This year's Cinequest festival centers around the theme of 'luminate,' but the documentaries by three prominent Bay Area filmmakers capture the essence of 'strive.' Premiere screenings run from March 11-23 and feature films about individuals striving for personal and professional betterment. Directors delve into the transformative education experiences in diverse fields, including spirits. Notably, one filmmaker, Don Hardy, documented a five-day spirits education program at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, capturing both the challenges aspirants face and the supportive community around their journeys.
"I had no idea something like this existed for spirits," Hardy says. "I figured the journey would be interesting, and the welcoming attitude of the more senior members of the community—I found that to be hugely compelling."
Hardy invited about 40 of the 70 participants to Zoom chats to get a feel for them and see who might be interested in the added pressure of a camera crew following them around. Most of them were eager to have their story told, he says. They thought it would validate their experience."
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