Documentary & Fiction Filmmaking
Undi is engaged to Judith, but is he ready to confront the truth of who she really is? Over one night of celebration he is forced to face ugly realities about love, commitment, and himself. Director & Production Design by Vanessa Tolino (co-director Lee Kabongo) *Winner of Halicarnassus Film Festival
Master Qin & His Puppets
Master Qin is a shadow puppet master in Yunmeng, China. He produces shadow plays 365 days a year. The art of shadow puppetry is ancient, going back 2000 years; Qin is one of the last remaining pure masters of the art. This is his story. 11 min. Produced by Darcy Holdorf & Vanessa Tolino
Nicholas Pepe: Energy Healer
Energy healing is an ancient art, practiced in every culture on Earth. This is an interview with Nicholas Pepe about his use of energy with his healing work in Bangkok, Thailand. 5 min. Produced by Vanessa Tolino & Darcy Holdorf
Fla Flower: Laughing Yoga
Laughing Yoga, the practice of mindful laughing, is becoming more and more popular. This is an interview with Fla Flower, a practitioner, guide and laughing yogi in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 4 min.
Produced by Vanessa Tolino & Darcy Holdorf
Resurrection After Exoneration
This is the brief story of RAE, Resurrection After Exoneration, a non-profit in New Orleans started by exoneree John Thompson and other exonerees. RAE's mission is to assist exonerated people in making the very difficult transition from prison life to society. For more information, you can go their website: www.r-a-e.org. Dir. Vanessa Tolino
Coming of the Oil
The BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico was one of the biggest man made disasters in history. Residents of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana were hard hit economically as the oil affected the region's fishing industry. 11 min. ARTE France. Produced by Vanessa Tolino/Dir. Renaud Dumsnil
Mothers Against Violence
New Orleans continuously ranks as one of the most violent cites in America."Hurting Mothers Because of Violence" is a support group for mothers of murder victims. It was started at The New Hope Baptist Church by Desiree Watson Jones after her son was killed. 4 min. Second round of Pulitzer Center/YouTube "Project Report" contest. Dir. Vanessa Tolino