Manhattan Film Festival

"Black Uniform" features the voices of 12 Black veterans, serving within the ranges of WWII to present day, to speak on why they enlisted and what they’ve given to their country. This film shares their heartfelt perspectives on what it felt like to be on the proverbial front lines as a Black man or woman in the U.S. military – including during segregated service; the draft; the nation’s shifting views on those who serve; and the additional challenges faced by women who serve.

Sami is a short form comedy series that follows a young actress in NYC as she navigates through her wacky daily life of auditioning, temp jobs, performing, dating and all of life's adventures with the support from her BFF Sammy and her family - esp her Mom and Grandma. There's an original song(s) in every episode. 10 episodes in Season 1, filled with lots of Tony Award Winners, Tony Nominees and Broadway Stars!

SLOW FASHION is a documentary that explores cultural appropriation of indigenous designs in Mexico by an international fashion designer and the way weavers and block printers in Laos and India are working with new sustainable designers, whose principles and practices are based on equality, not hierarchy. A major fashion designer from Paris has been appropriating traditional designs in the community of Tlahuitoltepec in the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico. In response to this and other instances of global appropriation, Mexico's Ministry of Culture has asked global fashion brands for “a public explanation on what basis it could privatize collective property". Can credit and compensation be given to indigenous communities where the designs come from? Given the vast economic disparity between local communities of origin and the global companies, who are appropriating their designs; it becomes a matter of not only collective property rights, but also human and cultural rights. In Laos, craftsmanship and the value of culture is examined by Nanci Takayama, professor/sustainable fashion activist. Working with communities of Laotian weavers, she raises the subject of empowerment of women artisans and weavers and explores alternative socially conscious ways of working with them in collaboration. She focuses on how designers should respect culture and not just take the artisans’ heritage, their designs, but also to give something back in return. In Jaipur, India; Mireia Lopez, a New York City progressive eco-designer, demonstrates how to respect artisans by working in a just and fair manner. Hierarchies disappear and true collaboration occurs, as a people-over-profit philosophy is practiced. Mirea, demonstrates how a fashion designer can practice fairness and collaboration. Metamorphosis is possible and real solutions occur as sustainable practices are chosen. Ultimately, fashion designers must be inclusive and rooted in local needs, resources, and culture. It must include women and give voice to communities, who have been long marginalized by colonial models.

Robot thinks he has a wonderful joke, so he keeps trying to tell it, but none of the other robots ever laugh. Will Robot give up on his awesome joke or will he find his tribe? Low-tech stop-motion using mainly re-claimed wood scraps and metal pieces.

Another Year Together chronicles three romantic relationships in the same New York City family during the Holidays. Jonathan and Sophie, 30s, have been together for several years and are on the fence about marriage. Jonathan’s sister, Julie, 40’s, is newly single, and is starting anew with her brother’s best friend, David. Jonathan’s parents, Barbara and Eddie, 70’s, have been married for almost 50 years, and find themselves on the precipice of divorce. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, each couple goes through relationship Hell as they confront the reality of what it means to be in love.