Mountain Resilience Film Block

Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don't want to miss! Tickets are $10/ person, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Films to be Screened:

“Distant Dreams”

Directed by: Caroline Peterson

When Anatoliy Voloshyn left Ukraine to pursue tennis and an education in the United States, he could not have known that his homeland would soon face a full scale invasion. From the tennis courts of small-town Kentucky to the halls of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., this story follows his journey to find ways to build a bridge between two nations. Along the way, he discovers that the true meaning of the American Dream is not individual success alone, but standing together- across borders, languages, and cultures- with a simple promise: “I’ve got your back.”​​

“Houdini II: A Beautiful Day to Die”

Directed by: Daniel John

Reframing the Houdini myth, an African American magician and escape artist claims the name of Harry Houdini and builds a legacy of his own.

This intimate first-person account documentary unfolds through three key escapes, including to a defiant leap of faith off a Miami bridge in 1987.

This film includes firsthand accounts of racism, and references to suicide and dangerous stunts, including a public bridge jump. Viewer discretion is advised.

“Through Hardship: Finding the Limit”

Directed by: Simon Bonneau

This MotoAmerica Superbike documentary follows a team's final race of the season at New Jersey Motorsports Park, amidst personal and financial challenges. The episode details intense race preparation, including bike modifications and unexpected setbacks. Crashes and subsequent repairs create high-stakes drama throughout the weekend.

“Love Song for a Wailing Earth”

Directed by: Scott Kirschenbaum

Set against the haunting beauty of Appalachia, "Love Song for a Wailing Earth" is a short dance film that intimately follows one woman who returns home after Hurricane Helene to confront what was lost—and what remains. Through an unvarnished, vulnerable performance, Conway Weary channels the collective grief of climate trauma, offering a raw and poetic meditation on the experience of displacement and the reality of ecological loss.

Get tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81063045

Want to enjoy the entire festival weekend without paying for every event separately? Get your All-Access Festival Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462