Churchill, Manitoba, is famous as an international destination for photographing polar bears. We’ve seen the majestic images and classic wildlife series captured here - but what do these bears see of us? Through a shift in perspective, Nuisance Bear reveals an obstacle course of tourist paparazzi and wildlife officers whom bears must navigate during their annual migration.

Nuisance Bear

An unconventional and visually stunning study of the polar bears who draw tourists to Churchill, Manitoba.

The Panola Project highlights the heroic efforts of Dorothy Oliver to keep her small town of Panola, Alabama safe from COVID-19. Dorothy runs a makeshift vaccine coordination center from the town’s only convenience store, which she runs out of a mobile home. The closest hospital to her rural Black town is nearly 40 miles away—and many of her neighbors don’t have cars. Dorothy’s solution: bring the vaccines to the community. She talks with County Commissioner Drucilla Jackson, planning their door knocking route for the day. In order to get a clinic to Panola, they need at least 40 people to sign up. They canvass the town, driving up on front lawns and honking their horn. Most of the people are excited to sign up. Then they meet with LaDenzel Colvin in his front yard grilling ribs. LaDenzel, a Black man in his 20’s, is undecided—he’s heard stories about the vaccine and is scared of potential risks. Dorothy relentlessly pours on the charm, listens to his concerns, jokes, cajoles, and pushes him for an answer. The Panola Project follows Dorothy and Drucilla as they fight to get everyone in their community vaccinated. Despite Alabama having one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, 99% of adults in Panola have received their vaccine, including everyone above the age of 65. Dorothy showed us—and the American public—that even in trying and polarizing times, the only way forward is with hope, warmth, and a sense of humor.

The Panola Project

Highlighting the heroic efforts of Dorothy Oliver to keep her small town of Panola, Alabama safe during the pandemic. A chronicle of how an often-overlooked rural Black community came together in creative ways to survive.

The story of a grandfather’s perilous swim from China to Hong Kong that parallels his granddaughter’s own quest for a new freedom.

Freedom Swimmer

In order to understand the present we need to shed light on the past.

On a remote coast of the Siberian Arctic in a wind-battered hut, a lonely man waits to witness an ancient gathering. But warming seas and rising temperatures bring an unexpected change, and he soon finds himself overwhelmed.

Haulout

On a remote coast of the Siberian Arctic in a wind-battered hut, a lonely man waits to witness an ancient gathering. But warming seas and rising temperatures bring an unexpected change, and he soon finds himself overwhelmed.

Michael Thompson is the longest serving non-violent offender in Michigan history and this year he is finally up for clemency. In 1994, he was arrested for selling three pounds of cannabis to a close friend turned police informant. He was sentenced to 42 to 60 years in prison and remains there even after Michigan legalizes the recreational use and sale of cannabis. The film follows Michael’s daughter Rashawnda and his lawyer Kim during the fight for clemency and examines the harm the war on drugs has caused on communities and explores paths forward as national Cannabis legalization gets closer to becoming a reality.

The Sentence of Michael Thompson

In 1994, Michael Thompson was arrested for selling three pounds of cannabis and was sentenced to 42 to 60 years in prison. He is the longest serving non-violent offender in the history of Michigan and he is finally up for clemency.

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A selection of festival films will be available from Monday, September 23rd through Monday, September 30th for at-home viewing.  Please note that not all films screening in-person will be made available in the Virtual Cinema and in limited cases, geo-based restrictions may apply to some viewers outside of Tennessee or the United States. Tickets for virtual film screenings can be purchased individually for $14 or are included at no additional cost for certain badge holders.  For more information on accessing and optimizing Virtual Cinema content, please visit Eventive FAQs or contact festival@nashfilm.org..  

Welcome! The 54th Nashville Film Festival includes films ranging in genres from narratives, documentaries, animation, horror and much more!

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No worries. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.