We are moving stories

“This film will challenge your perception of how you view the homeless population. You will follow three homeless artists on their journey and see how they heal through art. You will leave the screening of this film with a different perspective.”

“I want people to be educated on street art as a respected art form. Also to understand why Street artist create the way they do.”

“For years I had been going to my aunt’s place in the Appalachian mountains in a hollow of North Carolina and had gotten to know some incredible people there - many artists, local folks of all ages, and a budding LGBT community which was very close with the straight community. I loved seeing the open-minded, tight-knit community, and was blown away by the artistry of the musicians, potters, and visual artists there. I wanted to show these folks on film.”

“I wanted to make a film about a creative person who loses her creativity. It’s one of the hardest things to go through, since it’s where that sort of person lives. When she can’t create anymore, she doesn’t know what to do with herself. I was drawn to the story and character, and I wanted to see how she would get her inspiration back. Plus, I wanted to make a bilingual film that I could shoot partially in France and partially in the US, and I did.”

“The title itself (EUDAEMONIA) is a Greek word meaning “human flourishing”, which is something the characters in the film are seeking - the idea of living a better life (whatever that may mean) - they are unsettled, and they are both striving.”

“I am a survivor of domestic violence so the topic of this film is painful and very close to my heart. I never thought that I would make a film about this topic because it was a past that I buried.”

“I have been surprised that so many people have gone through similar experiences with their own art, and how so many could relate to my experience of needing to go inward to find what is true.”

“In the documentary bits, my character gets to dive into discussing the artistic process with four women artists – Andrea Clinton, a performance artist, Emily McLoughlin, a dancer, Chana Porter, a writer, and Katie Frank, a visual artist. One of the questions I ask them is from the book: Making Your Life as an Artist, by Andrew Simonet that goes like this: “If the whole world saw your work, if it was everywhere and kids studied it in school and towns brought it to the village green, how would the world be different?””

“Whether you like dicks or hate them, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy our short. It investigates some pretty timely topics, particularly reckoning with your own past in unique and expressive ways as well as creating spaces for healing and consciousness-raising. For me, the power of Daniela’s work is how she creates something beautiful for herself and others out of bad experiences.”

“From deep inside Fulham Correctional Centre the artists complete their works while painting the audience a contemporary insight into the deeply ingrained incarceration epidemic of Australia’s first people. The film clearly and profoundly explores greatly misunderstood issues such as cultural disconnection, inter-generational trauma, addiction and institutionalisation.”

“Well, the bottom line, I would just like people to be aware of the Barkly Region and positive stories surrounding it. If we can make at least one person aware of the positives here, I’d consider that a success.”

“Urban art deals with social and cultural issues and makes important political statements focusing on, for example, the stolen generation, land rights, and reconciliation. There also tends to be a probing nature to the art: a questioning of identity or a challenge to colonial accounts of Australian history.”

“I always feel weird calling myself a director or writer when it comes to documentary filmmaking - I am the one being directed by the story, I’m in service to what continues to unfold whether I’m here or not. My job starts with listening, being sensitive, and being open to learning.”

“I believe that the theme of “the struggling artist” is one we as creatives can all relate to — however I wanted to really push that idea by exploring the concepts of negative and positive energies. In particular, the notion that we as human beings tend to focus on negative energies and things that can tear us part, where we could use that negativity to bring positivity into our lives.”

“Pentimento is a serious, dramatic story infused with quirky humor. Why? Because when we look at someone’s life as observers, we realize how life in all its drama has plenty of humor.”

“If you enjoy films that walk the comedy/drama tightrope, then this is a film for you. I believe that the line between comedy and tragedy is so faint that sometimes you dance across both without even knowing it; that often we sit on a thin ledge between sobbing and uncontrollable laughter and are equally likely to fall to either side depending on the balance of the day.”

“This film was my first official encounter with 3D as a medium for short films. I made this film as part of my studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I chose to tell this story because it is one that I know well. It is often said to “tell stories that you know” and draw from your own experiences, which I sought to do for my first filmmaking experience.”

“I think viewers will be amazed by the huge number of famous stars in the film that credit Manhattan Plaza as the place that allowed their dreams and inspirations to flourish at a time when the just needed a roof over their head. Big show business names like Larry David, Samuel L. Jackson, Donald Faison and Alicia Keys all got their start while there.”

“Alice Street had a successful impact campaign in 2021 throughout California communities affected by displacement and gentrification. In 2022, that tour expanded nationally to include cities across the United States. It has been used to spark dialogue about crucial housing issues and has actually supported lasting policy changes in several communities.”

“Sunni Patterson exemplifies what I consider to be the best qualities in an artist. She is exceptionally talented and strives to use her art to connect, heal and move people to action. She speaks from the heart and not her ego.”

“Audiences might be familiar with the Surrealist art of Salvador Dali (melting clocks) but how much do they know about the women artists of Surrealism? Our film takes audiences into these women artists’ world and reveals their visionary art as well as their struggles.”

“I was drawn to Calder’s philosophy about taking whatever resources you have at your disposal and making something you love. As an indie filmmaker that’s often working with a DIY mentality, this was something I could really relate to.”

“The first thing that struck me besides the paintings themselves was where he was doing the painting. Everything was done outside, no matter what the weather. This seemed like a really interesting way to work and that’s when I realized it might make a really interesting documentary.”

“We made this film to capture a dying form of commercial art. Once, there were neon signs everywhere. Car dealerships, shoe repair shops, ice cream parlors, diners – every business was advertised with the glow of a neon sign. These signs were made by mom and pop shops around the country and required skill and artistry. With large companies selling LEDs and Jumbotrons, and doing an effective job of convincing the customer that this is cheaper – these mom and pop shops are going out of business and will be like the family farm in a few short years.”

“To understand that the suspension and expulsion rates for students of color is disproportionate and that school districts are looking for innovative ways to motivate and engage students, so that students stay in school and successfully graduate.”

“In terms of the reason why this film is what it is, my goal was to address the serious topic of plastic pollution in a new and creative way. Instead of focusing on the detriments of the problem, I chose to address the people who are making a positive impact to help find solutions. And one of the most visual and poignant is art.”

“If you’ve read any article in the news for the last 50 years about space settlements or really any art space related, you’ve seen the work of one of these artists. If you’re interested in their stories and how their careers and images came to be, take a seat and start watching Artist Depiction. ”

“Peter Bradley’s biography touches on a number of important themes: the importance of individual creative expression; how character is shaped by one’s parent(s); how one person can push racial boundaries; and the importance of music to human experience.”

“This is an essay film - I shot it on my old iPhone as I had nothing else, and through the phone, I filmed the painting being made. It was immediate - as it happened. There were no second chances or time to go back and reshoot. In editing, I tried to follow that same path.”