DIRECTOR + PRODUCER: JESSE HUFFMAN

An Iraq veteran cyclist training for Vermont’s most grueling gravel race risks her closest relationships to come out and transition at age 51. As the demands of her race season increase, Roxy makes the decision to live the second half of her life as a woman— confronting the fallout in her marriage and family, and embracing her authentic self.

Intimate and laced with humor, this character study humanizes Roxy’s successes and shortcomings, offering a new perspective on transgender narratives and self-acceptance.

DIRECTOR: CHAD BROWN

Mother is an emotional documentary of an arduous expedition set in the Arctic Circle National Wildlife Refuge, where the original name of this land before the government was established; the native name is “Izhit gwandaii goodlit,” Meaning where life begins. Mother is a testament to the majesty of Mother Nature in contrast to newly discovered friendship, survival, the resilience of the human spirit, and the raw power of SISTERHOOD.

They arrive at a complex, intimidating, physically, philosophically, and personally daunting intersection facing conservation issues and themselves as women in this space. They will learn to survive and thrive on the strengths they’ve always carried with them. They will learn to embrace the exuberance of Mother Nature and adapt, evolve, and transcend . . . beyond the sense of self they once understood. This story is told in 5 different perspectives in 5 distinct voices and spirited conversations. 

The Arctic Circle National Wildlife Refuge is a magnificent stage. Together, they explore existential questions about the sacredness of belonging in the outdoors and the power of nature to heal and transform one’s soul. They find insights and answers to questions about how they, as BIPOC women, fit into nature, what role they can play in preserving our outdoor spaces, and advocating for the preservation of indigenous cultures guided by mother.

DIRECTOR + PRODUCER: PATRIZIA BRUNO

FEMALE DIRECTOR + PRODUCER

What happens when women abandon rules, roles, and logic to follow their GUTS until the end of the road? Patrizia and Marie left everything behind and embarked on a five-month, 20,000 km off-road journey from France to Guinea-Bissau—with nothing but an old car, four surfboards, and a mission: to capture the stories of inspiring women redefining their place in society across Northwest Africa. What happened on that long and dusty road was pure magic. From the first female mountain guide of Morocco to the women’s rights activist in Nouakchott, or the young surf collective in Dakar, they all showed that when women dare to break free from conventions and listen to their own voice, a revolution begins—not just for them, but for their communities, their countries, and the world.