Submissions must be made by filmmakers who live or work in the Central Valley region of California. Filmmakers must live or work in the following counties: Butte, Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Yolo, Yuba

All films must be 20 minutes or under in runtime, including credits.

Films may have been previously screened or submitted to other festivals.

Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023. Films may be submitted starting May 1 through November 1. Winners will be notified by November 6, and the winning films will be screened on November 19.

Awards and prizes will be announced at a later date.

The categories are:

• Short Narrative: Fiction films telling a story through character, dialogue, and dramatic structure.
• Short Documentary: Nonfiction films exploring real people, events, or ideas through a cinematic lens.
• Short Animation: Animated films in any style — 2D, 3D, stop-motion, or mixed media.
• Central Valley Spotlight: Open to all genres. Films must feature a story rooted in the region’s people, culture, or landscape.

The festival is free to submit and free to attend.

Submission Requirements

All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.

Films must be submitted in English or include English subtitles.

Submission files must be high-definition (1080p minimum).

A still image and a short synopsis must accompany each submission.

Filmmakers must be able to provide a download of the film.

Selection & Judging

All submissions will be reviewed by the programming committee.

Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of judges.

Decisions of the judges are final.

Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status by email.

Screening Rights

By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival non-exclusive rights to screen the film during the festival.

The festival may use short clips or stills for promotional purposes with filmmaker credit.

No monetary compensation is provided for screening.

General Information

The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet eligibility requirements.

Films containing hate speech or content that demeans individuals based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation will not be considered.

Films containing explicit sexual content or material deemed grossly offensive will not be considered.

The festival director’s decision regarding content suitability is final.

The festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and operates on a volunteer basis.

Deadlines are final. No exceptions.

Film must be complete when submitted – No “works in progress” nor changes after submission. No exceptions.

No vertical, portrait or 9:16 ratio submissions.

Got Questions?

Information: info@fresnofilmworks.org or goldsteinsevents@gmail.com

The post Submit Your Film to Getting Reel: A DIY Short Film Festival Hosted by Goldstein’s and Fresno Filmworks appeared first on Fresno Filmworks.

Date & Time: Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Old Administration Building Auditorium, Fresno City College (1101 E. University Ave., Fresno CA 93741)

Tickets are $10 per film or $24 for a festival pass to see all three films. Tickets may be purchased online through this link or at the door.

Parking: FREE Parking is available on campus

Food & refreshments: Details on food and refreshments will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Sponsors include Quady Sweet and Aperitif Wines, KVPR/NPR, and Donaghy Sales.

The Films

1:30 PM

The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025, Dir. Kaouther Ben Hania | 89 min)

January 29, 2024. Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call. A 5-year old girl is trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her.

4:00 PM

Calle Málaga (2025, Maryam Touzani | 116 minutes)

When her daughter arrives in Tangier to sell the family apartment, a fiercely independent 79-year-old Spanish woman fights to keep her home.

7:00 PM

It Was Just an Accident (2025, Jafar Panahi | 105 minutes)

An Iranian auto mechanic kidnaps the man he believes tortured him and gathers fellow ex-prisoners to confirm his identity, setting off a darkly comic thriller about doubt, persecution, and revenge.

The post Fresno Filmworks Presents Its Newest Event — Middle Eastern North African (MENA) Cinema Showcase appeared first on Fresno Filmworks.

The festival includes all three Oscar Shorts categories, each presented as its own program where each program screens all the nominated films in that category, played straight through like a feature-length show.

Click this link to buy day passes or single program tickets.

Early Bird Pricing! All-Access Pass – $35: See all five programs across both days.

Whether you’re a longtime film fan or attending for the first time, Oscar Shorts is your chance to discover emerging filmmakers, enjoy powerful storytelling from around the world, and celebrate cinema right here in Fresno.

Films are listed below by program and in alphabetical order. The programs are recommended for persons 17 and older due to adult language, themes, and sensual images.

Animated Short Films

Start times: 5:30 PM Friday, March 6, and 4:30 PM Saturday, March 7

BUTTERFLY

Director: Florence Miailhe | France | 15min

Synopsis: In the sea, a man swims. As he does, memories come to the surface. From his early childhood to his life
as a man, all his memories are linked to water. Some are happy, some glorious, some traumatic. This
story will be that of his last swim. It will take us from the source to the river – from the waters of childhood
pools to those of swimming pools – from a North African country to the shores of the Mediterranean – from
Olympic stadiums to water retention basins – from concentration camps to the dream beaches of Reunion.

ÉIRU **Shortlisted

Director: Giovanna Ferrari | Ireland | 13min
Synopsis: When the water mysteriously disappears from the well in a warrior clan’s village, an intrepid child descends into the belly of the earth to retrieve it. Éiru is the story of a child in search of a challenge, and a goddess in search of a champion.

FOREVERGREEN

Directors: Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears | United States | 13min
Synopsis: A joyful adventure featuring an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly tree turns serious when the cub is tempted by the allure of easy food. Fire and deadly danger ensue as the cub is left bereft of hope and on the verge of a ruinous end, until the sacrificial love of the tree falls into place.

THE GIRL WHO CRIED PEARLS

Directors: Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski | Canada | 17min
Synopsis: In Montreal, at the dawn of the 20th century, a poor boy falls in love with a girl whose sorrow turns into pearls. He sells them to a ruthless pawnbroker, who hungers for more. Tempted by greed, the boy must choose between love and fortune. The choice could damn his soul. From the Oscar-nominated team of Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski (Madame Tutli-Putli), this meticulously crafted film is a testament to
the magic of stop-motion animation. With handmade puppets, mesmerizing narration by Colm Feore and a haunting score by Patrick Watson, The Girl Who Cried Pearls is a timeless parable of desire, deception and the price of innocence.

RETIREMENT PLAN

Director: John Kelly | Ireland | 7min
Synopsis: Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) lays out a beautiful life for himself in his retirement plan. He will pursue his curiosities, challenge his limiting beliefs, embrace fear, beauty, even the complexities of wine culture. Ray will check off every box on every list for every interest he ever even half-thought about. He will discover what he loves (Italian red wine), what he hates (camping). He will grow and learn and change rapidly. It’s
beautiful and it’s messy and achingly relatable. But Ray is forgetting something. The one thing he treats as flippantly disposable will be the single most rapidly depleting resource of his future self. His healthy-ish, agile enough 40-something-year-old body. Also, actual retirement time is not endless, but guaranteed to be finite.

THE THREE SISTERS

Director: Konstantin Bronzit | Israel, Cyprus | 14min
Synopsis: Three sisters live a lonely life on an isolated island, each in their own small house. One day, circumstances develop in such a way that they are forced to rent out one of the houses.

Live Action Short Films

Start times: 7:30 PM Friday, March 6, and 7 PM Saturday, March 7

BUTCHER’S STAIN

Director: Meyer Levinson-Blount | Israel | 26min
Synopsis: Samir, a Palestinian butcher working at an Israeli supermarket, is accused of tearing down the Israeli hostage posters in the break room. Samir sets out to prove his innocence in order to keep the job he desperately needs.

A FRIEND OF DOROTHY

Director: Lee Knight | United Kingdom | 21min
Synopsis: Dorothy (BAFTA winner Miriam Margolyes) is a lonely widow whose body is failing, but her mind remains as bright as ever. When 17-year-old JJ (Alistair Nwachukwu) accidentally kicks his football into her garden, he upends Dorothy’s daily routine of pills, prunes and crosswords, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. Despite being worlds apart in every way, the two come to find they have more in common than they could ever imagine.

JANE AUSTEN’S PERIOD DRAMA

Directors: Julia Aks and Steve Pinder | United States | 12min
Synopsis: England, 1813. Miss Estrogenia “Essy” Talbot gets her period during a long-awaited marriage proposal. Mr. Dickley mistakes the blood for an injury and rushes off to fetch a doctor. While he’s gone, Essy’s sisters plead with her not to imperil her engagement by telling Mr. Dickley the truth. But when he returns, Essy barrels ahead, sharing every little bloody detail.

THE SINGERS

Director: Sam A. Davis | United States | 18min
Synopsis: The Singers is a short film adaptation of a 19th-century short story written by Ivan Turgenev, in which a lowly pub full of downtrodden patrons connect unexpectedly through an impromptu sing-off. With a cast comprised of viral video singing talents and other one-of-a-kind personalities from the unlikeliest corners of the internet, the film is an experimental docu-musical hybrid crafted like an improvisational play.

TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA

Directors: Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata | France, United States | 36min
Synopsis: In a society where kissing is punishable by death, and people pay for things by receiving slaps to the face, Angine, an unhappy woman, shops compulsively in a department store. There, she becomes fascinated by a playful salesgirl. Despite the prohibition of kissing, the two become close, raising the suspicions of a jealous colleague.

Documentary Short Films

Start time: 1:30 PM Saturday, March 7

ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS

Director: Joshua Seftel | United States | 33min

Synopsis: All the Empty Rooms follows veteran CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they embark on a seven-year-long project to document the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings. Hartman steps away from his heartwarming human-interest stories and unbeknownst to his network’s bosses, pursues a piece on absence, memory, and the unseen ripples of America’s gun violence epidemic. As these senseless incidents claim more young lives than any other cause in America, these quiet bedrooms reveal truths more powerful than statistics ever could.

ARMED ONLY WITH A CAMERA: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BRENT RENAUD

Director: Craig Renaud and Brent Renaud | United States | 38min

Synopsis: On March 13, 2022, filmmaker Brent Renaud was killed by Russian soldiers – the first American journalist to die while reporting on the war in Ukraine. His younger brother and collaborator, Craig Renaud, recovered Brent’s body and his final recordings from Ukraine and brought them back to their childhood home in Arkansas. As Brent’s journey to his final resting place unfolds, the film chronicles the years he and his brother spent covering some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts. As journalism becomes one of the most dangerous professions in the world, Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud is dedicated to Brent and all the devoted journalists who use their cameras to work for truth and understanding.

CHILDREN NO MORE: “WERE AND ARE GONE”

Director: Hilla Medalia | Israel | 36min

Synopsis: Children No More: “Were and are Gone” is an observational documentary short about a vigil that began in March 2025, when a handful of women stood silently in a public square in Tel Aviv, each holding a photograph of a child killed in Gaza. On every image: the child’s
name, age, date of death, and the words “WAS AND IS NO MORE.” Their stillness is heavy, pressing against the rhythm of ordinary life. Some passersby look away; others respond with denial, sorrow, or rage. Yet week after week, new names are added, new photographs are printed and lifted high. And each week, more people step forward to join this quiet act of protest.

THE DEVIL IS BUSY

Directors: Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir | United States | 31min

Synopsis: The Devil is Busy takes viewers on a daylong journey with Tracii, the determined head of security at a women’s healthcare clinic in Atlanta, Georgia as she works to ensure the safety of women seeking abortions in the face of new restrictions and persistent protests. The film is a clear-eyed portrayal of the shifting landscape for patients and abortion providers in America today, and depicts the complex, day-to-day realities facing those working to provide safe reproductive healthcare to women. The film captures a unique snapshot of reproductive healthcare in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a shift that has led to abortion bans and significant restrictions in many states.

PERFECTLY A STRANGENESS

Director: Alison McAlpine | Canada | 15min
Synopsis: In the dazzling incandescence of an unknown desert, three donkeys discover an abandoned astronomical observatory and the universe. A sensorial, cinematic exploration of what a story can be.

The post Fresno Filmworks Presents the 2026 Oscar Shorts appeared first on Fresno Filmworks.

Here’s the line-up for this weekend’s Oscar Shorts presented by Fresno Filmworks at Fresno City College.

Note: This program may not be appropriate for audiences under the age of 14 due to gun violence, shootings, language and animated nudity.

Click here to see previews.

Friday, 5:30 p.m.

ANIMATION

(90 MIN with credits)

MAGIC CANDLES: JAPAN/21 MINS/2024

Director: Daisuke Nishio

Synopsis: The other kids at the park never ask Dong-Dong to play. But he’s fine just playing marbles on his own. One day he goes out in search of new marbles, but ends up buying a bag of colorful, marble-shaped candies instead. But the first time he pops one of them into his mouth, he’s astonished to hear his old sofa start talking to him! For the next few minutes, until the candy melts away, he has the most unexpected and amazing conversation of his life. Realizing that these are no ordinary candies, Dong- Dong looks at the rest of colorful sweets. Who else will he be able to talk to, and what else will he learn, through these magic candies?

IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS: IRAN/20 MINS/2023

Directors: Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani

Synopsis: Living in a house by the sea with his daughter, a former captain who has post-traumatic stress disorder leads a tough and secluded life.

YUCK!: FRANCE/13 MINS/2024

Director: Loïc Espuche

Synopsis: Yuck! Adults kiss each other on the mouth, and children find it disgusting! What’s more, you can see it from afar: when people are about to kiss, their lips become all pink and shiny. Little Léo makes jokes about it, as do the other kids at the summer camp. But he has a secret he won’t tell his friends: his own mouth has actually begun glistening. And, in reality, Léo desperately wants to give kissing a try.

[The following two films include nudity, and may not be appropriate for children under 14.]

WANDER TO WONDER: NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, FRANCE, UK/13 MINS/2023

Director: Nina Gantz

Synopsis: Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton are three tiny humans who star in a kids’ TV Series called “Wander to Wonder”. After the creator dies, they are left alone in the studio. Struggling to find enough to eat, they continue to make increasingly strange episodes for their fans.

BEAUTIFUL MEN: BELGIUM, FRANCE, NETHERLANDS/18 MINS/2023

Director: Nicolas Keppens

Synopsis: Three balding brothers travel to Istanbul to get a hair transplant. Stuck with each other in a hotel far from home, their insecurities grow faster than their hair.

Friday, 8 p.m.

LIVE ACTION

(104 min with credits)

THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT: CROATIA/13 MINS/2024

Director: Nebojsa Slijepcevic

Synopsis: 1993, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A passenger train is stopped by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. As they haul off innocent civilians, only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them.

ANUJA: INDIA, USA/22 MINS/2024

Director: Adam J. Graves

Synopsis: ANUJA tells the story of a gifted nine-year-old girl who, alongside her sister Palak, faces a life-changing opportunity that tests their bond and mirrors the struggles of girls worldwide.

I AM NOT A ROBOT: BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS/22 MINS/2023

Director: Victoria Warmerdam

Synopsis: After repeatedly failing Captcha tests, music producer Lara spirals into obsession, haunted by the disturbing question of whether she might actually be a robot.

A LIEN: USA/15 MINS/2023

Directors: David Cutler-Kreutz, Sam Cutler-Kreutz

Synopsis: A young couple face up to and deal with a dangerous immigration process.

THE LAST RANGER: SOUTH AFRICA/28 MINS/202

Director: Cindy Lee

Synopsis: When young Litha is introduced to the magic of a game reserve by the last remaining ranger, they are ambushed by poachers. In the ensuing battle to save the rhinos, Litha discovers a terrible secret.

Saturday, 1 p.m.

DOCUMENTARIES

(165 MIN with credits)

INSTRUMENTS OF A BEATING HEART: Japan/23 MINS/2024

Director: Ema Ryan Yamazaki

Synopsis: A New York Times Op-Docs, first graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: to form an orchestra and perform “Ode to Joy” at a school ceremony.

INCIDENT: USA/30 MINS/2023

Director: Bill Morrison

Synopsis: Through a montage of surveillance and police body-camera footage, a reconstruction of a deadly shooting by a Chicago police officer becomes an investigation into how a narratve begins to take shape in the aftermath.

I AM READY, WARDEN: USA/37 MINS/2024

Director: Smriti Mundhra

Synopsis: John Henry Ramirez is convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the state of Texas. During his incarceration, Ramirez tries to reach out to his victim’s son while also preparing to say goodbye to his family.

THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ORCHESTRA: USA/35 MINS/2023

Director: Molly O’Brien

Synopsis: Trailblazing double bassist Orin O’Brien was never one to seek the spotlight, but when Leonard Bernstein hired her in 1966 as the first female musician in the New York Philharmonic, she inevitably became the focus of media attention and, ultimately, one of the most renowned musicians of a generation.

DEATH BY NUMBERS: USA/33 MINS/2024

Director: Kim A. Snyder

Synopsis: Four years after being shot with an AR-15 in her high school, Samantha Fuentes reckons with existential questions of hatred and justice as she prepares to confront her shooter.

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

ANIMATION

(90 MIN with credits)

MAGIC CANDLES: JAPAN/21 MINS/2024

Director: Daisuke Nishio

Synopsis: The other kids at the park never ask Dong-Dong to play. But he’s fine just playing marbles on his own. One day he goes out in search of new marbles, but ends up buying a bag of colorful, marble-shaped candies instead. But the first time he pops one of them into his mouth, he’s astonished to hear his old sofa start talking to him! For the next few minutes, until the candy melts away, he has the most unexpected and amazing conversation of his life. Realizing that these are no ordinary candies, Dong- Dong looks at the rest of colorful sweets. Who else will he be able to talk to, and what else will he learn, through these magic candies?

IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS: IRAN/20 MINS/2023

Directors: Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani

Synopsis: Living in a house by the sea with his daughter, a former captain who has post-traumatic stress disorder leads a tough and secluded life.

YUCK!: FRANCE/13 MINS/2024

Director: Loïc Espuche

Synopsis: Yuck! Adults kiss each other on the mouth, and children find it disgusting! What’s more, you can see it from afar: when people are about to kiss, their lips become all pink and shiny. Little Léo makes jokes about it, as do the other kids at the summer camp. But he has a secret he won’t tell his friends: his own mouth has actually begun glistening. And, in reality, Léo desperately wants to give kissing a try.

[The following two films include nudity, and may not be appropriate for children under 14.]

WANDER TO WONDER: NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, FRANCE, UK/13 MINS/2023

Director: Nina Gantz

Synopsis: Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton are three tiny humans who star in a kids’ TV Series called “Wander to Wonder”. After the creator dies, they are left alone in the studio. Struggling to find enough to eat, they continue to make increasingly strange episodes for their fans.

BEAUTIFUL MEN: BELGIUM, FRANCE, NETHERLANDS/18 MINS/2023

Director: Nicolas Keppens

Synopsis: Three balding brothers travel to Istanbul to get a hair transplant. Stuck with each other in a hotel far from home, their insecurities grow faster than their hair.

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

LIVE ACTION

(104 min with credits)

THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT: CROATIA/13 MINS/2024

Director: Nebojsa Slijepcevic

Synopsis: 1993, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A passenger train is stopped by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. As they haul off innocent civilians, only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them.

ANUJA: INDIA, USA/22 MINS/2024

Director: Adam J. Graves

Synopsis: ANUJA tells the story of a gifted nine-year-old girl who, alongside her sister Palak, faces a life-changing opportunity that tests their bond and mirrors the struggles of girls worldwide.

I AM NOT A ROBOT: BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS/22 MINS/2023

Director: Victoria Warmerdam

Synopsis: After repeatedly failing Captcha tests, music producer Lara spirals into obsession, haunted by the disturbing question of whether she might actually be a robot.

A LIEN: USA/15 MINS/2023

Directors: David Cutler-Kreutz, Sam Cutler-Kreutz

Synopsis: A young couple face up to and deal with a dangerous immigration process.

THE LAST RANGER: SOUTH AFRICA/28 MINS/202

Director: Cindy Lee

Synopsis: When young Litha is introduced to the magic of a game reserve by the last remaining ranger, they are ambushed by poachers. In the ensuing battle to save the rhinos, Litha discovers a terrible secret.

The post Welcome to the 2025 Oscar Short Films appeared first on Fresno Filmworks.

We know how much you look forward to Fresno Filmworks’ premier annual event, the Oscar-nominated short films. This year we’ll be showing the films in a new location, at Fresno City College!

We’ll have more information soon about which films we’ll be showing.

For now, here’s the important stuff you need to know:

Dates: February 21 & 22
Location: Old Administration Building Auditorium at Fresno City College
All three programs: Animation, Documentary, and Live Action

Tickets for individual showings will be announced once the programs are announced. There is a pass for all programs at $40, and it can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresno-filmworks-oscar-shorts-2025-friday-feb-21-saturday-feb-22-tickets-1117067692539?aff=oddtdtcreator. Tickets for individual showings will be available later at this same link.

The post Oscar-Nominated Shorts— Save the Dates! appeared first on Fresno Filmworks.

After a lengthy hiatus caused by the pandemic, Fresno Filmworks is excited to return to in-person showings with our three-film event, Sunday at the Cinema with Fresno Filmworks. We invite you to join us on Sunday, Nov. 20 at Strummer’s in the Tower District (833 E. Fern Ave.) We will open with the documentary “Free Puppies!” at 1:30 p.m., continue with a 3 p.m. showing of “The Justice of Bunny King,” and conclude with our final film, “Subject,” which will start at 5 p.m.

Tickets for each film are $10 for general admission and $8 for students/seniors. They may be purchased online at www.strummersclub.com or at the door.

Here’s our lineup:

‘Free Puppies!’ Highlights the Heroic Fight to Save Dogs

“Free Puppies!” director Samantha Wishman first learned of the efforts of three women known as the “Tri-State Rescue Ladies” when she went to pick up a dog she helped her parents adopt. Wishman was moved by the determination of these women to save animal lives. “The courage of the women the whole time was obviously inspiring to us,” Wishman said. “They were just so strong and relentless and trying to do what they can.”

Southern states face a severe pet overpopulation for myriad reasons, ranging from poverty and lack of access to veterinary care to temperate winters that strays can survive. Rescued animals are given care and either taken to shelters or transported north by a grassroots network of volunteers and nonprofit rescue organizations. The ASPCA alone transported its 200,000th animal to safety in March 2022. Wishman reminds us there is still a crisis in this country. Although many animals were adopted during the pandemic, shelters are still overflowing. “Free Puppies!” is a moving look at the heroic efforts of three women who love animals.

A Struggling Mother Fights for Her Children

This powerful drama focuses on Bunny King, a New Zealand woman recently released from jail who is fighting with a remarkable fierceness to reunite with her children who have been placed in foster homes. Bunny finds herself in a Catch-22 situation: She cannot regain custody of her children without a home. She cannot get a home without a job. She cannot get a job because of her criminal record. She barely gets by washing gridlocked motorists’ windows. The goal of finding a home for herself and her children seems unreachable.

I never found myself questioning Bunny’s past or wondering what offense put her in jail; instead, I fell in love with her spunky, at times abrasive, but also deeply compassionate behavior. Watching her offer kindness to others, when her own situation is so dire, compelled me to believe in Bunny and to cheer on her efforts to regain custody of her children. She promises her daughter a birthday party and through a series of unfortunate circumstances finds herself battling the social services system that will either grant or deny her a life as a mother.

“The Justice of Bunny King” is a deeply human story. It is also messy and challenges the audience to consider their opinions about what defines a good parent.

‘Subject’ Challenges Us to Examine the Ethics of Documentary Filmmaking

Like many of you, I love watching documentary films, yet I rarely stop to consider the potential negative impact of being the subject of a documentary. Consider some of the well-known films examined in the documentary “Subject”: “Hoop Dreams”, “Wolfpack”, “The Square”, “Capturing the Friedmans”. These are critically acclaimed films, yet after they are screened and have garnered awards, what happens to the now-famous film subjects?

Documentary filmmakers curate the stories they tell and based on the interviews in this film it is clear that while some participants enjoy their experiences and relish the opportunity to have their stories told, others feel manipulated and exploited. “Wolfpack” explores the abused Angulo children, who were forced to stay indoors for 14 years before breaking out and exploring Manhattan against the rules set by their father. In “Subject”, their mother discusses the film’s impact on one of her sons who gained international fame.

For many, participating in a documentary can prove dangerous. Once “The Square” was streamed on Netflix, freedom fighter Ahmed Hassan found himself in increasing danger. These are issues that audiences might not consider, but this film questions filmmakers’ responsibility to protect the lives of their subjects.

“Subject” is a must-see film for anyone who enjoys documentaries; in fact, it is almost our responsibility to see it and to then consider the consequences of documentary films we view in the future.

A retired high school English teacher, Cindy Peters Duzi serves on the Filmworks board as venue director. She blogs about current cinema on her INSTAGRAM.

The post We’re Back! Fresno Filmworks Hosts ‘Sunday at the Cinema’ appeared first on Fresno Filmworks.

Oscar predictions abound as Hollywood prepares for the 94th Academy Awards that will air on March 27. Drawing from four media sources (Variety, IndieWire, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly), I have compiled a list of frontrunners and contenders for best film, all of which I have seen. Descriptions of these movies are readily available, so instead, I will offer a brief summary of my response to each film. Like music or art, films are a matter of personal taste, and while awards are coveted, I sometimes think the film industry would be better off without them. Having said that, here are some of the most talked-about Best Picture Oscar contenders:

“The Power of the Dog” (streaming on Netflix) appeared on all four lists and took home the Golden Globe for Dramatic Motion Picture. The story is powerful and complex (this is a film you will want to discuss with others.) The entire cast turn in master-class performances, another reason it is a front-runner for the Oscar.

“Belfast” (theatrical release) appeared on three lists. Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast” draws from Branagh’s life as a child who witnessed the violent riots that broke out in 1969 during the Troubles, a conflict between Protestants and Catholics living in Northern Ireland. Beautifully shot in black and white and supported by moving performances, it is my pick for Best Picture.

“King Richard” (theatrical release) appeared on all four lists and follows the incredible early journey of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams and the family that encouraged them every step of the way. Will Smith is also a Best Actor front-runner for his depiction of Richard Williams.

“West Side Story” (theatrical release) appeared on all four lists and won the Golden Globe for Best Musical/Comedy. Remaking an iconic movie musical is a daunting task, but who better to shoulder the responsibility than Steven Spielberg. It is a magnificent film, and in my estimation, deserving of the nomination and even the win.

“Dune” (not currently streaming) appeared on three lists. “Dune” is a spectacular film adaptation of the first half of Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction novel of the same name. It boasts a stellar cast, incredible soundtrack, and spectacular cinematography (it deserves to be seen in a theater.)

“CODA” (Apple TV+) made all three lists and stands for “child of deaf adult.” I first saw “CODA” as part of the virtual San Luis Obispo Film Festival and immediately knew it was special. At the time, I never imagined it would emerge as a strong candidate for an Oscar Best Film nomination, but am thrilled with the recognition it has deservedly received.

“Licorice Pizza” (theatrical release) made all four lists. Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s awkwardly sweet coming-of-age film stars Cooper Hoffman (son of the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.) The film unfolds in a series of vignettes, some that work better than others. It is one of those films that will resonate ever so sweetly with some but less so with others. Filmworks’ audiences will likely admire the quirky characters and offbeat story that is supported by a ’70s soundtrack that is “out of sight!”

“Don’t Look Up” (Netflix) made three lists. Writer/director Adam McKay skewers the vapidness of television news and social media, government corruption, and I’m guessing what he sees as the ignorance of the masses. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but knew as I was watching it there would be a definite split between those who felt like me and those who didn’t like it.

“The Tragedy of Macbeth” (Apple TV+) made three lists. Joel Coen reworked Shakespeare’s text to create a stripped-down version of this famous tragedy. His direction is stark and beautiful and the performances are superb, but I never found myself fully involved in the film. I was more fascinated by Coen’s artistry as a director than I was moved by the story.

“No Time to Die” (theatrical release) made two lists. While I loved Daniel Craig’s final foray as James Bond, I was surprised to see it on a number of Oscar prediction lists. Hollywood tends to overlook films that are huge commercial successes, especially those that are part of beloved franchises. It may not make the final cut, but bravo to those critics who bucked the trend and put it on their lists.

“Nightmare Alley” (theatrical release) made two lists. Guillermo del Toro returns with his first film since his 2018 Oscar-winning Best Picture, “The Shape of Water.” His fairy tale-esque films often explore the darkest parts of human nature. The A-list cast is exceptional, and while I found watching the ugliest aspects of humanity on full display disturbing, I still deeply admired the masterful direction and excellent performances.

There are some years I have intense opinions about who should take home the coveted gold statue. Perhaps this pandemic year has mellowed me a bit as I find myself less invested in this year’s nominees. Having said that, if I could cast the winning ballot for any one Oscar, it would be for Andrew Garfield’s performance as Jonathan Larson in “Tick, Tick…Boom!” Are you listening, members of the Academy?

For further consideration, the following films are considered contenders for a Best Picture nomination:

“Being the Ricardos” (Amazon Prime)
“House of Gucci” (theatrical release)
“Tick, Tick…Boom!” (Netflix)
“The Lost Daughter” (Netflix)
“The Tender Bar” (Netflix)
“The French Dispatch” (theatrical release)
“C’mon C’mon” (available for purchase on streaming platforms)

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“GRANNY NANNY” (2020)

Submitted by CINDY PETERS DUZI. Streaming on multiple platforms, including Amazon Prime.

For many, retirement offers an exciting new chapter in life, while others face an overwhelming sense of ennui. Karin, Gerhard, and Philippa never imagined they would find themselves feeling useless and even worse, old. Karin’s husband is more interested in his model trains than his wife and can’t imagine spending money on travel when he could buy two chair lifts for their home. Gerhard is a bit of a curmudgeon, a trait only emphasized when his husband dies. And Philippa is the bohemian free spirit, hiding her pain beneath her carefree approach to life.

When Philippa enlists Karin and Gerhard to become granny nannies to families with young children, all three encounter situations fraught with discord. Helicopter parents, complex family dynamics, and hyperactive children require determination and a large dose of love from each of our characters. The scenarios that unfold are equal parts hilarious, tender and painful, but the growth we witness confirms the idea it is never too late to build a life filled with purpose and joy.

With myriad streaming platforms available, it can be a struggle to choose a film to watch. So much of what is out there is mired in conflict, violence, and darkness; it can be a relief and a pleasure to watch a simple film that focuses on human relationships. Granny Nanny is available for a minimal rental fee on streaming platforms. In German with English subtitles.

A retired high school English teacher, Cindy Peters Duzi serves on the Filmworks board as venue director. She blogs about current cinema on her INSTAGRAM.

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Our “Streaming Surprises” series calls attention to good movies new and old that our board members are watching. Titles are available from various streaming services.

“HAPPY OLD YEAR” (2019)

Submitted by CINDY PETERS DUZI. Streaming on Netflix.

Jean has been living and working as an interior designer in Sweden for the past three years. Her focus is on minimalism, a simple aesthetic she compares to Buddhist philosophy. She returns to her family home in Bangkok where her mother and brother still live, determined to tackle its cluttered interior in an effort to create an office space for her design work. She initially meets with apathy from her brother, although after reading Marie Kondo’s book and watching her television show “Tidying Up” he is inspired to say thank you and goodbye to possessions that no longer spark joy for him. However, Jean’s mother, who is damaged and angry from her husband’s abandonment of their family, remains resolute that nothing in their home be thrown away. Her refusal to make any changes to her life prevents her from moving past her pain to find happiness. Like her mother, Jean also suffers from the hurt of her father’s desertion. Her cold, academic outlook on life is simply a cover for her suffering. Is Jean Thailand’s emissary to the Kondo approach of letting go, or has she simply found a way to shut herself off from human emotion? As with many good films, we are not offered a tidy ending, but we are given much to consider. Facing pain and learning to let go is an integral part of the human experience, and this contemplative film from Thailand beautifully expresses both the heartache and release that come with confronting our feelings.

“MY HAPPY FAMILY” (2017)

Submitted by CINDY PETERS DUZI. Streaming on Netflix.

As in many cultures, it is common in Georgian society for multi-generational families to live under one roof. Manana lives in tight quarters with her husband, her parents, and her adult children. We watch her drowning beneath the expectations others have for her: wife, daughter, mother. Her husband appears disinterested in her life, her mother is critical of her behavior, her children are self-absorbed and unproductive, and her extended family members are a constant annoying presence in her life. Early in the film we see Manana choose to eat a piece of cake, while her mother harps on her to first eat her dinner. She is denied the right to enjoy small pleasures peacefully and is even pressured to celebrate a birthday she would prefer to ignore. Manana unravels before our eyes, and one day quietly and calmly packs a suitcase and tells her family she has rented her own apartment. This is a pivotal moment in the film, fraught with her emotion and internal anguish. Who hasn’t experienced even brief moments when they are desperate to escape the often-overwhelming weight of relationship and family obligations? Manana settles quietly and comfortably into her new life, yet she never manages to extricate herself from her family’s needs or problems. Her attempt to take back her own life falters, yet she refuses to give up on her vision for her future. Many would argue she has no right to live a solitary life, that her duty to her family should take precedence over her own happiness. The film offers us no answers to this dilemma, because the solution comes down to personal choice. How Manana will choose to live out her life remains ambiguous, which imbues the film with an intense honesty and palpable sense of melancholy.

A retired high school English teacher, Cindy Peters Duzi serves on the Filmworks board as venue director. She blogs about current cinema on her INSTAGRAM.

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Fresno Filmworks is an exhibition partner in California Film Institute Education’s National Teen Film Club. In February, CFI sought organizations looking to connect high school students with independent film in unique ways by establishing a first-of-its-kind national monthly film club. After the success of our past youth “Silence Your Cellphone” and “I Heart Film” shorts contests locally, we were naturally interested in partnering in this national pilot program.

Through its longstanding relationship with Sunnyside High School Video Production Academy, Filmworks enlisted five students to participate in the Film Club. These local students join 35 others from across the country who are passionate about cinema to access and engage with exclusive content and industry organizations and professionals so that the students are introduced to networking and vocation opportunities in the industry. We look forward to introducing you to the local students participating in the National Teen Film Club soon.

As an exhibition partner in the National Teen Film Club, Fresno Filmworks will curate two narrative features during the 10-month program, including one selection in coordination with the 2021 Fresno Filmworks Film Festival. We are excited about the 16th annual festival coming back in 2021. Look out for announcements on how the National Teen Film Club will be incorporated into the festival.

The nonprofit California Film Institute celebrates and promotes film as art and education through year-round programming at the nonprofit independent Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, presentation of the acclaimed Mill Valley Film Festival and DOCLANDS Documentary Film Festival, and cultivation of the next generation of filmmakers and through audiences through CFI Education programs.

Through innovative educational programs, workshops, and screenings, CFI Education touches the lives of over 6,500 children annually through a broad range of activities, ranging from Q&A sessions with top international filmmakers to hands-on seminars with industry professionals. CFI Education promotes tolerance and a sophisticated world view by expanding classroom topics across borders and disciplines.

In addition to Fresno Filmworks, the regional film organizations collaborating with CFI Education include:

• Belcourt Theatre – Nashville, TN
• Cinema Arts – Huntington, NY
• Facets – Chicago, IL
• Images Cinema – Williamstown, MA
• Kan-Kan Cinema – Indianapolis, IN
• Milwaukee Film – Milwaukee, WI
• North Carolina Museum of Art – Raleigh, NC

Once a month, participating students ages 14–18 from around the country get exclusive, free online access to an independent film curated by one of the participating film organizations. After viewing the film, they all come together online for a live, moderated weekend discussion focused on creative interpretation and critical analysis of the film.

Program Objectives

• Build a national cohort of students passionate about cinema and provide a consistent space for them to interact with each other.
• Give students the opportunity to access and engage with exclusive content.
• Cultivate critical film analysis and interpersonal communication skills crucial to students’ personal and professional development.
• Foster empathy and cultural awareness through the examination of characters and communities in film.
• Build community through the exchange of ideas among a diverse group of young film enthusiasts from around the country.
• Introduce students to different types of institutions and organizations dedicated to film exhibition and explore vocational opportunities in the industry.
• Demonstrate the importance of networking through consistent program participation as a means to professional development.

Rita Bell is president of the Fresno Filmworks board of directors.

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