THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH
Documentary Night, 7 PM
ABSOLUTE ZERO (Alan Woodruff, Australia)
A documentary account of the grim and ironic death by freezing of a man trapped inside a refrigerated meat wagon. Only much later is it discovered that the refrigeration unit hadn't been operating during the time of his demise and that the temperature inside the wagon never fell below 68 degrees F.
SHIKASHIKA (Stephen Hyde, U.S.A.)
Filmed in the Peruvian Andes, this rhythmic portrait documentary reveals the process of making a colorful shaved ice called Shikashika. To make it, one family must journey afoot to the glacial apron of a mountain where they cut enormous blocks of ice with axe and bare hands...
WHAT I SEE WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES (Leslie Hope, Cambodia)
This short documentary looks at how several of Phnom Penh's 20,000 street kids are being helped by Mith Samlanh/FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL. The childrens' stories range from the simple wish of a young girl to have enough soap, to the bold dream of a teenage boy to help drug addicts kick their habit and find work. Much of the film is told through the life-sized self portraits the children draw of themselves- an art project inspired by the film's title.
PLOVERIZED (Will Goldenberg, U.S.A.)
Ploverized (2008) is a scientific documentary that provides a plover eye view of life in Northern California, with all the trials and triumphs of a vanishing shorebird and those that fight to save them. Facing habitat loss, nest predators and constant human disturbance, the story of the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is a case study in conservation biology that reveals a surprisingly close connection between everyday people and endangered species.
THE UNSEEN FACE OF AIDS IN ROMANIA (Audrey Nesbitt, Hungary)
In Romania between 1987 to 1991 thousands of children were infected with HIV through unscreened blood, blood products and the repeated use of contaminated needles by hospitals.. Thousands of these children have died but for the many that remain life is harsh and full of unwarranted hate and discrimination.
DEAR MICHAEL (Steve Gatlin, U.S.A.)
Michael Pritchard is a nationally acclaimed motivational speaker who blends his stand-up comedy background with real world experience as a probation officer to teach students about topics such as drug abuse, bullying, self esteem, peer pressure and more.
WHEN THE LIGHT'S RED (Keith Wilson, U.S.A.)
What do you do when a panhandler asks for money? Do you feel discomfort, compassion, contempt? WHEN THE LIGHT'S RED is a humorous and poignant look at the complex interaction between driver and intersection panhandler. It is an examination of privilege, power, reality, and the way in which these forces intersect inside our heads and outside our comfort zone.
HEALING WITH CHAD (Chad Johnson, U.S.A.)
Chad Johnson is a singer/songwriter/producer/videographer with a protruded disc in his neck forcing him to take 6 months off work to get it fixed. What happens when you mix a hatred for the 9 to 5 grind with a love for prescription medication? You get “Healing With Chad”, a soft-hitting belly laugh of a documentary made by one of Humboldt County’s preeminent talents. Watch Chad as he joyfully passes the time at home! See Chad bravely struggle through a touch and go hospital stay. Cheer for Chad as he returns to the studio triumphantly to improvise more funny songs!
KUNA NI NANANG: MY MOTHER SAID (Jessica Sison, U.S.A.)
In this day and age, when everything is documented and even cell phones have cameras, one woman has no souvenirs or photos of her beloved mother. Meet Elena Bautista, 99 years…YOUNG.
LATEST NEWS:
April 4:
Check out this year's Award Winners!
March 9:
Lori Petty, Ry Russo-Young, & Joaquin Alvarado announced as Guest Judges!
February 5:
Don't miss our final deadline for submissions, February 16!
November 23:
We are now accepting online submissions at withoutabox.com!
November 18:
Early "L.A. Time" deadline extended to December 15! See Submissions.