worldwide, appearing with major orchestras in North America as well as the Hong Kong and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestras. Learn more at maestrock.com.
KARTHIK SWAMINATHAN’s World Premiere Short Film ‘HOLY COW’
And many more
Artis—Naples, Florida has the film lineup for the 17th annual Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), October 23-26, 2025. Screenings and other film festival events will take place across the Artis—Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus — Hayes Hall, Daniels Pavilion and Norris Garden—and at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Mercato.
This year’s festival includes 60 films, selected from among nearly 1,000 submitted films: 10 narrative features, 12 documentary features and 38 short films, representing 17 countries and including 47 premieres (five world, one U.S., five east coast and 36 Florida premieres). Select filmmakers will participate in post-screening Q&A conversations as well as panel discussions during the festival.
“Each year, the Naples International Film Festival affirms the role of film as a vital art form within our multidisciplinary mission,” said Artis—Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen. “This year’s lineup offers stories and perspectives that cross cultures and experiences, reminding us of the many ways the arts can deepen our understanding of ourselves and each other. NIFF continues to be a place for filmmakers and film lovers to come together in meaningful dialogue, sparking conversations that continue long after the festival ends.”
“Our team has spent the past several months shaping a lineup that reflects the rich and varied spirit of independent cinema,” said David Filner, executive vice president, artistic operations. “From powerful documentaries to inventive narrative features and short films, these selections invite audiences into an experience that is as engaging as it is diverse. NIFF remains a space where filmmakers and film lovers share in the discovery and excitement that only cinema can inspire.”
“NIFF is more than a festival,” added Festival Producer Shannon Franklin. “It has earned a reputation as a welcoming destination for both emerging and established filmmakers who know their work will be embraced and celebrated here. The warmth of the Southwest Florida community makes the experience truly special for everyone, and we look forward to the energy and sense of celebration this year’s festival will bring.”
Themes for the Naples International Film Festival’s curated short film programs include A Family Affair, Twists and Turns, The International Art of Animation, Florida Stories and the recurring Student Filmmaker Showcase.
For a complete lineup of films and events at the Festival, visit artisnaples.org/niff.
Artis—Naples, home of The Baker Museum and Naples Philharmonic, creates and presents world-class visual and performing arts. Through our multidisciplinary offerings, it inspires, educates and entertains to engage and enrich the growing and diversifying community.
KIMBERLY K. QUERREY and LOUIS A. SIMPSON CULTURAL CAMPUS
Led by CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen and Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley, Artis—Naples offers more than 800 performing and visual arts experiences annually across its 8.5-acre Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus and throughout the community.
Artis—Naples welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for a broad array of artistic and educational opportunities perfect for audiences of all backgrounds and interests. The cultural campus is home to five buildings, including two performance halls (Frances Pew Hayes Hall and Myra J. Daniels Pavilion), The Baker Museum, the Toni Stabile Education Building and the Kohan Administration Building.
NAPLES PHILHARMONIC
The Naples Philharmonic has long been recognized as one of the cornerstones of Southwest Florida’s arts community. As part of Artis—Naples, the Naples Philharmonic performs more than 140 orchestral and chamber music concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts annually between September and June in the 1,477-seat Hayes Hall, the 283-seat Daniels Pavilion and around Southwest Florida. The Naples Philharmonic has enjoyed a history of working with world-class music directors. Following a successful inaugural season in 2024-25, Alexander Shelley commences his second season as artistic and music director in 2025-26. Renowned violinist James Ehnes continues as artistic partner through the 2025-26 season, working with Naples Philharmonic musicians in a variety of settings with a focus on inspiring and embodying a high level of artistry. Podium leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, celebrating 16 years in this role in the 2025-26 season and bringing pops performances that celebrate music across genres.
THE BAKER MUSEUM
The Baker Museum is the foremost fine art museum in Southwest Florida, presenting an ambitious slate of exhibitions annually to complement installations of works from its permanent collection. Comprising more than 3,000 objects, the museum’s broad holdings of 20th- and 21st-century art reflect particular strengths in modern art of the United States and Mexico. The Baker Museum’s collection demonstrates the generosity and commitment of area collectors, including significant gifts from the collection of the late Olga Hirshhorn.
In 2025, The Baker Museum was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition for museums in the United States, affirming the museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability and public service.
With more than two decades of collecting and exhibiting, the museum is committed to the stewardship and scholarship of its collections and to fostering inspiring and transformative experiences with the visual arts. At the same time, The Baker Museum partners with the world’s leading arts institutions to make extraordinary exhibitions accessible to the Southwest Florida community—including recently the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. In 2020, Artis—Naples celebrated the renovation and expansion of The Baker Museum and adjoining Norris Garden, designed by Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, which created new spaces for multidisciplinary exploration and social interaction.
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY
In addition to creating and presenting visual and performing arts, Artis—Naples provides robust education and community activities for students of all ages in Collier and Lee counties. Each season, thousands of Collier County Public School students interact with Artis—Naples education programming, both on our cultural campus and in their classrooms. Beyond our commitment to youth education, the Lifelong Learning program provides informative lectures and study opportunities for adults seeking to engage more deeply with the arts.
The Friends of Artis—Naples, comprised of more than 3,500 donor households, offers activities, travel experiences and events designed to foster a deeper relationship between patrons and the arts.
In 2017, Artis—Naples acquired the Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), expanding its film offerings and providing a platform for the festival’s continued excellence and growth. In 2023, the festival’s 15th anniversary year, NIFF was named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “20 Great Film Festivals in Vacation Destinations.”
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Education, Business, and Cuisine.
HONOREE: GEETA GANDBHIR RECEIVES 2025 IMPACT AWARD
Featuring
Director GEETA GANDBHIR’s Feature ‘THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR’
and Short Film ‘THE DEVIL IS BUSY’
Director KARLA MURTHY’s Feature ‘THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT’
Director Ladkani’s Feature ‘YANUNI’
Director SOUVID “JIJO” DATTA’s Short Film ‘NOT YET’
Director ANURIMA BHARGAVA’s Short Film ‘TEACHING AMERICA’
And many more
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFF) for its 34th edition has the lineup of films and honorees taking place, October 10 -18. Screenings will take place at Oaklawn’s Event Center {307 Carpenter Dam Road, Hot Springs, AR 71901 – Phone: (501) 623-0020}.
HONOREES
GEETA GANDBHIR will be the recipient of this year’s Impact Award and
JON ALPERT will receive the HSDFF Brent Renaud Career Achievement Award.
HSDFF Executive Director, Ken Jacobson, said, “In a world that seems, at times, on the verge of spinning out of control, I marvel at the fact that something as simple as a gathering of people to watch documentary films on a big screen can feel as miraculous and urgent as it does this year. For 34 years, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival has brought the best in non-fiction filmmaking to Hot Springs. Our community has responded by welcoming filmmakers and other guests here to join with us in celebrating this remarkable art form. This year, I am struck by the sheer quality and dynamism of the filmmaking, the courage of those willing to share their lives with the filmmakers, and the emotional depths explored through these incredibly diverse stories. If this year’s festival lineup tells us anything, it’s that creativity and truth-telling still remain as vital as ever. From our Opening to our Closing Night and everything in between, I know that our audiences are in for a very special and unique experience.”
Highlights
ADDITIONAL / SPECIAL EVENTS
Marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 13th, the festival features a stellar lineup of documentaries that celebrate Native and Indigenous stories and storytellers: ‘Powwow People,’ ‘Remaining Native,’ ‘Drowned Land’ and ‘Yanuni.’
National Park College (NPC) and Hot Springs Village Shorts Programs
For the first time, HSDFF is expanding its program to the National Park College in Hot Springs for a specially curated package of short films intended to build connections between the festival and the NPC community. For the second year in a row, HSDFF brings its documentary programming to nearby Hot Springs Village for a curated shorts program.
The Emerging Filmmakers Program, a long-standing partnership between HSDFF and Arkansas PBS, is one of HSDFF’s most cherished educational initiatives. This full-day experience welcomes middle and high school students from throughout the region to engage in thought-provoking screenings, interactive Q&A sessions, and hands-on workshops. Designed to immerse young storytellers in the craft of documentary filmmaking, the program features guidance from award-winning filmmakers and top industry professionals. Since its inception, the program has welcomed hundreds of students from more than 30 schools.
The Brent Renaud Mentorship Program is presented in partnership with Arkansas PBS. Working filmmakers join Peabody Award-winner Craig Renaud to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their creative processes and share practical guidance for building a sustainable career in filmmaking. This unique opportunity allows participants to gain an insider’s perspective on the art and craft of documentary filmmaking.
THE FILMMAKER FORUM
Now in its third year, the HSDFF Filmmaker Forum is a three-day filmmaker/industry conference and convening to be held October 12 – 14 during this year’s Festival. In this unprecedented year, in which federal government funding has been stripped from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and public media, there is no more urgent time for filmmakers and industry leaders to meet, discuss and raise critical questions about where the documentary field stands and where to go from here. The Forum offers dynamic programming focused on the art, craft and business of documentary storytelling with a focus on public media, and a wider lens on the nonfiction ecosystem as a whole.
TICKETS
For more information on purchasing and additional details on the Hot Springs Documentary Film festival, visit: hsdfi.org.
2025 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Lineup
Thomas Winston’s ‘LOST WOLVES OF YELLOWSTONE’ Opens the Festival
André Hörmann’s ‘THE COWBOY’ is the Centerpiece selection, and
Elegance Bratton’s ‘MOVE YA BODY: THE BIRTH OF HOUSE’ gets the closing slot.
FEATURES
There are about 38 Features.
SHORT FILMS
In the HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE SHORTS PROGRAM, there are 7 films.
In the CREATIVITY UNBOUND category, there are 5 films.
Learn more at hsdfi.org. HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
Each year, with the help of a small staff and over 100 dedicated volunteers, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (hsdfi.org) attracts thousands of visitors to the 9-day multicultural and intergenerational event. Now approaching its 34th year as the oldest all-documentary festival in North America and one of the longest running non-fiction festivals in the world, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival remains a prominent champion and protector of the documentary film genre. Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Education, Business, and Cuisine.
NEW DELHI (TIP): The Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) 2025 enthralled cinephiles with a spectacular showcase of Italian cinema. Held at the India Habitat Centre, the festival’s Italian Focus segment, curated in collaboration with the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Cineteca di Bologna, and L’Immagine Ritrovata, was a resounding success. It celebrated Italy’s rich cinematic heritage while offering a glimpse into the dynamic contemporary landscape of Italian storytelling.
Vittorio De Sica’s Miracle in Milan – poster
The fourth edition of Italian Screens returned to New Delhi, featuring a selection of contemporary films and restored classics. Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department at Cinecittà, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “This platform not only showcases the best of contemporary Italian cinema but also strengthens Indo-Italian creative collaboration.”
Festival audiences were treated to a diverse lineup of films, from neorealist masterpieces to modern cinematic gems. Highlights included Vittorio De Sica’s ‘Shoeshine’ and Federico Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita,’ both of which captivated audiences with their timeless storytelling. The centenary tribute to Marcello Mastroianni was a particular highlight, paying homage to the legendary actor who remains a symbol of Italian cinema’s golden age.
HIFF 2025 was not just about screenings—it fostered dialogue and learning through an array of discussions and workshops. One of the standout sessions was Celine Pozzi’s exclusive workshop on film restoration, where she offered a behind-the-scenes look at preserving cinematic treasures. The collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture brought additional depth, hosting a discourse on the intersection of archaeology and film preservation.
In a special parallel event, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture presented Milo Adami’s documentaries at Humayun’s Tomb Museum. A public talk featuring filmmaker Milo Adami, actor Giuseppe Cederna, and cultural experts provided valuable insights into heritage, democracy, and cinema’s role in shaping public consciousness.
The festival reaffirmed the strong artistic and cultural ties between Italy and India, emphasizing the shared storytelling traditions of both nations. The newly restored ‘Apu Trilogy’ was a standout attraction, underscoring the profound influence of Italian neorealism on Satyajit Ray’s filmmaking.
Vittorio De Sica’s Shoeshine – Still 1
Andrea Anastasio, director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, reflected on the festival’s impact: “HIFF 2025 has been an incredible journey in celebrating the artistic and emotional depth of Italian cinema. We are grateful for the unwavering support from Cineteca di Bologna, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and the India Habitat Centre in making this a reality.”
As HIFF 2025 came to a close, it left an indelible mark on audiences and industry professionals alike. Beyond the grandeur of screenings and discussions, the festival successfully created a space where cultures converged, ideas flourished, and the magic of cinema was reaffirmed.
Vittorio De Sica’s Shoeshine – poster
The Italian Focus at HIFF 2025 proved to be a testament to the power of film to unite, inspire, and transcend borders. There is no denying that Italian cinema continues to enchant the audiences worldwide.
(Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning film critic who has served on the jury of the 69th and the 70th National Awards. He has been covering cinema, arts, and culture for the last decade and a half. He can be reached at murtaza.jmi@gmail.com).
The annual eagerly awaited 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival & Market (tasveerfestival.org – TFFM) makes history this year marking a pivotal moment for South Asian Cinema in North America, taking place in Seattle, Washington State. Not only does this year’s festival celebrate the vibrant storytelling of the region, but it also launches North America’s first-ever global film market dedicated to South Asian filmmakers. The Festival runs October 15-20, 2024 at the Seattle Center and the Tasveer Film Market (TFM) will feature the celebrated, award-winning filmmaker Deepa Mehta (‘Fire’, ‘Water’) as the inaugural Keynote Speaker, setting the stage for an unmissable event.
THE TASVEER FILM MARKET
The Tasveer Film Market is a groundbreaking initiative designed to reshape financial and distribution models for South Asian filmmakers worldwide. With a focus on expanding the reach and fostering collaboration, the market will host events such as the Co-Production Market, Tasveer Film Fund pitches (supported by Netflix), industry panels, and networking sessions. These activities aim to empower creatives by connecting them with producing partners, distributors, and global platforms.
The Tasveer Film Market will include keynotes by influential figures such as directors Deepa Mehta, and Pan Nalin (‘Last Film Show’, ‘Angry Indian Goddesses’), and representatives from companies such as CAA, WME, Blumhouse, NBCU Launch, Amazon MGM Studios, Red Sea Film Foundation, and more.
“As the first film market dedicated to the South Asian community, our mission is to build a groundbreaking platform where diverse voices can thrive and be heard,” said Rita Meher, Founder of the Tasveer Film Market and Co-Founder of the Tasveer Film Festival. “By carving out this space, we aim to empower underrepresented filmmakers, amplify South Asian stories, and foster global connections that will bring these narratives to the world stage.”
Deepa Mehta added, “Tasveer Film Festival’s legacy and contribution to South Asian cinema is one for the history books. Launching the first South Asian film market on a global scale could not have come at a better time. I am honored to inaugurate the Tasveer Film Market this year.”
Meticulously curated projects, including Narrative, Documentary, and TV projects, all seeking producing partners, Minimum Guarantee (MG) deals, sales, and distribution will be showcased at the market. Tasveer’s flagship Tasveer Film Fund Short Film Pitches, supported by Netflix, will have finalists present their projects for a chance to secure a $25,000 grant, with a total of $75,000 available in funding.
THE TASVEER FILM FESTIVAL: A LEGACY OF EMPOWERMENT THROUGH STORYTELLING
As the only Oscar® qualifying South Asian Film Festival globally in the short film category, Tasveer has championed social change through the power of South Asian storytelling. This year’s Tasveer Film Festival (TFF), October 15-20, 2024, is a testament to that commitment and will showcase 110 films including 36 world premieres, 28 North American premieres, 45 Seattle premieres, and 19 feature films from 15 countries (Bangladesh, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, India, United Kingdom, United States, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, and Sweden).
There are 91 short films that are a part of the class of the 2024 edition with 35 world premieres, 22 North American premieres, and 33 Seattle premieres. Some of the impressive short films in the lineup are Yassa Khan’s ‘Pink’ (World Premiere), Rippen Sindher’s ‘Flight 182’ (N. American Premiere), Tathagata Ghosh’s ‘If’ (Seattle premiere), and more. 52 films of the 110 films showcased at the festival are by women, trans, and non-binary directors.
This year the festival boasts of prolific jury members who will be in attendance such as Oscar-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen (‘All That Breathes), actor Omi Vaidya (‘3 Idiots’) and director Geeta V. Patel (‘House of the Dragon’).
Some of the selected films that reflect the vision and filmmaking artistry of South Asian filmmakers and important issues from the subcontinent and diaspora are Payal Kapadia’s feature narrative debut, ‘All We Imagine as Light’ – the 2024 Cannes Grand Prix winner, Iram Parveen Bilal’s social media true story, ‘Wakhri’, Nik Dodani’s LGBTQIA+ semi-autobiographical drama, ‘Blue Boy’, and more.
The 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival will feature engaging fireside chats, post-film Q&As with filmmakers from around the world, and a remarkable lineup of industry talents.
FILM FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Wakhri (Credit / tasveerfestival.org)
Opening Night Feature: ‘Wakhri’, Directed by Iram Parveen Bilal
Centerpiece: ‘The Umesh Chronicles’, Directed by Pooja Kaul
Closing Night Feature: ‘A Nice Indian Boy’, Directed by Roshan Sethi
All We Imagine As Light. (Credit : tasveerfestival.org)
Tasveer Emerald Spotlight: The Cannes Grand Prix 2024 winner – ‘All We Imagine As Light’, Directed by Payal Kapadia
LGBTQIA+ Film: ‘Blue Boy’, Directed by Nik Dodani
Documentary Short: ‘Yatra’, Directed by Hemal Trivedi and Matt Alesevich
Mental Health: ‘The Tides That Binds Us’, Directed by Gavin Sea
Local Focus: ‘Last 30 Days’, Directed by Vivek Roy
Girl Power: ‘Anuja’, Directed by Adam J. Graves
Music Focus: ‘Too Beautiful: A Spaceman Story’, Directed by Utkarsh Ambodkar & Alex Salsberg
For a complete line of films and events, visit tasveerfestival.org
TICKETS & VIEWING INFORMATION
19th Tasveer Film Festival & Market Badge is available at tasveerfestival.org/ticket. Passholders will have access to the market, and film festival programming, including online streaming options on mobile devices, tablets, computers, and apps like Roku and Fire TV.
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
For in-person event guidelines, including COVID-19 safety protocols,visit tasveerfestival.org.
Tasveer
Tasveer is committed to fostering social change through South Asian films and storytelling. With a rich legacy spanning over two decades, Tasveer remains at the forefront of promoting diversity, inclusion, and representation in the arts. Learn more at tasveerfestival.org.
Follow Tasveer on Social Media:
Instagram @TasveerOrg
Twitter (X) @TasveerOrg
Facebook @TasveerOrgUS
YouTube @YouTube
#TFFM
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Business, and Education)
The inaugural Boise Film Festival (BFF) will make its debut October 10-13 with a 20thAnniversary screening of Gavin O’Connor’s tale of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team’s Gold Medal journey, ‘Miracle’. The new film festival will present a highly curated list of 27 films (16 features, 11 shorts), along with master classes on producing and screenwriting as it brings filmmakers and film and television industry veterans (including prolific producer Mark Ciadi, and CSI’s Anthony Zuiker) to the city to celebrate independent film via a four-day event packed with programming and special events.
The film festival’s epicenter and all screenings will be held at Boise’s Egyptian Theater Screenings (700 West Main Street) and The Flicks (646 West Fulton Street).
Created to be a film festival focused on discovery, looking to find, highlight, and celebrate new cinematic voices and faces, to promote the next generation of film makers and artists. BFF will also include a special focus on films created and shot in the Pacific Northwest.
BFF Founders and Executive Directors, Christine, and Mark Holder, said, “We are thrilled with the inaugural lineup of films and special events our team has lined up for this first edition of the Boise Film Festival. From the beginning, we have said we hope to be matchmakers here in our adopted city between film lovers and the type of films and filmmakers that we have championed in our careers as producers and filmmakers. Following what should be a fun night of hockey on film with our 20th anniversary presentation of ‘Miracle,’ will be a carefully curated and diverse group of films spanning several genres, as well as highly anticipated film industry panels, Q&As, and master classes, bringing a lot of top talent right here to Boise.”
2024 BOISE FILM FESTIVAL (BFF) LINEUP
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Miracle (2004)
Director: Gavin O’Connor; USA; 135 minutes
The true story of Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet squad.
Preceded by
ECHL Unfiltered Episode 1: Idaho Steelheads – For the Love of the Game
Director: Tyler Nimmons; USA; 30m
The first episode of the series looks at the Idaho Steelheads hockey team and the challenges they face in the new season and their quest for Kelly Cup glory.
Directors: Reilly Anspaugh, Daniel Rashid; USA; 11m
Fanatic
Director: Taran Killam; USA; 16m
ILY, Bye
Director: Taylor James; USA; 14m
Mankind
Director: Jacob Ronnow; USA; 26m
Midnight Snack
Directors: Samuel Dhooge, Rani Nagels, Jarne Meersman; Belgium; 2m
Mother Of Portland – WORLD PREMIERE
Director: Kyle LaMontagne; USA; 7m
The Soul Trader
Director: Susan Dynner; USA; 12m
Learn more about the Festival and the complete lineup of films and events, visit theboisefilmfest.com
TICKETS
To purchase passes and tickets, or for more information, visit theboisefilmfest.com.
The Boise Film Festival (BFF)
Set to make its debut in October 2024, the Boise Film Festival will feature and celebrate independent films and filmmakers during a four-day event which will feature screenings, panels, Q&As, and masterclasses. BFF seeks to be a festival of discovery, looking to find, highlight, and celebrate new cinematic voices and faces, and to promote the next generation of filmmakers and artists. BFF will also include a special focus on films created and shot in the Pacific Northwest.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Business, and Education)
“Mr. SOUL! is an enthralling testament to a showthat was so far ahead of its time…captivating”. – Variety
“SHOW ME YOUR SOUL” by Grammy winners ROBERT GLASPER and LALAH HATHWAY is now on the Oscar Shortlist for Best Original Song!
Celebrate MR. SOUL! during Black History Month
TOP 15 – Best Original Songs of the Year – SHOW ME YOUR SOUL
WINNER – Best First Feature – 2020 Critics Choice Documentary Awards
World Premiere – 2018 Tribeca Film Festival
(Front-Center) Ellis Haizlip – Mr. SOUL! (Photo : mrsoulmovie.com)
SOUL! was there before Oprah, before Arsenio, from 1968 to 1973, the public television variety show guided by the enigmatic producer and host Ellis Haizlip, offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics.
The film is currently still in theaters via virtual cinema starting its 6th month and the song SHOW ME YOUR SOUL by ROBERT GLASPER and LALAH HATHAWAY is now on the Oscar Shortlist for Best Original Song!
Featuring rare live performances and interviews from: The legendary Al Green, Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Toni Morrison, Patti LaBelle, Roberta Flack and many more! SOUL! was the first national show to provide expanded images of African Americans on television, shifting the gaze from inner-city poverty and violence to the vibrancy of the Black Arts Movement. With participants’ recollections and a bevy of great rarely seen archival clips, Mr. SOUL! captures that critical moment in our nation’s cultural rise, and whose impact would continue to resonate across generations and cultures.
The 97th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Short Lists
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on February 9, 2021 announced shortlists in nine categories for the 93rd Academy Awards®: Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film and Visual Effects.
You can view the shortlists by category at Oscars.org
Each shortlist has films listed in alphabetical order by title. Members of each Category Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Fifteen films will advance in the Documentary Feature category, out of 238 eligible films in this category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“All In: The Fight for Democracy”
“Boys State”
“Collective”
“Crip Camp”
“Dick Johnson Is Dead”
“Gunda”
“MLK/FBI”
“The Mole Agent”
“My Octopus Teacher”
“Notturno”
“The Painter and the Thief”
“76 Days”
“Time”
“The Truffle Hunters”
“Welcome to Chechnya”
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Ten films will advance in the Documentary Short Subject category out of 114 qualified in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Abortion Helpline, This Is Lisa”
“Call Center Blues”
“Colette”
“A Concerto Is a Conversation”
“Do Not Split”
“Hunger Ward”
“Hysterical Girl”
“A Love Song for Latasha”
“The Speed Cubers”
“What Would Sophia Loren Do?”
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Fifteen films will advance to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. Films from 93 countries were eligible in the category.
Academy members from all branches were invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting and must have met a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.
In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Quo Vadis, Aida?”
Chile, “The Mole Agent”
Czech Republic, “Charlatan”
Denmark, “Another Round”
France, “Two of Us”
Guatemala, “La Llorona”
Hong Kong, “Better Days”
Iran, “Sun Children”
Ivory Coast, “Night of the Kings”
Mexico, “I’m No Longer Here”
Norway, “Hope”
Romania, “Collective”
Russia, “Dear Comrades!”
Taiwan, “A Sun”
Tunisia, “The Man Who Sold His Skin”
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Ten films will advance in the Makeup and Hairstyling category. All members of the Academy’s Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch will be invited virtually to view seven-minute excerpts from each of the 10 shortlisted films on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Branch members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar® consideration.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn”
“Emma”
“The Glorias”
“Hillbilly Elegy”
“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
“The Little Things”
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
“Mank”
“One Night in Miami…”
“Pinocchio”
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
Fifteen scores will advance in the Original Score category from 136 eligible scores. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The scores, listed in alphabetical order by film title, are:
“Ammonite”
“Blizzard of Souls”
“Da 5 Bloods”
“The Invisible Man”
“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
“The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)”
“The Little Things”
“Mank”
“The Midnight Sky”
“Minari”
“Mulan”
“News of the World”
“Soul”
“Tenet”
“The Trial of the Chicago 7”
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
Fifteen songs will advance in the Original Song category from 105 eligible songs. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in (film) alphabetical order by song title and film title, respectively:
“Turntables” from “All In: The Fight for Democracy”
“See What You’ve Done” from “Belly of the Beast”
“Wuhan Flu” from “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”
“Husavik” from “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”
“Never Break” from “Giving Voice”
“Make It Work” from “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
“Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah”
“Io Sì (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)”
“Rain Song” from “Minari”
“Show Me Your Soul” from “Mr. Soul!”
“Loyal Brave True” from “Mulan”
“Free” from “The One and Only Ivan”
“Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami…”
“Green” from “Sound of Metal”
“Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Ten films will advance in the Animated Short Film category from a list of 96 qualified films. Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Burrow”
“Genius Loci”
“If Anything Happens I Love You”
“Kapaemahu”
“Opera”
“Out”
“The Snail and the Whale”
“To Gerard”
“Traces”
“Yes-People”
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
Ten films will advance in the Live Action Short Film category for 174 qualified films. Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Bittu”
“Da Yie”
“Feeling Through”
“The Human Voice”
“The Kicksled Choir”
“The Letter Room”
“The Present”
“Two Distant Strangers”
“The Van”
“White Eye”
VISUAL EFFECTS
Ten films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category. The Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited virtually to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn”
“Bloodshot”
“Love and Monsters”
“Mank”
“The Midnight Sky”
“Mulan”
“The One and Only Ivan”
“Soul”
“Tenet”
“Welcome to Chechnya”
Nominations voting begins on Friday, March 5, 2021, and concludes on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, March 15, 2021.
The 93rd Oscars® will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021, and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach and the upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
(Excerpted and Adapted from oscars.org)
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)
The ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020 (RFFNY2020) had its virtual run, March 31 to April 6th. The virtual schedule is available at reelabilities.org/newyork
The following are highlights of some of the films screened….
OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE
DIR. RIC BURNS | US | 115 MIN | DOCUMENTARY
The riveting and profoundly moving life and work of Oliver Sacks, who redefined our 21st-century understanding of the brain and mind.
“A sentient being on this beautiful planet.” – (of himself) Oliver Sacks, neurologist, author, storyteller
“Oliver Sacks: His Own Life” explores the life and work of the legendary neurologist and storyteller, as he shares intimate details of his battles with drug addiction, homophobia, and a medical establishment that accepted his work only decades after the fact. Sacks was a fearless explorer of unknown mental worlds who helped redefine our understanding of the brain and mind, the diversity of human experience, and our shared humanity.
On January 15th, 2015, a few weeks after completing his autobiographical memoir, the writer and neurologist Oliver Sacks learned that the rare form of cancer for which he had been treated nine years earlier had returned and that he had only a few months to live. A few weeks later, he sat down with Ric Burns for a series of marathon filmed interviews in his apartment in New York. For eighty hours, between February and June – surrounded by family and friends, books and minerals, notebooks from six decades of thinking and writing about the brain – he talked about his life and work, his dreams and fears, his abiding sense of wonder at the natural world, and the place of human beings within it. He spoke with astonishing candor and clear-sightedness, a profoundly gifted 81-year-old man facing death with remarkable courage and vitality while facing the end. He was determined to come to grips with what his life has meant and what it means to be, as he put it, “a sentient being on this beautiful planet.”
Drawing on these riveting and profoundly moving reflections, Oliver Sacks: His Own Life also features deeply revealing and personal interviews with family members, colleagues, patients and close friends. It is in part the biography of an extraordinary physician and writer who was dogged by his own neuroses and by the rejection of his medical colleagues but nonetheless redefined for millions of readers the nature of the human mind, through the simple act of telling profoundly compassionate stories. It is also a deeply illuminating exploration of the science of human consciousness and the nature of subjectivity, and a meditation on the deep and intimate relation between art and science and storytelling.
To view a video clip of the film, visit https://youtu.be/64PHLhAVnf4
A scene from “Code Of The Freaks” Photo / Courtesy RFFNY-2020/CavuPictures.com
Offend One, And You Offend Them All
Taking its title (“Code Of The Freaks”) from Tod Browning’s 1932 classic film, “Freaks,” this radical re-framing of how characters with disabilities are represented looks at a century of Hollywood favorites with a fresh perspective. Disability activists imagine a cinematic landscape that takes people with disabilities seriously.
“Code of the Freaks” presents a radical re-framing of the use of disabled characters in film. From “The Fake Beggar” (1895), “Of Mice and Men” (1939) and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” (1962) to more contemporary films like “Million Dollar Baby,” “Forrest Gump,” “Avatar,” “Fences” and “Me Before You,” Hollywood continues to crank out all the old disability clichés and hollow inspirational narratives – what disability activists call “inspiration porn” – that carry actors straight to the Oscars. “Code of the Freaks” counters these formulaic entertainments with a powerful corrective: it dares to imagine a cinematic landscape that centers the voices of disabled people.
“Code of the Freaks” is well timed to intervene in an emerging international conversation about inclusion and representation. Social media has elevated the disability community’s critique of Hollywood’s casting decisions and exclusion of disabled people from the industry. “Code of the Freaks” extends the conversation beyond the largely superficial issue of casting to the stories themselves.
In addition to better known voices, “Code of the Freaks” showcases totally new on-the- ground disability activists and educators to advance a compelling argument: when it comes to disability onscreen, whether the fate of the disabled character is a miracle cure, institutionalization, death, or “overcoming,” it’s all aimed at inspiring a mainstream audience.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Website (in development): http://codeofthefreaks.com
For updates on release dates of the film, visit https://www.codeofthefreaks.com/screenings-1
BEDLAM
CLOSING NIGHT
DIR. KENNETH PAUL ROSENBERG | US | 86 MIN | DOCUMENTARY
“Bedlam” book cover Photo / Courtesy RFFNY-2020/CavuPictures.com
An Intimate Journey Into America’s Mental Health Crisis
“BEDLAM” is a feature-length documentary, through intimate stories of patients, families, and medical providers, that immerses us in the national crisis surrounding care of the seriously mentally ill.
Filmed over five years, it brings us inside one of America’s busiest psychiatric emergency rooms, into jails where psychiatric patients are warehoused, and to the homes – and homeless encampments – of mentally ill members of our communities, where silence and shame often compound personal suffering. The story is told in part by director Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, a psychiatrist, filmmaker and whose own life journey has been profoundly impacted by a seriously mentally ill family member.
Among others, featured in the film is Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of ’Black Lives Matter,’ and her brother Monte, a victim and survivor of this very broken system. “BEDLAM” premiered to standing ovations at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and will have its broadcast premiere on PBS’s Independent Lens in April 2020 and is now available to stream online at (until May 13th): https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/videos/bedlam/
About ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York
ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest film festival in the world dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Founded in New York in 2007 by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, the festival presents award-winning films by and about people with disabilities. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs bring communities virtually together to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. The New York festival is the launching pad for an international program and its selections run satellite ReelAbilities festivals in over 20 cities worldwide. Learn more at reelabilities.org/newyork
About the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Together with its community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn with progressive programming within an ever-changing Jewish landscape. The JCC events extend beyond neighborhood boundaries, reaching people at all stages of their lives. Learn more at jcc manhattan.org.
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Health & Wellness, and Spirituality)
“While we cannot gather in person to lock arms, laugh, and cry, it’s important for us to stay socially and spiritually connected. Tribeca is about resiliency, and we fiercely believe in the power of artists to bring us together. We were founded after the devastation of 9/11 and it’s in our DNA to bring communities together through the arts.” – Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder – Tribeca Film Festival
TFF2020 to present Tribeca Immersive Cinema360, N.O.W. Creators Market, Industry Extranet Resource Hub, Jury and Art Awards, Tribeca X Program
The Tribeca Film Festival 2020 (TFF2020) presents online select programming from the 19th Annual Festival.
Tribeca is dedicated to supporting filmmakers, creators, and artists that breathe life into the Festival, the New York Community, and the industry. To bring new work from incredible storytellers to an audience eager to connect with their stories. Since its inception, Tribeca has pushed the boundaries of storytelling and innovative ways to connect with audiences. This online program is the latest iteration of that commitment.
First, TFF2020’s focus is to ensure the Tribeca industry and filmmaking community can continue to connect and develop their careers. To support that mission, TFF2020 is bringing a mix of programming online that celebrates and promotes creators. The programming includes the N.O.W. Creators Market, Jury and Art Awards, our Industry Extranet Resource Hub, and the brand storytelling Tribeca X Awards.
“We want to ensure we are meeting the urgent needs of our community by continuing with 2020 festival programming that can evolve into virtual or remote initiatives,” said Tribeca’s Festival Director Cara Cusumano. “We identified these five programs as ones that could easily pivot online and still deliver the same impact for creators and industry. We are excited to share these most immediate announcements, while we continue to look ahead to our Festival’s next steps.“
Second, TFF2020 is moving as fast as possible to bring some of the programming from the upcoming festival to audiences worldwide. Tribeca Immersive’s audience facing Cinema360 will debut in partnership with Oculus and features 15 VR films, curated into four 30-40-minute programs.
Tribeca X Awards was launched on April 3 where the finalists will be available for audience viewing on tribecafilm.com.
The Tribeca Industry Extranet Resource Hub that is hosting participating films will be available for industry and press. The Tribeca Extranet is the Festival’s online hub providing accredited industry with resources for the program including rights availability, delegate directory, and sales contacts.
The juried awards for feature and shorts categories will be presented by the jury who will select the winners to be announced on tribecafilm.com within the window of the original Festival dates. The jury includes leaders of the creative community including Danny Boyle, Aparna Nancherla, Regina Hall, Yance Ford, Lucas Hedges, Pamela Adlon, Marti Noxon, Asia Kate Dillon and Sheila Nevins.
Winners in select Competition categories will be eligible for the Art Award where world-class artists donate a piece of their work to be awarded to Festival filmmakers. The awards have been a tradition since the Festival’s founding in 2001. The 2020 Art Awards features the work of alumni and new artists curated by notable gallerist, Vito Schnabel.
Tribeca’s immediate response to the current pandemic was to launch initiatives that could give the community something to look forward to each day.
“A Short Film a Day Keeps Anxiety Away,” a daily curated online short film series featuring select award winning shorts and target premieres from multiple Tribeca alumni; Soundtrack Sunday, live performances and celebrity soundtrack selections happening across Tribeca social media channels; and #TribecaTakeoutChallenge, an Instagram call-to-action campaign to inspire people to support their local restaurants while watching their favorite film.
TRIBECA IMMERSIVE
Tribeca Immersive, the incubator for innovation in storytelling, will move forward with the first edition of Cinema360 programming to be offered remotely. In partnership with industry pioneer Facebook’s Oculus, Cinema360 will feature 15 VR films, curated into four 30-40-minute programs. Films are viewable from April 17 through April 25 in Oculus TV, available for Oculus Go or Oculus Quest headsets.
Featuring eye-popping visuals and compelling storytelling, this year’s Cinema360 selections include everything from science fiction and horror, to romance and comedy, proving that there’s truly something for everyone. Additionally, 10 of the 15 creators make their global premiere at Tribeca Film Festival.
In addition to screening the entire 2020 Tribeca Cinema360 slate, Oculus is also releasing “The Key,” which will be available as an app for Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift-S, and Oculus Quest.
“Now, more than ever, we are feeling incredibly isolated from one another,” said Loren Hammonds, Senior Programmer of Film & Immersive. “The XR community is very much a global community, as evidenced by this program which features work from China, South Korea, Spain and Ethiopia, just to name a few.”
“We are also announcing the official selections for this year’s Virtual Arcade, including the Storyscapes nominees,” says Senior Programmer, Film & Immersive Loren Hammonds. “The entire list of officially selected projects can be found at tribecafilm.com.”
TRIBECA N.O.W. CREATORS MARKET
The N.O.W. (New Online Work) section will host its fifth annual private industry market that brings together leading online, episodic and immersive storytellers (2020 N.O.W. Showcase creators, 2020 TribecaTV Pilot Season creators and an additional curated group of online, indie episodic and VR writers/performers/influencers) to pitch new projects to a wide-range of industry, including distributors, production companies, streamers, and online platforms. Participating companies taking pitch meetings include Albyon, Atlas V, BRON Studios, CNN Original Series, Giant Spoon, Gunpowder & Sky, NOWNESS, Topic Streaming, Topic Studios, Tribeca Studios, and more.
The N.O.W. Creators Market will take place virtually April 21 and 22, 2020, setting up hundreds of 20-minute, video pitch meetings between Creators and Industry looking to collaborate on future projects.
N.O.W. SHOWCASE
Tribeca’s New Online Work ( N.O.W.) section highlights independent filmmakers who create original, short form and episodic work specifically for the online exhibition space. This year’s slate includes episodic, short form and documentary work from up-and-coming and seasoned filmmakers.
PILOT SEASON
Tribeca continued its tradition of opening submissions to independently produced TV pilots in 2020. The following group of filmmakers participating in the virtual N.O.W. Creators Market were to debut their pilots as part of the 2020 Tribeca TV Pilot Season program.
INDUSTRY EXTRANET
Tribeca Extranet, the festival’s online resource hub for industry, will launch as planned, providing accredited industry with resources on the 2020 program including rights availability, delegate directory, and sales contacts.
JURIED AWARDS
The Tribeca Film Festival is moving forward with announcing the 2020 jury members who will select the winners in the film competition sections for the 2020 program. For further information on participating Jurors and Award Categories, visit tribecafilm.com/festival/jurors2020
To view an online gallery of artwork and artists bios, visit tribecafilm.com/festival/art2020
TRIBECA X
The Tribeca Film Festival will continue Tribeca X, it’s competition to celebrate the intersection of advertising and entertainment. The 5th annual Tribeca X Award will honor the best brand and filmmaker collaborations of the year and recognize best in class branded content told through the lens of storytelling. The selected finalists can be viewed at: tribecafilm.com/festival/tribecax2020
About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 19th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities.
Website: tribecafilm.com/festival
Twitter: @Tribeca
Instagram: @tribeca
Facebook: facebook.com/Tribeca
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, and Spirituality)
ReelAbilities Film Fest NY 2020 Goes Virtual By Mabel Pais
“We feel that these stories still need to be told and that creating community is as important as ever. For the first time ever, we will present the majority of our films, Q+As, and conversations online. We believe this will allow us to advance our mission of accessibility, making our films and conversations available to our community at times when gathering together in person is not possible.“ – Isaac Zablocki: Director, ReelAbilities Film Festival – New York
“The current coronavirus restrictions are a doorway to new opportunities for us to be even more accessible and reach a wider audience. We offer a chance to connect at a time of solitude by bringing these films into people’s homes and allowing further interaction via live streamed Q+As and panels.“ – Yaara Kedem, Associate Director, ReelAbilities Film Festival – New York
The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan’s 12th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, has decided to shift the planned festival from a live public event to a virtual format in partnership with Vimeo A11y, in light of the current COVID-19 recommendations. The festival runs on its planned dates of March 31 to April 6th. The updated virtual festival schedule is online at reelabilities.org/newyork. The festival runs on its planned dates of March 31 to April 6th. The updated virtual festival schedule is online at reelabilities.org/newyork
Isaac Zablocki, the director of ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York said, “We feel that these stories still need to be told and that creating community is as important as ever. For the first time ever, we will present the majority of our films, Q+As, and conversations online. We believe this will allow us to advance our mission of accessibility, making our films and conversations available to our community at times when gathering together in person is not possible.”
Films will be available online for 24 hours beginning at the scheduled start time and Q+As with filmmakers and guests will take place after the film’s first screening concludes. Films will still be fully accessible, presented with open captions and audio description. Q+As and panels will be broadcast in interactive live stream with captioning.
Yaara Kedem, the associate director of ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, said, “We will continue to provide a platform to support our filmmakers and phenomenal films and to develop our community at a time in which fewer options are available. Filmmakers who are now experiencing many cancellations of their screenings worldwide have been thrilled with this new direction and are supportive in our efforts to make their films available to ReelAbilities audiences. The current coronavirus restrictions are a doorway to new opportunities for us to be even more accessible and reach a wider audience. We offer a chance to connect at a time of solitude by bringing these films into people’s homes and allowing further interaction via live streamed Q+As and panels.”
Rabbi Joy Levitt, the executive director of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, said, “Because so much of our work at our buildings is about bringing people together, this feels like the right time to think out of the box (quite literally) and serve our community beyond our buildings.”
HOW IT WORKS
The films will be available to stream for users who sign up online, based on scheduled screening times. Screenings will be followed by interactive live-streamed Q+As with filmmakers directly after the film screening finishes. Films will then be available for streaming for the following 24 hours. Q+As will be recorded and made available for those who cannot join them live.
FAQs
*Can I share the screening link with others?
No. Links to films are only for the individual who purchased a ticket. You may not forward or share the link with others.
*If I want to cancel, will I receive a refund for tickets I already purchased?
If you already purchased a ticket, your ticket is still valid and you will be able to receive a link to the virtual film. If you would like to cancel and receive a refund instead, please email mmagid@mmjccmanhattan.org.
*How much will tickets cost for the virtual film screenings?
Tickets for virtual film screenings are available at a $5 general admission price and a $15 supporter price.
*Will there be a festival pass available for the virtual festival?
No. You may purchase standalone tickets to films.
*What films and events will take place virtually?
The full schedule of films and events is available at reelabilities.org/newyork
*Are the virtual screenings available to users located outside the US?
No. Due to screening rights restrictions, streamed films and conversations will only be accessible to people located within the US territories.
*What events will physically take place?
None. Events will either take place virtually or will be cancelled. Check the updated schedule at www.reelabilities.org
*How will I receive access to the film?
You will receive an email link with instructions to access the film after purchasing tickets to a screening. The film will only be available starting at the scheduled start time.
*I won’t be able to watch the film at the scheduled start time. Is there a way for me to still watch the film?
Yes. The streaming links to the films will be available for 24 hours after the initial start time. Q+As will be recorded so that they are available for those who cannot join them live.
*Will there be a Q+A with filmmakers after the films?
There will be a Q+A after the first play of the film concludes. Q+As will feature filmmakers and guests with a moderator. Audiences will be able to type in questions and questions will be selected by the moderator. Recorded versions of the Q+A will be available as well.
*Are the films still going to include accessibility aids?
Yes, all the films will be streamed with open captions and an option for audio description. Q+As will feature live captioning.
*Will screenings and events still take place at venues other than the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan?
No. All films and events at other venues will be canceled.
About ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York
ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest film festival in the world dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Founded in New York in 2007 by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, the festival presents award-winning films by and about people with disabilities. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs bring communities virtually together to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. The New York festival is the launching pad for an international program and its selections run satellite ReelAbilities festivals in over 20 cities worldwide. Learn more at reelabilities.org/newyork
About the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Together with its community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn with progressive programming within an ever-changing Jewish landscape. The JCC events extend beyond neighborhood boundaries, reaching people at all stages of their lives. Learn more at jcc manhattan.org.
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Health & Wellness, and Spirituality)
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