An immersive program of screenings and conversations, the Flaherty Film Seminar is an internationally recognized forum for collective inquiry into non-fiction cinema, encouraging the exchange of cinematic ideas across generations and cultures, and promoting the expansion of the limits of cinema itself.
Heightened Scrutiny is a documentary film about the first out trans attorney arguing in front of the US Supreme Court (United States v. Skrmetti) and the role of mainstream media in fueling anti-trans legislation. The film's director, Sam Feder, will be presenting this film at the Sanctuary followed by a Q&A. Ahead of the film, […]
An act of creative resistance to Apartheid, No Other Land documents a Palestinian activist and his unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist, as he searches for a path towards equality and justice. Join us for this film screening and panel discussion. No Other Land is the 2025 Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature, a major win for a […]
Join media artist Theo Jean Cuthand for a Be The Media! participatory radio workshop, to focus on Indigiqueer and ecological issues. Using improvisational documentary techniques, the Be The Media! workshop participants will create a short radio play with Theo Jean Cuthand, loosely inspired by Orson Welles' War of the Worlds broadcast but based on the […]
“Spaces of Exception” is a film profiling American Indian reservations alongside Palestinian refugee camps, an attempt to understand the significance of the land—its memory and divisions—and the conditions for life, community and sovereignty. The screening is followed by a community conversation with film co-director Matt Peterson and Indigenous and Palestinian guests. 5pm – 6pm: Be […]
In the spirit of cross-cultural learning and understanding, the Albany Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace alongside our co-sponsors, are excited to host an in person screening of Israelism followed by a community discussion at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. Created by two first-time Jewish filmmakers who followed the experience of two young American Jews, Israelism provides […]
Director Penny Lane returns to the Sanctuary to screen her latest film Confessions of a Good Samaritan about her own experience deciding to become a “Good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger. This launches her on an unexpectedly funny, intimate, and provocative quest to understand why everyone seems to think she’s […]
Join us for an evening of honoring motherhood & disability with filmmakers Nöelle Gentile, Michael Mejia, & Victoria Kereszi, and storyteller Bethany Van Delft. The short film Between Us and feature documentary film Into Loving Hands will be screened, followed by a panel discussion about motherhood, choice, giving birth and advocating for a child with disabilities and […]
Join Directors Zara Katz and Lisa Riordan Seville and protagonist Kristal Bush for the screening of the documentary film A Woman on the Outside, about the struggle to keep families connected despite incarceration. Before the film screening, all three women will give a Be The Media! workshop and give a brief opening reception to the […]
Join us for a film screening of the Indie Lens Pop-Up Storming Caesars Palace followed by a community-driven conversation and local resource sharing by local partners. Presented by WMHT in partnership with The Sanctuary for Independent Media, NYS Poor People’s Campaign, Rensselaer County Dept. of Social Services, Troy Area United Ministries (TAUM), Unity House, and […]
with filmmaker Yoruba Richen Yoruba Richen will screen The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks at the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy, NY. This film captures the unexpected story of Rosa Parks and her life beyond the historic bus boycott, revealing the intent behind her activism, her radical politics, and her courage. The screening will be […]
Please join us for a screening of Witness, a documentary film about the Aref-Hossain case, with filmmaker Masood Haque. The screening is followed by a panel with Lynne Jackson, Kathy Manley and Larry Rulison. This event is part of iEAR Presents! and co-sponsored by Project SALAM (Support and Legal Advocacy for Muslims), Coalition for Civil Freedoms, […]
A fiercely self-determined family in the deep south resists despair with love in this unique narrative of Black achievement. Filmmakers Ira McKinley and Bhawin Suchak screened their film "Outta The Muck" for a hometown crowd at The Sanctuary for Independent Media on May 7, 2022 in Troy, NY. This is the Q&A that followed the […]
Join us for a virtual film screening of "Not Going Quietly" with filmmaker Nicholas Bruckman, followed by a panel discussion. The event begins with a quick introduction by filmmaker Nicholas Bruckman, then we will screen Not Going Quietly. Following the film, a personal message by Ady Barkan and brief Q&A with Nicholas will lead into […]
Twenty-five years after its release, Witness to the Future’s focus on so-called "ordinary” citizens turned environmental activists has more relevance than ever before! Here's an interview with producer Branda Miller on the WOOC Hudson Mohawk Magazine as part of the build-up to this event. It's time to watch this video again! Then, watch the Q&A […]
“Echoes from Lock One” is an evocative call for environmental and water justice from the eyes and voices of youth in Troy, NY. Personally screen this video and listen to a Q&A podcast with co-creators! During the Sanctuary’s “Uptown Summer” program, media makers, artists and scientists worked with teens in camera, audio production, script writing, […]
View a special Northern Hemisphere sneak preview of the documentary Arica, then join us for a panel discussion with directors, Lars Edman and William Johansson Kalén, plus local “Our Soil” project leader Professor Abby Kinchy and Professor Sebastian Ureta (Chile) and Rodrigo Pino (Chile). Register to screen the Arica documentary by Lars Edman, William Johansson Kalén plus […]
You will receive links to the videos prior to the panel, and then can join in for a conversation with the media makers and local activists. On Earth Day, we celebrate our local voices in their eloquent calls for environmental justice and clean air in the Hudson Mohawk region. We focus on local media makers who […]
Register for either/both days of this event here! Water Justice Lab in North Troy, NY hosts “confluence” virtual gatherings with youth environmental justice advocates throughout communities in the Hudson River Watershed. The opening evening features a land acknowledgement of the Stockbridge Munsee Community by Heather Bruegl, before the premiere of the water justice documentary “Echoes from […]
Join us for a screening and discussion of Against All Odds with filmmaker Messiah Rhodes followed by the panel with local incarceration activists Nicole Cook-Reed, Thomas Kearney, and Roni Minter. Against All Odds is a personal and also important social story about recidivism, our criminal justice system and the effects on so many generations. It’s also […]
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