 After clipping her wing on a robotic facility antenna, a Songbird forms an unlikely symbiotic relationship with the robot she inadvertently creates.  Director Jack Tenbusch Jack Tenbusch is an animator and graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Traditional Animation in 2021. Raised on games, movies, and TV series that inspired his creativity, Jack pursued animation as his calling in life and major of study. After finishing his first animated short, Perspective at College of Lake County, Jack transferred to Columbia College Chicago under a full scholarship to continue his training in animation - with an emphasis in 2D. After finishing his solo thesis project, SymBionic, Jack was selected for Columbia College Chicago's Semester in Los Angeles (SiLA) for the Fall of 2021, where he interned with Clocky LLC. and Starburns Industries in animation and production roles. Since graduating, Jack is working as a freelance animator who is always eager to find his next project. https://www.jacktenbusch.com/home/symbionic-short-film
Director Statement SymBionic is a personal project I've had in mind since first applying to art school, and it was something I was dead set on making as soon as I enrolled. Animating the film solo was a challenge, and things looked crazy once the quarantine lockdown hit right when I was beginning its storyboard – but all that time at home under quarantine meant I could put all my energy into making the film a reality. The story I want to tell with SymBionic and its larger narrative is about the importance of kindness in the face of cruelty and having hope when the world seems to lack any. In this futuristic world of destructive industry, two who were broken find the strength in one another to rise again stronger than they ever were alone.  Deeply concerned about the steep decline of insect pollinators due to devastating environmental impacts, a group of runners trace the migration path of the monarch butterflies across three countries as they organized a 4,300 kilometre relay run, aiming to raise awareness for pollinator conservation.  Director Rodney Fuentes In January 2018, Carlotta told Rodney about her idea of running with monarchs from Peterborough to Mexico and asked him to record the journey as a documentary film. This project was a love at first sight for Rodney! As a filmmaker based in Peterborough, Rodney started the production of a documentary that covers the runners, the migration, and the communities involve in monarch’s conservation. Following his background in eco-tourism and environmental conservation, Rodney became involved with The Monarch Ultra as a co-founder, content creation, and event’s organization. http://themonarchultrafilm.com
Director Statement “As a filmmaker I saw an opportunity to explore the parallel stories of the monarchs and the runners. During the 2019 relay run, runners not only traced the migration route of monarch butterflies, but also experienced similar challenges that the monarchs face in their annual migration. The film covers the story behind the planning and execution of The Monarch Ultra and how this international relay run connects with environmental activism.”  After a profound loss, Carol dedicated her life to training service dogs for veterans with PTSD, providing them practical assistance and a renewed sense of purpose and hope.  Director Spencer Matches Spencer, a Seattle native with a lifelong passion for cinema and storytelling, draws from a background in photography as he prepares to debut his first documentary film, "A Dog Can Make A Difference," this year. His enthusiasm for inspiring and empowering others through creative expression and storytelling fuels his excitement to share this compelling story with the world.
Director Statement Filming this documentary was an extremely emotional experience for me. As a lifelong dog owner raised in a military family, the stories I captured resonated deeply with my own experiences. I hope this film tugs at the heartstrings of all who watch it, connecting them to its powerful narrative.  Away from his family for up to 3 years at a time, Peruvian shepherd, Christian Aliaga works the hillsides of northern California with a massive herd of goats and two exceptional Border Collies. Together they roam the land conducting wildfire mitigation with their old-world, natural approach to vegetation management. Christian shares his affinity for nature, the animals he works with, and a glimpse at his timeless trade in the modern age.  Director Matthew Boyd https://www.wayoftheshepherdfilm.com Matthew Boyd is an award-winning cinematographer and director based in Oakland, CA. working in feature film, short film, documentary, and television spaces. His work has been featured on Netflix, HBO Documentary Films, Showtime, theatrically, and in film festivals worldwide. Boyd's recent feature work as cinematographer includes "ZONA", a feature-length documentary about Zona Roberts, the 103 yr old disability rights activist and mother of Ed Roberts. "Mine 9", (Netflix, Showtime) And "Hazard", a new feature starring Sosie Bacon, Alex Roe, and Steven Ogg based on the Appalachian opioid epidemic.
Director Statement I first met Christian Aliaga on a foggy hike in the hills of Berkeley, California. He was setting up an electric perimeter fence, surrounded by a massive herd of goats with two trusty Border Collies at his side. I learned that these goats were the descendants of a herd brought by Spanish missionaries to Catalina Island in the 1800's. The ranch Christian works for collected hundreds of these goats in the mid-90's when ranchers and animals rights groups offered to remove the goats from the island before a planned mass culling of the population. I was fascinated by this novel approach to wildfire mitigation through vegetation management, and the story behind his time working alongside these animals, alone, in these varied settings. Every visit revealed something more interesting than the last, and two years later, I had gained a friend and finished a film. |
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