Reel South

In 2015, three Muslim-American students were shot and killed in Chapel Hill, NC. As their families confront the grief of the loss, they push back against the claim that their deaths were part of a random dispute. This film follows their courageous advocacy to expose the truth and fight for justice in the face of systemic racism.

In 1982, five Black women from Chattanooga sued the Ku Klux Klan in a groundbreaking civil case. Their victory set a legal precedent that held the Klan accountable and inspired future battles against organized hate. This film chronicles their bravery and the lasting impact of their fight for justice and community healing. Between 1947 and 1967, Birmingham, Alabama, witnessed over 50 bombings targeting Black-owned homes. This film follows three individuals who, as children, lived through the terror and stayed in the city. Together, they seek to turn Birmingham’s painful history into a symbol of hope, resilience, and civil rights progress. Directed by: Sam Miller

Dr. Albert “Doc” Jones, founder of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, dedicated his life to uncovering lost histories beneath the ocean. When his team found the Henrietta Marie, the first recovered slave ship, he set out to honor those lost at sea. This film celebrates his mission to recover forgotten stories and preserve them for future generations. A Japanese elder shares his journey from a life of crime to finding peace as a bamboo farmer in the mountains of North Carolina, where growing bamboo helped him discover a more spiritual way of living. Filmmaker Maaliyah Papillion is tapped to learn the ways of her elders and carry on their sacred traditions as the next chief of the Atakapa-Išhak Nation, making her the second woman to lead the tribe since 1771.

Green Bank, West Virginia, is home to the world’s most sensitive radio telescope—and the only U.S. town where Wi-Fi and cell phones are banned. Here, scientists search for signs of extraterrestrial life while residents navigate pivotal moments in their own lives. This film explores the community’s deep connection to the universe and each other.

Bluegrass 45, one of Japan’s first bluegrass bands, brings its unique sound to the American South. Through intimate cinematography and interviews, this film explores the band’s journey—from daily life in Japan to performances in the U.S.—showcasing the powerful cultural connections forged through music and shared experiences.