PBS Online Film Festival Returns to All PBS Digital Platforms
PBS
Twenty-Five Short-Form Independent Films Available on All PBS Digital Platforms, July 15 - 26
PBS To Host Film Festival Screening Event at The Howard Theatre on July 15
ARLINGTON, VA; JULY 1, 2019 - PBS announced today that the Webby Award-nominated PBS Online Film Festival will return for an eighth year on July 15-26, 2019, featuring 25 short-form independent films from multiple public media partners and PBS member stations. This year's selection of films amplifies compelling stories from resilient communities including strong women, LGBTQ voices and young adults, and grapples with everything from love, values, citizenship, purpose and family turmoil.
These 25 films presented by filmmakers from across the country illuminate themes of kindness, bravery and extraordinary resilience, said Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer. As America's home for documentary film, we're hopeful that the unique and powerful stories, reflective of so many of the communities that PBS serves, will encourage engagement and contribute to the growing narratives online around identity and its complexities.
The PBS Online Film Festival is part of a multi-platform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent filmmakers, and to provide a showcase for diverse storytelling that both inspires and engages. The Festival will be available via PBS and station digital platforms, including PBS.org. As in previous years, films will also be available to stream on YouTube and Facebook. View the trailer here.
On Monday, July 15, PBS is also hosting a screening event at The Howard Theatre from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. ET featuring a collection of films from the festival. The event is free and open to the public via online RSVP.
This year's lineup features films from Black Public Media, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Independent Television Service (ITVS), Latino Public Broadcasting, National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), POV, Reel South, To The Contrary, Vision Maker Media and World Channel, as well as PBS local member stations, including Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), Detroit Public TV (DPTV), Illinois Public Media, KLRU-TV Austin PBS, KQED, Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB), NET (Nebraska), Twin Cities Public Television, WNET (New York) and WSIU (Illinois).
Generating more than seven million streams over the course of the festival's history, the PBS Online Film Festival continues to be an engaging annual digital event. The festival also received a nomination in the 2015 Webby Awards category for Online Film & Video: Variety (Channel).
Starting July 15, viewers can once again watch, share their favorites, and vote for their favorite film to win the Most Popular award. In addition, a distinguished panel of eight jury members will select their favorite film of the festival for the Juried Prize.
This year's jury members include The Washington Post's Chief Film Critic Ann Hornaday, International Documentary Association's Executive Director Simon Kilmurry, Black Film Critics Founder Mike Sargent, WGBH Educational Foundation's Executive Producer Judith Vecchione, Firelight Media & Films' Documentary Lab Manager Chloe Walters-Wallace, Digital Media Executive Adnaan Wassey, PBS Programming and Development Senior Director Pamela Aguilar, FRONTLINE Producer & Editor Michelle Mizner and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Producer Eric Gulliver.
For updates on the festival, follow #PBSFilmFest on Twitter or visit http://www.pbs.org/filmfestival.
Short films featured in the 2019 PBS Online Film Festival include:
Black Public Media
Paris Blues in Harlem
An edgy woman attempts to convince her granddad to abandon his jazz clubs legacy for a mound of cash.
The Center for Asian American Media
Rani
A Pakistani transgender woman welcomes lifes challenges in order to care for an abandoned child.
Connecticut Public Television (CPTV)
Joan
Despite a life-altering diagnosis, Joan reflects in pride of her beautiful 60 years.
Blank Canvas
Two disparate strangers form an unlikely bond on a rooftop after experiencing traumatic situations.
Detroit Public Television
Who Are You?
When a writer has a disastrous creative block, a delivery girl arrives with a mysterious box.
The Shepherd of the Stars
When the world began, a shepherd and his dog traveled by foot each day to blow in a magic horn and light the night sky.
Illinois Public Media
BT Lives in the Stitch
An involved high school teacher creates a knitting group that doubles as an after-school safe haven for students.
Heroine of Hope
In hope of assisting those stuck in the systems of addiction and prostitution, Scarlett titles herself Momma to improve the womens livelihood.
ITVS (Independent Television Service)
Hidden Vote Ep. 4: Are Gay Rights Gun Rights'?
A queer couple lives in harmony, despite their conflicting political opinions.
KLRU-TV (Austin PBS)
Audible Static
When a young boy with a speech impediment falls in love, he takes extreme measures to overcome his adversary.
Charlotte and Charlie
As a young womans eyesight begins to fade, so does her ability to operate her most prized possession: her car.
KQED (Public Media for Northern California)
Young Adult
A teenager with cerebral palsy stops at nothing to connect with her first love.
Latino Public Broadcasting
Ode to Pablo
Challenged to a basketball game, a deaf Latino boy connects with another player, despite the evident language barrier.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting
The Children of Central City
A look at the impact growing up surrounded by violence in inner city, New Orleans.
NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers)
Atlanti
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PBS Online Film Festival Returns to All PBS Digital Platforms
