FRIDAY OCT 20 at Froggy’s
T H E 2 0 2 3 T O P A N G A F I L M F E S T I V A L
In these surreal times, the Topanga Film Festival celebrates its 18th edition as a gravitational hub of open-mindedness, dialogue, and storytelling. Under this year’s theme, “UNREEL: Keeping it real in an unreal world” we will explore the unique challenges and opportunities presented by our current moment. Join us for groundbreaking films, scintillating panels, comedic interludes, and legendary afterparties, all for your inspired pleasure!
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THE ELEPHANTS AND THE GRASS
FRIDAY OCT 20, 11:00-1:00 PM at Froggy’s
RUNTIME: 1:43:00
SOUTH SUDAN
Directors: Beau Rosario, Brandon Gulish
Twelve-year-old Shamira Muhammed recounts the difficult decision she and her mother must make when facing certain death in South Sudan. They choose to trek the 100 miles of brutal terrain in hopes that they will find a new life in a refugee camp in Uganda. Failed murder attempts, weeks in the harsh African bush, and unthinkable abuse on dangerous dirt roads cause them to consider if a violent death in their own home would have been a more humane choice.
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International Short Competition II
FRIDAY OCT 20, 1:00 - 3:00 PM at Froggy’s
• Dead Enders
Directors: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker• Garden Ministry Director: Kerri Pang
• Healed Director: Emil Goodman
• Lady Director: Fardin Ansari
• The Rooster's Cage
Director: Carina Rosanna Tautu• Interracial Couple in a Cheerios Commercial
Director: Christine Laki• School of Fish
Directors: Colin Arisman, Oliver Sutro• Pitage Director: Ali Khaledi
• Conflict Director: Sasha Dulerayn
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BETWEEN THE RAINS
FRIDAY OCT 20, 3:00-5:00PM at Froggy’s
RUNTIME: 1:21:00:
KENYA
Directors: Moses Thuranira, Andrew H. Brown
Filmed with stunning cinematography over four years, Between the Rains explores a childhood caught within a traditional culture that is a casualty of climate change. With unprecedented and intimate access to the Turkana people, this moving coming-of-age story reveals the grave threats facing one of the world's oldest communities.
FRIDAY OCT 20, 5-7PM AT FROGGY’S
Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers
Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal
UnCharitable
A first of its kind documentary film with Edward Norton, Dan Pallotta, the founders of Invisible Children, Wounded Warrior Project, Last Mile Health, Charity:Water, the heads of the Ford Foundation, TED, The Bridgespan Group, The Nature Conservancy, No Kid Hungry, One Love Foundation, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, United Way of Greater Atlanta, and more.
FRIDAY OCT, 20 7-10PM AT FROGGY’S
Followed by a Q&A with Rachel Ward
Directed by Rachel Ward
Rachel’s Farm
In this triumphant film, director and actress Rachel Ward voyages from her own wilful ignorance about the ecological impacts of conventional agriculture, to championing a movement to restore the health of our farmland, food and climate and in doing so the wellbeing of the farming communities that sustain the nation, and ourselves. Rachel's Farm is for anyone who cares about how their food is produced, how degraded our soils have become, and the changing role of women on farms.