Arabella Martinez: San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Awards 2005

White Walls Say Nothing(es)

Buenos Aires is a complex, chaotic city. It has European style and a Latin American heart. It has oscillated between dictatorship and democracy for over a century, and its citizens have faced brutal oppression and economic disaster. Throughout all this, successive generations of activists and artists have taken to the streets of this city to express themselves through art. This has given the walls a powerful and symbolic role: they have become the city’s voice. This tradition of expression in public space, of art and activism interweaving, has made the streets of Buenos Aires into a riot of colour and communication, giving the world a lesson in how to make resistance beautiful.

The Clinic(en)

Amidst a devastating opioid epidemic, a needle exchange and free clinic operates in the shadows of Fresno, California.

Dark Matter(en)

World-renowned snowboarders Travis Rice and Elias Elhardt team up with legendary director Curt Morgan for a celebration of space and time filmed in the deep backcountry of Alaska, exclusively on location at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge.

We Will Meet in 1972 – In Dark and in Light(hu)

A television documentary about miners: the reality of their work versus how it is made to look and sound in the public sphere.

Birthing at Home(en)

Alexis is a 32-year-old white woman married to Alain, an African from Rwanda. This documentary focuses on Alexis giving birth in her parents home. As her parents and great-grandmother look on, a calm mid-wife delivers ten and a half pound Jazmine. The documentary is Interspersed with interviews with Alexis, her husband, Alexis' parents, the soon to be great-grandmother and the midwife.

Smoke Signals(en)

"Smoke Signals" follows the volunteers at High Point Lookout, one of the last remaining fire lookout towers in California. Alternating between the daily duties of the fire lookouts, and a series of profiles on wildfires that have traced their history, "Smoke Signals" questions the role of the fire lookouts in the face of rapidly advancing technology and climate change.

The Center Of The Universe(en)

The Center Of The Universe chronicles four days in the life of German climber Alexander Huber in Yosemite Valley, California. Living the typical Yosemite vagabond lifestyle, Alex reflects on his goal of successfully free-climbing "El Corazon" (35 pitches, 8a) on the famous El Capitan face, which is a combination of the historic routes "Salathé," "Albatross," "Son of Heart," and "Heart Route," connected by newly laid out sections. 35 challenging pitches, combining technicality, stamina, and commitment, with difficulty levels up to 8a. The film showcases the unique style of climbing in Yosemite, as well as a piece of history of the famous valley, narrated by Heinz Zak, Jim Bridwell, Lynn Hill, Alexander Huber, and Chongo Chuck themselves.

Daughters(en)

What does it mean to be your parents' daughter? - Being the protagonists of their own film, three filmmakers ask themselves this particular question. The setup: one camera, three settings and three encounters with at least one parent, discussing something so essential, it can hardly be put into words: at times brutally honest, at times lost for words, their encounter will show the difference in each child -parent experience as well as its impact on the individual. The artificial setting is opening up room for dialogues on family trauma, the fear of growing apart and the moral certainty that death will inevitably end the relationship.

Guide to a Midwest Hometown(en)

Coming back during Winter, Alex Powell explores both the places and personal connections found in his hometown and how they've changed. “Guide to a Midwest Hometown” explores what makes the barren places at home feel sentimental and special, and the good and bad feelings that come when being back home. Inspired by "How To With John Wilson".

The Judge(en)

A verité legal drama about Judge Kholoud Al-Faqih, the first woman appointed to a Shari'a court in the Middle East, whose career provides rare insights into both Islamic law and gendered justice.

Shanti Rides Shotgun(en)

On Manhattan's jam-packed streets, NYC's most iconic driving instructor prepares students for the road ahead.

The Irishman: In Conversation(en)

Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino in conversation about The Irishman.

Hilinski's Hope(en)

Seven months after the death of Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski, his parents cope with their grief and memories.

World War Chimp | The Brutal 1974 - 1978 Gombe Chimpanzee War: Documentary(en)

When chimps go to war...

ENCRUZILHADAS DO SOM(pt)

The documentary adresses the meaning of music and the musical diversity present in Umbanda (a Brazilian religion with afroindigenous roots). With interviews with four umbandistas from Fortaleza - Ceará, Crossroads of the Sound pays reverence to the enchanted dimension where the sounds cross each other to make the spirits dance.

Odd One Out(en)

'Odd One Out' is a 15 minute, short coming of age documentary, about the Head Designer & Co-owner of the OSCAR & BAFTA winning prosthetics, animatronics and creature design company, Odd Studios. In a sit down interview, Adam deep dives into his pathway to success. Stories from 'Farscape', the opening of Fox studios, to the stark reality of leading the mould shop in prosthetics at the age of 20, and the lessons he learnt along the way whilst creating his dream career. Taking inspiration from supernatural, sci-fi 90s classic films and monsters through the mind of a 10 year old in 1985, guided by the words of his 43 year old self in 2023. We explore how an 'odd one out' kid, feeling the pressure and disregard of society can become a pioneer for prosthetics and animatronics across Australia and Hollywood.

Quartiers sous tension(fr)

Born at Home(en)

The Born at Home documentary explores and uncovers the empowering journey of homebirth, shedding light on the often overlooked and misunderstood option that has transformed lives. Born at Home dives into real stories of women navigating birth trauma and examines how a shift in environment and informed choices can reshape the birthing experience. Wisdom is shared from homebirth families, interwoven with evidence-based information from midwives, medical professionals, doulas, researchers and maternity advocates.

Inside Look: Feud - Bette and Joan(en)

An inside look at the making of Feud: Bette and Joan.

Fuji(en)

A short documentary about the former judoka Marina and her Judo Club for People with Disabilities - "Fuji". Its brave members cope with all things Judo and real-life challenges, but always with a smile and the heart of a true judoka.