Reel Works Film Festival
The Reel Works Film Festival featured 42 short films created by the next generation of exciting young filmmakers!
Narrative Lab
How Will We Grow
by Anise Atwell-Hudson
Alda and Inez strengthen their bond by facing the challenges of growing up and rediscovering the magic of sisterhood.
Run Time: 10:02
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Home
by Elyjah Logan
A new discovery challenges a friendship at the crossroads of change.
Run Time: 10:30
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Fluorescence
by Kya A. Nelson
Desdemona is a young teenage girl who lacks confidence due to her rocky relationship with her mother. It isn't until Des meets a young photographer, Sol, that she truly learns to stand up to her mother.
Run Time: 10:55
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
TENDER
by Wesley Chessa-Forman
A young man enters a butcher shop and finds that there is more there than he can stomach.
Run Time: 12:03
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Chronophobia
by Benjamin Baker Singh
Sydney, a young adult, who spitefully moves out of his mom’s house, realizes that embracing adulthood is much harder than he anticipated.
Run Time: 13:02
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Adults are Talking
by Eva Tikhomirova
A young boy named Charlie decides to grow up so he can finally impress his older brother.
Run Time: 8:02
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Afflicted
by Vinny Hunter
A pair of friends find themselves in a tense conversation after one of them commits a crime.
Run Time: 7:24
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
A Letter To The Mayor (给市长的一封信)
by Zhihui Chen
A Chinese teenager faced with racism during the Covid-19 pandemic must decide whether to continue to suffer in silence, or to speak out.
Run Time: 11:45
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Narrative Fellows
The Veil
Directed By Ahamed Diallo
The Veil follows an African-American male who has visions of masked people that force him to stand up for himself, as he navigates a new job, and the microaggressions he faces.
Run Time: 17:47
Sunday, November 19th, Silas Theater
The Shidduch Crisis
Directed By Chaya Gurkov
An orthodox Jewish girl has second thoughts about an early arranged marriage.
Run Time: 24:38
Sunday, November 19th, Silas Theater
Many Worlds
Directed By Cameron Rodriguez
Charlotte, a Princeton professor needs her new curriculum, Many Worlds, approved, but is struggling to convey her ideas to the college board.
Run Time: 8:00
Sunday, November 19th, Silas Theater
Glitter
Directed By Maya Velazquez
When a nerdy autistic teen throws a Halloween party in hopes of reconnecting with an old friend, they’re instead met with micro aggressions and must make a choice: rekindle an old relationship or learn to embrace themselves.
Run Time: 13:59
Sunday, November 19th, Silas Theater
Documentary Lab
Animating Life: A Story of Stop-Motion
by Calliope Daoundakis
This animated short shows the value in stop-motion animation.
Run Time: 6:09
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
¡VLMPR!
by Leandra Ramos
This piece explores Puerto Rico's culture, history, and fashion.
Run Time: 5:11
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
Kirkpatrick and the Civil Rights Movement
by Ella Caroleo
This film explores organizations such as the Black Panthers and the Deacons for Defense and Justice. It also looks at protests against peaceful protesting and the violence that protesters endured.
Run Time: 8:10
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
A Talk in the Park
by Raven Santos
This documentary shows Raven Santos’ efforts at trying to talk to people in Central Park.
Run time: 9:39
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
Documentary Fellows
If It Doesn't Make Dollars It Doesn't Make Cents
by Amya Williams
As Generation Z enters the workplace, they contemplate ways their generation can revolutionize traditional labor expectations.
Run Time: 7:34
Sunday, November 19th, Silas Theater
Our Journey
by Chelsea Marius
A Lucian teenager explores her identity, and the misconceptions that come from living there.
Run Time: 8:11
Sunday, November 19th, Silas Theater
Supported Summer Lab
Life in NYC
by Abdul-Jabbar Adulai
Abdul-Jabbar Adulai's original short film Life in NYC showcases the excitement of Reel Works' 2023 Supported Summer Lab. This immersive film highlights the afternoon field trip to the Bronx Aquarium.
Run Time: 2:07
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
540
by Haochen Huang
In this experimental film, Haocheng Huang's 540 captures the stillness of everyday life, blending elements of nature, offices, and public space.
Run Time: 3:25
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Dopeamine
by Michael Rezza-Castellanos
Dopeamine is an original short film from Micheal Rezza-Castellanos' which reflects on special memories from Reel Works' 2023 Supported Summer Lab. The piece draws on a day at the aquarium and the friendships that emerged throughout the journey.
Run Time: 11:04
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Somethin' About That Yaari
by Tori Evans
Tori Evans' Somethin' About That Yaari is an engaging short film by Tori Evans.The quirky comedy reflects on students' shared relationships and experiences as they unpack critical questions like handling NYC's rat population, while speculating on whether their teacher Yaari, is disappearing kids.
Run Time: 6:02
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Going to Little Island
by Ashley Conde-Lopez
Ashley Conde Lopez's Going to Little Island is an original short film asking 'Where do New Yorkers go when it rains?' The film grapples with the difficulties of navigating public spaces and making new plans.
Run Time: 12:32
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Sherlock Holmes in the 21st Century
by Isaiah Fraser
Sherlock Holmes in the 21st Century by Isaiah Fraser shows the exciting journey of Holmes and Watson as they embark on a life-changing investigation. The film was made in part by Reel Works' 2023 Supported Summer Lab.
Run Time: 6:48
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Across the Movie References
by Phoenix Purnell
Across the Movie References by Phoenix Purnell is an aquatic exploration of key characters from acclaimed films. Purnell draws similarities between returning characters and tropes from movies about the deep blue sea.
Run Time: 8:21
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Saheed’s Film
by Saheed Morrison
Saheed's Film is an interactive compilation of beautiful imagery, heralding New York city in all its glory.
Run Time: 2:31
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Reel Works in Schools
Still I Rise
by Brooklyn Collaborative Studies Students
Still I Rise showcases the diversity and beauty of Black culture. This short film was created by students of Brooklyn Collaborative Studies.
Run Time: 6:02
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
The Optimal Route for The Subway Bandit
by Gotham Scholars Students
Gotham Scholars Students examine the NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority through this short documentary. The Optimal Route for the Subway Bandit sheds light on its history, safety, and future.
Run Time: 7:49
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Youth Justice Network
by Students of Bronx International High School - Summer Youth Employment Program
Youth Justice Network captures the untold stories of the Summer Youth Employment Program. The short film shares the unique history of Harlem's Youth Justice Network and its impact.
Run Time: 5:30
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
Environmental Change in the Bronx
by Fannie Lou Hamer - Summer Youth Employment Program Students
In this short documentary, Fannie Lou Hamer, Freedom High School students explore their home community of The Bronx and the environmental changes it is experiencing.
Run Time: 2:54
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
The Stop-Motion Animation Project
by Millennium High School Students
Millennium High School students channel their creativity and storytelling to express themselves in this stop-motion animation film.
Run Time: 5:22
Sunday, November 19th, Beatrice Theater
External Submissions
Broken Tech
by Eva Tikhomirova
Broken Tech is a documentary focusing on the mental health of students in a specialized school in Brooklyn.
This short documentary was created in support of the Reel Works Doc Lab, in 2021.
Run Time: 9:38
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
Dinner with Demons
by Liberty Joy
Dinner with Demons follows the story of Elora, a young woman struggling with her own addiction and the guilt she feels about her father's addiction and its impact on her family.
Run Time: 6:42
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Bigger
by Melissa Morales
A coming-of-age story that revolves around Elena, a Latina teen dealing with body image, living in a dysfunctional Latinx household, and finding her own voice and following her dreams amid it all.
Run Time: 13:28
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Tfaddalu
by Saara Al-Sawah
Saara Al-Sawah’s documentary short, Tfaddalu, explores the historical Middle Eastern community in Brooklyn.
Run Time: 12:16
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
Economy Candy
by Tasnuva Shehrin
Economy Candy chronicles Tasnuva Sherhrin's experience watching her neighborhood of LES evolve. This documentary short unpacks what it means to call a neighborhood home—highlighting familiarity's importance in establishing community.
Run Time: 3:50
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
In Ewigkeit
by Helsen Sanabia
In Ewigkeit is a documentary about underground tattoo artists in NYC.
Run Time: 8:30
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
Snow Bunnies Never
by Louis Straker
Snow Bunnies Never is an emotionally charged drama that delves into the complexities of interracial relationships, Black excellence, and the pursuit of self-autonomy. The film follows Noah, a college student, as he introduces his White girlfriend, Brittany, to his Black family during a tense Thanksgiving dinner.
Run Time: 13:27
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Leftovers
by Pacqui Pascual
After the death of her struggling artist father, Jane is left only with his ashes. When his art gains popularity posthumously, she gets nothing, until a wealthy art collector offers to purchase his remains.
Run Time: 11:14
Saturday, November 18th, Silas Theater
Chomchom
by Sanjona Arzan
Chomchom is a short documentary about a delicious dessert which originated in Tangail, a small town in Bangladesh.
Run Time: 8:48
Saturday, November 18th, Beatrice Theater
Film Festival Jurors
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter
Chris Rosen, Gold Derby
David Edelstein
Greg Boustead, Executive Producer, Sandbox Films
Jordan Raup, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Film Stage
Roger Mancusi, Film Producer
Patricia Dicerto, Filmmaker
Matt McDonald
Our Sponsors
Thanks for supporting the 2023 Film Festival.
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Sponsor Reel Works Film Festival
We offer a variety of sponsorship packages to meet your needs and budget.
Investing in the Future: $1,000
Rolling Out the Red Carpet: $2,500
Ready for My Close-Up: $5,000
Diamond: $10,000
Presenting: $15,000+
Contact us for more information about supporting this initiative.
The film festival includes reserved accessible seating, wheelchair access, and advance access to the theater. Please feel free to contact us or let us know if you require any accommodations.