July 13, 2020 – Presented by Latino Public Broadcasting, “Joyride,” the powerful, digital short that depicts a road trip about letting go of the past and intergenerational healing debuted in PBS’ Short Film Festival running from July 13-24 on all PBS and station digital platforms, including PBS.org, YouTube, Facebook and the PBS App.
The festival, now in its ninth year, features short films created by PBS member stations, Latino Public Broadcasting, ITVS, POV and a wide variety of public television producers. Each year, the films highlight topics like social injustice, religion, addiction, public policy, love and other subjects inspiring the filmmakers.
Starting July 13, audiences can watch, share and vote for their favorite film to win the “Most Popular” award. Fans of “Joyride” can vote for the short by clicking the heart button next to the film on all platforms. In addition, a panel of seven jury members will select their favorite film of the festival for the Juried Prize.
“Joyride” is about teenage Latinx sisters, Marina and Karina, who are enlisted by their abuelita, Juana, to break her out of her senior living facility for one last joyride. On the journey, Juana reveals the painful family history that will change their lives forever. “Joyride” is written and directed by Edwin Alexis Gomez, a queer Nicaraguan-American multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work blends the resounding beauty & exquisite pain of love & life while interrogating what we inherit from our bloodlines. “Joyride” is a testament to the lives & legacies of his foremothers.
“Joyride’s narrative trajectory reminds viewers that regardless of the pain and hardship we endure, intergenerational dialogues are critical to our healing. Juana, the abuelita, in ‘Joyride’ was inspired by my mother and grandmother, two strong Nicaraguan women that remained kind and loving despite the trials and tribulations life threw at them,” Edwin Alexis Gomez shared. “My time as a
domestic violence advocate allowed me to hold space for women and families from all walks of life on their journeys from victims to survivors. I wanted to make a film that reflected their beauty and resilience as well as served as a voice of reason for anyone living something parallel to what Juana lived in her youth.”
Click here to watch and vote: https://www.pbs.org/filmfestival/films/joyride
The PBS Short Film Festival is part of a multi-platform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent filmmakers and to provide a showcase for diverse storytelling that both inspires and engages. The festival features 25 short-form independent films presented in five categories: culture, environment, family, humanity and race.
This year’s jury members include Simon Kilmurry, Executive Director, International Documentary Association; Mike Sargent, Founder, Black Film Critics Circle; Eric Gulliver, Producer, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE; Chloe Walters-Wallace, Documentary Lab Manager, Firelight Media & Films; Adnaan Wassey, Digital Media Executive, formerly of POV; Pamela A. Aguilar, Senior Director, General
Audience Programming and Development, PBS; and Judith Vecchione, Executive Producer, WGBH Educational Foundation.
Generating more than nine million streams over the course of the festival’s history, the PBS Short Film Festival continues to be an engaging annual digital event. The festival also received a 2015 Webby Awards nomination for Online Film & Video: Variety (Channel).
For more information and updates on the PBS Short Film Festival, visit www.pbs.org/filmfestival. Viewers are also encouraged to engage in online conversation by tagging @PBS and using #PBSFilmFest on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About PBS Short Film Festival
Since its inception in 2012, the PBS Short Film Festival, formerly called the PBS Online Film Festival, has showcased independent films of all genres. The festival, now in its ninth year, features short films created by PBS member stations, ITVS, POV and a wide variety of public television producers. Each year the films highlight topics like social injustice, religion, addiction, public policy, love and
other subjects inspiring to the filmmakers. Throughout the festival, viewers can watch, love and share their favorite films on a variety of platforms. At the close of the festival, a prize is awarded to the film chosen by the hand-picked jury. The 2020 PBS Short Film Festival represents a celebration of independent films and filmmaking, and a love for the craft. For more information, visit www.pbs.org/filmfestival.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been
consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS,
helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the
leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About Latino Public Broadcasting
Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) is the leader in the development, production, acquisition and distribution of educational and cultural media that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. These programs are produced for dissemination
to public broadcasting stations and other public media entities. Latino Public Broadcasting provides a voice for the diverse Latino community throughout the United States and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Latino Public Broadcasting also produces VOCES, the signature Latino arts and culture documentary series on PBS devoted to exploring the rich diversity of the Latino cultural experience. Between 2009 and 2020, LPB programs won over 125 awards, including two prestigious George Foster Peabody Awards as well as Emmys, Imagen Awards and the Sundance Film Festival Award for Best Director, Documentary. In addition, LPB has been the recipient of the Norman Lear Legacy Award and the NCLR Alma Award for Special Achievement – Year in Documentaries. Sandie Viquez Pedlow is Executive Director of LPB; Edward James Olmos is Co-founder and Chairman.
