Schedule

September 15, 2023

3:00 - 5:00 PM : YES Awards - The Screening Room

Screening Room Filter events by "Screening Room" ,YES AWARD 2023 The YES Award of the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival showcases the works of current and recent graduate filmmakers and media arts majors from some of this country’s esteemed higher education institutions. This free event at The Screening Room on Friday, September 15, @ 3:00 pm features five short films by aspiring young filmmakers and one by a high school student, followed by a Q & A with filmmakers. The first prize of $1,000 is sponsored by Dietz & Lyn.

7:30 - 9:07 PM : 32 Sounds - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" ,Includes access to pre-screening reception with cash bar starting at 6:30pm EST and a post-screening Q&A with the filmmaker. | An immersive documentary and profound sensory experience from filmmaker Sam Green that explores the elemental phenomenon of sound. The film is a meditation on the power of sound to bend time, cross borders, and profoundly shape our perception of the world around us.

September 16, 2023

9:30 - 11:03 AM : Shorts Package: Good Eyes - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" , What do we mean when we compliment someone for having a "good eye"? In WHO'S CALLING ME AT 2 A.M.?, a diver reveals an uncanny knack for recovering precious items lost in the ocean. KINGDOME introduces us to Terry "Huncho" Cooper, who has been a mentor and role model in Harlem for nearly 40 years with his legendary basketball tournament. THE BUS SAVIOR is the sweet story of Amit Shahar, an Israeli man who collects old buses - a compunction rooted in a vivid childhood memory. And THE ART WHISPE.

9:30 - 10:54 AM : Kim's Video - The Screening Room

Screening RoomFilter events by "Screening Room" , In a playful documentary, filmmaker David Redmon embarks on a cinematic quest to uncover a legendary video collection of 55,000 movies in Sicily. Previously housed at New York City's Kim's Video, the collection was donated to a small Italian village but then vanished from sight. Redmon's journey blends cine-essay, investigative nonfiction, and experimental cinema as he explores the mysteries of the lost archive. Inspired by his own film education at Kim's Video, Redmon's ode to cinema captures.

11:30 AM - 12:43 PM : Shorts Package: Civics Lessons - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" , At a time when some officials are seeking to rewrite history, we could all use a refresher on citizenship. In Pennsylvania, a group of tribal leaders meet to heal past wounds and keep a culture alive. In Alaska, a broad coalition of activists come together to address the problem of food insecurity. And on Capitol Hill, women who work in the halls of Congress cross the party divide to share a private space for nursing mothers. Two more short films look back to the 1970s and '80s, when one forme.

11:30 AM - 12:55 PM : In Search of Bengali Harlem - The Screening Room

Screening RoomFilter events by "Screening Room" ,"In Search of Bengali Harlem" traces Alaudin Ullah's quest to unearth the untold stories of his parents, Bengali Muslim immigrants in 1980s Harlem. Swept up in early hip-hop's revolutionary energy, he turned away from his cultural roots. Now an actor and playwright in post-9/11 America, Alaudin seeks to understand his parents' lives and discovers their involvement in a forgotten history. Unraveling the past leads him from the streets of New York to Bangladeshi villages, unveiling the rich inter.

1:30 - 2:34 PM : Never Be A Punching Bag for Nobody - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" An affecting portrait of an East Boston boxing gym and the forgotten history of its surrounding neighborhood, alongside an exploration of indie rock musician Naomi Yang’s own fraught family history.


1:30 - 3:00 PM : Work in Progress - Newburyport Public Library

Newburyport Public LibraryFilter events by "Newburyport Public Library", This year's Work-in-Progress session will feature a preview of BROKEN, a forthcoming documentary from Bill Lichtenstein, the Peabody Award-winning broadcast journalist who brought us a special screening of his very successful previous film, WBCN AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, in 2019. Featuring the investigative work of Brooke Lewitas, a recent graduate of Boston University's School of Journalism, BROKEN examines a child welfare system in dire need of reform. More than 400,000 children annual.

1:30 - 2:47 PM : Hummingbirds - The Screening Room

Screening RoomFilter events by "Screening Room" ,"Hummingbirds" captures the lives of best friends Silvia and Beba in Laredo, Texas, where they navigate the constant threat of deportation amid an uncertain immigration process. The film portrays their familiar hang-out spots as they confront the stresses of survival, contemplate the future, and build a sense of community. Amid a politically divided America, they engage in protest actions for legal abortion and against border control abuses. In the dusky half-light, poetry, dreams, and creative...

3:15 - 4:48 PM : Brief Tender Light - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" ,"Brief Tender Light" documents the inspiring stories of four African students at MIT, who are determined to bring positive change to Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Over nearly a decade, the film intimately captures their challenges, growth, and dilemmas. As they pursue education and dreams on two continents, they must reconcile their teenage ideals with the realities they encounter about the world and themselves. The documentary showcases the quest for knowledge, cultural identity, an.

3:15 - 4:33 PM : The Only Doctor - The Screening Room

Screening RoomFilter events by "Screening Room" , Dr. Karen Kinsell has been the only physician in Clay County, Georgia, a poverty-stricken rural area, for 15 years. Working without pay, she struggles to keep her clinic open, knowing she's the only healthcare option for many residents. A potential partnership with a medical school seems promising, but conflicting motives threaten its success. With the arrival of Covid-19, her medical practice faces further strain. However, amid uncertainty, unexpected opportunities emerge, offering hope and a.

7:30 - 9:12 PM : Immediate Family - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" , Sponsored by : Dyno Records Includes access to pre-screening reception with cash bar starting at 6:30pm EST and a post-screening Q&A with the filmmaker. | A captivating documentary portraying a group of close friends who evolved into a studio band, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene of the 1970s. Following in the footsteps of the '60s session icons known as the Wrecking Crew, these musicians supported renowned artists including James Taylor, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt.

September 17, 2023

9:30 - 11:11 AM : Riders on the Storm - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse" , "Riders on the Storm" chronicles Khaiber Akbarzada's journey as an Afghan Buzkashi player during a pivotal moment in his country's history. On his way to becoming the best in the sport, he faces the dangers of fame and violence amid the Taliban's resurgence and the withdrawal of US forces. Forced into hiding to escape militants targeting influential figures, Khaiber must confront life-altering choices that test his convictions and reveal the blurred lines between war, politics, and sport in Afg...

11:30 AM - 1:02 PM : The Abortion Talks - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse", "The Abortion Talks" delves into the aftermath of John Salvi's crimes, trial, and murder, intertwining the stories of six resilient women who were prominent figures in the pro-life and pro-choice movements. Led by Essential Partners co-founder Laura R. Chasin and mediator Susan Podziba, these leaders engaged in clandestine meetings for six years. This experience transformed their communication and led to cross-partisan collaboration, ultimately preventing future violence despite their ongoing d...

11:30 AM - 12:57 PM : Torched - The Screening Room

Screening RoomFilter events by "Screening Room", "Torched" follows the determined Austin Torch, a group of women/non-binary athletes, as they strive to legitimize and professionalize their fringe sport of Ultimate Frisbee. Battling in a historically male-dominated sports industry, the team's dedication to community initiatives matches their on-field performance. Despite numerous setbacks they persevere, from the team's inception in 2018 to a challenging 2023 season. The documentary highlights individual struggles and triumphs, from a new moth.

1:30 - 2:58 PM : Acting Like Nothing is Wrong - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse", Delves into the life of Hollywood character actor Jim Hoffmaster, who, despite a seemingly flourishing career, grapples with personal and professional challenges. From a difficult, abusive upbringing in foster care to finding solace in acting, the film explores universal questions about overcoming traumas and the use of coping mechanisms. It sheds light on mental health issues, portraying glimmers of hope and moments of amusement that are crucial elements in Jim's journey of healing and self-di.

1:30 - 2:42 PM : Shorts Package: What We Leave Behind - The Screening Room

Screening RoomFilter events by "Screening Room",For an artist, the work is a gift to the world, and also a psychological counterpunch to the inevitable passage of time. In Boston, an accomplished graffiti artist creates impressive murals that give voice to the unheard. In Cuba, three of the country's most celebrated dancers leave the national company to form their own independent troupe. In Los Angeles, a former lawyer embarks on a mission to rectify the scarcity of Black musicians in professional orchestras. We'll end this block with WILL.

3:15 - 5:03 PM : The Gullspång Miracle - Firehouse Center for the Arts

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse", A divine premonition leads two sisters to buy an apartment in the small Swedish town of Gullspång. To their surprise, the seller looks identical to their older sister, who died by suicide 30 years earlier. What begins as an eerie story of family reunification soon becomes a Pandora's Box as all three women's lives spiral out of control.

3:15 - 4:43 PM : The High Rock

Screening Room Filter events by "Screening Room", Spanning decades and generations, "The High Rock" is a lyrical portrait of an unorthodox summer camp in the Sierras. It is an homage to childhood and our communal past in the wilderness.

6:00 - 7:36 PM : Sloane: A Jazz Singer - Firehouse Center for the Art

The FirehouseFilter events by "The Firehouse", Includes panel discussion with the filmmaker post screening, followed by access to a free reception with cash bar. | "Sloane: A Jazz Singer" delves into the life of jazz legend (and longtime Stoneham resident) Carol Sloane, from her rise as an overnight sensation in the 1960s, praised as "the greatest living jazz singer," to her struggles when the British Invasion of rock changed the music scene. Filmed days before her final live recording, and featuring rare archival footage and intimate m...

Date : September 15 - 17, 2023

Location : Firehouse Center For The Arts, 1 Market Square,Newburyport, MA 01950.

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