Detroit, USA | Sept. 18-21, 2025
2025 BETTER CITIES FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Sunday Sept. 21
Sunday, September 21 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Venue TBA
COMMON GROUND
STORIES OF CONNECTION, CONFLICT, AND THE COURAGE TO COLLABORATE
78 MINS
Film Lineup:
Voices of Tomorrow - Lena Popilieva
Stoop Chat with Maani & Mr. Sweat - Marj Kleinman, Christine Thomas Yoon
The Palms of Modoc - Summer Gray
The Congress - Eko Krisna
Abraham's Bridge - Elinor Pierce
Presented by
Voices of Tomorrow
Duration
0:14:25
Synopsis
"Voices of Tomorrow" captures the work educators in America are doing with students to restore civic culture in a hyperpolarized society. By fostering viewpoint diversity and free speech in their school communities through civil discourse practices with Sphere Education Initiatives, these educators and their students are revitalizing the most important characteristics of strong democratic citizens - respect, curiosity, and openness.
Festival Statement - Highlighting the critical role of informed civic discourse, this film showcases teachers and schools fostering youth engagement in public debate. While not directly about urban design, it emphasizes how thoughtful communication across differences strengthens the social fabric of cities.
Directed by
Lena Popilieva
Stoop Chat with Maani & Mr. Sweat
Duration
0:14:09
Synopsis
"Stoop Chat with Maani and Mr. Sweat" brings you to the Brooklyn stoops of Mr. Sweat, a dapper neighborhood elder and Vietnam veteran with old school swagger, and Maani, a young aspiring entrepreneur. Against the vibrant cultural backdrop of Bedford-Stuyvesant, this documentary captures the power of mentorship and the enduring spirit of Black identity. Through the simple act of playing stoop ball, wisdom is passed down, dreams take shape, and the lessons of the past help to guide the future. Exploring faith and masculinity, the short film tells the heartwarming story of the strength found in community, the lessons shared between generations, and the amazing transformative power of love.
This short is the third in a series of short, intergenerational “Stoop Chat” docs designed to increase social connection between youth and elders, while preserving neighborhood narratives and celebrating cultural heritage. It builds on the Stoop Stories community project founded at the beginning of the COVID pandemic to connect, support, and celebrate our NYC neighbors. The goals of the project are to uplift and encourage more community connections in a time of significant loneliness and isolation, particularly for youth and elders. The pilot, “Stoop Chat with Jimmy & Shanaya” (2024) received 6 awards, including best documentary at The NYC Mental Health and Wellness Festival, the Audience Award at Better Cities Film Festival, and two Anthem Awards for community engagement.
Funded by Brooklyn Arts Council and the Stoop Stories community, this short was directed by Stoop Stories founder and Emmy-nominated producer Marj Kleinman, and award-winning documentary filmmaker Christine Thomas Yoon, in collaboration with the Stoop Stories Collective of storytellers and artists.
Festival Statement - Warm, intimate interviews bring Bedford-Stuyvesant to life, showing how intergenerational dialogue can strengthen community bonds. The affectionate portrayal of its residents reminds us that neighborhoods are shaped as much by human connection as by buildings—and that listening across differences is a quiet, enduring act of urban care.
Directed by
Marj Kleinman, Christine Thomas Yoon
The Palms of Modoc
Duration
0:16:48
Synopsis
In the picturesque streets of Santa Barbara, a group of neighbors find themselves entangled in a battle over a beloved green space. An ambitious plan to bridge a 3/4-mile gap in a scenic California coastal bike highway threatens to disrupt the Modoc Preserve and its treasured palms, sparking an unexpected clash between nature protection and green urban development. While some fight to preserve the trees, others push for the bike path’s completion, exposing the dilemmas of modern environmentalism. Through intimate interviews and sweeping visuals, this story prompts us to ask: In the race to build greener cities, which voices are being left behind?
Festival Statement - “This engaging short turns a local bike path dispute into a powerful story of dialogue, compromise, and shared stewardship. With heart and nuance, it reveals how neighbors with different priorities can come together, transforming conflict into collaboration and creating a path forward—both for their community and for the land they cherish.”
Directed by
Summer Gray
The Congress
Duration
0:10:58
Synopsis
Indonesian activist, Rukka Sombolinggi believes the key to confronting the climate crisis is to unite and mobilize the Indigenous communities who are often impacted the most. Now, as the first female general secretary of the world’s largest Indigenous Peoples organization, she has the power to do just that. But the challenge is monumental.
One October thousands traveled from across the island nation of Indonesia to attend one of the largest gatherings of Indigenous Peoples in the world. Whether arriving by open-air trucks, boat or even by foot the AMAN congress, led by Rukka, drew thousands of people across the Indonesian archipelago and its 17,000 islands.
Using a process of “deliberative democracy” the Congress prioritizes finding solutions through consensus so that no groups are left out. This unique process resulted in 32 resolutions, uniting the voices of over 20,000 indigenous communities to address land rights, economic dealings, environmental issues, and the criminalization of Indigenous Peoples across the archipelago.
This is a story about the democratic process, defiance and dignity in the face of climate catastrophe.
Festival Statement - Through intimate glimpses of Indonesia’s indigenous gatherings, this film celebrates engaging across difference. It shows how diverse voices can be honored and empowered through consensus, offering a vision of civic participation that contrasts with typical city council meetings and reminding us that cities flourish when inclusion and dialogue guide decision-making.
Directed by Eko Krisna
Abraham's Bridge
Duration
0:35:53
Synopsis
Something is happening in the heartland: here, a mosque, synagogue, church, and interfaith center are connected by a circular wooden bridge, an organic donation garden, and a quietly disruptive vision. Can this new model of coexistence in the American Midwest bridge the rising currents of division?
Festival Statement - “Inspiring and deeply human, this film follows members of three faith traditions as they build relationships across divides. Honest about the challenges yet full of hope, it shows the courage, compassion, and creativity required to live in community with those whose beliefs differ—and the beauty that emerges when they do.”
Directed by
Elinor Pierce
Sunday, September 21 7:00 - 8:30 PM
TBA
IN THIS PLACE
63 MINS
STORIES OF HOME AND HOPE
Twisted Braid - Ricky-Thomas Serikawa
Freshwater - Dream Hampton
Equity & Ownership: Napoleon Wallace and the Reconstruction of Black Wealth - Yuri Vaysgant
Lady Henze - Eduardo Cantón Torres
The Roof Over My Head - Madison Buchanan
Camp2Home - Casey Hogue
Film Lineup:
Presented by
Twisted Braid
Duration
0:05:29
Synopsis
In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the word Hilo is defined as ʻto twistʻ or ʻto braidʻ, ʻbraidedʻ. It also happens to be the place name of an iconic and culturally significant landmark on the island of Hawaiʻi, where a tight-knit community has found a way to keep meaningful ties with each other and the environment around them, evident in the members that help it to thrive. Inspired by a unique artist-in-residence by Temple Children LLC held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, this poetry film explores the way in which a foundational love for creativity, culture, and community can bring light into a world that is seemingly becoming larger and more distant.
Festival Statement - A lyrical, visually rich meditation on community, this short captures the spirit of togetherness through poetry, art, and everyday interactions. While not about urban planning per se, it reminds viewers that the essence of community—creativity, connection, and shared culture—can flourish anywhere, and that nurturing these bonds is essential to building better cities and neighborhoods.
Directed by
Ricky-Thomas Serikawa
Freshwater
Duration
0:10:01
Synopsis
Freshwater is a short film by Dream Hampton about her disappearing Black city, flooded basements, and the fluid nature of memory.
Festival Statement - Through moody imagery and poetic narration, this film immerses us in the filmmaker’s personal memories of Detroit, blending nostalgia, loss, and quiet anxiety about rising waters. It reminds us that cities carry the weight of memory as much as infrastructure—and that preserving what we love begins with noticing what’s slipping away.
Directed by Dream Hampton
Equity & Ownership: Napoleon Wallace and the Reconstruction of Black Wealth
Duration
0:20:24
Synopsis
Napoleon Wallace left his position as NC’s deputy secretary of commerce and asked his wife for two years to pursue his vision of building multiple organizations around a comprehensive strategy to build Black wealth and bridge racial wealth gaps. He soon confronted a devastating diagnosis.
Festival Statement - Through thoughtful interviews and a calm, measured presentation, this film reveals the quiet force of one individual shaping his community with courage and vision. It reminds us that meaningful change often starts in small, determined acts—and that dedication, equity, and generosity leave a lasting imprint on the cities we inhabit.
Directed by
Yuri Vaysgant
Lady Henze
Duration
0:02:00
Synopsis
Britt Henze, an artist from San Francisco, California, paints under the moniker Lady Henze. This micro doc explores her journey through addiction, survival, and creative rebirth. Focusing on themes of duality and identity, Henze reflects on how her art and personal story now inspire others on their own paths.
Festival Statement - This microfilm is a luminous glimpse into the life and art of Lady Henze. It's intimate interview and flowing visuals of her work convey her journey of creativity and renewal, leaving viewers inspired by the way personal expression can illuminate darkness and bring light to a community.
Directed by
Eduardo Cantón Torres
The Roof Over My Head
Duration
0:05:04
Synopsis
"The Roof Over My Head" explores the hidden crisis of homelessness in Appalachia—where unstable housing often means living in cars, motels, or with friends. Led by filmmaker Madison Buchanan, who has lived this reality, the film amplifies voices too often overlooked, challenging misconceptions and fostering empathy.
This short film lays the groundwork for a longer documentary expanding the narrative, diving deeper into the systemic causes of housing insecurity and the resilience of those affected. Stay tuned for more.
Festival Statement - A tender, intimate portrait of one family’s experience with houselessness, this short evokes the human cost of instability and the quiet dignity of resilience. The film lingers on moments of daily life, inviting empathy and reflection on how cities might better support their most vulnerable residents.
Directed by
Madison Buchanan
Camp2Home
Duration
0:31:25
Synopsis
Camp2Home is the City of Modesto's initiative to provide a path to self-sufficiency for people trying to rebuild their lives out of homelessness through five different initiatives: Outreach, Shelter, Job Training, Employment, and Housing.
It is also the title of our documentary highlighting the passionate team behind the initiative working to get the unhoused residents of Modesto on their feet and off the streets.
Festival Statement - Through candid stories and practical solutions, this film shows how dignity and collaboration can transform life on the streets into life with a future. It reminds us that addressing homelessness means more than shelter—it’s about building pathways where everyone has the chance to belong.
Directed by Casey Hogue