AwardsWatch

In a snowboarding accident, Forrest, age 18, suffers a traumatic brain injury that leaves him trapped inside himself, unable to speak or walk for nearly two years. Desperate to connect with her son, Forrest’s mother contacts Tom Sweitzer, a music therapist with a troubled childhood whose own life was “saved” by music. For months, Forrest doesn’t acknowledge Tom. Gradually, Forrest starts responding to the music, starting with a little movement of his finger or smile. Tom uses a music therapy method to teach Forrest to breathe, then hum, and find his “pitch.” After many months, the hums turn into Forrest’s first words, “Good Morning.” Soon, he’s singing entire songs and speaking in sentences. Forrest’s finally getting his voice and life back when he’s faced with one medical setback after another. A serious infection requires surgeons to remove the prosthetic implant that is protecting his brain, where a large part of his skull was removed after his accident. Without any protection for his brain from atmospheric pressure, Forrest’s ability to survive is uncertain. A groundbreaking surgery is Forrest’s last hope. This is a story about the power of music to heal and transform lives, often in miraculous ways.

Director: Susan Koch

Producers: J. Wendy Thompson- Marquez, Gary Mather & Christina Co Mather, Lysa Burke Hutton, Teresa Wheeler, Zak Kilberg, Irwin Winkler

Screenwriter: Susan Koch

Editor: Georgia Koch

Dir. of Photography: Neil Barrett

Key Subjects: Forrest Allen, Tom Sweitzer, Rae Stone, Kent Allen, Austin Allen, Tolliver

Days before his 18th birthday, Abel (Ethan Herisse, “When They See Us”) finds himself about to age out of his orphanage and leave his younger brother, Kiya, behind. But when a prospective adopting couple threatens to break their relationship apart, the brothers wrestle with the reality of never being adopted. Inspired by a true story.

Director: Josh Leong

Producers: Sofia Bara, Bemnet Yemesgen, Augustine Hong, Jonathan Ferguson, Khalil-El Ghoul, Sounil & Gracie Yu, Daniel & Carolina Bara, Jin & May Leong

Screenwriter: Josh Leong

Editor: Josh Leong

Dir. of Photography: Tom Ingwersen

Key Cast: Ethan Herisse, Wayna, Adonai Kelelom

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