Nothing to See Here: Watts – Michael Soenen
Michael Soenen (USA), Nothing to See Here: Watts, Documentary Feature – In Watts, a neighborhood long marked by violence and systemic neglect, a single ride-along revealed how much of the community’s reality goes unseen. Inspired to understand the neighborhood from the perspective of those who live there, Michael Soenen provided local residents—gang members, police officers, students, victims, and activists—with iPhones and invited them to film their own lives.
As the footage came in, he shifted from director to facilitator, giving participants the tools and support to become the filmmakers themselves. Backed by Oscar-nominee Todd Lieberman and Emmy-winner Suzanne Malveaux, the project unfolded over three years. Made without scripts, narration, or a director, this raw, unfiltered portrait is the ultimate indie filmmaking spirit: fearless, self-made, and unapologetically real. Through the community’s voices, images, and music, it shows how, when those most overlooked are trusted to tell their own stories, they can transform both perception and reality. Screenings with top gang leaders and community conversations sparked dialogue and inspired actions that significantly reduced violence, showing how the film itself became a force for change.
They Fight with Cameras – Nina Rosenblum and Daniel Allentuck
Nina Rosenblum and Daniel Allentuck (USA), They Fight with Cameras, Doc Feature – Oscar-nominated Rosenblum and Allentuck deliver a pitch-perfect documentary narrated by Emmy-nominee Liev Schreiber, honoring one of World War II’s most decorated combat cameramen, Walter Rosenblum. By combining his photographs and motion-picture footage with his Reports and letters to his first wife, they provide a compelling, deeply personal account of Rosenblum’s camera work, capturing intense combat and moments of tenderness.
Rosenblum recorded many of the war’s most famous battles and, on April 29, 1945, was among the first Americans to witness the horrors of liberating Dachau. Unlike conventional WWII documentaries, this film offers an eyewitness perspective of the war in Europe through the eyes of a soldier/cameraman driven by empathy. This is not a film that glorifies war; it is a stark reminder of its horrific human consequences—and a call for peace. Walter Rosenblum and the soldier-cameramen who served alongside him truly “fought with cameras” to make that message heard.
Desconectados 2: Reconectados – Diego Rougier
Diego Rougier (Chile), Desconectados 2: Reconectados, Film Feature, Latin / Hispanic – The uproarious follow‑up to the beloved comedy Desconectados, Victoria, once distracted by her phone, has become the quintessential helicopter mom — and when a dream job in Miami offers her the chance to bring her kids along, her teenagers push back hard. Julián and Clara enlist their friend Rigoberto to resist the move, sparking a hilarious war of wits. As Victoria navigates work challenges, rivalries, and her own overprotective instincts, the family must confront misunderstandings, find humor in chaos, and discover what it truly means to trust, let go, and reconnect with one another.
Deftly directed by Rougier and featuring a talented ensemble cast with impeccable comedic timing, the film delivers both laughter and heartfelt moments in equal measure, starring Javiera Contador (Casado con Hijos), Diego Rojas (BoxCutter), Jesu Harán (Salt Kingdom), Jorge Zabaleta (Papá a la Deriva), Carmen Gloria Bresky (Verdades Ocultas), Jaime Vadell (El Conde), and Fernando Godoy (Casado con Hijos). Produced by Picardia Films for MGM/Amazon Originals.
Tim Gray (USA), Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer, Doc Feature – With masterful direction from Emmy-winner Gray and gripping narration by Emmy-winner Keith Morrison – it reveals top-secret Bletchley Park, where daring Allied codebreakers, including visionary women, risked everything to crack Germany’s military codes, shorten WWII, save millions, and lay foundations for AI. Aired PBS.
Jeffrey Morris (USA), The Eagle Obsession, Doc Feature – Morris’s journey traces how 1960s visionary science fiction inspired dreamers, thinkers and creators. Following the Eagle Transporter, it travels across cultures and imaginations, capturing fans, artists and actors. Featuring Emmy-winner William Shatner, Oscar winners Bill George and Brian Johnson, Nick Tate and Barbara Bain.
4 A Films (USA), The Drive, Film Short – On a crisp November afternoon in the early 1960s, Liz sets out on her weekly carpool. Amber Paul delivers a captivating performance as she unwittingly drives into the human side of a moment that would become one of history’s most memorable. What begins as an ordinary ride becomes a haunting, intimate glimpse behind the momentous event that would shape the world.
Cindy Meehl (USA), Jimmy & the Demons, Documentary Feature – With utterly charming and captivating energy, the film follows celebrated artist James Grashow and his colorful wife Guzzy as he takes on the commission of a lifetime. With deft direction, it captures his exhilaration, humor, and struggles as he carves his magnum opus, revealing the joys and challenges of life as an artist. Premiered Tribeca.
Joey Papa (USA), The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump, Doc Feature – Exposes the chilling roots and enduring power of institutionalized racism in America, showing how the white Christian church defended slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic oppression through Biblical justification. These horrors persist in today’s religious right, making it imperative for faith communities to confront their role in brutal oppression.
Charles Yang (Taiwan), Though Dead, Still Alive, Asian Theme – A dark comedy follows a couple and his parents, whose lives unravel after a tragic accident leaves him incapacitated. When he dies just before a crucial subsidy visit, the family embarks on absurd schemes to hide it. Beneath the chaos lies heartbreak and resilience, with Shiau-Li Yang, Ching-Tin Hsia, Wen-Lin Fang, Cheng-Ti Wu and RD Huang bringing it vividly to life.
The Lion Entertainment Partners and The Marcs Studios (USA), Ninety One, Doc Short – As a child, Ryan faced severe behavioral and mental health challenges, enduring heavy medication, restraints and psychiatric hospitals. Backcountry skiing with his father transformed him, fueling a six-year quest to ski all 91 lines of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range – discovering freedom, resilience, and the mountains that saved him.
Yue Liu (China), Kūkai, Asian Theme – With exceptional direction, the doc combines live footage, AI, and CG to bring Kūkai’s esoteric Buddhist teachings and compassionate service to life. From a three-person crew to over 800 collaborators, the production’s innovative technology, sound design, and historical research recreate Kūkai’s presence and spirit, sharing his wisdom and compassion with the world.
4 A Films (USA), The Drive, Actress: Leading (Amber Paul as Liz), Production Design (Rachel Marquez)
Alex Vishno (USA), Us vs. Them, Documentary Short
Andre Surya Wiyono (Indonesia), PURE, AI Film
Cindy Meehl (USA), Jimmy & the Demons, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Diego Rougier (Chile), Desconectados 2: Reconectados, Latin / Hispanic Filmmaker
Dominique Pierre Lüthi (Switzerland), When the Curtain Falls, Film Short (Student)
Dustin J. Robison (USA), Last Name by Cali Tucker, Music Video
Francesco Rivolta (Italy), OntologIA, AI Film
Glen Gottlieb (USA), Quack, Film Short
Joe Scappaticcio (Italy), PARIVARA – The Last Families, Documentary Feature
Joey Papa (USA), The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump, African American Theme
Jonas Stenstrom (USA), Spirit of the Driftless: Preserving Our Legacy, Nature / Environment / Wildlife, Cinematography
Lara Reznik (USA), BAGELS & SALSA, Script / Writer (Student), Television – Pilot Program (Student)
Lynn Elliott (USA), THE MONGREL. PILOT “The Coming Morrow” Series., Script / Writer
Mengdi Luo (China), Missing You, Asian Theme
Michael Soenen (USA), Nothing to See Here: Watts, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Experimental, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Original Score
Ray Peng (China), pro, Asian Theme (Student), Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Shane Mauss, Michael Strauss and Brian Bellinkoff (USA), Shane Mauss Trips, Television – Program / Series
Steve Brown (USA), PRECURSOR, Script / Writer
Studio 011 (South Korea), Chairman, AI Film
The Lion Entertainment Partners and The Marcs Studios (USA), Ninety One, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Dramatic Impact, Action / Adventure, Fitness / Personal Growth
Tim Rigaud (France), Beyond The Veil – Paranormal Exploration, Documentary Feature
Vadim Lasca (USA), What Remains, AI Film
Yue Liu (China), Kūkai, Asian Filmmaker
