Shorts 2 – Portraits

This program brings together five intimate short documentaries that explore resilience, identity, and the lives people build in the face of uncertainty. From a retired coal miner reflecting on a lifetime of faith and labor, to a young boy preparing for a family tradition, to an acclaimed musician confronting mortality, these films offer deeply personal glimpses into moments of challenge, transition, and perseverance. Together, the program celebrates the extraordinary humanity found in everyday lives, revealing stories of care, purpose, loss, hope, and the enduring search for meaning.

About the Films

The Flowerkeeper

A film by Nora Long

After a tumultuous decade of searching for her purpose, Sophie, a Floridian flower farmer, has found it in growing blooms sustainably and sharing them with her community. As she navigates the challenges of her fourth growing season, she must stay resilient in the face of uncertainty, proving that her dedication can create a place where even the most fragile things thrive.

2025 | 17 mins | US | Color | Documentary, Portrait

The filmmakers Nora Long and Ben Tschirgi, including Sophie Wettstein, (the Flowerkeeper!), are expected to be in attendance for a post-film discussion.

I’m Going To Be A Diamond Someday

A film by Jeremy Drummond, David Poolman

Frank Newsome was born in Pike County, Kentucky in 1942 and was one of twenty-two children who grew-up in the Old Regular Baptist Church. Following in the footsteps of his father, Frank worked as a coal miner and after almost two decades in the mines, contracted black lung and was forced to retire.

2026 | 27 mins | US, Canada | Color | Documentary, Portrait, Experimental

The filmmaker Jeremy Drummond is expected to be in attendance for a post-film discussion.

Bent

A film by Sam B. Jones

Bentlee, age 12, comes from an extended family of demolition derby drivers. He shows the junk car he got from his older brother Ethan to compete in his very first derby. The film follows Bentlee through the day of the event, watching his emotions swing between fear and excitement as he prepares for this unusual coming-of-age ritual.

2026 | 17 mins | US | Color | Documentary, Portrait

I Wanted To Hear Your Voice

A film by James Pellerito

After eight years of caring for his mother with severe dementia, a son struggles through their daily care routine. Recorded voicemails serve to show the progression of the disease, underscoring the frustration, isolation and burnout that comes with intensive caregiving.

2025 | 12 mins | Color | Documentary, Portrait

Thank You For Listening

A film by Gene Gallerano, Bob Ray

Joshua Ray Walker faces the fragility of life as he confronts a life-altering cancer diagnosis. As he prepares to return to the Grand Ole Opry, the film captures an intimate portrait of an artist grappling with mortality while confronting the legacy he will leave behind.

2026 | 27 mins | US | Color | Documentary, Portrait, Music