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Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

This spotlight shines on powerful documentaries that provide in-depth looks at important social, political, and cultural issues. Films like Ray of Hope and The Strike focus on stories of resilience, while Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea offers a poignant look at the intersection of art and war. The selected documentaries inspire viewers to think critically about the world around them, offering compelling narratives that inform and engage.

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

1001cuts

Film 1001cuts Directed by Sarah M Temkin “1001cuts” explores the careers of female surgeons who benefited from Title IX, a law that opened doors for...
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

13 Driver’s Licenses

Film 13 Driver’s Licenses Directed by Ryoya Terao The discovery of 13 confiscated driver’s licenses from 1938 leads a band of high-school students and their tenacious...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

23 Mile

Film 23 Mile Directed by Mitch McCabe 23 Mile chronicles cataclysmic events in Michigan throughout 2020–including the plot to kidnap governor Witmer. This experimental nonfiction...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

A Body Called Life

Film A Body Called Life Directed by Spencer MacDonald Jame seeks to understand his own place in the cosmos by delving into the hidden world of microscopic...
Asian Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

A Move

Film A Move Directed by Elahe Esmaili Elahe returns to her hometown in Mashhad, Iran, to help her parents move to a new place after...
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round

Film Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round Directed by Ilana Trachtman Follow the story of five Howard University students who sat on a carousel in 1960 and those who...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

All Things Metal

Film All Things Metal Directed by Motoki Otsuka In the Patterson brothers’ metal shop, they lead a double life: by day, crafting beautiful heirloom ironwork, and...
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Alok

Film Alok Directed by Alex Hedison Filmmaker Alex Hedison presents a compelling portrait of her friend, Alok Vaid-Menon, an acclaimed non-binary author, poet, comedian,...
Asian Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Amma’s Pride

Film Amma’s Pride Directed by Shiva Krish “Amma’s Pride” chronicles Valli’s trials and tribulations as she watches her trans daughter Srija, fall in love, marry,...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

An Extraordinary Place

Film An Extraordinary Place Directed by Tom Bell For those who crave a personal connection to music, this is the story of a quirky Maine radio...
Fine Arts Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

ANAGAMA

Film ANAGAMA Directed by Guillermo Asensio Born in Taiwan and raised in Scotland by her adoptive British parents, Chen su li (Nancy Fuller) is...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Shorts Competition

Anaïs

Film Anaïs Directed by Hélène Hadjiyianni At 32, Anaïs’s body is her weapon as much as her shield, to conquer the battle of life....
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Are You My Brother?

Film Are You My Brother? Directed by Daniel A. Nelson This story follows the filmmaker’s connection with Oscar Iglesias, a 47-year-old Puerto Rican tattoo artist in North Carolina,...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Bad Hostage

Film Bad Hostage Directed by Mimi Wilcox After being held hostage, the filmmaker’s grandmother shocked her small town by declaring she felt more threatened by...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Beer

Film Beer Directed by Milda Baginskaite In a charming Lithuanian village, a father and son’s delicate bond is tested as they carry on an...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Behind The Mask

Film Behind The Mask Directed by Håvard Bustnes This Documentary follows Abduweli, a Uyghurs refuge, as he must choose between shedding light on the genocide in...
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Bender Defenders

Film Bender Defenders Directed by Ira Putilova Four members of the queer martial arts club “Bender Defenders” in East London celebrate trans people in sports...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America

Black Table

Film Black Table Directed by Bill Mack, John Antonio James In 1993, the largest class of black students in Yale’s history arrive on campus, just as the country...
Cinema for Students Programs, Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Broken Flight

Film Broken Flight Directed by Erika Valenciana, Mitchell Wenkus Hundreds of bird species migrate through Chicago each year, but collisions with glass in skyscrapers pose a major...
Cinema for Students Programs, Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Capturing the Carbon

Film Capturing the Carbon Directed by Jack Winch, Janice Overbeck ​​Capturing the Carbon: A Journey to Net Zero follows host Rob Riggle, on a journey to learn about...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Center of Life

Film Center of Life Directed by Jacob Arenber The Israeli authorities question the authenticity of Wissam’s real life on his citizenship application leading to rejection. How...
Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Chasing Time

Film Chasing Time Directed by Jeff Orlowski-Yang, Sarah Keo Over the course of the 15-year Extreme Ice Survey project, photographer James Balog and his team brought some...
Cinema for Students Programs, Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Chouteau: Scenes from Below

Film Chouteau: Scenes from Below Directed by Nevin Dubinsky “Chouteau: Scenes from Below” delves into the lives of cavers who navigate tight spaces, jump across chasms, and...
Cinema for Students Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema, SLIFF/Kids Family Films

Concrete Jungle Gym

Film Concrete Jungle Gym Directed by Mike Gualdoni, Zach White Artist Bob Cassilly spent years saving and repurposing relics and treasures slated for demolition as cities across the...
Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus

Dancing On The Edge Of A Volcano

Film Dancing On The Edge Of A Volcano Directed by Cyril Aris After the devastating explosion on August 4th, 2020, in Beirut, a film crew faces a tough choice: continue...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

David Again

Film David Again Directed by Adam Elliott David Again tells the story of David Dennis, his road to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, and...
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Destined To Play: The Untold Story of Saudi Women’s Football

Film Destined To Play: The Untold Story of Saudi Women’s Football Directed by John Ford For the girls who dreamt of one day representing their nation and for the women who wouldn’t take...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

Di Sarno / On My Way To Where

Program Di Sarno / On My Way To Where Di Sarno–The story of Emilio’s Ballato tells the story of a magical and legendary Manhattan restaurant. On My...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Di Sarno- The story of Emilio’s Ballato

Film Di Sarno- The story of Emilio’s Ballato Directed by Johannes Kroemer, Lou Carvell Di Sarno–The story of Emilio’s Ballato tells the story of a magical and legendary Manhattan restaurant.
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Diane Warren: Relentless

Film Diane Warren: Relentless Directed by Bess Kargman Diane Warren: Relentless is an intimate Documentary exploring the life and career of prolific songwriter Diane Warren, known...
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Dimension of Absence

Film Dimension of Absence Directed by Sjors Swierstra Visual artist Aimée Zito Lema, who grew up under the shadow of Argentina’s violent past, uses her work...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Doom & Despair

Film Doom & Despair Directed by Jonathan Childs Follow Zach Gass as he attempts to ride one of the hardest bike-packing races in the country, Doom...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Dreamcaster

Film Dreamcaster Directed by William Maher From trying to fit into a sport-centric town to developing a passion for sports, Cameron Black, who is...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb

Film Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb Directed by Adrienne Hall, Mecky Creus The film chronicles Cuban-American artist Edel Rodriguez’s journey from his early life in Cuba to his rise to...
Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spanish-Language Focus

Emergent City

Film Emergent City Directed by Jay Arthur Sterrenberg, Kelly Anderson Emergent City chronicles a decade in a working class neighborhood at the edge of a changing Brooklyn. As...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Shorts Competition

Enfield: What Is Inherited

Film Enfield: What Is Inherited Directed by Angela N. Robinson, Naomi Despres The Documentary follows Mondale Robinson, the mayor of Enfield, North Carolina, who returns to his hometown to demonstrate...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Eternal Father

Film Eternal Father Directed by Ömer Sami Fearing he won’t see his children grow up, Nasar chooses to be cryogenically frozen after death, prompting his...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Expiration Date

Film Expiration Date Directed by Giles Perkins The end of an era looms as 4th-generation dairy farmer, Ned, nears a long overdue retirement.
Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Facing the Falls

Film Facing the Falls Directed by Celia Aniskovich Cara Elizabeth Yar Khan, suffering an aggressive, muscle-wasting disease, sets off with a team on a 12-day expedition...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Fallout

Film Fallout Directed by Madison Hill Fallout examines how the United States Military, in collusion with the private manufacturing industry, perpetuates the cycle of...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Far West

Film Far West Directed by Stephen Michael Simon Deep in the untamed landscapes of the “Far West” and devoid of all modern comforts, artist Lala delves...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Fierro

Film Fierro Directed by Edward Tyndall Richard Fierro, the Army veteran credited with stopping the Club Q mass shooter, recounts the life experiences that...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Follow the Sun

Film Follow the Sun Directed by Sybil Wendler Born in postwar Japan, Akemi never knew her American sailor father. At age 65, with the help of...
Cinema for Students Programs, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema

Forever Endeavor

Film Forever Endeavor Directed by Jonathan Hugh Mann, Mary Anne Rothberg Through the eyes of notable individuals and prominent figures, this movie takes a lighthearted look at life’s heavy...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Height of the kite

Film Height of the kite Directed by Amin Pakparvar, Mehraneh Salimian In a rural area of Balochistan, on the border of Iran and Pakistan, women can only sing in...
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Shorts Competition

How to Sue the Klan

Film How to Sue the Klan Directed by John Beder Learn the story of the five Black women and a young civil rights lawyer who took on the...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Humor Me

Film Humor Me Directed by Kaitlyn Calta A filmmaker challenges her unemployed father to try stand-up comedy. Will he flourish or flop?
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

(I’m Not) Your Negroni

Film (I’m Not) Your Negroni Directed by Antonio Tarrell Award-winning bartender Joseph “Joe” Stinchcomb stirs up the small town of Oxford, Mississippi when he launches a craft...
Asian Focus, Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Instruments of a Beating Heart

Film Instruments of a Beating Heart Directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki Ayame is determined to play a major part, the big drum, in herToyko public elementary’s first grade performance...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

It’s Not About Ketchup

Film It’s Not About Ketchup Directed by Nasser Saeed It’s Not About Ketchup is a Documentary about a couple facing a challenge in their relationship through the...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Little Potato

Film Little Potato Directed by Chen Chen This Documentary offers a poetic portrait of the film-maker’s grandmother, Shou Ai Xia, who suffers from dementia. It...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Masterpieces

Film Masterpieces Directed by Daniel Roman Hidalgo Artist Armando Flores presents a stunning museum-quality replica, showcasing the culmination of a lifetime of skill and craftsmanship.
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

More Than Brothers

Film More Than Brothers Directed by Andrea von Siebenthal Following the retreat of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban is now hunting down and killing...
Environmental Focus, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Moving Mountains

Film Moving Mountains Directed by Renko Douze Follow Walter Immerzeel and his team as they venture to the high peaks of the Himalayas, where few...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Shorts Competition

Mr. Troy

Film Mr. Troy Directed by Ken Gregory Mr. Troy is a Documentary chronicling Troy D. Brown’s extraordinary career as a world-renowned ballet dancer who overcame...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Murals

Film Murals Directed by Alex Topaller, Daniel Shapiro Using 3-D scanning, “Murals” gives viewers an opportunity to immersively experience the personal impact of the warfare and...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

My Father’s Name

Film My Father’s Name Directed by Susanna Styron When Lee Ed Frazier’s daughter, Jan, makes a shocking discovery about her father years after his death, she...
Fine Arts Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

My Missing Screw

Film My Missing Screw Directed by Nitsan Bar Tal In 1996, after a suicide attempt and recovery Raffael begins creating a symbolic 10-foot screw. As he recovers,...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Obsesión: My Song

Film Obsesión: My Song Directed by Catherine Murphy The Short Documentary explores Hip Hop Duo Obsesión, pioneers of Havana’s 1990s Hip Hop scene who used their...
American Indie Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

On My Way to Where

Film On My Way to Where Directed by Dianna Dilworth, Julia Greenberg On My Way to Where: A Documentary about Dory Previn, an influential 1970s cult singer-songwriter who famously goes...
American Indie Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Porcelain War

Film Porcelain War Directed by Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev Under roaring fighter jets and missile strikes, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey stay behind to fight, grappling...
Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

Ray of Hope

Film Ray of Hope Directed by Nikila Cole, Ryan Singh Ray of Hope follows Rathika Sitsabaiesan, a former Canadian MP who fled Sri Lanka’s conflict as a child,...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Reviving Eman

Film Reviving Eman Directed by Feras Awad Inspiring story of an Emirati paramedic whose career was unexpectedly terminated by a debilitating injury.
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Ripple

Film Ripple Directed by Michael McCourt Rae Ripple, a welder from the outskirts of West Texas, transforms neglected metal into works of art and...
Cinema for Students Programs, Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Rising Hope

Film Rising Hope Directed by Theo Avgerinos In this cinematic portrait of the forgotten Mississippi Delta, inspired citizens share vibrant testimonies of hope in the...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Romeo

Film Romeo Directed by Sara G. Cortijo Maria and Kevin, two teenagers, find themselves pregnant. Pulled in opposite directions by their families, they ultimately decide...
Environmental Focus, Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Searching for Amani

Film Searching for Amani Directed by Debra Aroko, Nicole Gormley A 13-year-old aspiring journalist investigates his father’s murder in Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancy. As a severe drought worsens,...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Shari & Lamb Chop

Film Shari & Lamb Chop Directed by Lisa D'Apolito Shari & Lamb Chop tells the inspiring story of Shari Lewis, a multi-talented woman who, despite being underestimated...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

She Marches in Chinatown

Film She Marches in Chinatown Directed by Della Chen She Marches in Chinatown is an inspiring story of the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, founded in...
Fine Arts Spotlight, Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Songs from the Hole

Film Songs from the Hole Directed by Contessa Gayles This Documentary tells the story of a 15 year old musician who took a life and then lost...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Space Coast

Film Space Coast Directed by Justin Barber People from around the world gather on the Space Coast to witness the launch of Artemis-1, the ‘World’s...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Stone Dead

Film Stone Dead Directed by Freddie Gluck Stone Dead explores the life of Rex, a reclusive marble sculptor in a small Colorado town, who lives...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Show-Me Cinema

Stone Feather

Film Stone Feather Directed by Justin Henley, Ose Enaholo An underground music collective, known for their electric performances in St. Louis, MO, has to find the courage...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Submarine

Film Submarine Directed by Oliwia Zakrzewska In Submarine, a single mother navigates the challenges of raising her 2-year-old son alone, from unsuccessful dating to...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Tahnaanooku’

Film Tahnaanooku’ Directed by Justin Deegan An artistic and emotional celebration of the environmental activism of Darlin Deegan and her efforts to protect the...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Ten Times Better

Film Ten Times Better Directed by Jennifer Rita Lin Driven by his refugee mother to excel in white America, George Lee, an 88-year-old blackjack dealer in Vegas,...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Action Man

Film The Action Man Directed by Eros Zhao A window into the life and work of piano technician Franco Skilan as he completes the restoration of...
Free Films, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

The Animal Thing

Film The Animal Thing Directed by Adam Linzey Through his filmmaker son’s lens, an intimate portrait of Animal Rights pioneer and theologian Andrew Linzey is revealed—a...
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Callers

Film The Callers Directed by Lindsey Dryden “The Callers” blends anonymous Documentary testimony with creative scenes to capture the experiences of those who have reached...
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The Calling

Film The Calling Directed by Asako Gladsjo “The Calling” tracks a diverse group of medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Castle

Film The Castle Directed by Chris Grubb, Stephen Williams The Castle is a Welsh folk story about an Afghan war veteran with PTSD who fought homelessness and...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

The Cinema Within

Film The Cinema Within Directed by Chad Freidrichs Have years of cinematic viewing led us to internalize the unnatural jumps between viewpoints crafted by film editors,...
Cinema for Students Programs, Free Films, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Women in Film Spotlight

The Debutantes

Film The Debutantes Directed by Contessa Gayles How does one come out into society in a way that honors and fosters a development of one’s...
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

The fishing boats of Kayar

Film The fishing boats of Kayar Directed by Álvaro Hernández Blanco After 15 years in Spain, Thimbo returns to his Senegalese fishing village, feeling nostalgic, disoriented, and frustrated. He...
Environmental Focus, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Last Observers

Film The Last Observers Directed by Maja Karlsson This is the story of the last remaining manual weather station in Sweden and the couple who operate...
Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The People’s Way

Film The People’s Way Directed by Ashley Tyner, William Taft Tyner Grappling with the impact of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, three community organizers, Jeanelle Austin, Toshira Garraway, and...
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Presidents’ Tailor – From Auschwitz to the White House

Film The Presidents’ Tailor – From Auschwitz to the White House Directed by Rick Minnich Martin Greenfield learned to sew while mending Gestapo shirts in Auschwitz, and went on to make suits for...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Queen Vs. Texas

Film The Queen Vs. Texas Directed by Emil Lozada, Raemonn James In the fight for social justice and freedom of artistic expression, a drag queen makes sure Texas clearly...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Solace Of Sisterhood

Film The Solace Of Sisterhood Directed by Anna Andersen, Geneva Peschka The Solace of Sisterhood follows the Caramel Curves, an all-Black female biker crew in New Orleans as they...
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

The Strike

Film The Strike Directed by JoeBill Muñoz, Lucas Guilkey The Strike is a Feature Documentary that tells the story of a generation of California men who endured...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Test

Film The Test Directed by Claudia Myers, Laura Waters Hinson With dreams of becoming an American citizen to provide a better life for his family he hasn’t seen...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Toros Bravos: Julián Cartas

Film Toros Bravos: Julián Cartas Directed by Jack LaCalle Set in central Mexico, “Toros Bravos: Julián Cartas” tells the story of a retired matador and showcases the...
Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, SLIFF/Kids Family Films, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Unearth

Film Unearth Directed by John Hunter Nolan After decades of battling to protect their homeland from North America’s largest open-pit copper mine, Yu’pik Alaskan sisters...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Voices

Film Voices Directed by Randy Field Sparked by the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade, residents of Rossmoor, a senior living...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

#WAY_Aurelio

Film #WAY_Aurelio Directed by Alan Rexroth With an image of society shaped by his smartphone, Aurelio sets out from Guatemala toward the U.S. on...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

We Ride For Her

Film We Ride For Her Directed by Katrina Lillian Sorrentino, Prairie Rose Seminole A group of Indigenous women motorcyclists rides to raise awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous...
International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Weree

Film Weree Directed by Tal Amiran Haunted by the horrors of the Liberian war, renowned self-taught artist Johnson Weree longs for a brighter future...
Fine Arts Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea

Film Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea Directed by Leslie Buchbinder The Movie Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a documentary about...
American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

What’s Next?

Film What’s Next? Directed by Taylor Taglianeti At 100 years old, Dr. Howard Tucker holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest practicing doctor....
Cinema for Students Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Where Is My Water Bottle

Film Where Is My Water Bottle Directed by Anxin Chen Hengheng can not find his water bottle and refuses to drink.
Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America

White With Fear

Film White With Fear Directed by Andrew Goldberg An explosive deep dive into the cynical, decades-long strategy of Republican politicians and conservative media to exploit America’s...
Cinema for Students Programs, Free Films, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, SLIFF/Kids Family Films, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Without Arrows

Film Without Arrows Directed by Elizabeth Day, Jonathan Olshefski Filmed over the course of thirteen years (2011-2023) Without Arros tells the story of Delwin Fiddler Jr.’s return...