Bi-monthly festival showcasing the best of POLITICAL films from around the world today.
Combining a philosophical framework of Walter Benjamin with her present day production of political ephemera, the filmmaker/artist examines a circular nature of history and her identity as it evolves within the context of contemporary politics. A collage of internet imagery and personal reflection, Post-Election Works becomes a dialogue between the online, digital archive, activism and the narrator’s subjective experience.
Project Links
Vergi Rodriguez, a graduate of the world-renowned LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, the school made famous by the movie and television show “Fame”, has made her debut as a director and writer with her short film “Dreamer.” Within a year it has been selected to over 30 film festivals and received several accolades and honorable mentions.
Vergi has always known that she wanted to be in entertainment and reach a worldwide audience through the power of television and cinema. She’s worked as an Associate Producer on the film “12 Feet Deep” starring Tobin Bell from the “Saw” movie film series and is currently writing her own original digital content.
Vergi had a previous career as an accomplished choreographer and industry expert who has worked with a multitude of names within the entertainment industry. Some of the artists she has worked with include Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, Prince, Britney Spears, Shaggy and Jay Z. She also the choreographed for reggaeton artist Don Omar’s music video “Conteo”, which was featured on the “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift” soundtrack.
Some of her atelevision credits include Jim Carrey’s “I’m Dying Up Here”, Tru Tv’s “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks”, MTV’s “Scratch and Burn,” “Dancing With The Stars” and feature films like Universal Pictures’ “Honey” and Disney’s “The Hot Chick.” She has also been sought after as an expert in the commercial dance world for Canadian TV show “Killer Comebacks” where she was asked to talk about her experience working with Britney Spears.
Vergi has received a certificate of Commendation from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office , Eric Garcetti for being selected for the NewFilmMaker L.A.’s “On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project.” This project screened her music video from her first Spanish language music single “Quieres De Mi.” It allowed filmmakers, like Vergi, to showcase their talent while making short films/videos about some aspect of Los Angeles in a positive light.
Director Statement
Seeing all of the changes that started to take place within our political climate I felt like this would be the appropriate moment to want to make a change for the better. I started to notice that on a global scale the new sanctions against immigrants and that was the catalyst in propelling me to get involved by taking more of a social justice stance. After working within the entertainment industry as a performer previously, I was faced with seeing certain inequities that drove me to want to use my creative voice to tell the types of stories that push the “Hispanic / Latino” narrative in a more positive direction. I am looking at moving the stories of the Hispanic community’s diaspora through filmmaking. We have such a rich and diverse culture I look forward to using the power of cinema to get some of those unique perspectives to a global audience.
Lily Cruz, a DACA recipient, travels on a medical volunteer mission and upon returning to the USA a TSA agent isn’t so welcoming.
Project Links
« The hopscotch game goes from the earth to the heavens » Nazaré Pereira
News & Reviews
MY YANG GANG DIARY, 80min., USA, Documentary
Directed by Ching Juhl
Filmmaker Ching Juhl captures 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang ‘s campaign through the eyes of his supporters on the ground, known affectionately as the Yang Gang. Juhl documents her 10-month journey with members of the Yang Gang across 12 cities in four states: New York, Connecticut, Iowa and New Hampshire.
Best FEATURE Film Winner Showcase:
TOUCH THE BOULDER, 95min., USA, Documentary
Directed by Benedict Kasulis
Touch the Boulder follows a satirical sports blogger’s longshot campaign against a corrupt political machine for a State House seat in rural Ohio.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:
Best FEATURE Film Winner Showcase:
MY YANG GANG DIARY, 80min., USA, Documentary
Directed by Ching Juhl
Filmmaker Ching Juhl captures 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang ‘s campaign through the eyes of his supporters on the ground, known affectionately as the Yang Gang. Juhl documents her 10-month journey with members of the Yang Gang across 12 cities in four states: New York, Connecticut, Iowa and New Hampshire.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:
Ching Juhl, Chinese American, is a passionate filmmaker, video journalist and music educator. She has directed, produced, shot and edited more than 30 documentary shorts. She is the founder/owner of Juhl Media. Juhl has created and published more than 600 videos on social media, and topics ranging from current events to education, from live interviews to music productions. Ching Juhl’s films “Lingering Time”, “That Moment” and “Viva la Viola” were screened in Asia, Europe and North America. Her doc short “Black Lives Matter” was world premiered at the Socially Relevant Film Festival NY in 2020. Educated at New York University and Indiana University, she taught at Touro College, St. Joseph’s College, and she has been directing Music Studio Manhattan since 2001.
Black-comic satirical version of the events that led to the invention and ratification of the electric chair and its inaugural official use.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Val Cole
Fell: Geoff Mays
Southwick: Steve Rizzo
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
AUDIENCE CHOICE Best FILM: MY FRIEND, THE MAYOR: SMALL-TOWN POLITICS IN THE AGE OF TRUMP
Theme of night: The intelligent prevail.
NOTE: Festival took place during the COVID-19 virus lockdown so all screenings were held in private.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Videos:
The beginning of a (temporary) new era.
See you at the festivals. Whenever that happens!
– Matthew Toffolo
Political Feedback Festival 