2021 Online New England Film Festival Retrospective

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My Black Is…

Sep 2020

2018 | Directed by Miguel Valdez and Eunice Beato

In this short film by Miguel Valdez and Eunice Beato, young women of color set out to redefine what black is to them.

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The Mountain Dogs

Sep 2020

2020 | Directed by Aynsley Floyd

The Mountain Dogs is a documentary short that follows Sampson and Baylor, two elderly golden retrievers, on their daily climb to the top of the Pinnacle Trail in Stowe, Vermont. The pair have made the climb every day for the past decade, and do so unaccompanied by their owners. The film explores themes of human/animal relationships, non-human agency, and mortality.

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Cranberry Nights

Sep 2020

2020 | Directed by Sara Robin

16-year old Juana risks everything when she sneaks out to a party to get closer to her crush, Robin. Because Juana has a secret none of her friends know about: she is undocumented.

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Schmoopie

Sep 2019

2018 | Directed by Mary C. Ferrara

Mary C. Ferrara wrote, directed and stars in “Schmoopie,” about a woman, dealing with a breakup, gets an unexpected suggestion that changes her life.

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Game

Sep 2017

2017 | Directed by Jeannie Donohoe

A new kid in town shows up at the high school boys basketball tryouts and instantly makes an impression. Will talent and drive be enough to make the team?

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Imagine Kolle 37

Sep 2017

2017 | Directed by Michele Meek

“Imagine Kolle 37” is a short documentary/narrative hybrid film about two girls who imagine their way to Kolle 37, a real adventure playground in Berlin, Germany.

Recently called “the mother of all Berlin playgrounds” by The New York Times, Kolle 37 enables children to build and climb three-story wooden structures, make fire, and use hammers, saws and axes. Founded in 1990, Kolle 37 invites young people ages six through sixteen, without their parents, to embrace risky play in the “adventure playground” under the loose supervision of playworkers.

Although about 1,000 adventure playgrounds exist in Europe, there are only a few in the U.S. where the concept of “free play” is becoming an endangered concept. But adventure playgrounds not only encourage young people to play outdoors in all seasons, they also provide children a chance to face risk, learn skills, and build confidence.

Ultimately, “Imagine Kolle 37” poses the question—can we, as Americans, imagine Kolle 37, which in fact is a real children’s playground in Berlin?

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Knightsville

Sep 2016

2015 | Directed by Aly Migliori

In returning to home to celebrate a Catholic feast, Sara faces a family that now feels foreign and a culture she no longer understands. Knightsville examines the painful disconnect, and deep connection, one has towards home. It is a coming-of-age story unique to none, but set within the distinct backdrop of Rhode Island Italian American culture.

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Anna

Sep 2015

2015 | Directed by Eric Latek

This short documentary film is the soul of Anna, a beautiful Native American mother, grandmother and wife who has fell victim to Alzheimer’s. Throughout her lifetime Anna has watched many family members lose their battles with this disease. This film is only through her eyes.

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Rocketship

Sep 2015

2013 | Directed by Alfred Thomas Catalfo

Rocketship is a 15-minute family drama in which an unlikely bond is forged between a lonely boy and an elderly man claiming to be a former astronaut. Together, they transform a vintage vacuum cleaner into a rocketship for a surprising journey. The film is inspired by the rocketship sculptures of artist David Random. Rocketship was an Official Selection of the New Hampshire Film Festival (Jury Award for NH Film of the Year), SNOB Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival (Winner, KidsEye Award), Mill Valley Film Festival sponsored by the California Film Institute, LA Shorts Fest, Boston Film Festival, Louisville’s Festival of Films, Northampton International Film Festival, Coney Island Film Festival, Knoxville Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival, where it was named one the CIFF’s 20 “Must See Films” out of 345 films (180 features and 165 shorts) screened over 12 days. The CIFF review said, “It’s magical. It’s epic. The little boy who plays the lead is fantastic.” In June, 2014, Rocketship was featured at the 17th Dances With Films in Los Angeles, one of the film industry’s premier showcases for emerging talent. Starting in February, 2015, Rocketship is being featured inflight on Virgin Airlines worldwide.

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Liz

Sep 2015

2014 | Directed by Sharyn Paul Brusie

Homeless at 13, Liz Leddy lived a tragic life of despair.  Her battle with addictions and raging behavior led to a brutal fight of survival on the streets.  Filmed over four years, in Portland, Maine, we follow Liz as she reclaims her life from desperation to a place of love, forgiveness and hope. Her dreams manifest as she becomes a favorite for competition in the 2012 Olympic sport of boxing.