Columbia Filmmakers Shine at NewFest; 'Fin (The End)' Takes Home Audience Award
Update:
Fin (The End), written and directed by Film student Fernando Reinaldos, won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short at the 2023 NewFest festival.
Reinaldos's short is a touching look at love and illness, following Carmen, who has spent the last several years caring for her wife, Rosa, who suffers from Alzheimer's. In each gesture, Carmen maintains the hope that Rosa will look at her as she used to do when they were younger.
See a trailer for the film below.
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Original: October 5, 2023
The Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, NewFest, has entered its 35th year as the largest presenter of LGBTQ+ film & media in the city, and Columbia filmmakers are set to present their work at the event. This year’s festival takes place October 12-24, 2023 throughout Manhattan and also virtually on their platform.
The following Columbia filmmakers are presenting their short and feature length films:
Dear Vanessa
Directed by Roku Jingwen Long ’23, USA, 2023, 14 min
Amidst a heart-wrenching night out in NYC, two Asian girls, Lucy and Vanessa, unexpectedly discover love in each other’s arms. Lucy envisions a film that tells their story, and in secret, she resolves to turn that dream into reality.
Fin (The End)
Directed by Film student Fernando Reinaldos, Spain, 2022, 10 min
In the last years, Carmen has dedicated herself body and soul to caring for her wife Rosa, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. In each gesture, Carmen maintains the hope that Rosa will look at her as she used to do when they were younger.
Somewhere All The Boys Are Birds
Directed by Film student Apa Agbayani, USA, 2023, 11 min
Benjie’s obsession with long-dead Filipino movie star Jaime Reyes leads him to the rooftop where the actor killed himself. Here, he summons Jaime’s ghost for a conversation.
The Script
Co-directed by Noah Schamus ’21 and Brit Fryer, USA, 2023, 15 min
Blending personal interviews with dramatized genre recreations, The Script explores the complicated relationship between trans and nonbinary communities and medical providers regarding gender-affirming care.
Summer Solstice
Directed by Noah Schamus ’21, USA, 2023, 80min
The relationship of two longtime friends is challenged during a weekend escapade in Noah Schamus’ auspicious feature debut. Leo (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) navigates the world of casting calls and the limited options offered to trans masc actors; but despite these challenges, Leo has a clear purpose. In contrast, his cis straight friend Eleonor has no clue which way her chaotic life will lead her.
NewFest’s mission is to give voice and visibility to the wide scope of LGBTQ+ experiences through films and programs that entertain, educate and empower. See a full lineup of films and get tickets to the festival here.