About the Festival
The Show Me Justice Film Festival is an international film festival that brings films from around the world to the Midwest to showcase the theme of social justice. The festival is coordinated by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Central Missouri in cooperation with the Department of Communication. The films selected for the festival compete for prizes based on their artistic competence, creativity, and exploration of the festival theme.
The Show Me Justice Film Festival strives to raise awareness about social justice. Through the powerful medium of film, our goal is to inspire individuals and communities toward collective action against social injustices such as racism, sexism, poverty, substance abuse and other ills that infiltrate society and suppress democratic movements throughout the world. Filmmakers from around the globe are encouraged to submit short feature films (30 to 60 minute), and short narrative, experimental, animated, and documentary films that put a face on the many shades of social injustice and offer a variety of real experiences by sharing their stories.
Email the Show Me Justice Film Festival at filmfest@ucmo.edu.
I’m a Woman With Nothing to Prove
Unapologetically Black
Opening My Eyes
Acknowledging my White Privilege
Men’s Mental Health (Guest Blogger: Kamran Sheriff)
World Day of Social Justice (Guest Blogger: Alexis Ceja)
Social Justice in Sports
Sports And Social Justice Expert Speaks About NCAA Legislation – (Guest Editor: Evan Holmes)
Child Fighting In Thailand – (Guest Blogger: Tim Griddine)
Guest Blogger – Dan Harbaugh – “Credit Where Credit is Due”
Film Screenings
Wednesday Evening (7:00pm—Hendricks Hall)
Image from Futbolistas 4 Life, playing during Wednesday's Evening Program
Wednesday Early Evening Program begins at 7:00pm in Hendricks Hall.
An Affair on the Nueces
USA, Documentary, 15 minutes
Directed by Jeffrey Harland
In 1862, a group of German immigrants fled Texas for Mexico to avoid conscription into the confederate army. This film looks at the often overlooked history of immigrant resistance to slavery in the United States.
Love
USA, Documentary, 56 minutes
Directed by Enang Wattimena
While researching a family photo, Wattimena learns about his great-great-grandmother and about a darker side of colonialism.
Wednesday Feature Program begins at 7:45pm in Hendricks Hall.
The Other Way
USA, Documentary, 9 minutes
Directed by Joshua Marks
Tankarpata, Peru has a traditional school, but the after-school program CooperarPeru encourages children to explore their own interests and creativity. CooperarPeru strives to develop each child’s potential, as well as promote the overall health of the community.
Ainhoa
Spain, Narrative, 19 minutes
Directed by Iván Sáinz-Pardo
Nine-year-old Ainhoa’s life is upended by Spain’s market crisis, which forced people out of their homes. Follow Ainhoa as she sets out to right the wrongs done to her family.
Futbolistas 4 Life
USA, Documentary, 39 minutes
Directed by Jun Stinson
At an Oakland high school, teens from immigrant families take solace in soccer, which lets them, if only for a moment, put their worries on the sidelines. This film sheds light on the overwhelming stress experienced by immigrant youth living in at risk communities and in fear of federal immigration policies.
Thursday Morning
Image from America; I too, playing during Thursday's Morning Program
America; I too (10:00am—Martin 125)
USA, Narrative, 20 minutes
Directed by Anike Tourse
This film follows three immigrants who are arrested, detained, and trying to navigate the system and prevent their deportation. Each immigrant’s story is based on real testimonies and experiences.
A Simpler Way (11:00am—Wood 100)
USA, Documentary, 26 minutes
Directed by Michael O. Snyder
WaterSchool teaches people how to use the sun to create safe drinking water. This film follows four university students from the US to remote rural Uganda where they work with WaterSchool and discover the importance of simple solutions to urgent global problems.
A River Film (11:30am)
Canada, Documentary, 38 minutes
Directed by Jiri Bakala
Humans in both the US and Canada use the Okanagan River in many ways. This film tells the story of the complex relationship between, people, wildlife, the River, and the larger environment.
Thursday Afternoon (12:30—Hendricks Hall)
Image from Clash, playing during Thursday's Afternoon Program
American Psychosis
USA, Documentary, 14 minutes
Directed by Amanda Zackem
This short film provides a brief look at modern consumerism, totalitarian corporate power, and living in a culture dominated by illusion.
Amazonia Dammed
United Kingdom, Documentary, 14 minutes
Directed by Ada Bodjolie
This film tells the story of the Munduruku people’s urgent struggle to protect the heart of the Amazon against one of the largest mega-dam projects on earth.
#WeMatter
USA, Narrative, 4 minutes
Directed by Sherrie Quannea
This film highlights the growing epidemic of police violence against people of color, the feelings surrounding these deaths, and the need for action and change.
CLASH
United Kingdom, Documentary, 7 minutes
Directed by Amrou Al-Kadhi
Using the perspectives of underrepresented queer people of color, this film explores how popular period-dramas erase the diversity of today’s Britain.
Remember everything, to not forget anyone
Italy, Documentary, 2 minutes
Directed by Directed by Enrico Chiarugi
On October 3, 3012, over 500 emigrants drowned while attempting to reach Europe. Italian Marco Pietrantuo learned the victims’ names so that they will always be remembered.
Blood Island
United Kingdom, Documentary, 12 minutes
Directed by Lindsey Parietti
On an island deep in Liberia’s jungles, US medical researchers captured, bred, and infected with hepatitis in order to find a cure. Begun in the 1970s the medical experiment took dark turns over the following decades. This film tells the story of the chimpanzees, their captors, and the humans still fighting to save them.
Xavier
Italy, Documentary, 8 minutes
Directed by Giovanni Coda
On April 20, 2017, police officer Xavier Jugelé was killed during a terrorist attack in Paris. His death left behind broken dreams and pain, but also the belief that tolerance and dialogue are the only ways forward.
The Weigh Station: Bear Hunting in Florida
USA, Documentary, 4 minutes
Directed by Joe Brown
In 2015, Florida reinstated bear hunting for the first time in over twenty years. This film observes a weigh station during the controversial hunt.
Marketed Collecting
Lithuania / Netherlands, Animation, 4 minutes
Directed by Daukantė Subačių
Do you question rampant commercialism? Watch late-night ads for items meant to solve problems you never knew you had? Does this short have the goods for you!
Thursday Evening (Hendricks Hall)
Image from Service to Man, playing during Thursday's Evening Program
The Man Behind the Merferds (7:00pm)
USA, Documentary, 35 minutes
Directed by Josh Herum
Missourian Phil Berwick uses his art to bring a message of love, hope, and peace to some of the darkest areas of St. Louis.
Service to Man (7:45pm)
USA, Narrative, 92 minutes
Directed by Aaron Greer and Seth Panitch
In 1967, for two students – one white and Jewish and the other African American – only one medical school will do: Nashville’s legendary all-black Meharry. There they are forced to work together to battle the mysteries of medicine, demanding professors, parental pressures, and each other in order to become healers in service to man.
Friday Afternoon (11:30am—Hendricks Hall)
Image from Little Rebel, playing during Friday's Shorts Program
An Accidental Drowning
USA, Documentary, 6 minutes
Directed by Matteo Servente
On April 28, 1939, Jesse Lee Bond was lynched in Arlington, TN. However, the official cause of death was: accidentally drowned.
Two by 4
USA, Animation, 5 minutes
Directed by Ian Bondurant
On its first day of school a young tree must contend with peer pressure and conformity.
Birdnest Hair
Australia, Experimental, 4 minutes
Directed by Matthew Hsu
This music video presents a quirky celebration of strong women and scrappy optimists.
Arrested (Again)
USA, Documentary, 9 minutes
Directed by Dan Goldes
Karen Topakian uses nonviolent civil disobedience to protest war, environmental issues, nuclear proliferation, and human rights abuses – and she’s been arrested dozens of times. This film asks, why does she do repeatedly put her body on the line?
Little Rebel
US, Documentary, 7 minutes
Directed by Aimie Vallat and Guido Ronge
Originally from Gambia, Isatou Jallow sought asylum in the USA. While creating a new life here, Jallow continuously advocates for women, asylees, and those with physical disabilities.
Twenty Years After
US, Narrative, 10 minutes
Directed by Catharine Lin
A man just released from prison attempts to reconnect with family, but finds it difficult to fit into a changed world. However, connections can occur unexpectedly and in surprising ways.
A Letter from Leticia
Argentina, Animation, 3 minutes
Directed by Irene Blei
From 1976-1983 thousands of Argentinians were “disappeared” by the military dictatorship in power – including 17-year-old Leticia Veraldi. When her parents sent her from Buenos Aires to Cipolletti for her own safety, Leticia wrote letters to her former school mates.
Le Quinze Mai à Paris
France, Experimental, 10 minutes
Directed by Janek Ambros
This film juxtaposes images of Paris on May 15, 2016 with a narrator telling the story of Paris, May 15, 1848.
Innocence
USA, Narrative, 6 minutes
Directed by Nicole Harris
While playing sheriff with his sister, a boy tries to protect his mother from her abusive boyfriend—whatever it takes.
Events
Panel Discussion: Women in Film
- 2:00pm Thursday, Martin 125
Sponsors
- The Missouri Arts Council
- Gelbach Manor
- The UCM Department of Communication
- Planet Sub
- The National Endowment For the Arts
- KMOS
- The University of Central Missouri