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Documentary Shorts 1

The Documentary Shorts program at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase offers a powerful cross-section of real-life stories, each rooted in curiosity, care, and a strong sense of place. These films tackle everything from personal journeys and community issues to hidden histories and unexpected subcultures. Whether intimate or investigative, local or global in scope, each short reflects the distinct voice of its creator and the depth of documentary talent coming out of the St. Louis region.

A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

In this program


Doc In A Day – Rustic Roots

For the first time ever, Cinema St. Louis is collaborating on a project that teaches young students the…

My Ozarks Episode 12: Ms. Peoples

Directed by Zachary Scott Clark

This episode, part of the My Ozarks series from Ozark Vitality, follows Ms. Christine Peoples as she works out of a historic Black church in a formerly segregated public park in Springfield, Missouri, building community and ensuring untold stories of Black achievement and perseverance aren’t lost to time.

Out of the Shadows

Directed by Chris Files

Out of the Shadows examines the mental health crisis in rural America through the eyes of the farmers who experience the struggle every day. This gripping documentary offers firsthand accounts of the crisis impacting our rural communities and those who grow the food that feeds the world.

My Ozarks Episode 13: Kevin

Directed by J.T. Ibanez

This episode, part of the My Ozarks series from Ozark Vitality, introduces memorial artist Kevin Hale from Farmington, Missouri, who has spent over 20 years helping families heal through loss. Now, he’s working on a national memorial for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress—aiming to save lives, not just honor them.

Stories Told, Secrets Kept

Directed by Patty Fong

Many Chinese family immigration stories are entwined within the United States exclusion era. Some of the laws almost entirely banned Chinese from entering the country. Wing and Young Shee Leong implemented complicated measures in order to start their life in the United States. Their story was a secret until now.

Operation Wolf Foster

Directed by Justin Grubb

Once nearly extinct, the critically endangered Mexican wolf is making a comeback – thanks to a bold conservation effort that places captive-born pups into wild dens. Operation Wolf Foster takes you inside this high-stakes recovery program, following the delicate journey of newborn wolves as they’re flown across the country and carefully introduced into the wild, offering hope for the species’ future.

St. Louis’ Playground

Directed by Drew A Walters

This documentary covers the rich history of the Meramec River in St. Louis, the rise and fall of riverside resorts, and the explosion of suburbia.

Remembering Mill Creek: When We Were There

Directed by Khalid Abdulqaadir

Nearly seventy years later, the children who once lived in the segregated community of Mill Creek Valley in downtown St. Louis share their stories. This neighborhood, once home to 20,000 people, was demolished in 1959 as part of federal urban renewal policies. Now, these former residents reflect on their lives within this vibrant, close-knit Black community, revealing their resilience as children who watched their neighborhood disappear.

Dates & Times

Hi-Pointe Theatre

July 20, 2025
4:00 pm