Join us for an evening of diverse film shorts from heartening to thought-provoking to the macabre. 

The Paterson Performing Arts Development Council (PPADC) is proud to present its Short Film Series as part of the 2024 lineup for its 4th AnnualHamilton Arts Festival (June 13 – 22, 2024). PPADC will screen six shorts from independent filmmakers on Thursday, June 13, 6:30 PM at the Founders Theater on the main campus of Passaic County Community College. Following the screening there will be a talkback with filmmakers.

2024 HAF SHORT FILMS LINEUP

*Barriersby Brianna Mack. A Black dancer’s journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment within a Eurocentric art form. A mini-documentary short film addressing the lack of diversity in the ballet community.

*Murmurs of the Riverby Jeanne Travers, Bliss Kohlmyer, and Dora Arreola. Inspired by the anti-racist work of Ibram X. Kendi, Murmurs of the River is a call-to-action response to systemic racism, bringing together the passionate voices and creativity of actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists, poets, and writers to build a genuine and constructive response to the ongoing historical review of fundamental concepts of human equality and civil rights.

*The Broom by Kent Flaagan. Angelic intervention leads to one young man's revelation.

*The Forever Homeby Tyronn Walker. When a paranormal researcher is tasked with helping a haunted family, she soon discovers there is more at stake than she realized.

*Ten Thousand Camels by Kent Flaagan. The last thirteen minutes in the lives of two good men. A soldier who believes he's captured a terrorist, and a Middle Eastern man who believes the terrorist has captured him. The film forces the viewer to confront their perceptions of war and stereotypes.

*Swerve Eliby Gary Dourdan and Raphael Xavier. After a major pandemic leaves a talented artist out of work, Van Xander reaches out to Remo, a former street friend for some fast cash. But Remo has something else in mind. To have Van mentor a troubled kid trying to fit in the BMX wheelie culture of Philadelphia. Where there's a wheel, there's a way!

This Event is FREE. The suggested donation is $5.

Now in its fourth season, the festival runs from Thursday, June 13, through Saturday, June 22. The 2024 HAF lineup includes film screenings, visual arts exhibits, theatrical productions, and more. HAF is designed to promote and showcase the works of underrepresented artists from the performing arts and other disciplines. HAF is made possible with funds from the Passaic County 

Cultural & Heritage Council, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Since inception, PPADC has taken great pride in presenting wide ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity. The PPADC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is on a mission to support new and accomplished artists in developing new works and to offer cultural events to communities in Paterson, NJ.

PPADC is a proud member of The Paterson Alliance and an Affiliate Member of the New Jersey Theater Alliance, the country’s first statewide professional theater service organization, representing a consortium of 40 performing arts and theater companies.

To learn more about PPADC and other HAF events visit www.ppadc.org.