Online New England Film Festival Local Premiere

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Bay of Rays

Sep 2020

Bay of Rays
2020 | Directed by Chris Portal

In the days leading up to Saint Lucia’s 40th Independence Anniversary, the people of Anse La Raye look to build a brighter future. Filmed on location in the Eastern Caribbean island, and at the Center for Adolescent Renewal and Education (C.A.R.E.), “Bay of Rays” looks at the way art, dance, and education can alter lives and engage a community.

Produced with support from Global Volunteers, an international nonprofit organization offering volunteer programs focused on community development.

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Sandra Says

Sep 2020

2019 | Directed by Rich Vaughn

Past resentments and personal agendas are on full display among Aadya’s vain-elite guests, who come seeking the wisdom of Caleb, a thousand-year-old spirit. But rather than spiritual enrichment, they come strictly for professional gain.

While attempting to channel Caleb, Aadya is repeatedly interrupted by a spiritual intruder who offers a suggestion to collectively revive the group’s careers. Aadya has reason to doubt this advice and fears her own career could be in jeopardy should her clients decide to follow the outlandish suggestion.

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Fate, Family and the Floundering of a Friendship

Sep 2020

Fate, Family and the Floundering of a Friendship
2019 | Directed by Gonca Sönmez-Poole

The century old Turkish-Armenian conflict is encapsulated through the personal story of Apo Torosyan, a multi-ethnic artist from Massachusetts. The life and death experiences of his ancestors have left an undeniable imprint in Torosyan’s conscience, forever embedded in his art. This documentary short is part of a larger video project titled “Neighbors in Memory, An entangled legacy in profiles.”

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A Siren’s Sorrow

Sep 2020

2019 | Directed by Chloe Gardiner

A dark fantasy film about a mermaid who encounters a mother and her daughter.

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The Way You Were

Sep 2020

2020 | Directed by Rodrigo Monterrey

A woman wakes up after having plastic surgery to fix her jaw, to learn that her doctor, who is also her fiance, may have “fixed” a few other things without asking.

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Curls

Sep 2020

2019 | Directed by Sharon Contillo

A vulnerable little girl believes that her curly hair makes her ugly and that straight hair is ultimate beauty, must summon the courage to embrace her natural locks and accept her true self in order to be happy.

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The Faces of MOE Fencing Club

Sep 2020

2020 | Directed by Jeff Palmer

Nestled in the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville, Massachusetts there is a fencing club. It’s called MOE.

This short documentary highlights the many faces one might find at this vibrant community club, where everyone is passionate about the sport of fencing.

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The College FKA Calhoun

Sep 2020

2020 | Directed by Robert Menefee

Calhoun Residential College at Yale University was named for John C Calhoun, a leading proponent of slavery. On June 13, 2016, Corey Menafee, an African American kitchen worker at Calhoun Dining Hall, smashed a racist stained glass window depicting slaves in a cotton field. Mr Menafee’s act led to New Haven community protests which started out small, but over time grew to marches of hundreds of people. After more than thirty demonstrations, over eight months, on Feb.11, 2017, Yale University renamed Calhoun College. The name is now Grace Hopper College. The university held a name change celebration, but the New Haven activists were not invited or acknowledged.

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Pen Island

Sep 2020

2020 | Directed by Ryan Sheehy

Tom Delancey is inches away from ending his life when he receives a call from Howard, a life assurance agent at Pen Island. After a free trial of their service, Tom finds friendship and regains his will to live.

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Yes, Mommy

Sep 2020

Yes, Mommy
2020 | Directed by Rio Contrada

A short film about a 9-year-old girl’s struggle to stay relevant in a family that just welcomed a new baby into the family.