In Her Court

directed by Abby Cannon
( United States / 2025 / 16 mins )

“In Her Court” dives into the rapidly changing field of opportunity in women’s sports, following rising star Jaylah King, a 14-year-old basketball player who began drawing Division I attention before entering high school. As she chases her dream of playing at the highest level, Jaylah navigates the mounting pressures to succeed, not only for herself, but for her family, while making sacrifices far beyond her years. Through her own eyes and those of her father, Armon King, her AAU coach Talen Watson, and her personal trainer Martez Vaughan, the film offers a portrait of the dedication, discipline, and resilience it takes to turn potential into greatness as women’s athletes increasingly hold their own fates in their hands.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 2: Between Noise and Silence
Sunday, February 15 · 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Regal Gallery Place (TICKETS)

About the Director

Abby Cannon is a documentary filmmaker whose work explores themes of resilience and societal pressure, particularly in relation to identity. She is currently pursuing her MA in Film and Media Production at American University, where she has had the opportunity to further develop her skillset. As she finishes her studies and begins her professional career, Abby is dedicated to making films that prompt people to see the world and the people in it a little differently.

Meet Me in Silence

directed by Lucy Mathews Heegaard
( United States / 2025 / 14 mins )

Fueled by fear and curiosity, a filmmaker undertakes a year-long experiment sitting in silence and darkness with strangers in the extreme quiet of an anechoic chamber, a room engineered to absorb all sound.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 2: Between Noise and Silence
Sunday, February 15 · 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Regal Gallery Place (TICKETS)

About the Director

Lucy Mathews Heegaard is an interdisciplinary artist who uses sound design, video collage, and personal documentary to share stories that are an invitation to self-reflection. She deftly weaves her multiple forms of media into an immersive, intimate, visceral story experience for viewers. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2023. Born in New York, raised in Alabama, Lucy has lived and worked in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota since the late 1980s, working in the non-profit affordable housing community before her shift to the creative arts.

Never Stand Down: The Quraishi Family

directed by Elena Chang
( United States / 2025 / 16 mins )

For Indian Pakistani American Khalid Quraishi, his daughter Zunaira’s announcement that she was ready to marry the woman of her dreams was a joyous, even miraculous, occasion. Having lived through the Partition, persecution, and the harrowing threat of nearly losing Zunaira to illness, Khalid never once doubted what his Muslim faith had taught him to believe was most important of all: his love for his family.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 2: Between Noise and Silence
Sunday, February 15 · 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Regal Gallery Place (TICKETS)

About the Director

Elena Chang is 2nd generation Korean American who grew up on Staten Island, NY. She has organized multiple national efforts amplifying the stories of underrepresented communities by way of theatre, film, and visual arts. Previously, Elena served as program director of the Asian American Arts Alliance, where she managed artist-focused programs and community-centered initiatives. She was honored for her work by the White House AAPI Champions of Change Initiative for her artistic advocacy, has served on the advisory committees of API Rainbow Parents and KQTCon, and has produced projects for National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance and Act to Change. Elena received a BFA in Theatre from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, and continues to be inspired by the intersections of art, culture & activism.

Right to Die

directed by Wren Rene
( United States / 2024 / 15 mins )

Barbara Mancini had been working as an ER nurse for more than thirty years when her father fell ill and landed in hospice. While caring for him, she provided a dose of morphine that caught the attention of a hospice nurse. Barbara was arrested and prosecuted by the state of Pennsylvania for assisted suicide. Although the charges were eventually dropped, Barbara was forced to relive the traumatic experience ten years later during her mom’s last days. Despite decades of experience and a robust understanding of the legal framework, Barbara’s story shines a light on the American medical system and how dedicated it is to keeping patients alive, even when their final wish is to pass peacefully.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 1: Stories That Stand Up
Wednesday, February 11 · 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm, The Miracle Theatre (TICKETS)

About the Director

Wren Rene is a filmmaker, photographer, and second generation storyteller dedicated to the spirit of true collaboration. Working across documentary, fiction, and experimental projects, he seeks to explore a deeper understanding of what it means to be human in an ever-individualistic world. He is particularly drawn to strong visual narratives that raise questions of identity, belonging, connection, and resistance. His work is nurtured by deep relationships with the communities he works for and alongside, as well as an unrelenting curiosity and desire to stoke the flames of hope and joy.

She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley

directed by Abby Ginzberg
( United States / 2025 / 28 mins )

Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) has been serving in the House of Representatives since January 2019. But just because Pressley was talented and experienced did not mean her path to politics was smooth. Pressley has broken through quintessential barriers for women of color in a state mostly known for dynastic politics. An activist politician, who believes “those closest to the pain, should be closest to the power”, her own path reflects the lessons learned as a Black woman and a committed representative in Congress.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 1: Stories That Stand Up
Wednesday, February 11 · 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm, The Miracle Theatre (TICKETS)

About the Director

Abby Ginzberg, a Peabody award-winning director and EMMY® Silver Circle inductee has been producing compelling documentaries about race and social justice for over 35 years. Recently honored with induction into the Silver Circle of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) in recognition of her 25 years of commitment to the film and TV community, Abby has created an impressive portfolio of award-winning films.

The Fig Trees of Washington, DC

directed by Stretch Green
( United States / 2025 / 4 mins )

The Fig Trees of Washington, DC is a Super 8 documentary contemplating urban fig trees around Northwest DC and the many other fruiting trees that can be found here. It also explains how to best prepare figs for eating.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 2: Between Noise and Silence
Sunday, February 15 · 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Regal Gallery Place (TICKETS)

About the Director

Stretch Green makes Super 8 movies about ostensibly ordinary objects to showcase their understated beauty.

The Flowers That Bloomed Through Concrete

directed by AJ Cabbagestalk
( United States / 2025 / 29 mins )

The Flowers That Bloomed Through Concrete follows the transactional bond between incarcerated Men and Special Olympics athletes. Along with shedding light on the road to rehabilitation.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 1: Stories That Stand Up
Wednesday, February 11 · 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm, The Miracle Theatre (TICKETS)

About the Director

AJ Cabbagestalk is a Director and Producer from Washington, DC.

Underground Sounds: The New Thousand Story

directed by Emma Keatley
( United States / 2025 / 28 mins )

“Underground Sounds: The New Thousand Story” focuses on the life and artistry of Adrian Jusdanis, a mesmerizing violinist and street performer, and his collaboration with drummer Alan Zavodsky (aka Go Alan Go) in their musical project “New Thousand.” The film highlights Adrian’s vibrant performances in NYC and traces his roots back to street performing in New Orleans. Audiences will gain insight into Adrian’s musical background, his distinctive performance style, and what makes “New Thousand” unique in the world of street performance.

Program: Doc Shorts Program 2: Between Noise and Silence
Sunday, February 15 · 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Regal Gallery Place (TICKETS)

About the Director

Emma Keatley is an award winning director/editor. In May 2024, she graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film and Television Production and a Minor in Documentary. She is a documentarian focused on telling emotionally provoking and captivating non-fiction stories. As Co-Founder/Director of Greyrock Pictures, she is currently focused on directing/editing her mini docuseries, “Sidewalk Stories of NYC” featuring fascinating NYC street performers. She is most widely known for her documentary called “The Face Behind the Rat”, which she directed, shot, and edited herself that was selected at 7 film festivals worldwide. Beyond her academic pursuits, she works as a freelance videographer/editor for TikTok star, Jonothon Lyons, AKA Buddy the Rat and founder of Pala Creative. Emma’s versatility extends to her role as a script supervisor on narrative film sets, showcasing her passion for both documentary and narrative storytelling.