SHORT DOCUMENTARIES A
Zastava Brothers
Directed By: Pep Stojanovic, 22 minutes
A group of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia, now living in America, discover an unlikely bond that transcends their different backgrounds: a shared love for the iconic cars of their homeland. United by nostalgia and mechanical passion, they form a brotherhood built on grease-stained hands and open roads. But when they embark on their first-ever Sunday drive together and one of the beloved classics begins to smoke, the group must spring into action to save both the car and the spirit of the journey.
The Birth of the Modern Snowmobile
Directed By: Nate Sheppard, 7 minutes
This charming short documentary chronicles the remarkable story of Carl Eliason, a resourceful Wisconsin inventor whose ingenuity helped give rise to the modern snowmobile. Told through the warm and vivid recollections of his granddaughter, Jona Eliason, the film brings to life a pivotal chapter in American innovation. It is an intimate tribute to the tinkerers and dreamers whose inventions quietly changed the way we experience the world.
DRIVE MORE
Directed By: Matthew Thompson, 33 minutes
Three friends united by a shared passion for vintage European sports cars embark on a journey that stretches far beyond the asphalt. With the iconic Round Headlamp Rally 1000—a grueling thousand-mile, two-day rally across Michigan—on the horizon, each driver brings a deeply personal goal to this year’s adventure. From late-night garage sessions and last-minute mechanical fixes to the roar of engines echoing across Michigan’s stunning backroads, this documentary captures the raw passion, camaraderie, and perseverance that define the vintage car community.
Making Magic
Directed By: Devin Smith, 10 minutes
Two passionate magicians pull back the curtain on their lifelong love affair with the art of illusion. Through dazzling performances and candid reflections, they reveal how the craft of magic creates genuine moments of wonder for their audiences. This delightful short documentary celebrates the dedication behind the spectacle and the timeless joy of making the impossible seem real.
The Spirit of Sleeping Bear Dunes
Directed By: Keith Patterson, 51 minutes
This sweeping hybrid documentary makes the most compelling case for the conservation of public land by immersing viewers in the rich history and breathtaking wilderness of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The film uncovers the legends of the Native American peoples who first called this place home, the story of white settlement, and the contentious creation of the National Lakeshore itself. From storied shipwrecks in the Manitou Passage to the iconic lighthouses dotting the shoreline, every chapter is brought to life by expert historians, park rangers, and passionate locals.