As funding for journalism shrinks and trusted information sources decline, there’s a growing need for independent documentaries that take on important issues. The best of these films use professional standards to objectively tell a story, while simultaneously advocating for solutions to complicated problems. This segment of the BSL Film Festival reviews 3 short docs that make successful arguments for ending environmentally destructive manufacturing practices and protecting cherished municipal spaces from corporate privatization. Sounds dry, right? It’s not and it might be the best kind of fun humans should have.

Clio™ Award winning commercial director and independent filmmaker Steve Mims’ work has screened internationally in festivals, theatrically and on television.  His 2016 New York Times “Critic’s Pick” STARVING THE BEAST documented the systematic defunding and radical reform of public universities across America. The Los Angeles Times: called it “…a jolt of chilling clarity.” Variety: “polished and provocative.” The Village Voice: “Alarming…a strong narrative with compelling cinematography.” 93% Fresh, Rotten Tomatoes(RT) His documentary INCENDIARY: THE WILLINGHAM CASE (2011) [co-directed by Joe Bailey, Jr.] won the 2011 SXSW Louis Black Award, the 2012 Innocence Network Journalism Award and the 2013 Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Media Award. Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post called INCENDIARY: “Nonfiction filmmaking at its most classic. Crime, punishment, morality and hardball politics make for an explosive mix all their own.” (83% Fresh, RT) Variety’s Justin Chang wrote of his feature length narrative comedy  ARLO & JULIE (2015): “...this comic mystery is a low-key, low-budget charmer.” (100% Fresh, RT) His 2016 viral political ad ELECT GERALD PLEASE was viewed 9 million times and won 11 local, national and international awards including a Lone Star EMMY® Award. Steve earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a 2017 inductee into the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Mass Communications Hall of Fame.
 

Amazon timber logged for Home Depot in Ecuador.

Barton Springs pool in Austin, Texas

Barton Springs pool in Austin, Texas