Why We Dance
They danced their way together online through the pandemic lockdown, lead by charismatic, energized Ketty, spreading hope, health & love.
Filmmaker: Michal Goldman
Trailer editor: Shirley Thompson
Paquito D’Rivera: From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall
This film highlights the remarkable life and career of 16-time Grammy winner, Latin Jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera.
Filmmaker: Juan Mandelbaum
Trailer editor: Shirley Thompson
Sex Work: It’s Just a Job
In their own words, New York City sex workers describe their battle for decriminalization as a means toward basic worker rights and protections.
Filmmaker: Tami Gold, Tamerik Productions
Trailer editor: Shirley Thompson
It Happens When We Sing
A loving community forms around a Song Circle where members gather weekly to sing for 35 years.
Filmmaker: Polly Wells, WPA
Trailer editor: Shirley Thompson
From Here From There (De Aquí De Allá)
Undocumented attorney Luis Cortes Romero steps out from the oppressive shadow of our nation’s broken immigration system to fight for DACA, all the way to the Supreme Court.
Filmmaker: Marlene “Mo” Morris, Galewind Films
Trailer editor: Shirley Thompson
Reel Wāhine of Hawai‘i: Alison Week
Hawai‘i Island community-based filmmaker Alison Week and her work as producer of the narrative feature Chaperone and co-director co-producer of the documentary Island Cowgirls.
Directors, producer, editor: Shirley Thompson
Series co-producers: Shirley Thompson + Vera Zambonelli
The Queen’s Flowers
A magical take on a true story, THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS is an animated short adventure for kids that follows Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl in 1915 Honolulu, as she makes a special gift for the last monarch of Hawai‘i, Queen Lili‘uokalani.
Director/Producer: Ciara Lacy
Trailer Editor: Shirley Thompson
Reel Wāhine of Hawai‘i Season 5
Season 5 of Reel Wāhine of Hawai‘i highlights the exceptional and crucial work of pioneering wāhine who played a significant role in establishing the local film industry, as well as emerging talents who are producing innovative and ground-breaking work. Featuring Lola Quan Bautista, Robin Lung, Tiare Ribeaux, Pākē Salmon, Shirley Thompson & Alison Week. Created by all women filmmaking teams with major funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Series co-producers: Shirley Thompson + Vera Zambonelli
Directors: Shaneika Aguilar, Donna Choo, Lisette Marie Flanary, Erin Lau, Shirley Thompson + Vera Zambonelli
Dear Aloha
How do Native Hawaiians in the diaspora keep the feeling of Aloha in their hearts, even when they live thousands of miles away? The film follows two Native Hawaiians living in the Pacific Northwest as they reflect on how Aloha sustains them amidst distance, loss, and longing. Meanwhile, back in Hawaii, local residents grapple with the legacy of colonization that has resulted in many Hawaiians being displaced from their homeland.
Director: Cris Romento
Editors: Cris Romento + Shirley Thompson
