The 7th Annual The Big Tell Showcase Lit Up Tower Theatre, and Now Anticipation Builds for Broadcast Premiere!
THE BIG TELL?
The Big Tell is a regional filmmaking program offering grants for the production of 5-minute short documentaries that feature stories from California’s great Central Valley.
Earlier this year they awarded 13 grants of $8,000 each for the creation of short films showcasing the incredible people, places, and activities that make the Central Valley so remarkable. Winners had three months to complete their short films and received one-on-one mentorship from Emmy-nominated documentarian Sascha Brown Rice.
Now it’s time to showcase all their documentaries! Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m. and watch the broadcast special featuring exclusive interviews with the filmmakers.
See it on Valley PBS and CMAC.
Their films covered undiscovered stories from the six-county region: Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties. From heartfelt documentaries to captivating narratives, The Big Tell broadcast showcase will celebrate the diversity and richness of the Central Valley. Tune in to witness the incredible, heartwarming stories that captivated the audience at Tower Theatre.
Check out the descriptions of the films and their makers. This sounds amazing!
Rippin Sindher
“ZONE“
This film centers on the lasting impacts of redlining in Fresno, long after the Fair Housing Act of 1968 outlawed the practice and how social activists today are mobilizing communities through advocacy for housing justice and equity-building in neighborhoods through public art.
Taylor Quintanar
“Finding Voices“
Explore the art and impact of S. Bryan Medina, the first Black Poet Laureate of Fresno County and creator of the beloved Inner Ear Open Mic and Beat Down Poetry Slam.
Orlando Garcia
“Valley Skies“
This film highlights the unique relationship between a skilled aviator and flight nurse, assigned to the Skylife Air Ambulance based in our own Central Valley. These professionals selflessly risk their own lives to bring medical aid to those who are suffering a traumatic incident where time is of the essence. Prepare to be inspired by the vigorous dedication of these Skylife Air Ambulance pilots and nurses, where saving lives is their ultimate mission.
Cruz Gonzales
“Riding Low“
Lowriders are more than fixed up classic cars. Many times these cars represent a person’s lifetime of hard work and dedication to their projects and for some it’s their lasting legacy to their families.
Tim Tsai
“Mi Casa Es Tu Casa: Manuel and Olga’s Garden“
A lush botanical garden nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills provides the backdrop to a couple’s love story of fifty-seven years and their life-long dedication to nourishing their community.
Marquis D. Perkins
“Circa ’91“
This story pays homage to the Juneteenth celebration of 1991 in Madera, California, where lifelong generations created legacy, culture and heritage within the San Joaquin Valley.
Jennifer Robin
“Walappu’ ‘Uuchuthuu”
A silent colonizer threatens Yosemite’s land and Her People. Join us as we expose the detriment of invasive species to life-giving pollinators and native plants. Follow experts who give testimony to the history and vital importance of native species to the land and the Tribes who depend on them.
Hashim Hassan
“No te Here O Te Hiro’a/For the Love of the Culture“
This documentary briefly explores the historical, cultural and inter-generational impact of Fresno’s only Polynesian Dance Group, started by Linda Kuma and her late husband Kolei Kuma in 1973.
Bill Henshaw
“From Disabilities to Abilities: The Green Rose Revolution”
This documentary takes viewers on a heartfelt journey into the world of Green Rose Productions, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through the transformative power of the arts.
Antonio Ramirez
“Ben’s Cafe“
We explore the forgotten legacy of Ben’s Cafe. From the 50s to the 90s, Ben Koga and his family ran a beloved diner in downtown Parlier that catered to local farmers, families, and was a place of community for the disappearing Japanese population in Parlier.
Angelica Hernandez
“To Plant a Garden”
This film follows three workers at Yoville community garden and farm, as they sow seeds of hope for a more just and sustainable food system in the shadow of an embattled industrial meat factory set to close after 60 years of community protests.
Adán Ávalos
“Reaching Alcalá”
Against the odds, a kid from the barrio picked up a discarded trumpet and became a leading musical legend in the Central Valley. A lyrical documentary of passion for Latin music and a man that has given his all to his community.
Adam Lincoln Lane
“Merced Pride”
Merced Pride Fest would be nothing without its volunteers. Watch as one woman leads an organization and creates positive cultural impacts for the LGBTQ community in a conservative area.
The Big Tell is committed to promoting diversity in both the filmmakers it supports and the stories they share. The filmmakers participating in the fall cohort range in age from 19 to 54 years; 31% are female; 53% are Hispanic or Latino; 15% are Asian American or South Asian; 7% are Black or African American; 7% are Indigenous; 7% are white; and 38% are amateur or student filmmakers.
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