Societal ideals of beauty have promoted images of ultra-thin models resulting in an epidemic of eating disorders. Makayla de la Cruz tackles her life-long battle with weight and body image, while Casey Gurtler eschews the self-policing that young people employ when conforming to societal norms. Both films reveal family and parenting strategies that resist peer conformity.

Societal ideals of beauty have promoted images of ultra-thin models resulting in an epidemic of eating disorders. Makayla de la Cruz tackles her life-long battle with weight and body image, while Casey Gurtler eschews the self-policing that young people employ when conforming to societal norms. Both films reveal family and parenting strategies that resist peer conformity.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. While leaders acknowledge a teen mental health crisis, much discourse focuses on suicide as a white issue. The disposability of black lives, coupled with taboos associated with depression and self-harm, prevent many from breaking the silence. Filmmakers Kalia Hunter (Dom) and Kallista Palapas (I'll Be There) recount two young black lives cut short by suicide, and in doing so, compel communities to act.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. While leaders acknowledge a teen mental health crisis, much discourse focuses on suicide as a white issue. The disposability of black lives, coupled with taboos associated with depression and self-harm, prevent many from breaking the silence. Filmmakers Kalia Hunter (Dom) and Kallista Palapas (I'll Be There) recount two young black lives cut short by suicide, and in doing so, compel communities to act.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. While leaders acknowledge a teen mental health crisis, much discourse focuses on suicide as a white issue. The disposability of black lives, coupled with taboos associated with depression and self-harm, prevent many from breaking the silence. Filmmakers Kalia Hunter (Dom) and Kallista Palapas (I'll Be There) recount two young black lives cut short by suicide, and in doing so, compel communities to act.

New immigrants face steep challenges coming to the U.S. Often, though, it's the children of immigrants who find themselves caught between the traditions of their parents and the new norms in which they live. Filmmakers Josh Sun and Yolande Morrison navigate two very different worlds: living up to their parents' expectations while carving a uniquely American voice of their own.

New immigrants face steep challenges coming to the U.S. Often, though, it's the children of immigrants who find themselves caught between the traditions of their parents and the new norms in which they live. Filmmakers Josh Sun and Yolande Morrison navigate two very different worlds: living up to their parents' expectations while carving a uniquely American voice of their own.

New immigrants and refugees face steep challenges coming to the U.S. Rarely, though, do we hear candid conversations between immigrant kids and their families. In Las Hijas, filmmaker A. Pena de Niz crafts a deeply intimate portrait of first-generation daughters from Mexico while Rose Nseya (Leaving Africa) recounts the harrowing odyssey of fleeing one's homeland in search of safer lives.

New immigrants face steep challenges coming to the U.S. Often, though, it's the children of immigrants who find themselves caught between the traditions of their parents and the new norms in which they live. Filmmakers Josh Sun and Yolande Morrison navigate two very different worlds: living up to their parents' expectations while carving a uniquely American voice of their own.

New immigrants and refugees face steep challenges coming to the U.S. Rarely, though, do we hear candid conversations between immigrant kids and their families. In Las Hijas, filmmaker A. Pena de Niz crafts a deeply intimate portrait of first-generation daughters from Mexico while Rose Nseya (Leaving Africa) recounts the harrowing odyssey of fleeing one's homeland in search of safer lives.

New immigrants and refugees face steep challenges coming to the U.S. Rarely, though, do we hear candid conversations between immigrant kids and their families. In Las Hijas, filmmaker A. Pena de Niz crafts a deeply intimate portrait of first-generation daughters from Mexico while Rose Nseya (Leaving Africa) recounts the harrowing odyssey of fleeing one's homeland in search of safer lives.

Representations of Americans with disabilities are in desperate need of a refresh. Even as assistive technologies help people adapt, the stigma associated with blindness and autism, in particular, continue to sting. Filmmakers Mitch Davila-Armendano (Blind Sighted) and Andy Kwiatkowski (Lonely Highway), overcome numerous obstacles with humor and humanity as they seek a deeper sense of belonging.

Representations of Americans with disabilities are in desperate need of a refresh. Even as assistive technologies help people adapt, the stigma associated with blindness and autism, in particular, continue to sting. Filmmakers Mitch Davila-Armendano (Blind Sighted) and Andy Kwiatkowski (Lonely Highway), overcome numerous obstacles with humor and humanity as they seek a deeper sense of belonging.

Representations of Americans with disabilities are in desperate need of a refresh. Even as assistive technologies help people adapt, the stigma associated with blindness and autism, in particular, continue to sting. Filmmakers Mitch Davila-Armendano (Blind Sighted) and Andy Kwiatkowski (Lonely Highway), overcome numerous obstacles with humor and humanity as they seek a deeper sense of belonging.

At least 1 in 7 kids have experienced child abuse in the past year. Especially when perpetrated by a parent, abuse is often difficult to report. Equally frightening is the ease with which online predators lure teens into abusive relationships. Filmmakers Olive Van Eimeren (Skinned Knees) and Karizma Rivera (Kik-Me!) tackle child abuse head on, looking for reconciliation within their families while healing themselves.

At least 1 in 7 kids have experienced child abuse in the past year. Especially when perpetrated by a parent, abuse is often difficult to report. Equally frightening is the ease with which online predators lure teens into abusive relationships. Filmmakers Olive Van Eimeren (Skinned Knees) and Karizma Rivera (Kik-Me!) tackle child abuse head on, looking for reconciliation within their families while healing themselves.

At least 1 in 7 kids have experienced child abuse in the past year. Especially when perpetrated by a parent, abuse is often difficult to report. Equally frightening is the ease with which online predators lure teens into abusive relationships. Filmmakers Olive Van Eimeren (Skinned Knees) and Karizma Rivera (Kik-Me!) tackle child abuse head on, looking for reconciliation within their families while healing themselves.

Fully one third of transgender youth in America have reported a suicide attempt last year. Behind this chilling statistic is a specter of trans representation in the media that veers from the pathological to the horrific. Filmmakers Amber Young (Transforming Media) and Delaney Mauve (Reframing) tackle trans representation in very personal stories, allowing families to talk openly about gender.

Fully one third of transgender youth in America have reported a suicide attempt last year. Behind this chilling statistic is a specter of trans representation in the media that veers from the pathological to the horrific. Filmmakers Amber Young (Transforming Media) and Delaney Mauve (Reframing) tackle trans representation in very personal stories, allowing families to talk openly about gender.

Fully one third of transgender youth in America have reported a suicide attempt last year. Behind this chilling statistic is a specter of trans representation in the media that veers from the pathological to the horrific. Filmmakers Amber Young (Transforming Media) and Delaney Mauve (Reframing) tackle trans representation in very personal stories, allowing families to talk openly about gender.