#WeAreDyingHere chronicles the journey of three soldiers forced to survive in a war that they did not choose. As the war against women rages around them, they attempt to find solace to process their pain under the constant threat of their enemy lurking in the shadows. #WeAreDyingHere engages directly with the violent culture of harassment, abuse, rape, and femicide, it is a necessary pause, an exhale, and insight into the experience of living as a woman.

#WeAreDyingHere

Inspired by a true story, Omar is a young Black man trying to support his family and his newly pregnant girlfriend. Carlos is an overworked cop with a dark past weighing him down. The two couldn’t be more different, but through the course of a day not only will their similarities be spotlighted, but the two will cross paths in a tragic way.

21st & Colonial

21st & Colonial Talkback

After having a rough start to life, Zack is now working hard to be a father who is a shining example for his son, Travis-despite his toxic household. His life takes a turn for the worst when he finds himself in an ill state. Unsure of how he got there, he doesn’t let it stop him from doing everything in his power to provide a better life for Travis. One hard day for Zack proved to be a day that would change his life forever. A series of events lead him to a place that he never wanted to go back to. Zack is pushed to the limit when he is forced to leave his son to be raised without a father. Being oppressed by a system that is designed against him, he does everything in his power to persevere. The looming question now becomes, “Does his son follow the same path or will he break free”?

602 Talkback

Harrison is a man stuck between two worlds: the one he was raised to know and the reality that he is actually living. Harrison and Vanessa appear to have the perfect relationship, but Harrison is struggling with insecurities regarding his role as a man in his relationship. These insecurities lead him to wonder what does it mean to be an Alpha? At one time men were instinctively thought to be the leaders in everything and women were expected to be submissive. While this archaic way of thinking is no longer the norm in today's society, Harrison is struggling with the shift in roles and identity in relationships. How is one supposed to juggle years of upbringing versus the expectations of today? What does it mean to be a man in today's society? What are the gender roles? What's acceptable and not acceptable for men and women? Harrison struggles to find himself and he struggles with the perception of society versus how he feels internally. On their anniversary Harrison and Vanessa will have to deal with secrets that will change the foundation of their relationship forever. Will they be able to find a common ground or will the conflicting realities of expectations versus idealistic notions prove too much for their relationship?

A For Alpha

A For Alpha Talkback

A Marine returns home with hopes to be into the arms of love, only to return home broken by the arms he fought for.

A Soul Burdened

A Soul Burdened Talkback

Sezim (19) wants to fulfill her dream of studying in the Kyrgyz capital when she gets kidnapped by a group of young men and taken to the hinterland. There she’s forced to marry a stranger. If she refuses the marriage, she is threatened with social stigmatization and exclusion. Torn between her desire for freedom and the constraints of Kyrgyz culture, Sezim desperately seeks a way out.

ALA KACHUU - Take and Run

A short film on how colorism affected my childhood and the journey to loving myself.

An Open Letter to My Skin

AND THEN is a short film about two women who meet and grow closer to each other through insomnia, exploring a new city, and art. It is a story about missed connections, loneliness, adventure, longing to be accepted, art, finding purpose, and the possibility of reconnecting with those we've lost touch with. The short film follows Mana, a Japanese-American woman who arrives in Tokyo seeking to find a break from her life as an artist, and Haru, a Japanese woman from the countryside who dreams of becoming an artist herself one day. They meet under unique circumstances, and their story unfolds.

And Then

An Afro-Latino family is challenged with seeing the youngest son (Tony Medina) for the first time in four years since his sexual transition, (to Tamira Medina) and meeting her new husband for the first time on the evening of their family’s annual Christmas dinner.

ANOTHER XMAS DINNER

ANOTHER XMAS DINNER Talkback

Athens, Greece 2020. Quarantine days. Daphne, a female young jazz singer of a foreign origin who lives in Greece, decides to "break down" the wall that separates her from her annoying neighbor

ANTIVIRUS

An everyday passage in the life of Rafelo, a man who has left street life behind to dedicate himself to his family. Living in a small town, Rafelo faces the economic and social difficulties of his country. In a casual encounter, he is tempted by demons from his past.

Any Day

Any Day Talkback

In Ash Land, we offer a portrait of a Black woman who has turned her back on herself, afflicted by a quiet, insidious malaise. Her once-beloved refuge is now a den for survival, and rituals that were once joyous have become militaristic attempts at de-stressing. Compounded by the pandemic, she can no longer outrun the internal torment. When an enigmatic spirit finally catches up to her, she cultivates an understanding of true restoration and rebirth that reignites her love of Ashland. In this film, our proposal to humanity is simple: We are the ones we have been waiting for. We must heal ourselves. We must cultivate our own joy. We must inhabit spaces in the fullness of our truth. We must love ourselves inclusive of and not in spite of our mortal wounds. We Black. We are in Oregon. Look at us.

ASH LAND

A Black middle-class woman recounts experiences of racial profiling in Lake Oswego, Oregon during a time of Black Lives Matter Protests in 2020. This film was adapted from a stage monologue by Josie Seid for "The --Ism Project" that looks at the intersections of race, gender, orientation and national origin.

Being Me In The Current America

Black is Black is a short film sparking a much-needed conversation about colorism, a large issue within the black community, as well as many other communities. Colorism is the prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.

Black is Black

Black is Black Talkback

While on a routine mission, an astronaut soon finds herself battling for command, facing forces known -- and unknown -- intent on destroying her.

Blackout

It's the end of junior year for gang members Chili, Mia, and Tracey. They cruise along a picturesque street on the Northside of Long Beach, when Chili spots fellow classmate Kiki, crying on a park bench. The three teens park their bikes and reveal that Kiki's brother has just been murdered at the hands of the police. A compassionate Chili walks over to Kiki and joins her on the bench revealing that she too lost her brother in a similar way. Chili offers her friendship to Kiki in the form of joining the crip gang. Kiki accepts and is jumped in. The four teens form a close bond over the summer. Chili and Kiki become even closer. At the beginning of their senior year, Kiki reveals that she may apply to college but doesn't have enough money to pay for the application fees. Chili isn't a fan of Kiki leaving them for college but reluctantly offers to get the money to help pay for her application fees. They visit Tutti Mac in hopes of getting weed to sell to come up with the money but when they arrive, Tutti Mac reveals that the cops raided the spot and he doesn't have any product. Chili comes up with another plan to rob an acquaintance to get the money for Kiki's application fees. Kiki isn't fond of the idea In an unexpected move, the teens jump Kiki out of the gang and she and Chili share an emotional goodbye.

Blue Laces

BREAK explores a single mother handling a custody battle, low-wages, and a water crisis. One day at the grocery store, out of shame and guilt for not being able to buy her little girl some candy, she steals a chocolate bar for her daughter, and consequences ensue.

BREAK

BREAK Talkback

"Chicago Guy" poses the question, What would you do with your last 24 hours of life? This darkly comedic, day in the life, dance with spirituality against the backdrop of Chicago's city scape features Derek Dow as Guy, David Leonard as God. Also features, Amariss Harris, Corey Hendrix and Kimm Beavers.

Chicago Guy

New student Max attends his first ever acting class. He soon discovers that the lines between class and cult begin to blur as he and his fellow students are subjected to the bizarre but brilliant methods of their eccentric teacher, Adam (David Krumholtz).

CLASS

CLASS Talkback

Earl is a 40-year-old Grocery Store Manager in Small Town USA. Shy and withdrawn at times, he lights up every time he gets a visit from his favorite customer, Peppa. Kevin, the town bully, hates Earl after a previous run in left them both estranged. what starts out as a normal day, takes an unexpected turn as the bully and the bullied find themselves at a crossroads that will change both of their lives forever.

Cold Blood

A remorseful police officer struggles to cope with the fact he mistakenly killed an unarmed teenager while trying to make amends with his wife and the teens mother.

Color Blind

Amir is a struggling actor, meddling with lowly, wordless terrorist roles. More importantly, he struggles with his parents not taking his career choice seriously. Amidst the party chaos highlighted by politics, cricket, and community gossip, a revelation brings Amir a new challenge—just making it through the day.

Congratulations (Mabrook)

Denzel follows the dating life of a young man on his journey to self-acceptance. He uses an alter ego to navigate through his social issues and self worth until finally reaching the perfect conclusion.

Denzel

Gerald, an African American teenager who believes in taking a stance against the injustice to his people, and rebels against his father Jerome, a retired police officer, who does not agree with the methods implemented by the BLM supporters in 2020. Feeling suffocated and unable to breathe, Gerald lashes out against his father’s opposing beliefs resulting in the immanent divide between them. Tensions rise and Gerald’s mother, Trisha, is caught in the fallout of this modern New York City family as they crumble to the pressures of different ideologies, racial injustice, and being Black in America.

Divide - Time to Breathe

Divide - Time to Breathe Talkback

A young single mother, Shahla, is the caregiver to an elderly who is suffering from chronic depression. The man's daughter lives overseas and Shahla video calls with her everyday to give her an update on her father's health. Shahla makes a difficult decision and will have to face the consequences.

Do.Solo.Pin

Do.Solo.Pin Talkback

When Doria welcomes a familiar guest, she plunges into a struggle for her art and sanity. For optimum audio experience please use headphones or stereo speakers.

Doria

Doria Talkback

When a black man in Mesquite, Texas discovers his 4 month old not breathing; he struggles to save her life while the criminal justice system threatens his own. Based on True Events.

Duvar

Duvar Talkback

A girl is unknowingly challenged with the task of bridging the gap between 2 generations. With a little help from her father, she's forced into another world where she's confronted with lessons from the past.

Eavesdropping on the Elders

Eavesdropping on the Elders Talkback

elephant is a short film about Nicole, a woman in her late 30s who appears to have it all; a caring husband, two children and a good job. But Nicole is suffering from a crippling depression that, due to the stigma attached to mental illness, she is trying to keep secret. Set over 24 hours, elephant shows how a series of otherwise minor events, coupled with Nicole’s dissociation from family and friends, lead her to a state of utter desperation.

elephant

elephant Talkback

A successful Latina in Los Angeles encounters assumptive bosses, racist neighbors, and a white savior roommate just before a first date -- then discovers her potential partner hates Mexicans.

Enough Room

Enough Room Talkback

A Young African American man receives a chance to view an alternate version of his life, had he not turned to crime and drugs.

Environment

When a hopeless, battered woman crosses paths with a bullied transgender teen, they're each forced to speak their truth within 24 hours or their secrets will be the death of them.

FINE.

When her father passes, Raya, a free-spirited expat, returns to Lebanon for the first time in a decade. To attend his burial, she must confront the family matriarch, Aunt Wafaa. As she challenges the rituals of grieving, Raya finds herself on the outskirts of a world she once called home.

Frayed Roots

Gifted

On a hot summer day, a young boy lounges in a tyre swing hanging from the big branch of an old ghost gum. He peers through binoculars to catch glimpses of a baby koala and its parents living at the top of the gum’s mighty trunk. The surrounding bush vibrates with native animal life. In the distance, plumes of grey smoke rise above the coastal landscape, showering the horizon with ash. As the boy helps his parents prepare their home for an evacuation, so too do the animals prepare their homes: a wombat clears his burrow of debris, a finch tidies her nest; flocks of birds begin their migrations to safer skies. The boy and his kelpie sit on the porch, watching on with trepidation. The sun grows a burnt orange; a dusty hue befalls the landscape. A tiny ember drifts in the wind like an orange snowflake. The baby koala sticks its head out from the gumtree for a closer look. He winces and scratches at his nose, burnt by the ember’s seductive glow. Then the wind changes. The sky turns an ominous black, then a blazing red as the fires race towards the coastal bushland community. A mob of kangaroos bound over fallen branches. The boy’s parents load their car with memories and keepsakes. The boy and his kelpie jump in but the kelpie whines and barks at the commotion outside. Through the smoke, the boy can see the family of koalas trapped between fallen branches. He rushes to their aid. Behind him, his parents approach with boxes. “A line of cars follow the only road out of town. The boy watches through a rear window as the glowing town becomes distant. He turns forward and takes his seat. His kelpie lays on the floor at his feet. Something shifts inside a box beside him.” The boy and his parents have brought the koala family in the car with them. Guided by rural firemen, the two families journey to safety. Though they share the same experience of loss, it is their bushland home that unites them. And home is where they will return, when the bushfires are over.

Goodbye Home

After the tragic loss of his father, 7-year-old Simon turns to his home Artificial Intelligence communicator, to seek answers while his mother Mary-Anne and twin sister Simone try to readjust to their new reality. FRANÇAIS: Après la mort tragique de son père, Simon (7 ans), fait appel à son intercome d'intelligence artificielle pour trouver des réponses, pendant que sa mère Mary-Anne et sa sœur jumelle Sophie, tentent de s'adapter à leur nouvelle réalité. ESPAÑOL: Después de la trágica muerte de su padre, Simon, de 7 años, recurre al comunicador de Inteligencia Artificial de su casa para buscar respuestas, mientras su madre Mary-Anne y su hermana gemela Sophie intentan reajustarse a su nueva realidad.

H.E.N.R.I.

An undocumented housekeeper faces exploitation and sexual harassment from her employers to save her ill-stricken brother before he dies.

Housegirl

A third culture Ghanaian-American youth takes the taxi ride of his life in an attempt to catch a flight out of Accra leaving his country, ailing Grandfather, and deep rooted feelings of cultural displacement behind.

I Like It Here

"I Love Y'all" is a love letter to humanity. While many focus on the negatives involved in our society's challenges, this film celebrates the positives, despite having every reason to do the opposite. We take a journey through one woman's lens as she pours love into her community.

I Love Y'all

Rabia and Maddie, a pupil and teacher, form a friendship under the unlikeliest of circumstances.

Inertia

Inertia Talkback

A troubled teen smokes from a mysterious object which summons a malevolent monster. As he runs to escape it, questions arise as to who the true source of his torment is. "ITCH" uses tools intrinsic to the horror genre to explore themes of substance abuse, familial trauma and gender identity.

ITCH

ITCH Talkback

Three kids from the inner city find an alien spaceship and take it on a joy ride through Atlanta and beyond. But when they come to the end of their journey, they must decide whether to help the world that never cared about them, or escape into the unknown.

Joyriders

Joyriders Talkback

At the age of 30, Parastoo prepares for the Sex reassignment surgery, which she faces a problem that she must solve and understand.

JUMPING

A grieving wife will do anything to get her husband back even if it means flirting with darkness.

Justice

Justice Talkback

A young artist living in New York City, is haunted by the spirit of her past.

Katia Night

Sarruh, a six-year-old girl in biracial limbo, looks to her father and sisters to piece together where she belongs in the world

Life in the Between

Life in the Between Talkback

The intrapersonal fragility of a psychologist's life is revealed as she helps others navigate through the issues in their own lives. Dr. Rhemi Hathaway finds herself embarking on a journey of self-discovery as she delves into the lives of her patients. When this self-discovery reaches its pinnacle, she finally comes to the realization of her own need.

LIFE...

A little Chinese-American girl, surprised by an unexpected visitor, navigates her childhood through her parents' broken relationship.

Like Flying

Will she say yes to marriage or will he say no to murder? Ebony and Rav’s have two choices to make, happily ever after or death do us part. To make matters worse…their decisions are being broadcast…LIVE.

LIVE

'Looking Glass' starring JALLAL, a short film by Joslyn Rose Lyons A man finds himself in an unusual bar, one which is home to a portal to the past, and thus begins his own interaction with the idea of dreams. The events that follow take on a surreal tone and through an engagement with the concept of time, the past and the present, dreams and fears, there is also a sense of the distinction between being good at your craft and achieving genius stature, as well as your own self-inflicted doubts and inhibitions that keep you away from it. LOOKING GLASS embraces the struggle to overcome complacency, and embodies the spirit of Oakland’s creative community. Set in a 1930’s dream state, the film time travels through portals in a gorgeous cinematic series of visuals. “When Joslyn Rose brought the idea to me, I was honestly impressed. It meant so much since time means so much to me. Personally I am always reminded by this chapter from the Quran which states “ By time, Indeed man is in loss, Except those have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience (Chapter 103).” It holds so much power for me when it comes to time and the oxymoron of being patient. So her vision went hand in hand with how the essence of time is just so impactful to me my music and art.” — JALLAL ‘Looking Glass’ a short film by Joslyn Rose Lyons, starring Los Angeles based artist JALLAL, embraces the struggle to overcome complacency, and embodies the spirit of Oakland’s creative community. “I met Jallal while attending an art opening at the MOMA, while hanging with Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) we all connected on art, music, and the spiritual journey, the seeds were planted for us to create something together. When we got a chance to film Looking Glass at Bardo, a 1930’s inspired supper club in Oakland, and we invited many Oakland based artists and friends to appear in the short film. It’s a cinematic journey through a portal to the past. At the time of conceptualizing this piece, I had just finished reading a book called ‘The Big Leap’ which explores the concept of taking that courageous leap from your ‘excellence zone’ to your ‘genius zone’ something that JALLAL naturally exudes as an artist.” — Joslyn Rose Lyons, Director/Producer “The diverse cast and crew that came together to make this Oakland based short film, shows how one project can lead a community to come together. It was a blessing and miracle to see the hopeful energy that made this unique short film come to life.” — Boson Wang, Cinematographer

Looking Glass

Akeem Swift (Adrian Akeem Sterling) dreams of one day becoming a Pro Football player and freeing his mother from a life of poverty. After training for months, he receives an email with the opportunity of a lifetime, an invite-only private workout taking place in five days. During this week Akeem's confidence is shattered, and his determination turns into anxiety sending him into panic attacks. As he continues to grow more and more anxious he wrestles with self-doubt due to past disappointments. He studies, works tirelessly, relentlessly day and night to prepare for Saturday. Make It Happen, is based on a true story, about Adrian Akeem Sterling’s pursuit of the NFL. The story is co-written by Director, Aaron Sterling and Lead Actor, Adrian Akeem Sterling.

Make It Happen.

Make It Happen. Talkback

After the racially charged shooting of an unarmed teenager, an officer of color must decide whether to stand on the side of the law or seek justice for his community.

Man Down

Man Down Talkback

After many years, She gets back to her late brother in law’s house and reveals secrets for his two daughter’s.

MIRROR

A group high school students struggle to find the meaning of a Revolution wether it should be a violent or non violent approach after the murder of an innocent kid in the neighborhood by the hands of a racist Store Owner.

Nazen

When a resentful, self-centered alcoholic is abandoned by his wife and daughter, a chance encounter with an Uber driver provokes him to face himself.

Night Encounter

Night Encounter Talkback

An interconnected story between two couples from different generations who share an important day – one hopeful Nigerian/Italian couple choosing a name for their baby before immigrating from Italy, the other, two young women in love in LA, moving in together for the first time.

Omolara

Omolara Talkback

In this experimental supernatural thriller/horror, we subliminally explore the epidemics of black bodies, black on black violence, strange fruit, suicide, and even Covid-19 after a man finds someone has been strung up from a tree in his backyard he's in for quite an unnerving surprise when he takes it upon himself to bring the body down.

On Trees

In 1600, Gamba, a leader of a West African Village, faces a new challenge that could endanger his family and village.

Passage

Passage Talkback

Two cousins, Cootie and Pinch, are recruited to retrieve a notorious criminal’s, Malloy, gun that he has hidden inside of a diner. Once the two cousins arrive they find that the gun is missing as the diner is full of patrons they must figure out who may have taken the gun and return it to Malloy or face deadly consequences.

Piece

Piece Talkback

Inspired from true stories, Siraj, a righteous, impoverished flute maker, resides at the edge of the forests of Pilibhit, North India, where man eating tigers thrive. His mounting livelihood pressures and tragedies corner him to take a drastic measure that threatens to tear down his values and a loved one.

PILIBHIT

PILIBHIT Talkback

After a surprise first-time pregnancy, a Trans couple of color wrestles with how the new baby will affect their relationship and how to raise a child in a binary world.

Pink & Blue

When a young woman struggling with low confidence decides to follow the guidance of a popular self-help book, she makes a bold decision towards manifesting her dreams.

Prepared

Prepared Talkback

A young woman is face to face with her insecurities as she struggles to make the decision to go out on a date.

PRETTY ENOUGH

Reasons follows the life of a young and single mother, Mercy during the late 1950s in rural Georgia. Mercy lives with the difficulty of not having her daughter's father in their lives and struggles with abandoning the illusion of having “the perfect family.” In a time and place where women had very little authority over their own lives, she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to give her child the family life she has always longed for.

Reasons

Reasons Talkback

Sriyani, an idealistic and overtaxed social worker of Sri Lankan descent, is a counselor at a telephone help line. She has built her life around helping others, but always at the expense of those closest to her. So who is going to defend Sriyani when she is hypnotized by a caller on her phone tonight? RECEIVER is a chamber horror film about toxic masculinity, isolation, and the commodification of empathy.

Receiver

Receiver Talkback

This is the story of Layla, who dares to venture outside after months of depressed quarantine. After recently moving to a new city, Layla is shocked when the country goes into shutdown. Isolated and lonely, she slips into a deep depression. Months later, Layla apprehensively heads outside to Shakespeare Gardens. During random conversations, she realizes that she's been lonely, but not alone.

Reopening

Two fugitive slaves risk their lives for a chance at love and the pursuit of happiness. No matter how far they run, they realize they can never escape the truth.

Requiem For Black Love

Rules to Rule is an exhilarating short film that brings you into an underworld of crime through a colorful crew of thieves who operate on a strict code. When one of their own betrays the group, adherence to the rules becomes more than a guide to the perfect score - it’s a necessity for survival.

Rules To Rule

After a Black country singer is offered the chance to sing the National Anthem at the high school football state championship, he is forced to choose between career and cause. Featuring original songs by Phredley Brown (Guitarist and Music Director for Bruno Mars).

Run Free

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Enjoy BronzeLens: The Virtual Experience (August 28th - September 6th). All content will be available On-Demand. 

The BronzeLens Film Festival is dedicated to promoting Atlanta as a film mecca for people of color and showcasing films created by people of color. The in-person festival will be held August 23-27 in Atlanta, Georgia with a virtual encore August 28-September 6.

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