25th AAWIC Film Screening Program
Taste of Pork Belly-Screening Time-12:40PM
Preschooler A-Mao spends carefree days exploring with his sister and friend, enjoying sweet potatoes, snails, and the occasional pork belly from his mother.
His father, a failed worker who came with the Kuomintang, becomes idle, depressed, and paranoid after being arrested and released.
A-Mao’s mother washes clothes for money and sometimes trades sex for pork to feed the family, always wearing her floral skirt.
She picks out meat at the market, then disappears into the butcher’s truck to complete the unspoken exchange.
One day, A-Mao sees the truck shaking, hears his parents fight, and realizes the truth behind the food he once loved.
Haunted by this, he begins to reject the pork belly—and the floral skirt that now fills him with shame.
Featured in Screening Program 5
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Director, Sophie Shui
Sophie SHUI, during her studies in the Film Studies program, shot the 8-minute short film "Penalty" with a budget of 500 NT dollars. The film was selected for various prestigious film festivals, including those focused on women and the Golden Harvest Awards. In 2019, she received funding from Public Television Service to produce her graduation project film "A Trip with Mom ," which garnered nearly a hundred nominations and awards at domestic and international film festivals. Awards include Best Film at the IM Cross-Strait Youth Film Festival, Best Actress at the Taipei Film Awards, the Jury Award at the Taiwan International Women's Film Festival, and the Best Narrative Short Film Award at The Reel Sisters Film Festival, which qualifies for the Oscars, and the Jury Award at The Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival, which has a 40-year history and competes for the Canadian Screen Awards.
Screening Program 6--4:00pm-7:00pm
SAN FRANCISCO BAE-Screening Time-4:00pm
A fresh and fun coming-of-age story, San Francisco Bae follows the journey of a failing founder and a med-school dropout who, together, concoct a risky plan to pursue their true passions and achieve the American dream.
San Francisco Bae shows the importance of going after what you want, even if it doesn't match up with society's expectations.
Featured in Screening Program 6
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Director, Cephra Stuart
Cephra Stuart is a dynamic filmmaker whose background in DEI and analytics has positioned her as a powerful voice in entertainment.
She began her journey at Walt Disney Studios, advising studio presidents on improving representation both on and off screen.
Now a founding team member at Mansa, a streaming platform celebrating Black culture, Cephra is helping reshape the entertainment landscape.
Her storytelling blends data-driven insight with a passion for elevating underrepresented voices across STEM, tech, dating, and academia.
Cephra’s scripts are bold, layered, and rooted in themes of unity, empowerment, and truth.
Through her work, she inspires audiences while pushing for a more inclusive and equitable world.
PARO-Screening Time-6:00pm
In a harrowing tale of survival, Chand becomes a symbol of the brutal Paro Bride slavery system, her story uncovered by Mohar, a scholar determined to expose the hidden horrors.
Sold at 13, Chand endures relentless abuse, the loss of her first son to shame, and the violent separation from her second child.
Despite unimaginable suffering, she clings to hope—until her third husband, Rashid, betrays her, forcing a devastating choice.
In a final act of defiance, Chand fights to save her third child, sparking a journey of resistance and awakening.
Her story, revealed at a university gathering, stirs hearts and demands reflection on a society complicit in her pain.
What begins as tragedy transforms into a powerful call for change—Chand’s voice rising as a beacon of strength, truth, and rebellion.
Featured in Screening Program 6
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Executive Producer, Ruhi AKA Rohini Hak
Ruhi AKA Rohini Hak is a dynamic creative force and advocate for women's empowerment. She is the Founder of HOPEBLIT, an initiative under the Global Women’s Empowerment Network, dedicated to uplifting and amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling, advocacy, and creative expression.
As a Director, Writer, Producer, and Musician with Voices Unheard Films, Ruhi brings powerful narratives to life, focusing on social justice, human rights, and cultural identity. Her multidisciplinary talents bridge the worlds of film, music, and activism, making her a unique voice in the creative industry.
In recognition of her contributions to women’s voices in media, Ruhi is also an Honorary Lifetime Member of the International Women’s Film Forum, underscoring her commitment to fostering inclusive platforms for women in film and beyond.
Producer, Trupti Bhoir
Trupti Bhoir is a renowned actress, producer, director, and writer known for her powerful contributions to Indian cinema. With a passion for storytelling that centers around women's experiences, she has produced six feature films, each marked by compelling narratives and strong, woman-centric themes.
Her dedication to socially relevant cinema earned international recognition when one of her films made it to the Oscar eligibility list in 2014, a rare and prestigious achievement in regional Indian filmmaking.
As a multi-talented creative force, Trupti continues to challenge conventions and push boundaries, using her voice and vision to inspire change and represent underrepresented perspectives on screen.
BLACK REIGN-1997-2002-Screening Time-6:05pm
Documentary focusing on the Black Reign Community Newspaper, which published out of Staten Island, New York from 1997 to 2002 and helped to launch the careers of numerous young writers, photographers and artists.
Featured in Film Screening Program 6
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Director, Akeelah Sana’a Sutton-Jackson
Akeelah Sana’a Sutton-Jackson is a 18 year old multi-faceted creative currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music with a minor in film production at SUNY Purchase. As a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, New York, she draws inspiration from her vibrant surroundings and diverse community. Akeelah is dedicated to honing her skills and aspires to a career in the entertainment industry. She’s an alumna of Abraham Lincoln High School and of the prestigious B-Side music program at Carnegie Hall.
Screening program 7-- 2:30pm (est.) -3:40pm (est.)
Color Congress-Presentation-Resistance and Joy-Screening Time-2:30pm
The Resistance & Joy Screening Tour is a bold new initiative featuring a curated slate of twelve short documentaries—each one directed by a filmmaker of color.
Featured in Screening Program 7
Admission: Complimentary must rsvp
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Film Screening Program 8--Time: 3:40pm (est.) -6:00pm (est.)
Him-3:40pm
This film weaves the stories of countless survivors into a single, powerful character, shining a light on the silent struggles many endure and the resilience it takes to break free. It’s not just a story of suffering but one of courage, survival, and hope.
The Issue: Domestic Violence
Domestic violence extends far beyond physical assault, encompassing emotional manipulation, isolation from loved ones, and financial control. Victims often find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of abuse that can span years, even decades, with devastating consequences—including loss of life. According to the Emory School of Medicine, in the United States, intimate partner violence (IPV) results in nearly 1,300 deaths each year. Almost 5.3 million incidents of IPV occur each year among U.S. women aged 18 and older.
Featured in Screening Program 8
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Writer, Director, Producer, Stephanie Richards Lawrence
Stephanie Richards Lawrence is an accomplished actress, director, filmmaker, playwright and acting instructor who has made significant contributions to the performing arts. With her passion for the arts, she pursued a BFA degree in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. As a part of her acting concentration at the Tisch School, Stephanie studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute for Theatre and Film, which helped shape her into the artist she is today. Ms. Richards Lawrence obtained a Master of Science degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University in 1995.
HOW DO YOUR HEAR GOD-Screening Time-4:00pm
This film dives deep into everyday people’s beliefs and relationships with the Divine, challenging perceptions and fostering meaningful conversations. Get ready to experience a beautiful tapestry of faith journeys that will inspire and uplift!
Featured in Screening Program 8
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Director, Micole Williams
Micole Williams is a dynamic and passionate creator hailing from Houston, Texas. She is the internationally recognized and award-winning founder of Eclectically You Experience, a unique publishing and production company. Williams is the author of several books, including “Tangled Web of True Love Tales”, the “Toxic Ties Trilogy”, “Miss Lit For Life Lessons”, and “35 Love Notes to Self”. She holds an MFA in screenwriting from Houston Baptist University and was honored as a 2021 James Baldwin's Urban Writer-in-Residence.
In the realm of unscripted television, Williams has worked as a Sequester Manager for CBS’ “Big Brother” and as an Associate Producer for TV One’s “Unsung Specials”. On the
narrative side, her screenplay, “Yellow Cloud”, was recognized at the 2022 New York Athena Film Festival / TV Writers Lab. Williams has shared her literary work at various prestigious events, including three major Texas universities, the NAACP Convention, and NABJ.org. Her project, a personal documentary titled “365 Days in LA”, has garnered acclaim, premiering on the Aspire Network and screening at over ten international film festivals, where it won awards for Best Web Series Pilot and Best Documentary. Now she sets her sights on a faith-based film, “How Do You Hear God?”