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Home › News & Events › News › DOC NYC announces ‘MISSING IN BROOKS COUNTY’ to screen In Competition as part of 2020 Festival Lineup

DOC NYC announces ‘MISSING IN BROOKS COUNTY’ to screen In Competition as part of 2020 Festival Lineup

October 15, 2020

The documentary’s New York premiere follows screenings at film festivals in Texas, California, Colorado, Arkansas, and Washington, D.C. and precedes national release on PBS

For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Kerryn Negus
knegus@email.arizona.edu

Tucson, AZ (October 15, 2020) – Missing in Brooks County, a gripping documentary that follows two families searching for their missing loved ones near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, has been selected to screen In Competition at the 2020 edition of DOC NYC, the country’s most comprehensive annual curated festival of non-fiction film. The announcement by the New York festival follows a string of acceptances into film festivals around the country. In 2021, the film will air nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens, the Emmy Award-winning television series presenting documentaries by the best independent filmmakers working today. The film is co-directed by Jeff Bemiss and University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television instructor Lisa Molomot, and produced and edited by University of Arizona School of Theatre Film & Television Associate Professor Jacob Bricca, ACE.

The culmination of five years of investigative work, Missing in Brooks County provides a harrowing, on-the-ground examination of one of the deadliest corners of the United States. Located 70 miles north of the border with Mexico, Brooks County is the site of an estimated 3,000 deaths since 2008, as migrants try to circumvent the state’s busiest interior immigration checkpoint and find themselves lost in the vast private ranch lands that surround it.

Lisa Molomot: “Missing in Brooks County began as the story of one forensic scientist trying to identify migrants buried anonymously in the region. But each time we returned to film in South Texas the story got bigger, as we realized the complexity and severity of the situation. We met migrants, sheriffs and activists. Ranchers, rangers and vigilantes. Consuls, judges, and undertakers. If we held stereotypical beliefs about Border Patrol agents, law enforcement and Texas ranchers, they have been obliterated by our experiences making this film. Our goal became to convey the complexity of the situation we encountered.”

Jacob Bricca: “After Jeff and Lisa heard about what was going on in South Texas, our work began late in 2014 when I secured a UA College of Fine Arts Small Grant so that they could travel to Brooks County and begin research. It took well over a year of visits to the region for us to start to understand the issue in depth and to meet the people who would become the main subjects of our film. A second grant, this time a UA Faculty Seed Grant from the Office of Research and Discovery, enabled us to begin filming in earnest. At the end of a complicated journey, we hope that the film cuts through the sea of numbers and data of news stories and puts a human face on some U.S. immigration policies that can only be described as disastrous.”

In addition to funding from the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts and the Office of Research and Discovery, Missing in Brooks County received support from Fork Films, the Perspective Fund, Human

Rights POV, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the LEF Foundation, MountainFilm, the Connecticut Office of the Arts, and the UA Hanson FilmTV Institute. The film is executive produced by Abby Disney and Gini Reticker of Fork Films, Engel Entertainment, Sally Jo Fifer and Lois Vossen, and is a co-production of ITVS.

DOC NYC will screen the film online between November 11-19. Included with the screening ticket is an exclusive pre-recorded Q&A with Lisa Molomot and subject Omar Roman-Gomez, immediately following the film. More at docnyc.net/film/missing-in-brooks-county.

For additional information and assets, visit the Missing in Brooks County press kit.

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) nurtures and develops outstanding artists and scholars via rigorous training and mentoring by internationally recognized faculty, high-level internship opportunities, industry-standard resources, and hands-on production experience. TFTV offers comprehensive training programs that aim to prepare students to succeed in a wide range of careers – in the industry, the arts, and higher education. Each year through Arizona Repertory Theatre productions, the Studio Series, and Film & Television screenings, students of TFTV are able to showcase their talents, tell compelling stories, and provide clear results of what happens in their classrooms and studios. TFTV’s Film & Television program regularly ranks in The Wrap’s “Top 50 Film Schools,” and the School’s Theatre programs regularly rank in Onstage’s “Top 30 College Musical Theatre Programs” and “Top 30 College Theatre Design & Tech Programs” making UA one of the country’s top institutions to study theatre, film and television. More at https://tftv.arizona.edu/

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The Laramie Project opens in the Tornabene Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 12. The deeply moving production delves into the aftermath of the 1998 murder of university student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Drawn from real interviews with Laramie’s residents, the play is a portrait of a regular American town challenged to confront itself.

“We grew up in a very divisive world ... and I think that one of the questions that we have to ask ourselves is ‘how did we get here?’” says cast member Isabella Santoni. “The Laramie Project ... helps, at least me, start to get a better handle on how we got here today, and I think that’s also what makes the play so continually relevant.” Isabella joined fellow cast members Leland Ho and Taylor Swingle and director Greg Pierotti in a recent interview about the play for KCRB Outbeat Radio in California. Listen to the full interview: www.outbeatnews.com/show-notes-news/.

‘The Laramie Project’ will run from Oct. 7 - 22 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special Oct. 19 companion event featuring Matthew Shepard’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.

FREE TICKETS to this production are available for all college and high school students. For details, visit azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

Rehearsal photos by Tim Fuller.
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
The Laramie Project opens in the Tornabene Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 12. The deeply moving production delves into the aftermath of the 1998 murder of university student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Drawn from real interviews with Laramie’s residents, the play is a portrait of a regular American town challenged to confront itself.

“We grew up in a very divisive world ... and I think that one of the questions that we have to ask ourselves is ‘how did we get here?’” says cast member Isabella Santoni. “The Laramie Project ... helps, at least me, start to get a better handle on how we got here today, and I think that’s also what makes the play so continually relevant.” Isabella joined fellow cast members Leland Ho and Taylor Swingle and director Greg Pierotti in a recent interview about the play for KCRB Outbeat Radio in California. Listen to the full interview: https://www.outbeatnews.com/show-notes-news/. 

‘The Laramie Project’ will run from Oct. 7 - 22 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special Oct. 19 companion event featuring Matthew Shepard’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.

FREE TICKETS to this production are available for all college and high school students. For details, visit azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

Rehearsal photos by Tim Fuller.Image attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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We can’t wait!

As a cast member of a former production of The Laramie Project, this is a powerful work and incredibly relevant.

School of Theatre, Film & Television's Professor Beverly Seckinger recently sat down with KXCI Community Radio to discuss the 30th anniversary of Lesbian Looks, the venerable showcase presenting cutting edge features, shorts, documentaries, experimental films, and new media works.

Seckinger has directed Lesbian Looks since 1993. It was the first public screening program of the fledgling Institute for LGBT Studies at the University of Arizona, and since then Lesbian Looks has presented over 250 films to audiences drawn from campus and the Tucson community. Lesbian Looks also features panel discussions on topics ranging from breast cancer to homeless youth to Israeli-Palestinian politics, LGBTQ refugee resettlement, trans identity, borders and immigration, and queer history.

"It's been so interesting watching the LGBTQ+ movement evolve over the years" Seckinger reflects. "When we began Lesbian Looks thirty years ago, there was very little media made by and for this audience - there were the occasional 'special episodes' on television shows like LA Law, Designing Women and The Golden Girls, and only about a dozen feature films. So from our first event, Lesbian Looks was a film screening that was also a grass roots community-building event. It's still that. Over time, everything has changed enormously. Films have become more accessible and diverse, and the subject matter has grown from your basic coming out story to every other kind of subject matter imaginable."

To kick off anniversary celebrations, Lesbian Looks will present a screening of Alexandria Bombach's It’s Only Life After All on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7pm at The Loft Cinema. The screening, a love letter to the massively beloved folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, will be free to attend. More information is available here: lesbianlooks.org/its-only-life-after-all

You can also listen to the full interview at KXCI: kxci.org/podcast/beverly-seckinger/
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
School of Theatre, Film & Televisions Professor Beverly Seckinger recently sat down with KXCI Community Radio to discuss the 30th anniversary of Lesbian Looks, the venerable showcase presenting cutting edge features, shorts, documentaries, experimental films, and new media works.  

Seckinger has directed Lesbian Looks since 1993. It was the first public screening program of the fledgling Institute for LGBT Studies at the University of Arizona, and since then Lesbian Looks has presented over 250 films to audiences drawn from campus and the Tucson community. Lesbian Looks also features panel discussions on topics ranging from breast cancer to homeless youth to Israeli-Palestinian politics, LGBTQ refugee resettlement, trans identity, borders and immigration, and queer history.

Its been so interesting watching the LGBTQ+ movement evolve over the years Seckinger reflects. When we began Lesbian Looks thirty years ago, there was very little media made by and for this audience - there were the occasional special episodes on television shows like LA Law, Designing Women and The Golden Girls, and only about a dozen feature films. So from our first event, Lesbian Looks was a film screening that was also a grass roots community-building event. Its still that. Over time, everything has changed enormously. Films have become more accessible and diverse, and the subject matter has grown from your basic coming out story to every other kind of subject matter imaginable.

To kick off anniversary celebrations, Lesbian Looks will present a screening of Alexandria Bombachs It’s Only Life After All on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7pm at The Loft Cinema. The screening, a love letter to the massively beloved folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, will be free to attend. More information is available here: lesbianlooks.org/its-only-life-after-all

You can also listen to the full interview at KXCI: https://kxci.org/podcast/beverly-seckinger/
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Prof. Beverly Seckinger makes an announcement before a Lesbian Looks screening. From an Arizona Daily Wildcat feature circa 2000. Photo by Amy Bohme.

Congrats on an incredible run!!

congrats! 👏👏👏

Monika Treut Su Friedrich Megan Rossman Michelle Memran Michelle Citron Sandra Schulberg Jan Oxenberg Jen Gilomen Greta Schiller LeAnn Erickson Sheila SchroederC Melinda Matney Levin Jean Carlomusto Esther Newton Liz Kennedy Janet Jakobsen Lidia Szajko Kate Stilley Steiner Barbara Hammer lesbianlooks.org/

🌟 Congratulations, Babacar! 🌟The 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards took place this weekend, and Babacar Ba (BFA Acting, '24) collected the award in the category of Outstanding College Talent Performer, marking a first-time Acting win for the University of Arizona!

Ba was awarded for his leading role in DESERTED, the short film directed and co-written by Ryan Ramsey (BFA Film & Television, '23) and produced by Kaila Hines (BA Film & Television, '23). DESERTED debuted earlier this year at I Dream in Widescreen, where Ba's portrayal of a rock climber fighting for his life earned the Monte Ralstin Award for Excellence in Acting.

Also present at the awards ceremony were Film & Television Production students Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff, nominated in the category of College Fiction Short Form for their dark comedy OPENING NIGHT. Joining them were their film's costumer/make-up artist Rachel McClemons (BA Film & Television '24) and BTS photographer Kat Kones (BFA Film & Television ‘24).

"First of all it’s just an honor to even be nominated by the NATAS," said Babacar. "I want to once again give a huge shout out to Ryan and Kaila for the opportunity to be part of their spectacular film DESERTED! As for the awards ceremony itself, the energy at the Tempe Center for the Arts was so amazing! Everyone was so passionate and excited to be there. I was very happy to represent UA School of Theatre, Film & Television alongside my fellow nominees Rene and Fiona. This award is truly an honor and l want to again thank the Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards."
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
🌟 Congratulations, Babacar! 🌟The 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards took place this weekend, and Babacar Ba (BFA Acting, 24) collected the award in the category of Outstanding College Talent Performer, marking a first-time Acting win for the University of Arizona!
 
Ba was awarded for his leading role in DESERTED, the short film directed and co-written by Ryan Ramsey (BFA Film & Television, 23) and produced by Kaila Hines (BA Film & Television, 23). DESERTED debuted earlier this year at I Dream in Widescreen, where Bas portrayal of a rock climber fighting for his life earned the Monte Ralstin Award for Excellence in Acting.  
 
Also present at the awards ceremony were Film & Television Production students Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff, nominated in the category of College Fiction Short Form for their dark comedy OPENING NIGHT. Joining them were their films costumer/make-up artist Rachel McClemons (BA Film & Television 24) and BTS photographer Kat Kones (BFA Film & Television ‘24). 
 
First of all it’s just an honor to even be nominated by the NATAS, said Babacar. I want to once again give a huge shout out to Ryan and Kaila for the opportunity to be part of their spectacular film DESERTED! As for the awards ceremony itself, the energy at the Tempe Center for the Arts was so amazing! Everyone was so passionate and excited to be there. I was very happy to represent UA School of Theatre, Film & Television alongside my fellow nominees Rene and Fiona. This award is truly an honor and l want to again thank the Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards.Image attachmentImage attachment
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So amazing!!!! Congrats!!!

Congratulations 👏👏👏

Excellent! So proud!

Couldn’t be more proud!! Congrats Babs!! ❤️⭐️⭐️

This week Asst. Prof. Greg Pierotti and Acting students Ray Cuevas (BFA, '24) and Lily Wilson (BFA, '25) discussed 'The Laramie Project' for a BroadwayWorld story.

TFTV's production will mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, the university student whose murder in Laramie, Wyoming, became one of the highest-profile hate crimes of its time.

Pierotti, co-author and an original cast member of 'The Laramie Project,' will direct the play. "I pitched this play because it’s the 25th memorialization of Matt’s death," says Pierotti, "and between the time I pitched it and now, the onslaught of anti-trans legislation has come out across the world. It’s a political agenda because people don’t understand Trans. It’s a great way to stoke fear and anxiety in people. So you can see this kind of national approach to legislating that exists to stoke fear of 'the other' and of somebody who’s different. Suddenly, I feel like this play is back on the map. It couldn’t be a better time to be doing this play."

Read the full interview, including Lily and Ray's reactions on first reading the script, here: tftv.arizona.edu/news/prof-greg-pierotti-and-students-ray-cuevas-and-lily-wilson-talk-the-laramie....

The Laramie Project will run from Oct. 7 - 22, 2023 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special companion event featuring Matthew Shepard's parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.
... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
This week Asst. Prof. Greg Pierotti and Acting students Ray Cuevas (BFA, 24) and Lily Wilson (BFA, 25) discussed The Laramie Project for a BroadwayWorld story.

TFTVs production will mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, the university student whose murder in Laramie, Wyoming, became one of the highest-profile hate crimes of its time. 

Pierotti, co-author and an original cast member of The Laramie Project, will direct the play. I pitched this play because it’s the 25th memorialization of Matt’s death, says Pierotti, and between the time I pitched it and now, the onslaught of anti-trans legislation has come out across the world. It’s a political agenda because people don’t understand Trans. It’s a great way to stoke fear and anxiety in people. So you can see this kind of national approach to legislating that exists to stoke fear of the other and of somebody who’s different. Suddenly, I feel like this play is back on the map. It couldn’t be a better time to be doing this play.

Read the full interview, including Lily and Rays reactions on first reading the script, here: https://tftv.arizona.edu/news/prof-greg-pierotti-and-students-ray-cuevas-and-lily-wilson-talk-the-laramie-project-with-broadway-world/.

The Laramie Project will run from Oct. 7 - 22, 2023 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special companion event featuring Matthew Shepards parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.
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🎟✨ ON SALE NOW

Single tickets for all of our 2023/24 Theatre Season performances are now on sale!

• The Laramie Project: Oct.7 - 22, 2023
• The Thanksgiving Play: Oct. 8 - 22, 2023
• Jesus Christ Superstar: Nov. 12 - Dec. 3, 2023
• Sweeney Todd: Feb. 25 to Mar. 17, 2024
• New Directions Festival: Mar. 21 - 31, 2024
• Argonautika: Mar. 24 - Apr. 7, 2024
• Much Ado About Nothing: April 14 - 28, 2024

Get your tickets at tickets.arizona.edu! Subscriptions for the season will remain available throughout the year.

Are you a student? You get in for free! We're excited to announce that we will offer free student tickets on a first come, first serve basis on the day of each performance for all of the above theatre productions. More info is available at azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

We can't wait to see you at a show!
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1 month ago
🎟✨ ON SALE NOW

Single tickets for all of our 2023/24 Theatre Season performances are now on sale!

• The Laramie Project: Oct.7 - 22, 2023
• The Thanksgiving Play: Oct. 8 - 22, 2023
• Jesus Christ Superstar: Nov. 12 - Dec. 3, 2023
• Sweeney Todd: Feb. 25 to Mar. 17, 2024
• New Directions Festival: Mar. 21 - 31, 2024
• Argonautika: Mar. 24 - Apr. 7, 2024
• Much Ado About Nothing: April 14 - 28, 2024

Get your tickets at tickets.arizona.edu! Subscriptions for the season will remain available throughout the year.

Are you a student? You get in for free! Were excited to announce that we will offer free student tickets on a first come, first serve basis on the day of each performance for all of the above theatre productions. More info is available at azart.fyi/freetftvtix. 

We cant wait to see you at a show!Image attachment
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We're thrilled to share that Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff have been nominated for the 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards for OPENING NIGHT! Their hilarious film, which debuted at Magic Hour last spring, is nominated in the category of College Fiction - Short Form.

Written and directed by Marcelle (BFA Film & Television), with direction and cinematography by Paskoff (BFA Film & Television), the film follows an ego-driven actor who teams up with a neurotic stagehand after a body is found backstage on the opening night of their musical. The film stars TFTV talent Alex Simpson (BFA Acting), Lisitte Mora (BA Theatre Arts) and Haiden Pederson (BFA Musical Theatre).

"We’re so honored our dark comedy is nominated for the NATAS award," said Marcelle and Paskoff. "It's our love letter to bad musicals, terrible people, and even worse Boston accents. We want to thank our cast and crew for all of their hard work, and the team at Centennial Hall for giving us the opportunity to bring our film to life!"

The awards will be announced at a ceremony in September. Congratulations to Rene and Fiona and the entire OPENING NIGHT team!
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Were thrilled to share that Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff have been nominated for the 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards for OPENING NIGHT! Their hilarious film, which debuted at Magic Hour last spring, is nominated in the category of College Fiction - Short Form.

Written and directed by Marcelle (BFA Film & Television), with direction and cinematography by Paskoff (BFA Film & Television), the film follows an ego-driven actor who teams up with a neurotic stagehand after a body is found backstage on the opening night of their musical. The film stars TFTV talent Alex Simpson (BFA Acting), Lisitte Mora (BA Theatre Arts) and Haiden Pederson (BFA Musical Theatre).

We’re so honored our dark comedy is nominated for the NATAS award, said Marcelle and Paskoff. Its our love letter to bad musicals, terrible people, and even worse Boston accents. We want to thank our cast and crew for all of their hard work, and the team at Centennial Hall for giving us the opportunity to bring our film to life!

The awards will be announced at a ceremony in September. Congratulations to Rene and Fiona and the entire OPENING NIGHT team!Image attachmentImage attachment
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