12th Annual American Documentary and Animation Film Festival

220+ films from around the world.

Schedule:
Thursday, March 30, 2023
11:00am: (Program 1)
Bourn Wild, USA, 12min. /  Outside Line, USA, 17min. /am: erican Justice On Trial: People V. Newton, USA, 40min.

Some entertaining and socially relevant stories focused on the African-American experience.

11:30am: (Program 2)
?Dreaming Of A Better Place, USA, 8min. / High Road, USA, 12min / Apayauq, USA, 14min. / En Sus Manos, USA, 16min. / Waves Apart, USA, 25min. / Beyond The Summit, USA, 33min.

There is much more to be experienced in action sports than the sport itself.

12:00pm: (Program 3)
Left Behind, USA, 10min. / Kambana, SPAIN, 15min. / Heart Valley, UK, 20min. / Ten By Ten, USA, 29min.

Who knew ethnographic exposés could be so beautiful.

?1:30pm: (Program 4)
Light Up Navajo, USA, 12min. / Safe Place, IRAN, 19min. / Bad Hombrewood, MEXICO, 24min. / When I Get Grown—Reflections of a Freedom Rider, USA, 31min.

Justice comes in many different forms as evidenced in these stories.

?2:00pm: (Program 5)

2:30pm: (Program 6)
?The Story Of Mama Butterfly, CHINA, 4min. / Glass Doll, CANADA, 5min. / Fabian "Spade" Debora, USA, 7min. / The Stolen de Kooning: Reovery And Redemption, USA, 8min. / The Sticklet Weaver, USA, 8min. / A Chocolate Lens, USA, 21min. / Chihuly, USA, 27min.

Lots of cool works about artists and their art.

6:30pm: (7:00pm:  screening, OPENING NIGHT!)
Longhouse, USA, 2min. / Rachel, JAPAN, 3min. / Pete, USA, 7min. / Keeping Time, USA, 17min. / Angel Dose, USA, 26min. / Flightpath, USA, 26min.

There's always something special about Opening Night!  Expect some music, awards and great films.

Friday, March 31, 2023
11:00am: (Program 7)
Nixon's Reversal, US, 9min. / Angel Dose, USA, 26min. / Here To Stay, USA, 30min. / In The Bubble With Jaime, USA, 38min.

Politics can have profound consequences on society.

11:30am: (Program 8)
Bill Plympton Master Class

The great and award-winning Bill Plympton will give a Master Class featuring highlights of his career and some sneak peek scenes of his new feature animated film.

12:00pm: (Program 9)
On Film, AUSTRALIA, 6min. / The Moviegoer, CANADA, 19min. / Sean Connery Vs. James Bond, FRANCE, 54min.

The movies "move" all of us, including the original James Bond, Sean Connery

?1:30pm: (Program 10)
Niu Now, USA, 12min. / The Island Of Us, TAIWAN, 19min. / Taste Of The Indigenous, USA, 20min. / The After : A Chef's Wish, PAKISTAN, 26min. / Seeds For The Future, SPAIN, 30min.

Experience food from around the world (bring a glass of wine with you!)

2:00pm: (Program 11)
Caspar, USA, 3min. / I Met The Moon Last Night, USA, 3min. / The Bloom, CHINA, 3min. / I hope You Watch This Dave, USA, 4min. / Okunkun Lo, NIGERIA, 5min. / Bird's Eye View, USA, 5min. / Run Stack Overflow, CANADA, 5min. / Grace, UK, 4min. / City Of Sand, RUSSIA, 8min. / Dream Of Glass, ITALY, 21min. / Unconfined, USA, 38min.

It's all about inspiring others in this series of films, sure to appeal to many.

2:30pm: (Program 12)
Sunset 24, USA, 91min.

L.A. is a hotbed for artists.  Time to be inspired.

4:00pm: (Program 13)
The Beatles Vs. The Stones, UK, 3min. / Ellis, USA, 93min.

If great music is your thing, then this is for you.

4:30pm: (Program 14)
Sam Now, US, 87min.

Two film-obsessed brothers travel thousands of miles searching for their missing Mom.

5:00pm: (Program 15)
This Is Not Financial Advice, USA, 88min.

Glauber Contessoto gambles his life savings on a joke cryptocurrency. Two months later, he becomes “The Dogecoin Millionaire” and an internet legend.

6:30pm: (Program 16)
American Son, USA, 87min.

A tennis prodigy, Michael Chang, went on to become the youngest male to ever win a Grand Slam.

7:00pm:  (Program 17)
Killing Me Softly With His Songs, USA, 107mins.

The story about Charles Fox, who scored more than 100 films as well as creator of such t.v. theme songs like "Loveam: erican Style."  Charlie will be with us on stage.

7:30pm: (Program 18)
Be Our Guest, USA, 90min.

In small-town New Hampshire, a young boy’s family opens their home to strangers in recovery while the opioid crisis rages around them.

9:00pm: (Program 19)
(ADULTS ONLY) Pornostalgia, USA, 3min. / The Dark Frog Experiment, USA, 7min. / Really Good Friends, USA, 10min. / Dicks That I Like, GERMANY, 13min. / Call Me Mommy, IRELAND, 15min. / The Egret River, TAIWAN, 20min.

Some funny and adult themed works sure to keep you awake.

Saturday, April 1, 2023
11:00am: (Program 20)
Pomo Land Back: A Prayer From The Forest, USA, 7min. / Ojibwa Warrior, CANADA, 89min.

Land rights and socio-political activists for justice are featured in these works.

??11:30am: (Program 21)
Living Roots, USA, 8min. / Titration: Radioactive Waste, Princeton, and the Navajo Nation, USA, 10min. / A Dream Of Hawai'i, NORWAY, 10min. / Two Worlds, USA, 15min. / It's Just Water And Wind, ITALY, 53min.

Looking at environmental issues can be much more "sexy" when seen through these films.

12:00pm: (Program 22)
Restless Is The Night, CHINA, 4min. / 26 Seconds, USA, 4min. / Skilled: Paige, USA, 8min / Call Me Anytime, I'm Not Leaving The House, USA, 10min. / Listen To My Voice, USA, 12min. / Nina & Irene, USA, 21min. / Her War, USA, 27min. / Walking Two Worlds, / CANADA, 29min.

A wonderful look at women in society who live on their terms.

?1:30pm: (Program 23)
Surface Deep, USA, 4min. / A World To Win, USA, 6min. / The Man Of The Wind, ITALY, 9min. / Fight Or Flight, USA, 14min. / Finding Our Wild, USA, 16min . / Fortune Seekers, NORWAY, 25min.

Adventure seekers take the shape of many forms!

??2:00pm: (Program 24)
TWO: The Story Of Roman & Nyro, USA, 71min.

The 12-year journey of legendary songwriter Desmond Child and his lifelong partner Curtis Shaw, and the extraordinary way they met and connected with Angela Whittaker, the woman who would carry their twin sons, Roman and Nyro, into the world.

2:30pm: (Program 25)
Shelf Life, US, 4min. / The Space Between Us, USA, 6min. / Txotxongiloa, SPAIN, 10min. / The Bare You, USA, 11min. / The Other Side, CUBA/USA, 15min. / One Buck Won't Hurt, USA, 16min. / Dancing At The Royal Palaces, DENMARK, 29min.

So, you think you can dance?  See if you can keep up with these talented artists.

4:00pm: (Program 26)
Kumu Niu, USA, 15min. / Motus Avium, USA, 14min. / Lita The Baby Raven, USA, 14min. / Skyward, UK, 20min. / From Light And Dust, TAIWAN, 26min.

Sitting back and enjoying the sights of nature can bring joy to one's heart.

?4:30pm: (Program 27)
¡Nails!, USA, 5min. / It's A Gray, Gray World, IRAN, 6min. / Before Her Body Left, CHINA, 7min. / Salman Toor's Emerald Green, USA, 8min. / In Bloom, USA, 9min. / Hope Acre, USA, 11min. / / Dorothy Arzner, Pioneer, Queer, Feminist, FRANCE, 53min.

Everybody needs some LGBTQ stories in their life.

5:00pm: (Program 28)
Met(EYE)morphosis, USA, 3min. / Zero Trust, USA, 3min. / 402 (Road To Riches), USA, 3min. / Ancestral Prototypes, USA, 3min. / Red Rabbit, IRELAND, 5min. / Moirai, Thread Of Life, SINGAPORE/USA, 6min. / Terra Somnus: Dreamland, MEXICO, 9min. / The Source Of Life, SPAIN, 10min. / Boys Clap, Girls Dance, USA, 10min. / Vicious Circle, CHINA, 11min. / 100 Partially Obscured Views, USA, 20min.

Trés cool experimental and animated works.

?6:30pm: (Program 29)

??7:00pm: (Program 30)
Left Alone Rhapsody, USA, 100min.

At 25, Leonard Bernstein protégé, John Bayless, debuted at Carnegie Hall, performing “Rhapsody In Blue” with full orchestra. His jaw-dropping technical prowess at the piano initiated a 30-year-long concert and recording career as a solo pianist, composer, and improvisor.  At 54, a left-brain stroke immobilized his dominant right side. The music stopped. John’s magical ‘first act’ disappeared.  John Bayless to perform.

?7:30pm: (Program 31)
Ukrainians In Exile, USA, 7min. / The Healer, USA, 10min. / Not Another Ballet Story, USA, 11min. / Lesbians On The Loose, 13min / Mama Chetah, USA, 13min. / The Recall, USA, 20min.

Women figure just as prominently in the world now as men, whether they are on a battle field or in a television studio and more.

9:00pm: (Program 32)

Sunday, April 2, 2023
11:00am: (Program 33)
Autumn Leaves, CANADA, 4min. / Morning Joy, USA, 7min. / The Record, SWITZERLAND, 9min. / This Is National Wake, USA, 66min.

Music, music, music from around the world.

?11:30am: (Program 34)
The Snowman, USA, 1min. / Blueberry, USA, 5min. / The Giant With A House 2, HK, 11min: / I'm Gonna Get You, USA, 3min. / A-Hâ's Egg Cake, TAIWAN, 6min. / Snowflakes, USA, 6min. / Blue, USA, 7min. / Ana Morphose, PORTUGAL, 10min. / The Social Chameleon, USA, 10min. / Laika & Nemo, GERMANY, 15min.

A fun selection of animated works that the whole family will enjoy!

12:00pm: (Program 35)
Outsider, CHINA, 2min. / Meet Cute, CANADA, 3min. / Foot Print Shop, USA, 4min. / O-Fortuna, TAIWAN, 5min. / Change, USA, 6min. / What Do The Dead Want From Us?, BULGARIA, 6min. / Money And Happiness, SERBIA, 10min. / The Originals, USA, 10min. / A Mouthful Of Petrol, UK, 35min.

Some poignant stories about society.

1:30pm: (Program 36)
The Old Man And The River, BRAZIL, USA, 16min. / Below Surface, USA, 20min. / The Ruth Brinker Story, USA, 23min.

Mature stories about mature individuals.

?2:00pm: (Program 37)
Strange Beasts, AUSTRALIA, 10min. / Momma's Boy, USA, 12min. / For The Bees, USA, 16min. / End Of The Road, SERBIA, 19min. / Goodboy, USA, 41min.

Loving tales about animals and their human friends.

2:30pm: (Program 38)
Ave'sam: erica, USA, 98min.

A social commentary ofam: erica captured through the unique eye of renowned street photographer Ave Pildas.

?4:00pm: (Program 39)
Ballroom in Guangzhou, CHINA, 8min. / Feeling of Betrayal, USA, 10min. / Beyond The Fantasy, USA, 14min. / The Clowns Are Coming, USA, 16min. / The Mels, USA, COSTA RICA, 17min. / Almost Famous, USA, 25min.

A great selection of films from Northwestern University's Medill School.

?4:30pm: (Program 40)
Maurice Chevallier, FRANCE, 53min.

One of France's greatest exports to Hollywood was more than just a movie star.

?5:00pm: (Program 41)
Pampas, UK, 5min. / From Light And Dust, TAIWAN, 26min. / Motu Haka, FRANCE, 52min.

Some visually stunning different takes on man and nature.

?6:30pm: (Program 42)
Bottle Conditioned, USA, 82min.

Foodies and beer lovers need to see this.  Bring a beer or two, sit back and enjoy!

?7:00pm: (Program 43)

7:30pm: (Program 44)
Clancy Sigal: A Transatlantic Portrait Of The Writer, USA, 88min.

An in-depth dive into the life and times of one ofam: erica's great writers.

9:00pm: (Program 45)

Monday, April 3, 2023
11:00am: (Program 46)
Carpenter, IRAN, 14min. / Benny, USA, 15min. / Seoul Song, SOUTH KOREA, 15min. / Fail First, USA, 18min. / You'll Be Happier, USA, 20min.

Medicine and mental health occupy a great deal of our lives.  See how these folks live in a complicated world.

??11:30am: (Program 47)
Ithaka, AUSTRALIA, 106min.

With Julian Assange facing a 175 year sentence if extradited to the US, his family members are confront the prospect of losing Julian forever to the abyss of the US justice system.

12:00pm: (Program 48)
Yaar, IRAN, 3min. / Danny, USA, 10min. / Me and Me, TAIWAN, 10min. / Creature Comfort, USA, 11min. / The Magical Crow, AUSTRALIA, 13min. / Ebullient, USA, 20min.

These intriguing stories focus on how people deal with the challenges of day to day life.

?1:30pm: (Program 49)
Six Conversations In Oklahoma City, USA, 17min. / I, Too, USA, 64min.

A look at the African-American experience and the battle for equality.  Race-hating is not good for anyone.

??2:00pm: (Program 50)
The Glove, USA, 4min. / Absolution, Parsin, USA, 5min. / Welcome To 8th Street, USA, 7min. / Loop, ARGENTINA, 8min. / The Benefactors, SWITZERLAND, 9min. / The Rail Way Home, UKRAINE, 11min. / A Monolingual Nation, USA, 13min. / Finding Us, USA, 14min. / Keep Talking, USA, 17min.

Some entertaining and intense stories about society.

2:30pm: (Program 51)
Jeff Gibbs Master Class

Jeff Gibbs, filmmaker, as well as chief collaborator with Michael Moore,  discusses what it takes to make a great documentary and Oscar winner.  Jeff will share some excerpts of his and Michael's world famous works.

?4:00pm: (Program 52)
Catisfaction, PORTUGAL, 7min. / Mouse House, SLOVENIA, 9min. / Dust To Light, USA, 12min. / Footprints In The Forest, MALAYSIA, 18min. / Space To Live, UK, 20min.

A fun group of works about "animals."

?4:30pm: (Program 53)

5:00pm: (Program 54)

?7:00pm: (Program 55)
Closing Night: Awards Ceremony: Sophia, USA, 89min.

Our Closing Night Film and Awards will inspire us as well as make us yearn for #AmDocs2024.

Inventor David Hanson is on a relentless quest to bring compassion and consciousness to Sophia, the most recognized humanoid robot in the world. As capitalist expectations threaten his lifelong vision, and with Sophia’s future in the balance, SOPHIA poses pressing questions around AI, the idea of engineering empathy, and what it means to be human.

Date: March 30 - April 3, 2023

Location: Camelot Theatres - 2300 East Baristo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262

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