Documentary Shorts

Self-proclaimed “Dumpster Archeologist” Lew Blink embarks on thrilling expeditions through dimly lit alleys where every item holds a story waiting to be brought to life. Through his eyes, the trash-strewn landscapes transform into an endless playground of mysteries waiting to be unraveled inviting us to ponder the value of privacy and the impact of excessive waste while marveling at the wondrous stories within the refuge left in the alleyways.

A look at the high-risk floodplains in Southeast Austin, inaccurate maps, and aging infrastructure that failed the residents in Onion Creek during a catastrophic flood in 2013. Through personal accounts, residents recall the once-idyllic neighborhood, the nightmarish flood, and their struggles to rebuild. Nearly a decade after the event, residents share the memories of the community that has endured, and the fears that still linger.

Krista Wyatt has lived in the small town of Lebanon, Ohio for her entire life. She spent thirty years as a firefighter and EMT before retiring and running for a position on Lebanon’s City Council. Her understanding of public service— infrastructure, budget, public safety—is ultimately upended by a sudden right-wing push to refocus the council on cultural issues, culminating in a successful effort to ban abortion within city limits.
Sanctuary finds Krista contending with Lebanon’s designation as a Sanctuary City for the Unborn—the first city in Ohio to pass such legislation. Having resigned her position from council in protest, she now spends her time as a volunteer storm spotter, calling in warnings for severe weather in Lebanon and surrounding areas.
While monitoring a storm rolling into town, Krista recounts the story of Lebanon’s anti-abortion ordinance. As she does, a clearer picture of her hometown comes into focus through Krista’s eyes, revealing the tension between personal conviction and a dedication to the places we call home.

I was 26 when my father died, and five months later I found out we weren’t biologically related & that I had seventeen new half siblings. As someone with disabilities, I searched for answers about this new reality. What I found was a long history of unregulated practices within a multi billion dollar industry spanning several decades. How was this allowed to happen?

Tuhaymani’chi Pal Waniqa (The Water Flows Always) follows a Cahuilla, Cupeño father and daughter attempting to reconnect in a journey through their Indigenous roots in the ancient springs of the Mojave Desert, just as a new water-mining project threatens their very existence. The film addresses the efforts of protecting water resources and the sacred places of Indigenous nations, permeating the relationship between father and daughter seeking to strengthen their bonds and ancestral roots within their ancestral territory.

Filmmaker Ian Kelly grew up as his grandfather lost his memory. Now, a decade after his death, he and his family remember his grandfather and the memories he forgot. A poetic swirl of image, animation, and home video interweaves to explore what is left behind after a loss.