she distinguished with a stirring poem, Oprah Winfrey and Louis Gossett, Jr.
STRIKE A POSE
Mike Edmonds and Carrie Fisher
UNDER THE RADAR: THE MIKE EDMONDS STORY Special guest Mike Edmonds D: Simon J Frith | UK | 58 min | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE Since his first break in Ken Loach’s Black Jack (1979), Mike Edmonds has stolen scenes in some of cinema›s biggest movies (Return of the Jedi, Harry Potter, Time Bandits) and has worked extensively in theatre, TV and radio. A true “actor’s actor” who is also a huge hit with fans, he has met the challenges imposed by achondroplasia (or dwarfism) with his immense talent and a true dedication to the craft. This fascinating and warm-hearted documentary follows Mike from his early life in rural Essex, U.K. (and his dreams of joining the circus) to a life-changing decision to answer an advert for “midgets” in the British show business publication, The Stage. What followed has been a truly remarkable career.
MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE Special guest Louis Gossett, Jr. D: Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack | USA | 114 min | ARKANSAS PREMIERE The first documentary about Maya Angelou, the iconic writer, poet, performer and activist, who overcame racism and devastating abuse while growing up in the deep south, to become one of American culture’s greatest voices. Rare footage and photos unveil an intimate and often unknown view of her public and personal life with the power of her own words. Reflections and perspectives come from figures such as former President Bill Clinton, whose inauguration
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Special guest Jose Xtravaganza D: Ester Gould, Reijer Zwaan | Netherlands/ Belgium | 83 min | SOUTHEAST REGION PREMIERE In 1990, seven young male dancers joined Madonna on her most controversial world tour. Their journey was captured in Truth or Dare. As a self-proclaimed “mother” to her dancers, 6 gay and 1 straight, Madonna used the film to make a stand on gay rights and freedom of expression. The dancers became paragons of pride, inspiring people all over the world to dare to be who you are. Twenty-five years later, the dancers share their own stories about life during and after the tour. What does it take to express yourself?
Tempest Storm
TEMPEST STORM Special guest Tempest Storm D: Nimisha Mukerji | USA/Canada | 82 min | U.S. PREMIERE Tempest Storm was mistress to both Elvis and JFK, and became an international star on the stage and screen in the 1950s. At the age of 88, she is considered to be the greatest living burlesque dancer, but her success came at great personal cost. Exploring her dramatic rise to fame as an entertainer and her swift fall from grace after an interracial marriage, Tempest Storm bares the heart and soul of an American icon in the telling of her controversial life story.
OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE Special guest Arkansas Olympic Gold
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Medalist Jeff Henderson D: Deborah Riley Draper | USA | 90 min | SOUTHEAST REGIONAL PREMIERE Olympic Pride, American Prejudice explores the experiences of 18 African American Olympians who defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler to win hearts and medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Set against the strained and turbulent atmosphere of a racially divided America, a country torn between boycotting Hitler’s Olympics and participating in the Third Reich’s grandest affair, the film follows the 16 men and 2 women before, during and after their heroic turn at the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin. Narrated by Blair Underwood.
CROSSING THE LINE Special guest Olympian Danny Harris D: David Tryhorn | UK | 94 min | WORLD PREMIERE The powerful story of the rise, fall and eventual redemption of athletic prodigy Danny Harris, exposing the fine line between sports greatness and addiction. Harris was an orphan at 14, Olympic hurdler at 18, crack cocaine addict at 22, world number-one at 25, and finished at 30. Featuring some of the biggest names in track and field including Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
THE HEART OF NUBA Special guest Kenneth A. Carlson D: Kenneth A. Carlson | USA | 86 min | WORLD PREMIERE Welcome to the war-torn Nuba Mountains of Sudan, where Dr. Tom Catena, the only surgeon within 200 miles, does his best to save lives in the midst of carnage and terror, treating as many as 400 patients a day at Mother of Mercy Hospital. He selflessly and courageously serves the needs of a forgotten people, as the region is bombed relentlessly by an indicted war criminal, Omar Al-Bashir. Surrounded by a country at war, living under the constant shadow of aerial bombardment, two things remain constant: Dr. Tom’s faith and his enduring love for the Nuba people.
Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story
HAROLD AND LILLIAN: A HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY Special guest Daniel Raim D: Daniel Raim | USA | 94 min | SOUTHEAST REGIONAL PREMIERE A fascinating and deeply moving account of the romantic and creative partnership of storyboard artist Harold Michelson and his wife, film researcher Lillian Michelson. Harold and Lillian were a talented couple once considered “the heart of Hollywood.” Although the couple was responsible for some of Hollywood’s most iconic examples of visual storytelling, their contributions remain largely uncredited. Through an engaging mix of love letters, film clips and candid conversations with Harold and Lillian themselves, Danny DeVito, Mel Brooks, Francis Coppola and others, this warm and engaging documentary chronicles a remarkable relationship and two extraordinary careers spanning six decades of movie-making history.
THE JONESES Special guests Jheri Jones and two of her sons D: Moby Longinotto | USA/UK | 80 min | SOUTHEAST REGION PREMIERE Jheri Jones, is a 74-year-old transgender divorcee in Bible Belt Mississippi. Reconciled after years of estrangement, and now living with two of her four sons in their trailer park home, Jheri embarks on a new path to reveal her true self to her grandchildren, while her son Trevor begins a surprising journey of his own. Director Moby Longinotto’s
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