The Deepest Breath
Champion freediver Alessia Zecchini fell in love with the sport as a child growing up in Italy, astounding coaches with her raw talent and determination in pool swims and open water contests before she was even old enough to legally compete. Irish adventurer turned expert safety diver Stephen Keenan, meanwhile, was raised near the sea, but as a young man he set out on a quest to find himself, traveling across Africa before landing in Dahab, Egypt and establishing a dive school. Despite their very different paths, the two would meet at the pinnacle of the competitive freediving world, discovering a shared passion for pushing their limits and forming a powerful relationship that felt like fate.
From director Laura McGann, this thrilling documentary takes a look inside one of the most dangerous sports in the world, using everything from raw underwater dive footage to childhood home movies to chronicle Zecchini and Keenan’s lives and careers. The bond between them propels the film’s emotional journey into the stunning, silent depths of the ocean, a breathtaking place unseen by all but the fortunate few – where exhilarating accomplishments and unavoidable risks await.
Shorts Program 5: Beyond Bars
Beyond Bars program exposes the flaws and injustices of the prison industrial complex, with two powerful films that shed light on the over-incarceration of black and brown people and the impact of cash bail. Meet two incredible activists who are making change and fighting for justice in their communities. This program will be followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers, participants, and leaders in the criminal justice reform system, offering an opportunity for dialogue and action toward a more equitable and just society.
Shorts Program 4: View Askew
Experience the beauty and complexity of everyday life in a whole new way with View Askew’s collection of thought-provoking, unexpected, and lyrical films. From overlooked moments in cinema to the hidden desires of a hotel room, pensive glances on a long ferry ride, and the secret language of vegetation, this program offers a fresh perspective on the world around us, revealing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Shorts Program 3: Out/Spoken
Out/Spoken explores the diversity, complexity, and vibrancy of queer lives and experiences. Through a dynamic range of stories, this program captures the joys, struggles, and triumphs of queer individuals and communities, highlighting their resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit.
Shorts Program 2: Unbreakable Spirits
Unbreakable Spirits showcases powerful stories of individuals who have endured – or are now enduring – the ravages of war, oppression, and other forms of global strife. Through their strength, resilience, and unwavering determination, these individuals face the unimaginable, or have triumphed over adversity, inspiring hope and resilience in themselves and those around them.
Shorts Program 1: Against the Grain
Against the Grain showcases provocative and inspiring stories of individuals and institutions who challenge the status quo, break away from conventional thinking, and push boundaries, even if it means delving into uncomfortable and complicated places.