2024 FILMS

BEYOND THE WALL (FEATURE FILM)

Beyond the Wall tells personal stories of re-entry, relapse, recovery, and redemption. A former prisoner named Louie Diaz, now working as a substance use counselor, looks to guide five formerly incarcerated men safely through the minefield of life outside of jail. Too often, prisoner re-entry becomes a setup for failure and eventual re-incarceration. For Louie, helping others keeps him grounded, helps him maintain his own sobriety, and preserves his freedom. But, for the others, with little to no support from the criminal justice system, how will they find hope?

DON'T FOIL MY PLANS (FEATURE FILM)

In Don’t Foil My Plans, Justin, an artist with autism, wants to pursue an independent life. But what appears simple on paper is not so easily realized. While learning social norms and professional etiquette, Justin learns to navigate an unpredictable future. Award-winning director Ben Stamper follows the life and work of Justin Canha, a New Jersey-based artist in his mid-twenties, as he pursues his goals of moving out of his parents’ house and establishing himself as an illustrator and animator.

MY DISABILITY ROADMAP

Samuel Habib, 21, wants to date, leave home, go to college. But he drives a 350-pound wheelchair, uses a communication device, and can have a seizure at any moment. In this documentary film, Samuel—determined to find his path forward—seeks out guidance from America’s most rebellious disability activists.

WHEELCHAIR DIARIES: ONE STEP UP

When Reid Davenport learned at his freshman orientation that 80 percent of students at George Washington University study overseas, he instantly decided that he would be among them. As his friends began making plans to go abroad in the spring of 2011, so, too, did he—to a program in Florence, Italy. But after he told officials there that he used a wheelchair, they discouraged him. In the end, he didn’t go. As his friends traveled that next semester, Mr. Davenport, who has cerebral palsy, found himself thinking about accessibility in Europe for wheelchair users like him. He wondered: Was there a story to tell? That May, he won a fellowship from the university: $5,000 to travel to Europe and document the challenges that wheelchair users face.

SINGLE

The only non-documentary offering in this year’s festival, Single tells the story of Kim, who was born with one arm, and the blind date she is set up on by a well-meaning family friend. When she finally meets Jake, she quickly realizes he also has a physical disability, and she is angry. This short comedic film offers an unapologetic perspective on the complexities of being disabled and dating.

PLANES, TRAINS, AND CANES

Planes, Trains, and Canes (PTC) was founded by Dr. Mona Minkara, a blind scientist, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern, and storyteller. After losing her sight at a young age, Dr. Minkara, inspired by her belief that “Vision is More than Sight”, launched PTC, a YouTube travel show that showcases her global adventures as a blind traveler. Dr. Minkara reimagines the travel documentary as a lens for highlighting narratives of people who have disabilities, while exploring opportunities and barriers in public transportation for local and global travel.

Each year, Vinfen uses the power of film to raise awareness, foster important dialogue, and fight against the discrimination and stigma so often faced by people with mental health conditions and disabilities.

This year’s Film Festival returns as a LIVE, in-person event on Saturday, March 23rd at GBH Studios in Boston, and will feature screenings of feature-length and short films, as well as panel discussions with filmmakers, human services professionals, and individuals with lived experience. And this year, we’re adding an evening reception where festival guests can mix and mingle!

For directions and parking information, please visit www.wgbh.org/foundation/visit

PURCHASE TICKETS

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Registration

12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
Welcome

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Feature Film: First showing of Beyond the Wall followed by panel discussion in the Calderwood Studio

  • Princess Alston, LMHC, CADC, Director of Substance Use, Vinfen (Moderator)
  • Louie Diaz, CADAC-II: Navigator/Reentry Specialist for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
  • Jessica Alves: Program Manager, Office of Community Corrections
  • Deb Goldfarb, LICSW, Director of Behavioral Health, Population Health, Boston Medical/Grayken Center for Addiction

Feature Film: Don’t Foil My Plans followed by panel discussion in the Yawkey Theater

  • Brooke Howard, MS, OTR/L, Executive Director of Ivy Street School (Moderator)
  • Jessica Doonan, Manager of Accessibility at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
  • Ben Stamper, filmmaker, Don’t Foil My Plans
  • Gregory Liakos, MA, Director of Vinfen’s Gateway Arts

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Break

3:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Feature Film: Second showing of Beyond the Wall followed by panel discussion in the Calderwood Studio

  • Princess Alston, LMHC, CADC, Director of Substance Use, Vinfen (Moderator)
  • Louie Diaz, CADAC-II: Navigator/Reentry Specialist for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
  • Jessica Alves: Program Manager, Office of Community Corrections
  • Deb Goldfarb, LICSW, Director of Behavioral Health, Population Health, Boston Medical/Grayken Center for Addiction

Short Films: My Disability Roadmap, Wheelchair Diaries, Single, and Planes, Trains, and Canes followed by panel discussion in the Yawkey Theater

  • Sandy Schultz, LICSW, Vice President of Specialized Services for Vinfen (Moderator)
  • Reid Davenport, Filmmaker
  • Ashley Eakin, Filmmaker
  • Dan Habib, Filmmaker
  • Mona Minkara, Scientist and Filmmaker

5:45 PM – 6:00 PM
Break

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Post-event Reception in the Fraser Performance Center (separate reception ticket required). After the films and panels are through, please join us for delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, and a chance to mix, mingle and network with filmmakers and members of the Vinfen and human services community.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

The Vinfen Film Festival has been approved for four (4) Continuing Education (CE) credits by The Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association (MaMHCA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services/LADC Unit. An application has also been submitted to the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to provide four (4) CE credits. All film festival attendees who purchase CE tickets, can verify attendance at two films and two panel discussions, and fill out evaluations of the Film Festival event are eligible to receive these 4 credits.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY?

The Vinfen Film Festival is an open and inclusive event. If you are an individual with a disability and have any questions about accessibility or requests for special accommodations, please send all inquiries to us at [email protected].

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

  • Opportunity to play a 30-second promotional video at the beginning of a film (sponsor provided) 
  • 10 festival and reception tickets 
  • Logo recognition on table tents at reception 
  • Special Recognition from Vinfen’s President & CEO during welcome remarks 
  • Ful- page ad in program book 
  • Listing on event invitation 
  • Logo featured on: 
    • Select monitors and screens inside GBH Studios 
    • Social media posts 
    • Email marketing campaigns 
    • Vinfen’s website 

  • 10 festival and reception tickets 
  • Logo recognition on table tents at reception 
  • Special Recognition from Vinfen’s President & CEO during welcome remarks 
  • Full-page ad in program book 
  • Listing on event invitation 
  • Logo featured on: 
    • Select monitors and screens inside GBH Studios 
    • Social media posts 
    • Email marketing campaigns 
    • Vinfen’s website 

  • 5 festival and reception tickets 
  • Half-page ad in program book 
  • Listing on event invitation 
  • Logo featured on: 
    • Select monitors and screens inside GBH Studios 
    • Social media posts 
    • Email marketing campaigns 
    • Vinfen’s website 

  • 5 festival and reception tickets 
  • Half-page ad in program book 
  • Listing on event invitation 
  • Logo featured on: 
    • Select monitors and screens inside GBH Studios 
    • Social media posts
    • Email marketing campaigns 
    • Vinfen’s website 

  • 3 festival and reception tickets 
  • Quarter-page ad in program book 
  • Listing on event invitation 
  • Logo featured on:
    • Email marketing campaigns 
    • Vinfen’s website 

  • 2 festival and reception tickets 
  • Listing on event invitation 
  • Organization name featured on: 
    • Email marketing campaigns 
    • Vinfen’s website 

THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS

STAY UP-TO-DATE

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Check out the inspiring panel discussions from the 2023 event:

A PLACE TO BREATHE

UNSEEN

25 PROSPECT STREET

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