Detroit, USA | Sept. 18-21, 2025
2025 BETTER CITIES FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Fri. Sept 19
Friday, Sept. 19th 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
WHERE WE GATHER
53 MINS
STORIES OF THIRD PLACES AND HOW THEY SHAPE US
Film Lineup:
Peckham & Clark (Episodes 1 & 2) - John Paget
Costa Mesa Library - Jeff Durkin
You Lot Became Fighters - Jim Stephenson
The Spirit of Aloha: Rebuilding Community with West Maui's Bike Park - Shae James
Your Rose Garden - Josh Peterson
Hidden Treasures of the Back Bay - Padriac Farma
Your Last Best: A Memphis Rox Story - Glen Janssens
Presented by
Peckham & Clark (Episodes 1 & 2)
Duration
0:06:01
Synopsis
Chris Hawley never set out to own a bar—and certainly not just for the sake of running one. Yet here he is, the new owner of a long-abandoned corner pub in Buffalo, NY. Chris bought it not for profit, but for people—reviving a space that once served as a hub for neighborhood life. He believes in the vital role these pubs played across Buffalo, and he’s determined to bring that spirit back. In Episodes One and Two of Peckham & Clark, follow Chris’s journey to rebuild a neighborhood—one beer at a time.
Directed by
John Paget
Costa Mesa Library
Duration
0:03:41
Synopsis
Why do communities still build libraries? Because they’re more than a collection of books—they’re the heartbeat of community life. A library is where children race in, eager to discover the joy of reading, and where adults find a haven for study, reflection, and connection. It’s a space that adapts to the needs of everyone it serves. The Costa Mesa Library was built with this in mind—designed to welcome, inspire, and belong to the entire community.
Festival Statement - This film celebrates a library as more than a repository of books—it’s a heartbeat of community. From children discovering stories to elders finding solace, it shows that the true purpose of our cities is the people who inhabit them, and that architecture can nurture connection, curiosity, and care.
Directed by
Jeff Durkin
You Lot Became Fighters
Duration
0:04:40
Synopsis
The TNG Youth and Community Centre in South London opened in June 2013 after fundraising led by the young people of the area. The centre provides a wide range of vocational, leisure and support services for the young people of Lewisham.
This short film is a return to the Centre after 10 years to meet the youth workers, architect, people who use it now and the original fundraisers.
Festival Statement - This microfilm demonstrates the transformative potential of third places in empowering youth and fostering community cohesion. While it doesn’t delve into the politics or construction behind the project, it beautifully captures the energy and success of a well-loved local space.
Directed by
Jim Stephenson
The Spirit of Aloha: Rebuilding Community with West Maui's Bike Park
Duration
0:15:05
Synopsis
Care in a community runs deep. Often, we see just the tip of the iceberg — a fundraiser, a volunteer day, or a PSA shared on social media. But true community care shows up in the most private, healing, and unseen moments.
On the surface, the West Maui Bike Park is a fun place to ride bikes and hang out. That’s true — but just beyond that, you’ll find the many hands and hearts of locals who made a huge project possible, moving one rock at a time, together.
The Spirit of Aloha: Rebuilding Community with West Maui's Bike Park peels back the delicate curtain on the real story behind building West Maui’s first public bike park. The concept came long before anyone could imagine what was ahead. Like everything in the region, plans were derailed by the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
When the time was right, a motivated group of people stepped forward — not just to build trails, but to create a space for healing.
This is the story of how a community — cyclists and pedestrians alike — came together to shape a lasting resource for joy, friendship, progression, and lolty. What started as a “nice-to-have” quickly became something essential: a place for birthday parties, good days, hard days, and everything in between.
Festival Statement - Through joyous images of kids on bikes and community volunteers at work, this film shows how collective effort can help a community heal after disaster. It captures the restorative power of shared spaces and the ways public projects foster connection and care.
Directed by
Shae James
Your Rose Garden
Duration
0:05:14
Synopsis
In the darkest days of the Great Depression, forgotten Americans built a haven of sunlight and flowers in the hills of Berkeley, California. The workers who made the Berkeley Rose Garden were hired by President Roosevelt's WPA, which gave jobs to the unemployed and created public infrastructure that is cherished and relied upon to this day. Weaving imagery from the distant past to the living present, "Your Rose Garden" celebrates this still-thriving community space to the tune of Alexis Harte's joyful song.
Festival Statement - Through music and imagery, this film celebrates a local rose garden as a site of beauty, joy, and community gathering. It affirms how small, cherished spaces can serve as vital connectors within the urban fabric.
Directed by
Josh Peterson
Hidden Treasures of the Back Bay
Duration
0:11:00
Synopsis
The Back Bay is a symbol of the ingenuity required to make a city grow and thrive. Visit the Back Bay and Stewart Street-Park Square area and learn about its history through the neighborhood’s businesses, community leaders, artists, activists, and residents.
Festival Statement - Through vivid visuals and intimate interviews, this film celebrates Boston’s Back Bay as more than homes or businesses. It uncovers the cafés, parks, and gathering spots that quietly shape community life, reminding us that the vitality of a city depends as much on its shared spaces as on its streets and structures.
Directed by
Padriac Farma
Your Last Best: A Memphis Rox Story
Duration
0:16:19
Synopsis
Hope comes to a South Memphis neighborhood that has struggled with basic resources. It takes the unlikely form of a climbing gym, where Jarmond Johnson and others experience different outcomes on the wall.
Festival Statement - An inspiring story of neighborhood engagement, this short follows citizens creating a youth-focused rock climbing facility. It emphasizes how community-led initiatives can provide safe, enriching “third spaces” that nurture connection and growth for underserved populations.
Directed by
Glen Janssens
Friday, Sept. 19th 8:00 -10:00 PM
Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
THE ROAD WE SHARE
1HR 15 MINS
STORIES OF ACCESS, MOBILITY, AND CONNECTION
Film Lineup:
Accessible, Inclusive Travel on the Oregon Coast - Rob Holmes
The People Mover (Spirits by the Strait) - Jesus Arzola-Vega
Ride the Veins - Dave Weich
Why Is It So Hard To Cross The Street? (& What You Can Do To Help) - Mike Pasternock
Why We Ride - Erin Kirby
Cycling Towards a Brighter Future - Simon Straetker
Penn F—ing Station - Claire Read
Presented by
Accessible, Inclusive Travel on the Oregon Coast
Duration
0:04:57
Synopsis
The Oregon Coast is leading the way in making travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone. From wheelchair-friendly beaches to accessible trails and thoughtful design in coastal towns, this stunning region is ensuring that people of all abilities can experience its beauty. Join us as we explore the incredible work being done to create a welcoming environment for all travelers—no matter their needs. Learn about the innovative programs, accessible infrastructure, and community-driven efforts that are changing the travel landscape on the Oregon Coast. All of this intentional investment makes the slogan of “The People’s Coast” more than a tagline, but a reality for everyone.
Festival Statement - A moving portrait of accessibility on Oregon’s coast, this short shows how opening spaces for some opens them for all. Families, elders, and beach lovers alike gain freedom when barriers fall. It’s a joyful reminder that inclusion transforms not just our shores, but the heart of our communities.
Directed by
Rob Homes
The People Mover (Spirits by the Strait)
Duration
0:04:23
Synopsis
If a train in Detroit could talk, what would it say? What about a house, an old rusty bike, a pheasant, or even a beautiful island on a river? This short film series seeks to answer that question. Starring Daron Colbert as the People Mover incarnate, this short film showcases the possible musings of Detroit's tiny public transit system.
Grace Lee Boggs, reflecting on Detroit's place in history, said that Detroit "gives a sense of epochs of civilization," so clearly, with such a unique place in history, Detroit is exactly the type of place that spirits would congregate to chat about the ever-changing world they observe. As many Detroiters will tell you, our city's name has it's origin in the French word for 'strait,' and that's where this series of short films derives it's name: just a group of lonely and pensive spirits by the strait, longing to be heard.
Festival Statement - “With wit and originality, this short film gives voice to Detroit’s People Mover, turning a transit system into a storyteller. Blending local history with poignant reflection, it invites viewers to consider missed opportunities, lessons for the future, and the enduring need for public transit that connects communities.”
Directed by
Jesus Arzola-Vega
Ride the Veins
Duration
0:03:26
Synopsis
Six miles in four minutes on two wheels through the heart of Portland, Oregon.
Climb on your bike and meet us for a drink in the Central Eastside.
Festival Statement - With sweeping drone shots and lively narration, this film captures the joy of cycling through Portland’s streets. Intimate glimpses of a rider navigating the city reveal how infrastructure can empower independence and connection, reminding us that the veins of a metropolis are its pathways, and the people who move along them.
Directed by
Dave Weich
Why Is It So Hard To Cross The Street? (& What You Can Do To Help)
Duration
0:16:46
Synopsis
Crossing the street can be pretty stressful. Is it a skill issue, or is there something more? And if it's beyond individual behavior, then what can we even do about it?
Festival Statement - A concise, practical guide to pedestrian safety, this film blends on-the-ground observation with actionable urban design strategies. It underscores how cities can be reshaped to prioritize human life and community over car dominance, empowering viewers to advocate for safer streets.
Directed by
Mike Pasternock
Why We Ride
Duration
0:12:00
Synopsis
This short documentary explores the experiences of women who cycle, particularly within the Denver community. It highlights the initial intimidation and safety concerns many face as a minority in the cycling world, contrasting these challenges with the sense of freedom, autonomy, and even "anarchist" connection to the world that biking provides. The film revolves around “Fems and Thems," a local group I started that fosters a supportive and empowering environment, enabling members to overcome limitations and explore new cycling adventures like bikepacking and long-distance rides. While celebrating the joy, community, and personal growth found through cycling, the documentary also confronts the stark realities of navigating urban environments, including encounters with aggressive drivers and, disturbingly, even targeted violence. Ultimately, the film underscores the resilience and determination of this community, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and shared passion in the face of adversity, and showcasing how cycling can be a source of empowerment, connection, and even resistance.
Festival Statement - A celebration of women and marginalized cyclists navigating a car-centric world, this short highlights community-building through shared passion. Beyond biking, it reveals the power of public spaces and recreational infrastructure to bring diverse groups together in urban life.
Directed by
Erin Kirby
Cycling Towards a Brighter Future
Duration
0:12:55
Synopsis
Earlier this year we travelled to the beautiful city of Marrakesh to create a short film about Cantal Bakker and her social enterprise. “Pikala Bikes” educates around 90 Moroccan youth to become a travel guide or a bicycle mechanic. A part of the trainees, a lot of them are female, work for Pikala after their graduation and therefore, they are able to build a livelihood in the long term.
The project contributes to a cleaner city using bicycles for transportation.
Festival Statement - Stunning visuals capture the streets of Marrakesh and the joyful faces of youth learning to ride, guide, and build a future. Intimate interviews reveal authenticity and hope, reminding us that thriving communities grow when individuals are empowered—and that dignity is a path everyone can pedal together.
Directed by
Simon Straetker
Penn F—ing Station
Duration
0:30:17
Synopsis
In NYC, the debate over how to fix Penn Station erupts between power brokers and residents. But what’s at stake is not just a transit hub; it’s the future of the city.
Directed by
Claire Read