Take a look below for all the opening night films and for more information head over to the official site at brooklynfilmfestival.org.
OPENING NIGHT FILM PROGRAM:
“Unexpected Discoveries”
Dir. James Mabery
USA, 2 min., Animation
A young fellow finds himself stumbling upon an ordinary flashlight that allows him to explore other places.
“Lieutenant of the Alt-Right”
By Emma Cott and Andrew Michael Ellis
USA, 21 min., Times Documentaries
Elliott Klein, a.k.a. Eli Mosley, is a rising white supremacist leader who depicts himself as an American patriot and Iraq war veteran. But our investigation found that his personal narrative — like much of the alt-right’s messaging — is built on deception.
“Johnno’s Dead”
Dir. Shepherd Chris
France, 8 min, Experimental
Despite having time to reflect upon his twelve years behind bars, he can’t shake off the ghosts of the past.
“Weird”
Dir. Fausto Montanari
Italy, 2 min., Animation
A short animated film about diversity, “Weird” is a shout out to a girl who is usually judged to be weird and different.
“The Story of Esraa”
By Mona El-Naggar, Mark Meatto and Yousur Al-Hlou
USA 21 min., Times Documentaries
Esraa is looking to rent an apartment with her friends. In Egypt, where personal freedom can be routinely compromised in the name of religion, family and country, that makes her a rebel. Like many in her generation, she is gasping for change. Can she win?
“Contact (Vosta)”
Dir. Alessandro Novelli
Spain, 8 min., Animation
Between reality and fantasy, a woman’s inner journey awakens her consciousness.
“Deportation Deadline”
By Brent McDonald, John Woo and Jonah M. Kessel
USA, 12 min., Times Documentaries
His daughter graduates. He faces deportation.
“My Yiddish Papi”
Dir: Éléonore Goldberg
Canada, 7 min., Animation
A young woman misses her grandfather’s last phone call. After his death, she remembers a promise not kept.
“How an Alleged Sonic Attack Shaped US Policy on Cuba”
By Jonah M. Kessel, Melissa Chan and John Woo
USA, 14 min., Times Documentaries
In 2016, diplomats at the U.S. embassy in Havana were mysteriously stricken. Was it an attack? There is no official explanation for it, yet it has played a big role in America’s current political disengagement with Cuba.
“Genesis”
Dir. Abtin Mozafari, Iran, 10 min, Experimental
A fantasy short film with a critical point of view about the horrible situation in Syria.
