Festival Schedule:

Friday, July 12th, 2024

12:00pm: System Makeover

HONORABLE BUT BROKEN: EMS IN CRISIS

A documentary about the realities of working in EMS and the systemic shortcomings that are causing critical workforce shortages, especially in rural parts of the country.

TRUTH TO TRANSFORMATION

Truth to Transformation is an unflinching and powerful look at child welfare in America through the eyes of three people who experienced firsthand the trauma and complexities of being a part of the foster care system. Through their voices, lived experiences, and willingness to co-design the future, NJ’s child welfare system is being transformed into a children and family serving agency that aims to assist, empower and heal.

SHAME ON YOU!

This film exposes the untold personal costs of victims of the debt collection industry that is enabled by fear of the judicial system and hidden shame about debt.
In this animated documentary, we recreate our telephone interviews and the personal stories of people trapped in debt collection lawsuits. We want audiences to openly discuss how shame is used in relation to debt, and to assertively talk about their own debt collection cases. The low value/high volume debt collection business is massive - 1 in 4 people have been pursued by a debt collector. But the stories are untold and cases are unopposed because of shame. Consequently, in some states 90% of debtors are unrepresented in courts and many of those end in default judgements against debtors. Here, our interviewees start a conversation about an industry that uses shame and the courts against people who have everything to lose. This is the shame that should be carried by those who put them in these debts in the first place.

2:30pm: Sustainable Futures

THE ASBESTOS CITY

This documentary captures the human story of small-town America in Manville, New Jersey throughout and beyond the storm events of Hurricane Ida in 2021. This is a borough in the heart of the state that is in a constant struggle for economic resilience and famous for tragedy, yet it remains strong in its community values, American pride, and cultural history.

MEVO: FROM FARM TO FEAST

The youth-led farmers of MEVO take us on a tour of the land and the importance of reaching your local community by hosting an annual farm-to-table gala.

SAVE OUR SOIL

A Student created Documentary that highlights the Great risk to Global Soil within the next 50 years and what we need to drive legislation for.

STEWARDS OF THE LAND

Before it makes it to your plate, American Lamb is raised by farmers and ranchers with a shared connection to caring for the land, the animals, and the local communities they serve across America. The nation’s shepherds and their families help to sustain working farmland and farm communities. Stewards of The Land follows family farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. who are passionate about producing high quality protein in a way that sustains industry, supports communities, and preserves our land and ecological resources for future generations.

From large scale range operations in the west to smaller farm flocks in the east, raising sheep improves the quality of our land, supports rural communities, and provides food and fiber for our nation.

5:30pm: Echoes of Humanity

SENSE OF URGENCY

She is about to celebrate her 36th birthday when she is diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Now in the throes of chemotherapy, she has an epiphany… and a message to anyone listening.

Queen hopes this film inspires people to start living their lives before it’s too late - the message about not wasting time; about finding joy now before tragedy strikes; of cancer awareness especially to black women and the importance of cancer screenings - Queen Stewart may have found her purpose
through cancer but cancer is certainly not her message. Create urgency in your life. Find your joy. However small.

J.B.

Jeff (J.B.) Kline, hailing from Lambertville, NJ, wears many hats: musician, proprietor of J.B. Kline Vintage Musical Instruments, and a captivating storyteller. Within our film, Jeff graciously opens up about his rich musical journey and life's adventures, weaving tales that entertain and inspire. Affectionately dubbed the "Unofficial Mayor" of Lambertville, he holds a special place in the hearts of the tight-knit community nestled in this quaint New Jersey river town.

HOMELESS NOT HELPLESS

This student documentary appeals to local, state and federal officials to develop stronger plans to fight homelessness and help those who are fighting to stay on their feet on the poverty line.

LOOK UP

A short documentary exposing the control that phones have on our lives and uncovering college-aged students' new hobby of "scrolling".

8pm: NJ Homegrown: Turnpike Tales

HOW THE WAVES WERE WON

The ocean can be a scary place, but ocean life savers stand watch as guardians of our beaches. These brave men and women showcase their skills in global tournaments, demonstrating mastery of their craft. It's a heart-pounding journey as the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol strive for a record seventh consecutive Long Beach Island Lifeguard Championship - a grueling 2-day, 19 event tournament battling against both rival squads and the relentless sea. How the Waves Were Won chronicles the importance of our lifeguards, celebrating teamwork, competition, and the invaluable dedication of those who "risk a lot to save a lot."

THE GREAT NJ DEBATE: PORK ROLL VS. TAYLOR HAM

An exploration of the great New Jersey debate that delves into the hearts of all those who dare to ask: Is it called Pork Roll or Taylor Ham?

POWER OF THE PRINTED SHIRT

How did four high school friends create a nationwide surf/skate apparel phenomena?

THE CLOCK KEEPER

An examination of time, life, and death. In this short documentary follow an elderly couple who collect and maintain Antique clocks. Although it may look like a simple hobby, an essence far more spiritual and meaningful lies within the gears of these mechanical heartbeats.

THE HEEL

The look into the life of an Indie female wrestler

THE FALL GUY FIGHT

The Fall Guy's Fight explores the lack of representation stunt performers and coordinators have within the Academy Awards despite their massive contribution to the global box office each year

Saturday, July 13th, 2024

12 Noon: Grit & Grace

COME HOME MY CHILD

For over two decades, Mama Yang, a Taiwanese immigrant, has immersed herself in New York's prison system, exchanging letters with inmates. Over ten years, this documentary captures Mama Yang's remarkable odyssey, delving into the lives of those she connects with in their shared realm of isolation. Penning over 10,000 letters, Mama Yang's journey unfolds against a backdrop of profound human connection.
Through a decade-long lens, the film reveals the tender bond between Mama Yang and the inmates, juxtaposed with the tumultuous relationship between Mama Yang and her granddaughter, Ellen.

Interwoven with these diverse stories, the film exposes the harsh realities of life's vicissitudes but also celebrates the redemptive power of love that transcends barriers of race and generation, offering hope and liberation to captive souls.

BRAVE- HOW THE MOUNTAINS SAVED MY LIFE

Maria Granberg lives to conquer the world's highest mountains. It's her way of trying to understand herself better and evolve as a person. It's also a means of coping with the darkness that comes and goes in life.

In September 2022, she is set to climb the 8163-meter high Manaslu in Nepal without oxygen. When the expedition, after several weeks, is on the verge of reaching the summit, the unthinkable happens, and reality leaves her with only one conceivable way out. BRAVE – How The Mountains Saved My Life is a short documentary that is about confronting one's vulnerability to find the courage to truly live.

2:30PM: Bizarre Journeys

ALIEN ABDUCTION- A PHYSICAL CASE

What would you do if you were abducted by aliens? What if your partner was with you, making it impossible for you to deny what happened? What if your abductors made the journey back to do several welfare checks allowing you to compile physical and photographic evidence? What if you believed you were programmed by an advanced alien race with message and purpose of peaceful disclosure and an entire planet was counting on you to succeed? What if no one took you seriously, not even the film maker you hired to tell your story? An award winning, must see, real life drama about a real couple and their efforts to tell their true life story. This film is also concise source of UFO history, facts and research and has been watched hundreds of times as a resource by select members of the Congressional Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, Wisconsin Representative Glen Grothman Chairman, who are currently investigating UAPs and UFOs. Watch “Alien Abduction: A Physical Case” and find out for yourself.

THE UNEMCUMBERED LIFE OF A FRENCH HOUSE FLY

A day in the life of a French house fly.

5:30PM: Unbroken Spirits

DON’T LOOK AWAY

In the span of six years, the film follows Corey to show how his facial difference has impacted his life, friendships, family relations, romantic relationships, and careers, and how these experiences have shaped his personality and perspective. By capturing the daily life of Corey, the film shows the audience the challenges of living with a facial difference: being stared at, bullied, constantly having to explain your facial difference, the struggles of online dating, and the psychological and emotional impact of all of these experiences. Corey’s facial difference is so rare that the doctors simply called it a “craniofacial deformity” when he was born. By age 19, he had at least 50 major reconstructive surgeries–Corey does not count outpatient procedures. Growing up in the boonies of upstate New York for all his life with his loving and physically disabled mother, Corey has never had a regular job and struggles financially, relying on government assistance and family members and friends. Corey is determined to become an actor and writer and wants to get his first book published. He draws from his adversities of living with a facial difference and uses them in his stories and performances to inspire others like him. He is motivated to show the world that people with facial differences are more than meets the eye.

MY FIRST BREATH; THE STORY OF CARL GIBSON

A Journey into the life of Carl Gibson; a man whose early struggles with substance abuse threatened to consume him. From experimenting with 'huffing gas' at age 10 to a harrowing battle with addiction that cost him his family, his support system, and his actual “life” (twice), Carl's story is one of resilience, redemption, and restoration. Today, he shares his lessons and life experience, revealing a man of unwavering faith and a mission to help others overcome addiction and rebuild. Discover the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity in this powerful documentary.

UPON RETURN

ABC Journalist Bob Woodruff shares his experience reporting on the Iraq war in 2006. He speaks on the founding and success of his foundation which aids veterans and explains the difficulties of coming back from war with injuries as they relate to his personal and professional life.

8:00 PM: Justice In Action

AMERICAN POT STORY: OAKSTERDAM

WINNER OF THE AUDIENCE AWARD AT SLAMDANCE 2023, American Pot Story: Oaksterdam is a documentary about how change transpires in America. The account of "a small group of concerned committed citizens" (to quote Margaret Mead) who took a huge risk in order to bring about a massive shift in public perception. It all happened at Oaksterdam University in Oakland , California - a magical place where cannabis history was made, falling right in place with Oakland’s rich history of civil resistance. Today when we see celebrities and corporations get into the cannabis business it’s easy to forget how many millions of people unjustly suffered and still suffer because of the American drug policy. Our documentary is not just an important historical chronicle of a campaign that brought into the mainstream a taboo topic, it’s also an inspiring reminder of how democracy can work when people come together in an effort to fulfill our pledge to liberty and justice for all.

LONE STAR THREE

In 1969 a trio of University of Texas coeds challenged their university, American government policy, and social stigma by starting a campus birth control information center, but their mission turned to helping women obtain safe, illegal abortions in Mexico under the surveillance of the FBI, risking felony charges and their educations, and initiating the lawsuit that became Roe v Wade.

Sunday, July 14th, 2024

11:30am: Unconventional Artistry

OPEN STREETS

Open streets is a film that sheds light on graffiti and street art. The documentary showcases artists and writers from Canada, United States, Chili, France, Germany and The Netherlands. Shot over a period of 10 years, the film crew traveled and met people from around the globe with different backgrounds, stories, approaches and points of view. The film promotes the work of painters who express themselves with passion and creativity to redefine our urban landscape. Open streets raises questions on those artists' self-definition and motivations and explores the risks related to their practices.

RESURGENCE

Documentary that provides a more personal look at record stores in Los Angeles with the goal of discovering who the owners are, why they love selling records, and the reason they think has caused the recent resurgence in vinyl.

COMMUTERS

With dreams of making it big, thousands of 8th graders audition each year for a chance to attend New York City’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for Music & Art and Performing Arts. The only thing harder than getting in… is getting there.

TEA IS SO FUNNY & TOUGH

The harshest lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Tea is So Funny, and Tough" reflects upon a true story of these tragic moments and the glimmers of hope brought to the community by an innovative tea shop.

1:30PM: Finding Freedom

STUCK IN GREECE: AN LGBT REFUGEE CRISIS

When brought to Athens, Greece in 2016 for a screening of his film DADDY, filmmaker Gerald McCullouch unexpectedly meets a group of LGBT refugees fleeing persecution from their communities, their governments and their own families who now find themselves trapped in Greece. Confounded by their circumstances, he is compelled to document his education of a crisis facing countless members of his community who came to Greece under desperately different circumstances.

AFTERSHOCK OF A TRAUMA

After watching her country fall to the Taliban only days after her arrival in the US, Zohal, an Afghan Fulbright Scholar documents the story of three Afghan students studying in the US and struggling with uncertainty and statelessness. At the same time, Zohal struggles with her own trauma, loss and resilience, as she searches for answers that may not come.

4:30PM: Road To Gold

THE CARNIVAL: 125 YEARS OF THE PENN RELAYS

From Award-Winning Director Justin Jarrett and Emmy Award Winner “JB” James Brown (CBS/Showtime), comes The Carnival: 125 Years of the Penn Relays. For more than a century, The Penn Relays have defied the odds on their way to becoming one of the longest running sporting events in history. From breaking world records to breaking down barriers, they have helped revolutionize the sport of track and field while playing host to everyone from World Champions to Olympic icons and creating a legacy that will last forever.

12 PARTS PER MILLION

Doping in athletics is nothing new. Cases regularly make headlines calling attention to issues of fair play and how to keep sport clean.
In 1972, the International Olympic Committee attempted to level the playing field for competitors by introducing drug testing at the Games.
That same year, Rick DeMont, a US swimming phenom from Southern California, won the 400-meter freestyle event at the Munich Olympics. Less than 48 hours later, legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell announced the shocking news that Olympic officials had stripped DeMont of his gold medal and excluded him from further competition after a post-race doping test revealed trace amounts - 12 parts per million - of ephedrine, a banned substance, and the main ingredient in an asthma prescription Rick had properly disclosed weeks earlier on his Olympic medical intake form. He and his family unsuccessfully appealed the International Olympic Committee’s decision and Rick went home heartbroken.

Nearly 25 years later, two experts on the topic of performance enhancing drugs — author and sport psychologist, Dr. Steven Ungerleider, and attorney, David Ulich — examine Rick’s case and uncover serious procedural shortcomings on behalf of the USOC doctors and their processing of the athletes leading up to the Games, raising the question of who was ultimately responsible for protecting the young swimmer.

7:00 PM: Love, Lox & Laughter

EVERYTHING’S KOSHER

Adam, a divorced, Jewish father, from Chicago, embarks on a journey to fulfill a promise to his only daughter never to abandon her. Living in a small, German town steeped in the shadows of antisemitism and Nazi history, Adam attempts to open a Jewish deli, to establish a link to his upbringing and try to find comfort and connection in his town.

As Adam struggles with his new life, a painful rift with his estranged father, a man who abandoned Adam and his family decades ago, grinds at his soul. Driven to break the abandonment issues and heal the wounds of his past, Adam embarks on a mission to reconcile with his family.
His quest takes him around the globe from Germany to the doorstep of his father in the US, a man he has not been close to for forty years. In this life-changing journey, Adam grapples with the ghosts of his past, searching for the strength to forgive and move forward, in order to be the best father he can be, to his little girl. Against the odds, the deli takes shape as Adam discovers the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness to heal even the deepest wounds. Peace, Love, & Pastrami.

COMEDY ON RYE: KATZ’S FIRST COMEDY SHOW

Two 24-year-old Manhattanites and childhood best friends embark on a unique quest: to host the first comedy show in New York’s iconic Katz’s Delicatessen. But when the duo only has one hour to transform the space and seat nearly 300 people, chaos ensues to throw a show as worthy as Katz's pastrami.

HAKAN- A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CHOCOLATE, CREATIVITY AND PASSION

HÅKAN – is an intimate portrait of the legendary chocolatier Håkan Mårtensson, based in Beacon, New York, and his passion for chocolate, creativity, and the importance of family. Håkan opens up about his experiences from starting a new chapter of his career. Building HÅKAN Chocolatier during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the love for his family and the passion for his craft are the cornerstones of his successful business.

Fest Date: July 12 - 14, 2024

Location: Sparta Avenue Stage - 10 Sparta Avenue North Sparta, NJ 07871

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