Ordinary Joe

Joe Sciacca is a beer-swilling, blue-collar roofer and Vietnam vet from Long Island. By all appearances, his life is decent but unremarkable.

Yet complex motives drive him to return to Vietnam, travel its back alleyways, and do something extraordinary for those who've been overlooked. Those who are truly poor, or disabled, and in need of someone who cares.

This is the story of Joe and his journey of hope to a land where he once fought a war—a place where he's fighting for change. You will find the trailer here: Ordinary Joe Trailer

2012 Lineup

Hey everyone!

Our judges have selected 83 films from 13 countries for this year's 3rd Annual New Hope Film Festival. The remarkable slate of films includes 8 full-length features, 16 documentaries, 30 shorts and 29 student films. The countries represented include: USA, Mexico, UK, Spain, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Mongolia, Chile, Argentina, Singapore, Japan and Turkey.

Although we received more submissions than last year, our judging standards were higher than ever, making this the most competitive year in our history. Watch NHFF's blog for sneak peeks on selected films, then check out the Official Guide for our lineup and schedule. The Guide will be launched in a free, online format on or about June 15th; online ticket sales will be announced shortly thereafter.

Congratulations to all of the filmmakers who submitted their films this year! Anyone who makes a movie is an achiever.

Fishing in Esperanza

A journey from civilized chaos
Into the deep rivers of the Amazon jungle,
To a small community called Esperanza,
Where life is still in harmony with nature—
And where a father and son are waiting for 
The fish to bite.

Produced and directed by Anders Flatlandsmo of Norway and filmed in Peru, Fishing in Esperanza is a poetic short film about hope. On different levels, the film tells the story of a filmmaker, a fisherman, and a community as all wait for an incident to take place.

To watch the trailer, you'll need to visit the production company's website, click on Overview, scroll down to the film listing and click Play. Here's a link: Nabis Film Website

 

Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story

In this delightfully offbeat cult film, a small time cable TV reporter with dreams of the big time stumbles into a story far stranger than he ever imagined. It takes him on a journey into an underground world of subversion, talk radio and garage bands. Along the way, he discovers a shocking truth about the American way.

A first feature for producer/director Bill Haley, Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story is a movie buff's treat. Visit the Steve Phoenix Movie Facebook Page and watch the trailer here:

Heartland

After losing their beloved daughter to a rare heart condition, two Iowa parents transformed their grief into a force for good by establishing the Erika Kate Foundation, a national assistance program for families with children who have been diagnosed with life threatening heart conditions. Heartland is a tribute to their philanthropy and a memorial for their daughter's tragically short life.

Originally from Taiwan, New York-based producer/director Hai-Tao Wu created Heartland as a graduate student final project. Here is the trailer: Heartland Trailer

Run

Tom, a brilliant 15-year-old footballer, destined for greatness, collapses on the football pitch. He wakes up in a hospital bed and his nightmare begins. His younger brother, Chris, desperately tries to pull Tom out of his spiraling depression, but Tom retreats into a silent world.
 
Will Chris be able to save Tom, or will the tragedy destroy Tom’s spirit forever? Produced, written and directed by United Kingdom filmmaker Shelagh Mcleod, this passionate, earnest short film is based on a true story. Watch the trailer here: 

No Greater Pain

Mothers In Charge is a Philadelphia organization with the dual mission of assisting women who have lost children to violence and raising awareness about violence and justice issues. Dorothy Johnson-Speight started the organization in 2004 after the death of her son. Since then, she has been the voice of countless mothers who have lost their loved ones; Johnson-Speight works endlessly to achieve justice.

Produced by Stephen McWilliams of Villanova University, No Greater Pain is a demonstrative challenge to senseless violence and its repercussions. Here is the preview: