Section

Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

A juried competition that awards a $5,000 prize to a feature documentary that focuses on people working to make the world a better place and that inspires audience members and leaves them with a sense of hope for the future.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...