Welcome to Thin Line Virtual Fest!
Punta Sacra (100 min)
At the edge of Rome, at the mouth of the Tiber, the small district of Idroscalo di Ostia juts right out over the sea. The women who live there, such as Franca and her daughters, bear its stories, with the natural force of the site, between wild realism and popular imagination. This sacred point becomes a theatre for the resistance of a community that expresses its right to live there.
Proof (72 min)
Byrd Williams the Fourth is on a hero’s journey to preserve the past, bequeathed to him in the form of 400,000 photographs, cameras, letters and journals by his father, grandfather, great grandfather, and now by him. Four hundred years from now these images will need only to be held to the light to understand how we lived and died.
Operation Wolf Patrol (86 min)
"OPERATION WOLF PATROL," is a feature length documentary about eco-activist, Rod Coronado, and his attempt to end wolf hunting in the United States.
Over the course of three years we watch Rod work to redefine his activism in an era– post 9/11, where some have called him an “eco-terrorist.” The film comes to a climax when Coronado's "Wolf Patrol" is met with a tightening of "hunter harassment" laws that prohibit photography on public lands. Now Coronado has to ask himself is he willing to go back to prison to fight a law that some are calling "unconstitutional."
O Reflexo do Lago (Amazon Mirror) (79 min)
O REFLEXO DO LAGO (AMAZON MIRROR) reflects the societal impact of major industry, presenting a gentle exploration of the lives of the residents of Tucuruí, a beautiful region alongside the Amazon that has nonetheless been severely impacted by the building of a hydroelectric dam. In the polluted waters, the remains of dead trees serve as a bleak reminder of whole ecosystems long since lost. And yet, the river still flows on, as workers and their families invite Director Segtowick into their livelihoods and homes with warmth and generosity. The film is a patient testimony to resistance, as well as a sensational document of an environment in crisis.
My Darling Supermarket (80 min)
In the confined space of a supermarket, and in the midst of daily repetitive tasks, employees find ways of coping with the drudgeries of low-wage labor. They express their doubts and fears, and explore profound existential questions. Humor, drama, mystery, romance and quantum physics coexist alongside milk cartons, baked goods, bar codes and security cameras.
Mu and The Vanishing World (86 min)
Mu, a young Kayan woman from Myanmar, lives as a refugee and tourist attraction in Thailand. Determined to pursue freedom for herself and her baby, Mu ruptures ties with her tribe to resettle to the USA where she meets the challenges but begins to wonder where her world truly lies.
Missing in Brooks County (81 min)
Just 70 miles north of the Mexican-US border is a land haunted by ghosts. Brooks County, Texas is a barren landscape designed as a deterrent to illegal crossings, but people continue to attempt to cross, and many die trying. The municipality lacks the resources to properly deal with this sad reality, and the numbers keep rising. Multiple locals proffer contrasting opinions as two families search for their loved ones, and the toll of an unsustainable immigration policy is laid bare.
Kombinat (76 min)
Magnitogorsk is an industrial town, in the heart of Russia that lives in the shadow of its gigantic combine’s rusting smokestacks. Lena, a young mother, daughter of steel workers, teaches salsa, one of the many activities organized by the Kombinat. Sasha found a way to escape from the daily pressure in the steel plant. His Brother, Guenia, and his wife have decided to leave the town and its permanent pollution, the cause of their daughter’s mental handicap.
Help Is On The Way (90 min)
HELP IS ON THE WAY brings to the screen a busy training center in Indonesia preparing women to work overseas as domestic workers. Every year, hundreds of women like Sukma, Meri, Muji and Tari are recruited by local agents who are remunerated after successfully seeing their recruits enrolled and placed abroad. They are among the many women from rural areas aspiring to work in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. It is at times an emotional journey, but also funny, enlightening and a little competitive, offering a unique insight into a lifestyle not often seen on screen.
program
Paired with Feature Film, The Falconer The story of one man who changed the National Rifle Association (NRA) forever. Told through meticulously crafted archive, THE RIFLEMAN takes us into the life and trajectory of Harlon Carter, the leading force behind a coup who paved the way for the NRA’s staunch anti-regulation stance and unyielding influence in American politics.
Paired with Feature Film, The Falconer The story of one man who changed the National Rifle Association (NRA) forever. Told through meticulously crafted archive, THE RIFLEMAN takes us into the life and trajectory of Harlon Carter, the leading force behind a coup who paved the way for the NRA’s staunch anti-regulation stance and unyielding influence in American politics.
A lyrical portrait of an excommunicated Amish woodworker struggling with spirituality, poverty, and life as an outcast from his strict, insular community. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Changes," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
A lyrical portrait of an excommunicated Amish woodworker struggling with spirituality, poverty, and life as an outcast from his strict, insular community. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Changes," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
In 1982, when the Russian invasion of Afghanistan was at its peak, more than 1.5 million inhabitants had to move to Iran looking for a new life. Taghi, born in Iran, wants to escape the ruthless discriminations Afghans are subjected to on a daily basis. Against all odds, he decides to move back to the country of his parents. But unexpected challenges await there for him.
In 1982, when the Russian invasion of Afghanistan was at its peak, more than 1.5 million inhabitants had to move to Iran looking for a new life. Taghi, born in Iran, wants to escape the ruthless discriminations Afghans are subjected to on a daily basis. Against all odds, he decides to move back to the country of his parents. But unexpected challenges await there for him.
Lizbeth Mateo is an attorney in Los Angeles—one who started a law practice, hired four employees, and took an oath to uphold the U.S. constitution. She also has no legal options to stay in the country. Lizbeth is undocumented.
Since crossing the border at age 14, Lizbeth hasn’t let her immigration status hold her back. Frustrated by an unjust system, she’s drawing from her own experiences to fight for immigrant rights in the streets and in the courts.
Her latest client is Edith Espinal, a woman avoiding deportation by taking sanctuary in a church. As the months turn to years, Lizbeth is running out of legal options to help. Lizbeth returns to her activist roots and teaches Edith to fight back—because sometimes you need to ignore the law in order to change it.
This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Unstoppable," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
Lizbeth Mateo is an attorney in Los Angeles—one who started a law practice, hired four employees, and took an oath to uphold the U.S. constitution. She also has no legal options to stay in the country. Lizbeth is undocumented.
Since crossing the border at age 14, Lizbeth hasn’t let her immigration status hold her back. Frustrated by an unjust system, she’s drawing from her own experiences to fight for immigrant rights in the streets and in the courts.
Her latest client is Edith Espinal, a woman avoiding deportation by taking sanctuary in a church. As the months turn to years, Lizbeth is running out of legal options to help. Lizbeth returns to her activist roots and teaches Edith to fight back—because sometimes you need to ignore the law in order to change it.
This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Unstoppable," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
THE WATER WALKER is a short documentary, tracing the roots, passion and perseverance of climate activist Autumn Peltier. We follow her story as she prepares to speak at the United Nations. Autumn is an influential figure in the Indigenous and global youth-led environmental movement. In 2019, 14-year-old Autumn was named the chief water commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation, a position previously held by her late Great Aunt Josephine Mandamin, an elder and founding member of the water protectors movement. THE WATER WALKER is the first project from Seeing Red 6Nations. Seeing Red 6Nations is an Indigenous-owned media company, based on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Seeing Red 6Nations exists to amplify the voices and vision of established and emerging Indigenous storytellers… and to increase representation and cultural accuracy of Indigenous people in all forms of media. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Activist Portraits," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
THE WATER WALKER is a short documentary, tracing the roots, passion and perseverance of climate activist Autumn Peltier. We follow her story as she prepares to speak at the United Nations. Autumn is an influential figure in the Indigenous and global youth-led environmental movement. In 2019, 14-year-old Autumn was named the chief water commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation, a position previously held by her late Great Aunt Josephine Mandamin, an elder and founding member of the water protectors movement. THE WATER WALKER is the first project from Seeing Red 6Nations. Seeing Red 6Nations is an Indigenous-owned media company, based on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Seeing Red 6Nations exists to amplify the voices and vision of established and emerging Indigenous storytellers… and to increase representation and cultural accuracy of Indigenous people in all forms of media. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Activist Portraits," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
Runner and advocate Faith E. Briggs used to run through the streets of Brooklyn every morning. Now, she’s running 150 miles through three U.S. National Monuments that lay in the thick of the controversy around public lands. Accompanied by running companions who represent diverse perspectives in what it means to be a public land owner, she assesses what is at stake if previously protected lands are reduced and if the public is largely unaware. THIS LAND is a story about land access told through a journey of inclusion and empowerment. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Unstoppable," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
Runner and advocate Faith E. Briggs used to run through the streets of Brooklyn every morning. Now, she’s running 150 miles through three U.S. National Monuments that lay in the thick of the controversy around public lands. Accompanied by running companions who represent diverse perspectives in what it means to be a public land owner, she assesses what is at stake if previously protected lands are reduced and if the public is largely unaware. THIS LAND is a story about land access told through a journey of inclusion and empowerment. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Unstoppable," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
A musician and his band in Denton, Texas navigate uncharted territory as they struggle to produce music and art during the Covid-19 quarantine of 2020.
A musician and his band in Denton, Texas navigate uncharted territory as they struggle to produce music and art during the Covid-19 quarantine of 2020.
In a universe where cool kids are nerds, the orchestra is world class and being Asian American is the norm, seniors at Lowell High School compete for the top prize: admission to the college of their dreams.
In a universe where cool kids are nerds, the orchestra is world class and being Asian American is the norm, seniors at Lowell High School compete for the top prize: admission to the college of their dreams.
“We are as gods and might as well get good at it,” Stewart Brand wrote in ‘68. The legendary pioneer of LSD, cyberspace, futurism, and modern environmentalism now urges people to use our god-like powers to fight extinction by reviving lost species.
“We are as gods and might as well get good at it,” Stewart Brand wrote in ‘68. The legendary pioneer of LSD, cyberspace, futurism, and modern environmentalism now urges people to use our god-like powers to fight extinction by reviving lost species.
Imagine upending the traditional energy system and giving the power of clean electricity production back to your neighbors. WE THE POWER follows friends, families and visionaries as they break down legislative barriers and take power back from big energy companies to put it in the hands of locals and strengthen their towns. The film chronicles local cooperatives from deep in Germany’s Black Forest to the streets of ancient Girona in Spain and the urban rooftops of London, England, as they pave the way for a renewable energy revolution and build healthier, financially stable communities. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Fossil Fables," which begins at the dates and times listed here.
Imagine upending the traditional energy system and giving the power of clean electricity production back to your neighbors. WE THE POWER follows friends, families and visionaries as they break down legislative barriers and take power back from big energy companies to put it in the hands of locals and strengthen their towns. The film chronicles local cooperatives from deep in Germany’s Black Forest to the streets of ancient Girona in Spain and the urban rooftops of London, England, as they pave the way for a renewable energy revolution and build healthier, financially stable communities. This film screens as part of the shorts program, "Fossil Fables," which begins at the dates and times listed here.