Four films were featured at the Omaha Film Festival in the category of Short Documentary. The small number did not deter from the quality in any way. All four of these films were stellar.

The block started with the documentary Travis Pastrano-Driven. By director Marko Zawadzki. I have to admit, I know nothing about the world of extreme sports, but this film opened my eyes to the dedication and talent in the world of Freestyle Motocross and Rally through the eyes of one of its top competitors, Travis Pastrano. Though injured a number of times, he seems to be an easy going guy with an iron will, who wants to be the best. I have no doubt that we have only seen the beginning of this remarkable young man.

The Tehuacan Project directed by Andy Lauer was a compelling film about helping the hearing impaired children of Mexican. This film follows two particular children, Jesus and Lucia as the Tehuacan Project helps them, with hearing aids and schooling. The dedication of the American doctors who lend their time to this project is remarkable, and the impact that their work has on these children is astounding.

Human Development:aka Dessarollo Humano was written and directed by David Munoz and was about the drastic contrast between the worlds most affluent country, Norway, and the poorest country Niger. This documentary features people from both countries as they discuss their world in the areas of economy, healthcare, social development and last but not least, happiness. The findings are rather surprising, as it seems happiness is not necessarily tied to economic wealth. This was a very eye opening documentary and I highly recommend it.

Last, but certainly not least in this block was Movement, Directed and Produced by the subject of the documentary, Alex O’Flinn and Mikiko Sasaki. Alex O’Flinn bravely turns the camera on himself in this film about a condition he has called Benign Myoclonus. This condition causes an uncontrollable twitch, or movement of his head and shoulders. What is striking about this film, is that it doesn’t focus on the disease so much as it does on the human emotion of the people who love Alex the most. Who have obviously shown him that this affliction is nothing in comparison to his abilities, and strengths. The story is one of acceptance, and understanding and most definitely, love. This was a four star documentary in my opinion, and I hope the rest of the world will be lucky enough to see it.

In the Long Documentary category I was lucky enough to see Strictly Background, The story of ten working actors in Hollywood who make their meager livings as “extras” in movie and television. This gives a real life view of what it’s like to scrape by in Hollywood. This film touches on such topics as the benefits of being union vs. non-union, age discrimination, and following your dream vs. facing reality. The men and women portrayed in this documentary are anything but background players by the end of this film. They are the real stars of Hollywood and an honor to their profession.

Sandra Brennan