Category: Best Inspirational Film – 2024 WSXA BARCELONA

Original Film Title: Benjamin Feliksdal, The Life Story of a Dutch Dance Master

Director’s Name: Roland Gaedtgens

Writer’s Name: Roland Gaedtgens

Producer: Inge le Cointre, Robin Lionhar van Zutphen

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Country of Filming: Netherlands

Language: Dutch

Runtime: 45 minutes 47 seconds

Film Description:

The inspiring journey of Benjamin Feliksdal began in a humble yet determined manner. At the tender age of just six, he discovered his calling in the world of dance. His talent quickly caught the attention of none other than Sonja Gaskell, an iconic figure in the Dutch dance scene. Under her tutelage, Benjamin blossomed into a talented dancer with a passion for expression and movement.

At the pinnacle of his career, Benjamin shone as a soloist at the National Ballet during 1960-1971, sharing the stage with legends like Rudolf Nureyev. His performances were acclaimed, and his elegance and virtuosity made him one of the most admired dancers of his time.

However, following a questionable dismissal, Benjamin chose to chart his own path. He ventured across the Atlantic to New York, where he began anew as a humble apprentice. In the vibrant dance scene of the Big Apple, he embraced new styles and techniques. He took classes at the most prestigious dance schools and expanded his repertoire to encompass modern dance and jazz dance, which held a special place in his heart.

Back in the Netherlands, Benjamin cherished the knowledge he had gained and founded “Benjamin’s Modern Jazz Dance Center.” His dance school became a breeding ground for talented artists, and many of his students went on to become famous performers in their own right.

At the age of 83, Benjamin Feliksdal remains a radiant exemplar of dedication to the art of dance. He has not only molded bodies but also inspired hearts. This documentary pays tribute to Benjamin’s lifelong commitment to the world of dance, serving as a testament to his impact and celebrating a life that danced to the rhythm of music, touching the hearts of many.

Original Film Title: Latin Super 7 +

Director’s Name: Tom Wieschenberg, Mary Aguilar Massey, Sonia Apolinario

Writer’s Name: Tom Wieschenberg

Producer: Tom Wieschenberg

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay

Language: English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish

Runtime: 53 minutes

Film Description:

A story of Latin culture through the prism of social dancing. Filmed at amazing social gatherings around the world, we discover dancing in natural Latin settings as never seen before. We see the passion and culture of Salsa, Bachata, Samba, Cumbia, Tango, Merengue and Reggaetón in their birth countries of Cuba, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.

Original Film Title: Je

Director’s Name: Zane

Writer’s Name: Cassandre Anaya

Producer: Cassandre Anaya, Zane

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: Canada, France

Language: French

Runtime: 19 minutes 24 seconds

Film Description:

Having lost the will to live, a young woman thinks about ending her life until an entity intervenes to confront her with reality.

Original Film Title: 左滩.芳菲年华

Director’s Name: Sean, Zhichao Zhang

Writer’s Name: Wenguang Bai, Zhichao Zhang

Producer: Lin Zhang

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime:1 hour 26 minutes

Film Description:

Ambitious Li Tuo faces a critical challenge when his life-changing industrial park project requires demolishing a power station—his father’s life work. Through a photograph from the past, he must reconcile their dreams, transforming family conflict into mutual redemption.

Original Film Title: No House To Morehouse: The Untold Story

Director’s Name: Dee Brown, Omarosa Manigault Newman, Venai Brown

Writer’s Name: Dee Brown, Omarosa Manigault Newman, Venai Brown

Producer: Roshelle Brown, Dee Brown, Omarosa Manigault Newman, Venai Brown

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 17 minutes

Film Description:

No House to Morehouse: The Untold Story chronicles the incredible journey of Dr. Lester A. McCorn. During his tumultuous childhood, he battled unthinkable challenges including living in abandoned buildings and standing in soup lines. Dr. McCorn overcomes all of his challenges and gets accepted into Morehouse College which changes his life forever. Dr. McCorn turns his trials into triumph and goes on to become an esteemed pastor and the 13th President of Clinton College.

Original Film Title: Good evening, we’re from Barcelona

Director’s Name: Lyubava Malysheva, Oleksandr Valko

Writer’s Name: Lyubava Malysheva, Oleksandr Valko

Producer: Lyubava Malysheva

Country of Origin: Spain

Country of Filming: Spain

Language: English, Ukrainian

Runtime: 1 hour 15 minutes

Film Description:

film made by activists who lived for a month in the Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona after the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022

Original Film Title:阳光下的老瓦

Director’s Name: Lye

Writer’s Name: Lye

Producer: Nana, Huiyu Yun

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming : China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 25 minutes

Film Description:

The film narrates the journey of a young boy growing up amidst familial conflicts. Through manipulating a game that simulates personal growth, every choice he makes within the game has the power to alter the life trajectory of its characters. And what he desires most is to transform his own life.

Original Film Title: Our Sky Project 2020

Director’s Name: Bei Hu

Writer’s Name: Bei Hu

Producer: Bei Hu

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming : United States

Language: English

Runtime: 16 minutes

Film Description:

OUR SKY PROJECT 2020 is a socially-engaged contemporary film that has participants from 14 countries/regions. The project encourages people around the world to share their stories of friendship and distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bei Hu hopes this artwork could be a place for people to feel connected when social distancing is needed. While we are physically apart during this time, we are all together under the same sky.