Official Selection
Dawn
On the anniversary of her parents’ death, Dawn awakens to the quiet ache of a life unfulfilled. She’s spent years drifting
— her dreams of becoming a therapist buried beneath grief, her heart walled off behind the comforting rituals of pouring wine at a cozy San Francisco bar. Every glass is a distraction. Every evening, a delicate detour around the pain she refuses to face. But when Kamari — a magnetic, free-spirited nomad – unexpectedly appears, dormant complex emotions surface. Their connection once felt destined, but the secret that shattered them still lingers. As Dawn moves through the echoes of their memories, she’s faced with a choice: hold tight to the safety of certainty and walk away or lean into love to finally reclaim her future and the possibilities in her forever.
This is the story of one transformative day — the day she realizes closure isn’t found, but chosen.
— her dreams of becoming a therapist buried beneath grief, her heart walled off behind the comforting rituals of pouring wine at a cozy San Francisco bar. Every glass is a distraction. Every evening, a delicate detour around the pain she refuses to face. But when Kamari — a magnetic, free-spirited nomad – unexpectedly appears, dormant complex emotions surface. Their connection once felt destined, but the secret that shattered them still lingers. As Dawn moves through the echoes of their memories, she’s faced with a choice: hold tight to the safety of certainty and walk away or lean into love to finally reclaim her future and the possibilities in her forever.
This is the story of one transformative day — the day she realizes closure isn’t found, but chosen.
Official Selection
The Day Elvis Died
It is August 1977 and Elvis Presley is dead. The domestic violence movement has just started to slow burn across the country, spotlighting abuse, long since kept secret. Amidst the turmoil hope seems to break on the horizon. But for one Mother and child, is escape truly possible?
The story coincides with the battered women’s movement – when domestic violence was just being truly recognized in the US.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
The film delves into the harrowing reality of how this cycle of abuse can persist across generations until someone bravely chooses a different path. At its heart, the story explores the intricate bond between a mother and daughter as they navigate the challenges of surviving within a violent household. Through their unwavering support for each other, they confront the harsh realities of their situation and grapple with the decision of whether to break free or remain trapped in the cycle of abuse. The film's conclusion leaves room for interpretation, inviting audiences to contemplate whether the characters have successfully escaped their circumstances
or merely dreamt of doing so. It serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity.
The story coincides with the battered women’s movement – when domestic violence was just being truly recognized in the US.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
The film delves into the harrowing reality of how this cycle of abuse can persist across generations until someone bravely chooses a different path. At its heart, the story explores the intricate bond between a mother and daughter as they navigate the challenges of surviving within a violent household. Through their unwavering support for each other, they confront the harsh realities of their situation and grapple with the decision of whether to break free or remain trapped in the cycle of abuse. The film's conclusion leaves room for interpretation, inviting audiences to contemplate whether the characters have successfully escaped their circumstances
or merely dreamt of doing so. It serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity.
