FILM FESTIVAL
Elevating voices previously unheard by sharing inspiring stories. See the complete list of outstanding films and purchase your tickets below.
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FILMS
2026 FESTIVAL
THURSDAY, MAY 14 - SPECIAL EVENT
On most Saturday mornings, the Strip is one of the best places on earth, full of hungry people, crunchy fruits, snappy vegetables, world-class street food, cool characters, and tasty surprises of all sorts. This 1996 documentary is a tour of the Strip, including big breakfasts, shopping along Penn Avenue and Smallman Street, warehouses, churches, and nightclubs, along with some amazing history.
Preceded by the short film Little Italy Daze directed by Max Cianci
Stay after the screening for a Q&A with Max Cianci and renowned Pittsburgh broadcasting producer, writer, and narrator Rick Sebak.
THE STRIP SHOW
7:00 pm
Feature
FRIDAY, MAY 15 - OPENING NIGHT
Palestinian comedians forge a path through laughter, using stand-up to express their resilience and spirit amid rising conflict. Their jokes become powerful statements of dignity and existence in the face of devastating circumstances.
PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB
7:00 pm
Feature
SATURDAY, MAY 16
This block of short films explores how we care for our communities, our loved ones, and ourselves. Through compassion, resilience, and curiosity, the way we show up for others can make a difference.
Stay for a Q&A with directors after the screening.
TAKE CARE
12:00 pm
Short Block
Following his wife's recent passing, single father Lucky finds himself navigating the challenges of raising his son Mason, who has Down syndrome. Mason is an 11-year-old exuberant boy who enjoys drawing and watching baseball with his dad. Seeking solace, Lucky and Mason embark on a journey across Metro Atlanta to attend their first baseball game together.
COLOR BOOK
2:30 pm
Feature
Empire Skate chronicles the colorful rise and enduring influence of New York skateboarding culture in the 1990's, through the global phenomenon of Supreme and intimate portraits of the skaters who breathed life into that world. From the highs of breakout success and the creation of a brand and movement to the lows of fractured families and the loss of close friends, it is a style-and-substance trip through a unique moment when multiple trends converged on one city to create something timeless.
EMPIRE SKATE
7:00 pm
Feature
SUNDAY, MAY 17
Doc Albany
The Black Tide
In the Jungle
Caretaker - Pittsburgh Director
Ostrich
Ask Me Anything
The Dying Business- Pennsylvania Story
This block of short films explores purpose, connection, and the resilience of the human spirit. Even in the face of challenges and uncertainty, there is always something to hold onto.
Stay for a Q&A with directors after the screening.
FINDING HOPE
5:00 pm
Short Block
Island in the Sky - Solange Young Filmmakers Film
Madeleine
Freeman Vines
Snowbear
Al Fresco
Oh Yeah!
The Lord of all Future Space and Time - Pittsburgh Director
This block of short films explores how challenges and adversity encourage resilience and transformation. Growth often comes in the moments when we rise in the face of life’s uncertainties.
Stay for a Q&A with the directors after the screening.
RISING TO THE OCCASSION
1:00 pm
Short Block
In a David vs. Goliath saga, the Jamaican women’s football team, affectionately known as the "Reggae Girlz," rise from obscurity to challenge global giants France and Brazil in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, defying all odds and capturing the world's imagination with their unyielding spirit.
Set against the backdrop of one of the most attended women’s sporting events in history, the documentary follows the Reggae Girlz on their extraordinary journey to Australia. When the team is struggling from limited resources, the Bob Marley Foundation and Cedella Marley, the team’s ambassador, step in to help pave their way. As the first Caribbean team to qualify for two consecutive World Cups, the team is determined to prove that, even with everything against them, their talent and resilience are unstoppable. This is more than just a sports story; it’s a powerful testament to courage, determination, and the relentless fight against adversity.
REGGAE GIRLZ
6:00 pm
Feature
This block of short films explores the lasting impact we leave behind—through art, relationships, and the stories we choose to tell. Even the smallest moments can leave a lasting impact.
Stay for a Q&A with the directors after the screening.
LEGACY
3:30 pm
Short Block
Death: The Life of Mike Egan - Pittsburgh Director
Zodiac
Border Dweller Love
Baa-Baa
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Awaiting the Lightening Bolt
Across the Waters
RISE
Camp Widow
First Waves Beaver County - Pittsburgh Director
ayi
The Quinta's Ghost
A Night at the Rest Area
We Were the Scenery - Pittsburgh Native Director
