11th Annual Windrider Film Festival Goes Virtual

FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL – JUNE 27th

ALSO ANNOUNCING WINDRIDER SUMMER FILM SERIES – 7 CONSECUTIVE SUNDAY EVENINGS AT 7 PM PDT
BEGINNING JULY 5th

Screeners available upon request

Menlo Park, CA, June 8, 2020 – Windrider Bay Area Film Forum (windriderbayarea.org) is excited to announce its program of curated short films and conversations with filmmakers, now open to a worldwide audience through its virtual format. This year’s Windrider Virtual Film Forum will be shown via open streaming; access is free to anyone who registers to attend at windriderbayarea.org.

Terri Bullock, Director of Windrider shares, “For ten years, Windrider has hosted live events in the San Francisco Bay Area, screening independent films focused on stories of people being faced with major challenges and finding unexpected solutions and constructive ways of dealing with problems. With COVID-19, we’ve all had to pivot and reinvent how we do things. Fortunately, with technology, we will still be presenting these inspirational shorts with their messages of hope at a time when these stories need to be heard more than ever.”

In addition to the Virtual Film Forum, Windrider is also announcing the launch of its Summer Film Series. This new weekly series will highlight a set of award winning short films, some that have appeared in prior Forum programs, and others carefully selected for our audience, all followed by a filmmaker conversation.

All details and event registration information available at windriderbayarea.org

WINDRIDER VIRTUAL FILM FORUM – Saturday, June 27, streaming at 7 pm PDT

Three short documentaries followed by moderated conversations with the filmmakers

WALK, RUN, CHA-CHA
This 2020 Oscar nominated documentary tells the story of Paul and Millie Cao, who rebuilt their lives as immigrants in America shortly after the end of the Vietnam war. Years later, they face one of life’s biggest challenges – going beyond one’s daily responsibilities to happiness and fulfillment. Come share their journey as they discover the joy of dance. We often hear the story of refugees escaping their countries in hope for a new life, but Walk, Run, Cha-Cha tells the story of what happens next.
Filmmaker Laura Nix joins Windrider for discussion following the film.

THAT’S MY JAZZ
What do you do when you are the son of a famous Jazz musician and want to honor his legacy? Become a world-renowned pastry chef. That’s My Jazz tells the story of Milton Abel II, Michelin star pastry chef, and his jazz legend father, Milton Abel, Sr. This documentary beautifully weaves the exceptional careers of this father and son and the challenge to find balance in life, against the backdrop of Jazz as a metaphor and reflection of life.
Filmmaker Ben Proudfoot will be in discussion with Windrider after the film.

IDENTITY: THE ANDREW NEMR STORY
It’s the human experience to face at some point the looming question, where do I fit in the world? In Identity, filmmaker Jon Cipiti tells the poignant story of world-famous tap dancer, Andrew Nemr, who discovered his gift of tap at an early age, then uses it to dance his way out of troubled times, express his joy in good times, and become the best version of himself possible.
Andrew Nemr and filmmaker Jon Cipiti team up in conversation following the film.

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WINDRIDER SUMMER FILM SERIES, Sundays, July 5 – August 16, 7 pm PDT

All audiences are invited to enjoy a Windrider short film every Sunday evening over a 7-week period beginning July 5 at 7pm PDT. Once you register through windriderbayarea.org you will receive a link each week to view an inspirational short film and filmmaker conversation. These award winning short films along with filmmaker Q&As will also be available on demand on our website after they are released each week.
Free viewing of all films with advanced registration at windriderbayarea.org.

Confirmed films for Windrider Summer Film Series

Teen Press by T.C. Johnstone

The Driver is Red by Randall Christopher

Nocturne in Black by Jimmy Keyrouz

Soar by Alyce Tzue

Beneath the Ink by Cy Dodson

DeKalb Elementary by Reed Van Dyke

Head Over Heels by Timothy Reckart

About Windrider Bay Area Film Forum
This is Windrider Bay Area’s 11th season of bringing thought-provoking, independent films to the Peninsula community, and now beyond. The Windrider Film Forum takes participants on a journey, exploring our common humanity imaginatively, compassionately, and with a lens of hope, through film. Many filmmakers have become the conscience in our culture, creating films that do more than simply entertain us. Windrider works to find independent films exploring the human condition with creativity and respect, hoping to inspire meaningful discussions, and to motivate its audience to respond actively and constructively.