Reel Works Film Festival Announces 2023 Lineup (Exclusive)

Reel Works has unveiled the full line-up for the 2023 film festival, which celebrates the work of young, emerging filmmakers.

This year’s festival will take place from November 18 to 19 at the SVA Theater in New York and will feature 42 narrative and documentary projects, with more than 85 percent of films presented by BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ filmmakers.

The second annual edition of the festival will once again feature projects from filmmakers aged 14 to 24 from the Reel Works community. That includes original projects produced through the nonprofit’s Documentary and Narrative Lab programming, in addition to premiering films from the inaugural Supported Summer Lab, a workshop that supports neurodivergent teens in developing their own original films.

The event also marks the first time the Reel Works Film Festival will showcase the work of external creatives with screenings of select titles.

The festival is part of Reel Works’ larger mission to inspire, mentor and train diverse generations of filmmakers through unparalleled arts education and workforce development, including free film programs, one-on-one mentoring and annual professional training for students.

“Reel Works is at the forefront of ensuring the film industry is represented by a diverse range of talent,” said Stephanie Walter, co-founder and chief program officer of Reel Works, the Brooklyn-based nonprofit focused on youth media and workforce development . “Being able to curate a film festival that amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities is something we are particularly passionate about. We are so happy to celebrate their work and share it with new audiences.”

The 2023 jury includes Greg Boustead, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning film producer and founder and director of Sandbox Films; Hollywood casting director and producer Patricia DiCerto; freelance film critic David Edelstein; Global Head of Connected TV & Streaming at YouTube at Google Matt McDonald; filmmaker, founder and creative director of Fair Oaks Entertainment Roger Mancusi; Film Stage Founder and Editor-in-Chief Jordan Raup; and GoldDerby’s digital director Christopher Rosen.

Read the full line-up of the 2023 Reel Works Film Festival below.

Documentary

540 – Dir. Haochen Huang
An experimental film that captures the silence of everyday life and combines elements from nature, offices and public space.

About the movie references – Dir. Phoenix Purnell
An aquatic exploration of key characters from critically acclaimed films, drawing similarities between recurring characters and tropes from films about the deep blue sea.

Animating life: a story about stop motion – Dir. Calliope Daoundakis
An animated short film that shows the value of stop-motion animation.

Broken technology – Dir. Eva Tikhomirova
A documentary about the mental health of students at a specialized school in Brooklyn.

Chomchom – Dir. Sanjona Arzan
A short documentary about a delicious dessert that originated in Tangail, a small town in Bangladesh.

Dopamine – Dir. Michael Rezza-Castellanos
An original short film by Michel Rezza-Castellanos that reflects on special memories of Reel Works’ 2023 Supported Summer Lab. The piece is based on a day at the aquarium and the friendships formed during the trip.

Economy candy – Dir. Tasnuva Shehrin
Talks about how Tasnuva Sherhrin saw her neighborhood LES evolve. This short documentary explains what it means to call a community center, and emphasizes the importance of familiarity in building community.

Environmental change in the Bronx – Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School – Summer Youth Employment Program
In this short document, students explore their home community of The Bronx and the environmental changes it is experiencing.

In Ewigkeit – Dir. Helsen Sanabia
A documentary about underground tattoo artists in New York.

Kirkpatrick and the Civil Rights Movement – Dir. Ella Caroleo
Explores organizations such as the Black Panthers and the Deacons for Defense and Justice. It also looks at protests against peaceful protest and the violence protesters have suffered.

Life in NYC – Dir. Abdul-Jabbar Adulai
An original short film showcasing the excitement of Reel Works’ 2023 Supported Summer Lab. This riveting film highlights the afternoon excursion to the Bronx Aquarium.

The optimal route for the Subway Bandit – Gotham Scholars
Examines the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority through this short documentary and sheds light on its history, safety and future.

Saheed’s film – Dir. Saheed Morrison
An interactive compilation of beautiful images, announcing New York City in all its glory.

And still I rise – Brooklyn Collaborative Studies
A PSA for Black History Month produced by the students of Brooklyn Collaborative Studies.

The stop-motion animation project – Millennium High School
Students can use their creativity and storytelling to express themselves in this stop-motion animated film.

A conversation in the park – Dir. Raven Santos
This document shows Raven Santos’ attempts to talk to people in Central Park.

Tfaddalu – Dir. Saara Al-Sawah
A documentary about Brooklyn’s historic Middle Eastern community.

The veil – Dir. Ahamed Diallo
Follows an African-American man who has visions of masked people forcing him to stand up for himself as he navigates a new job and the microaggressions he faces.

Unheard: the missing voices of student journalism – Dir. Stephen Czaja
Five student reporters investigate the lack of newspapers in New York high schools and unravel the deep inequities that exist at every level of the city’s school system.

¡VLMPR! – Dir. Leandra Ramos
This piece explores the culture, history and fashion of Puerto Rico.

Youth Justice Network – Bronx International High School – Summer Youth Employment Program
A short film that captures the untold stories of the Summer Youth Employment Program and shares the unique history of Harlem’s Youth Justice Network and its impact.

Story

Adults talk – Dir. Eva Tikhomirova
A young boy named Charlie decides to grow up to finally impress his older brother.

Affected – Dir. Vinnie Hunter
A pair of friends find themselves in a tense conversation after one of them commits a crime.

Taller – Dir. Melissa Morales
When the opportunity to share her writing passion arises, Elena struggles with the limitations of her traditionalist family and self-repressed thoughts of anxiety and depression to follow her dreams before hope falters.

Chronophobia – Dir. Benjamin Baker Singh
Sydney, a young adult, who leaves his mother’s house with a vengeance, realizes that embracing adulthood is much harder than he expected.

Dinner with demons – Dir. Freedom joy
Follows the story of Elora, a young woman struggling with her own addiction and the guilt she feels over her father’s addiction and its impact on her family.

fluorescence – Dir. Kya A. Nelson
Desdemona is a young teenage girl who lacks self-confidence due to her unstable relationship with her mother. Only when Des meets a young photographer does she learn to stand up to her mother.

Glitter – Dir. Maya Velázquez
When a nerdy autistic teen throws a Halloween party in hopes of reconnecting with an old friend, she is unpleasantly surprised by a series of microaggressions and nasty comments and must make a difficult choice.

On the way to Klein Eiland – Dir. Ashley Conde-Lopez
An original short film asking ‘Where do New Yorkers go when it rains?’ The film grapples with the difficulties of navigating public space and making new plans.

At home – Dir. Elyjah Logan
A new discovery tests a friendship at the crossroads of change.

How will we grow – Dir. Anise Atwell-Hudson
Alda and Inez strengthen their bond as they face the challenges of growing up and rediscover the magic of sisterhood.

If it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make cents – Dir. Amya Williams
As Generation Z enters the workplace, they are thinking about how their generation can revolutionize traditional employment expectations.

A letter to the mayor (No products were found that match your search criteria) – Dir. Zhihui Chen
A Chinese teenager facing racism during the Covid-19 pandemic must decide whether to continue to suffer in silence or speak out.

Leftovers – Dir. Pacqui Pascual
After the death of her struggling artist father, Jane is left alone with his ashes. When his art posthumously gains popularity, she receives nothing, until a wealthy art collector offers to buy his remains.

Many worlds – Dir. Cameron Rodriguez
Charlotte, a professor from Princeton, wants her new curriculum, Many Worlds, approved, but is having trouble communicating her ideas to the college administration.

Not your average high school Rom-Com – The Leadership School for Young Women
This rom-com explores Sadie, a southern teen, and her adventures as a new student at a New York City high school.

Our trip – Dir. Chelsea Marius
A Lucian teen explores her identity and the misconceptions that come from living there.

Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century – Dir. Isaiah Fraser
Follows the thrilling journey of Holmes and Watson as they embark on a life-changing investigation. The film was made in part by Reel Works’ 2023 Supported Summer Lab.

The Shidduch Crisis – Dir. Chaya Gurkov
An Orthodox Jewish girl has doubts about an early arranged marriage.

Snow Bunnies Never – Dir. Louis Straker
An emotionally charged drama that delves into the complexities of interracial relationships, black excellence and the pursuit of self-autonomy. The film follows Noah, a college student, as he introduces his white girlfriend Brittany to his black family during a tense Thanksgiving dinner.

Something about that, Yaari – Dir. Tori Evans
A quirky short comedy that reflects on the shared relationships and experiences of students as they unpack critical questions such as dealing with New York’s rat population, while speculating on whether their teacher Yarri is disappearing children.

Tender – Dir. Wesley Chessa-Forman
A young man enters a butcher’s shop and discovers there is more than he can stomach.