Shepard

The Harvest Each year there are more then 400,000 American children who are torn away from their friends, schools and home to pick the food we all eat. Zulema, Perla and Victor labor as migrant farm workers, sacrificing their own childhoods to help their families survive. The Harvest/La Cosecha profiles there three as they journey from the scorching heat of Texas' onion fields to the winter snows of Michigan apple orchards and back south to the humidity of Florida's tomato fields to follow the harvest.

Luminous “Luminous” tells the story of the first astronomer in history to publicly predict the near-future explosion of a star. But will he be right? Others in the astronomical community are skeptical, and professional reputations hang in the balance. In production since 2014, “Luminous” follows Calvin College astronomy professor Larry Molnar’s five-year journey to test his unprecedented prediction, knowing that its success or failure will unfold squarely in the international spotlight.

Letrasteps Experimental short film by Ian Helliwell.

Spite: An African Prophe... People from all over the Ivory Coast seek out prophet-healers for treatment of their medical and emotional problems. Some of these ailments may be caused by the stress of cultural change. Often Western medicine cannot cure them. This stunningly photographed film focuses on Sebim Odjo, who draws upon Moslem, Christian and traditional African beliefs in his healing ceremonies. He moderates disputes, tracks down the source of illness, and uses his powers to heal. We see a water cure used on a patient ill with spite.

The Eleven Powers ( Bali... This film records the most spectacular sacred ceremony of the Balinese people. The Eka Dasa Rudra, or Festival of the 11 Powers, was held by order of the high priests to restore the balance between good and evil in the universe. The entire Balinese population of two million participated. In Bali, religion governs all aspects of life. A complex synthesis of Buddhism, animism, Sivaism and Hinduism, its rituals go back to the dawn of time. The film captures the sight and sound of this richly textured event.

Portrait of Altine in th... Twenty-seven year old Altine is a mother of two, living on the plains of Northern Senegal. As we watch her going about her daily chores, rhythmically threshing the millet, cooking over an open fire, she tells us of her aspirations. Her strongest wish is for adequate food, good health, and to remain close to her family Images of Western life have not penetrated her village which is three hours from a paved road. This cinematically beautiful film captures life in the dry season which lasts nine months. Cows and goats share the dusty landscape. Villagers trek great distances to bring back the heavy load of water for daily needs. Although life is difficult, there is a dignity about the people.

Escape the Light The fourth in a series of abstract shorts started in 1998 – all shot with super 8, exploring light through different lenses and filters. This film also incorporates bleaching as well as colour inversion to achieve the final effect.

The Maasai and Agents of... A rare opportunity to see life among the Maasai as filmed by one of their own warriors. The filmmaker and narrator is a Maasai who is studying at a United States college. He returned to Kenya to film the lifestyles and ceremonies of his people before their culture becomes extinct. We learn that the traditional pastoral and nomadic life is under attack by outside forces who want to impose a money economy and privatize the land.

Gooey Gooey follows the battles of a young man, trying to overcome his feelings of jealousy and envy as he finds out his ex has moved on.

Behind the Wheel With many families in Tajikistan increasingly turning to migration as an answer to their financial hardship, “Behind the Wheel” serves as an inquiry into the challenges this phenomenon can present for those who stay behind. It explores the moral and emotional turmoil of Nigora, an Uzbek woman whose traditional life of being a housewife is turned upside down after her migrant husband fails to send back enough money and she finds out he has been having an affair. No longer able to rely on her husband, Nigora defies prevailing gender norms and sets to work fixing car tyres.