2020

I Might Have Had a Chance is about Noah Chevere, a 28-year-old addict in recovery from Rochester, New York. His story centers around recovery but touches on universal themes of grief, independence, and shame.

This short documentary follows U.S. Army veteran Steve Bunch as he tries a program in New York designed to help him recover from the mental effects of his service by partnering him with a wild horse from Nevada. Finding Liberty tells the story of how they must work to find trust in one another in order to overcome the things they both carry.

Second Chances shares the story of a young man’s (Darrien Cook) journey to Improvement. While living in Baltimore, Maryland, he found himself wrapped up with crime and, subsequently, a Juvenile record. Darrien completed his sentence at Silver Oak Academy, an Alternative High School for adjudicated youth. Through the guidance of the facility and staff, he finds his path to success.

This short documentary focuses on special education in the Rochester City School District, telling the story of Marquis Wright and his family. Marquis is a special education teacher whose son, Matthew, is on the autism spectrum. Marquis and his wife, Megan, have been able to get Matthew the services he needs in school, but it is a difficult process for many families. As teachers, Marquis and staff members throughout the district, have worked hard to support their students as best they can in the midst of a major budget crisis which has resulted in mid-year layoffs.

Two Worlds follows the journey of a Russian-American family, the Knutzens, as they travel from their home in Moscow to the U.S. so that their adopted children might obtain dual citizenship.

Carli Porretta, a 24 years old adult diagnosed with Epilepsy, continues to work at Holy Childhood school where she used to attend as a student while striving for independence at home.

Hallowed Ground is a short documentary about two student orators, Tian Stephens and Anastajia Charley, learning the words of Frederick Douglass as they navigate issues of racism that shaped Douglass's life and work. The story is told through the students’ participation in a national oratorical contest while exploring their different educational experience. Seeing today’s students giving voice to yesterday’s words draws attention to how the contemporary United States is still engaging many of the same issues Douglass was fighting against.