FILMIDEO @ The Newark Museum

David Bradburn (Fork the Man Productions, LLC/ David E. Tolchinsky): “The Coming of Age” (Chicago, IL) 15:02
Barbara, an old woman who loves to paint, is moved to a retirement home by her concerned daughter after Barbara falls one too many times. There, Barbara has to deal with a foreboding nurse, threatening residents, and a pair of locked double doors, behind which she hears frightening noises. She learns that’s “the ward,” where they put you if you don’t behave. It seems like her daughter has checked her into a hall of nightmares until she meets fellow resident Minnie, who loves Barbara’s paintings and to whom Barbara forms an immediate bond, almost like they’re sisters. All seems well between the two new friends, until Barbara realizes there’s more to Minnie and the ward than meets the eye. A different kind of coming of age.                                                                                            David Bradburn grew up outside of Chicago in Elgin, Illinois. Here, he shot his first film during high school: a compilation of shorts and mock commercials that he hoped would be funny enough to make it to America’s Funniest Home Videos. They weren’t. 25 years later, Bradburn has honed his craft and finds himself wearing the many different hats of the independent movie maker to see a project from script to screen. Serving as lead producer of the Von Steuben High School Film Festival for six years, Bradburn navigated the process of obtaining grants to bring filmmaking opportunities to Chicago high school students. Whether he’s serving as writer, producer or director, Bradburn wants to do more than just make movies: he seeks partnerships with other local film makers to put Chicago on the map as the premier independent film making city. Bradburn’s directorial approach draws on his 18 years worth of experience as a high school English teacher: his leadership and focus inspire his crew’s motivation to realize his creative vision. david bradburn chicago film director Bradburn’s films include “Home”, “The Night Before The Morning After”, “Superhero Me”, a finalist in the 2012 Beverly Hills Film Fest Writing Competition, My Brother’s Other Mother ¬– a documentary chronicling his younger brother’s search for his birth mother in the Dominican Republic, and “The Coming of Age” which was written by Northwestern University’s Film Department Chair, Dave Tolchinsky. Bradburn’s successful launch into Chicago’s independent film community most recently landed him assignments with Kenmore and FOX. His current projects include: Through Air & Water, a documentary about Will Forman who was a pioneer in the field of submarines; and Some Years Earlier, a coming of age story about the universal tale of over coming one’s past. Bradburn holds a BA from Wheaton College, and an M. Ed from UIC, and hasn’t given up on his American Funniest Home Video dreams.

Yucef Mayes (Shine Black Art & Film, Yendor Productions, Media Arts & Literacy Institute): “Driver” (Orange, East Orange & Newark, South Ward, New Jersey) 35:00
Directed and written by Yucef Mayes, produced by Angela Williamston founder of the Media Arts & Literacy Institute ; DRIVER, staring Rodney Gilbert (Darryl) and Billie Krishawn (Malika) is a story about an estranged father who is given a second chance at fatherhood after a family tragedy. DRIVER is a call to men to embrace there healing. To help fathers and grandfathers to not be afraid to start the healing process in mending the family back together. In Driver, the main character, Darryl, makes the choice to step up to the plate when most men, estranged from years of not being with their children, may stay away, regardless of the bad news they hear. In the film, DRIVER, we watch as Darryl participates in his own healing and we root for him every step of the way. Mr. Mayes own experience with lost, grief, and healing inspired him to write a story about redemption; a story about a man like Darryl, who is the gypsy cab operator in DRIVER.
Yucef Mayes (Director) is a 37 year old filmmaker from East Orange, New Jersey. Yucef is a graduate of The New School University of New York City, where he studied creative writing. Yucef’s primary focus was poetry and prose during school and many years later until being introduced to film equipment while working at a local alternative high school for foster teens. Yucef has been an advocate for healing in our communities through his efforts at East Orange My Brother’s Keeper. DRIVER is one of those films that promote healing for broken families that are in crisis.