Breakthrough Film Fest Schedule

Doors at 1:00 pm

Program 1:30 pm - 6:00 pm 

The opening day sets the stage for three days of powerful storytelling that honors resilience, activism, and the unbreakable spirit of communities fighting for justice. The featured films showcase how movements—whether cultural, social, or political—emerge from lived experiences and collective determination. From reclaiming identity to confronting systemic injustice, these stories remind us that change is not just necessary—it is inevitable.

The day culminates in a Q&A with Dr. Thomas LaVeist, director of The Skin You're In, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s exploration of racial health disparities in America. Dr. LaVeist’s insights will illuminate the intersections of history, policy, and personal narratives that shape health outcomes today.

Shorts: Definition of Resilience: “Identity," This is New Orleans, Stories Within, Takeover
Feature: Pre-screening of The Skin You're In (Thomas LaVeist)

Doors at 4:00 pm 

Program 4:45 - 9:00 pm 

Day two shifts the focus to the power of individual and collective decision-making in the face of systemic constraints. The films invite audiences to consider the ways access, policy, and social norms shape health, identity, and justice—and how people push back against these structures to carve out their own paths.

The feature film, On the Divide, follows the complex realities of reproductive rights in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, presenting an unflinching look at the intersections of faith, choice, and survival. A Q&A with filmmakers will provide deeper insight into the challenges of capturing such deeply personal and politically charged narratives.

Shorts: Smells Like; Hidden Barriers | Health Care's invisible minority; Sol in the Garden 
Feature: On the Divide (Q&A with filmmaker)

Doors at 4:00pm

Program 4:45 - 9:00 pm 

The closing night highlights storytelling as a tool for transformation, healing, and social change. The selected films amplify voices that are often overlooked, offering deeply personal and visually stunning narratives that challenge perceptions and inspire action.

The evening’s feature film, Alive Inside, demonstrates the remarkable power of music in unlocking memory, identity, and connection for individuals with dementia. Director Michael Rossato-Bennett will join us for a Q&A, sharing his journey in making the film and discussing how storytelling can shift perspectives on aging, care, and human dignity.

Shorts: Ekbeh; Enclave: Mar, Marasmo, Maravilla; Imelda is not Alone 
Feature: Alive Inside (Michael Rossato-Bennett)