Heart of an Astronaut is a short documentary by Jennifer Rainsford, inviting you on the journey of an astronaut’s heart from Earth to Space. Its beat, its perils and its strength told by the astronaut’s doctor, the flight surgeon Brigitte Godard. It is a romantic trip of a cardiovascular system into space.

Heart of an Astronaut

A romantic trip of our cardiovascular system into space.

Krista Wyatt has lived in the small town of Lebanon, Ohio for her entire life. She spent thirty years as a firefighter and EMT before retiring and running for a position on Lebanon’s City Council. Her understanding of public service—infrastructure, budget, public safety—is ultimately upended by a sudden right-wing push to refocus the council on cultural issues, culminating in a successful effort to ban abortion within city limits. Sanctuary finds Krista contending with Lebanon’s designation as a Sanctuary City for the Unborn—the first city in Ohio to pass such legislation. Having resigned her position from council in protest, she now spends her time as a volunteer storm spotter, calling in warnings for severe weather in Lebanon and surrounding areas. While monitoring a storm rolling into town, Krista recounts the story of the Lebanon’s anti-abortion ordinance. As she does, a clearer picture of her hometown comes into focus through Krista’s eyes, revealing the tension between personal conviction and a dedication to the places we call home.

Sanctuary

In the first city to ban abortion in Ohio, a lifelong resident grapples with the transformation of her hometown.

A group of young men in Montgomery, Texas forgo college to support themselves as “Masters” in the world of online Financial Domination, where thousands of paying clients consent to relinquishing control over their finances.Through the course of one night, the film alternates between the online world and observational moments, weaving between vignettes of virtual, live-streamed sessions and cam shows in which anonymous participants engage in consensual erotic labor. Alpha Kings explores the dichotomy between these “Masters” alpha-male online personas and their true private selves, drawing on themes of desire, masculinity, sexuality, power, and performance. In a current social-political climate in which the American Dream seems far-fetched, the film’s subjects grapple with uncertainty about the future, their place in society, and the value of their work.

Alpha Kings

From a rented mansion in suburban Texas, a group of young men sell a hyperbolic, alpha-male version of themselves on the internet.

Ukrainian reality is divided into two periods - before and after the war. In the nationwide resistance, every citizen tries to be helpful. Ukrainians change professions and adapt to wartime needs. Sculptors fabricate anti-tank obstacles in their art workshops. Just like the Terracotta Army, silent figures of Ukrainian personalities, angels, Cossacks, and multiple copies of Jesus Christ are frozen in anticipation of new creations. Craftsmen weld metal defense items for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles

In western Ukraine, sculptors who used to make religious statues are retraining for different skills. They now build anti-tank obstacles to help fend off the Russian invasion.

The accountant has fallen asleep on her desk. The waiter sleeps behind the cash register. The guard is dreaming, slumbering on his chair outside the bank. Powernapper’s Paradise explores life and the people in the Philippines, where it seems okay to sleep at work.

Powernapper's Paradise

Powernapper’s Paradise explores life and the people in the Philippines, where it seems okay to sleep at work.

On board a ferry, a series of passengers cross a river from one riverbank to the other. Some of the travelers wrap themselves in silence and observe the unfamiliar fellow travelers or contemplate the scenery. Some others chat, perhaps to liven up the voyage and speed up time. The journey on the waters seems to expand, the destination shore is postponed, the magnitude of space is blurred. Motion itself is perhaps the only certainty.

Aqueronte

On board a ferry, a series of passengers cross a river from one riverbank to the other.

United States of America

Life On Mars

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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 55th 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.