One young man’s journey to find inner peace days after George Floyd’s televised murder. Be witness to this spoken word visual testimony about the power of the human spirit, and the unapologetic resilience of our youth. Kobi, a black sweet- shy seventeen year old skips school to meet his friends for a George Floyd vigil. On his adventure; love, loss, fear and friendship become his greatest allies, or his worst nightmare.

Juror comments: Breathe is a thoughtful, yet almost suspenseful tribute to all black and brown lives lost before and after the Black Lives Matter movement. How the unnecessary loss of life effects the psyche of a young man as he strolls by the tributes laid to those lost – flowers, candles and names woven into a chain-link fence – hits home to this viewer. This film is deeply touching because it is simple, non-violent and personally connects to the key person in the film.

Powerfully underscored by Ty Taylor’s a-cappella song “Gut-Wrencher,” which is spot-on haunting and prayerful, and director-producer Cheray O’Neal’s poetry of loss is the question,” Why?” Breathe speaks to my heart with every step that Kobi (Chase Tillman) takes in this short film. The poem “Breather” by Cheray O’Neal says it all. It is not a reckoning, but it is a beautiful call for our hearts and eyes to open. I must give credit to all of the crew, especially cinematographer Lee Cherry and editor Bryant Robinson. There is not one second of this film that I didn’t find “breathtaking.”

The message is that racism is perhaps propagated by parents and a system that ensures discrimination, but that it can also be unlearned by empathy and a system that encourages love and understanding.

I rate Breathe 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST!