Advanced Doc Lab Screening
It’s 6 pm and the sun is still beaming through the high arched windows of the Reel Works loft space. The young filmmakers of our Advanced Documentary Lab breathe nervous sighs in anticipation of the debut of their films. Family, friends, faculty, mentors, and industry partners flood the space.
The lights dim and the audience is taken on a roller coaster ride, starting with Denys and his film, Pursuit of Design, on the high energy world of fashion design and one designer’s quest to find success. Grace’s film is next, and she instantly grounds us with her story, The Art of Care. Alissa's film, Something Sewed, explores the Broadway costume design industry, and the inequality that exists. She both entertains and educates us about the work that still needs to be done for a more equal world. Jibeh follows, exploring the inner work we must do to find our own peace, and the journey of three women finding it through dance, in the striking and thoughtful film simply named Joy. The screening closes with the powerful story of an immigrant woman escaping an abusive relationship and finding the strength to provide her children an opportunity for success in Aldo’s film Zoila.
As the lights come up so does the sound of celebration and applause. The filmmakers rise and share their experiences. Grace shared her journey, filled with the joy, fear, challenge, and determination of finishing her film. “There were points where I didn’t think I’d finish it, but I knew I had to, and I’m so proud to tell the story of domestic works and their struggle for equal rights.”. Aldo spoke about the emotional experience of interviewing Zoila, “when she showed me the pictures, I felt very real, I felt like I was there.”
As the night came to a close folks were treated to a trailer for a mockumentary directed by Sayquan, who joined the lab and was inspired to create a narrative piece called Cancelled following an unaware social media influencer who has been shunned and cancelled online. We’re excited to share it at our Film Festival this fall.
