Journalist Yasha Levine discovers a hidden side to California’s healthy snack industry. Documenting towns ravaged by drought, farms built on oil fields, mass extinction, and a water heist straight from the plot of Chinatown, the film takes a road trip into the dark heart of the American Dream.
Category Archives: Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival
MNFF 2025: Powwow Highway Q&A
Two Northern Cheyenne men take a road trip from Montana to New Mexico to bail out the sister of one of them who has been framed and arrested in Santa Fe. On the way, they begin to reconnect to their spiritual heritage. Featuring an extended Q&A with MNFF11 Honoree Gary Farmer.
MNFF 2025: Journalism, Public Narrative & Myth 08/22/2025
Join The New York Times Chief Washington Correspondent David Sanger, VT Digger Editor-in-Chief Geeta Anand, The New York Times movie critic Alissa Wilkinson, and the filmmaker behind A Calling in a conversation about the catalyzing power of journalism in the creation of public narratives–both factual and mythical. Moderated by Addison Independent News Editor John McCright.
MNFF 2025: Lies, Truth & Laughs: Comedy As Social Commentary
Join a roundtable of professional funny people for a lively conversation about comedy as a tool for social commentary.
Vermont-raised stand-up comedian Tina Friml, Emmy-nominated comedy writer Devin Delliquanti (The Onion, The Daily Show), actor and puppeteer Paul Zaloom (Beakman’s World), and American University professor Caty Borum (author of A Comedian and An Activist Walk Into a Bar: The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice and The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power) muse on the role of comedy in education, awareness-building and civic engagement. How can the truth be mined for laughs? How can levity and laughter be a vehicle for satire and social critique? Moderated by Caty Borum.
Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival 2025: Opening Live!
Congresswoman Becca Balint, Vermont’s first female U.S. Representative, will join for an on-stage discussion after the film.
Winner of the MNFF11 Clio Visualizing History Prize for the Advancement of Women in Film.
In 2017 Jacinda Ardern is catapulted to the top of New Zealand political life when she unexpectedly becomes Prime Minister. Over seven years of filming, we watch as she becomes the second world leader in history to give birth while in office, boldly leads her country through a mass shooting, a natural disaster and the Covid-19 pandemic, and after her resignation, continues to champion the fight against isolationism, fear and the distortion of truth.
MNFF Selects: The League
The League celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball’s triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The story is told through previously unearthed archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with legendary players like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil – whose early careers paved the way for the Jackie Robinson era – as well as celebrated Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron who started out in the Negro Leagues. This powerful documentary explores Black baseball as an economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, while also examining the unintended consequences of integration. Please join us immediately following the film for a discussion with Karl Lindholm and Bill Hart.
Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Closing Ceremony & VTeddy Awards
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Join us for the joyful presentation of the coveted VTeddy Awards, celebrating Festival Award and Prize winner and our splendid Honorees.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Honoree Screening (Take Shelter) and On-Stage Conversation with Tyler Davidson
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Following the screening of his iconic film Take Shelter, starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, producer Tyler Davidson talks about how this remarkable film came together at a formative point in his career.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Returning Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Karen Allen
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Following the screening of A Stage of Twilight, Returning Honoree Karen Allen, the film’s star, and the film’s director/writer/producer Sarah T. Schwab take the stage to discuss this long-in-the-making new work from Ms. Schwab.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Her Majesty’s Lice; Listen Up
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]On-stage conversation with Will Hoppin (Director) following the screening of Her Majesty’s Lice, as well as Bess O’Brien (Director) following the screening of Listen Up.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Honoree Screening (Secretary) and On-Stage Conversation with Maggie Gyllenhaal
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Following the screening of her early career breakthrough film Secretary, MNFF Honoree Maggie Gyllenhaal offers reflections on the role that brought her significant critical acclaim and numerous awards.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Honoree Screening (Emily The Criminal) and On-Stage Conversation with Tyler Davidson
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]After a screening of his latest narrative film, Emily the Criminal, about a college graduate who, saddled with student debt and unable to find work, engages in a credit card scam, MNFF Honoree Tyler Davidson shares his thoughts on working with rising star Aubrey Plaza and his role as the producer of this film.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Honoree Screening and Onstage Conversation with Marc Levin
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Following the screening of his recent documentary I Promise, acclaimed multi-Emmy Award winning director and MNFF Honoree Marc Levin shares his thoughts on collaborating with LeBron James on bringing to life the story of Mr. James’ efforts to close the educational achievement gap in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
MNFF 2022: Monster In A Box; All The Marbles; The High Rock
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]On-stage conversation with Noah Weisel (Director) following the screening of Monster In A Box & Melissa McClung (Director) following the screening of All The Marbles. Also featuring Best Documentary Feature Winner Ellen Moore (Director) & her son Max following the screening of The High Rock.[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV