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sharePhysical labor is not simply a matter of muscle, but a sensory dialogue with the world, one that can, in some instances, determine your life and well-being. The characters in this collection of documentary short films use their hands and their hearts to find meaning and purpose.
In this program
Trey Abdella’s Miserable Dream
Directed by Andrew Nadkarni
Reflecting on the repulsive allure of Americana, artist Trey Abdella invites us into his practice, creating inventive and deeply personal works.
Stack
Directed by Randolph Buffington
On the eve of Father’s Day, a bricklayer-preacher named Stack juggles two job sites and one Sunday sermon — all within 48 hours. Set in Cleveland, this short film captures the rhythm of faith, fatherhood, and the quiet grind that holds a family together.
Work, Create, Repeat
Directed by John Reyer Afamasaga
A woodburning artist from Jackson, Mississippi navigates the gig economy—balancing multiple jobs while striving to make a living from her art.
Free Fish
Directed by Bisan Owda
FREE FISH is an intimate short documentary filmed entirely in Gaza during one of the deadliest years in recent history. The film follows two brothers, Mohammad and Ahmad Kaloob, separated by siege and displacement, yet bound by the sea.
The Last Bateau
Directed by Kenny Rigsby
Almost a half century after her great-grandfather’s voice was captured on cassette tapes, a woman returns to Caddo Lake to restore the last boat he built and listen to the legacy he left behind.
Living Waters
Directed by felippe
In Nunavut, Elder David Nanook teaches youth how to harvest from an ancient stone weir, reawakening ancestral knowledge, language, and connection to the living Arctic land.
Cindy Tran: From Here to Here
Directed by Xinyan Yu
From family estrangement to New York City’s overlooked restaurants, Cindy Tran’s poems capture what’s hidden, honest, and beautiful about being human. She invites us into the in-between, where we embrace difficult experiences and reimagine the possibilities of poetry.
