July 27, 2020 – Presented by Latino Public Broadcasting, Joyride, the powerful, digital short that depicts a road trip about letting go of the past and inter-generational healing has been voted “Most Popular” by viewers in this year’s PBS’ Short Film Festival. PRESS HERE to watch Joyride. The festival, now in its ninth year, features short films created by PBS member stations, Latino Public Broadcasting, ITVS, POV and a wide variety of public television producers. Each year, the films highlight topics like social injustice, religion, addiction, public policy, love and other subjects inspiring the filmmakers. The festival ran from July 13-24 on all PBS and station digital platforms, including PBS.org, YouTube, Facebook, and the PBS App.
Joyride is about teenage Latinx sisters, Marina and Karina, who are enlisted by their abuelita, Juana, to break her out of her senior living facility for one last joyride. On the journey, Juana reveals the painful family history that will change their lives forever. Joyride is written and directed by Edwin Alexis Gómez, a queer Nicaraguan-American multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work blends the resounding beauty & exquisite pain of love & life while interrogating what we inherit from our bloodlines. “Joyride” is a testament to the lives & legacies of his foremothers.”
“It was an honor to be showcased alongside such wonderful films at this year’s PBS Short Film Festival, and winning the “Most Popular” award for our film was something completely unexpected. From the genesis of ‘Joyride’, to its life as a script and now as a fully realized award- winning film is humbling to say the least. We are living in very difficult times and our team is happy we could share a film that reminds audiences of family and the intimacy it holds, our intergenerational dialogues and the power of breaking cycles through healing,” Edwin Alexis Gómez shared. “Although, last week I was overcome by the sadness that my mother and grandmother were unable to see the film they inspired, I was able to reach a new level of understanding in regards to life and art. Our moments of great loss and pain have the ability to catapult us toward who we are meant to be. This film is a testament to that journey. I would like to dedicate this award to all of the strength, beauty and love Latina matriarchs pour into their friendships, families and communities. May they continue to light and lead the way.
The PBS Short Film Festival is part of a multi-platform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent filmmakers and to provide a showcase for diverse storytelling that both inspires and engages. The festival features 25 short-form independent films presented in five categories: culture, environment, family, humanity and race.
This year’s jury members include Simon Kilmurry, Executive Director, International Documentary Association; Mike Sargent, Founder, Black Film Critics Circle; Eric Gulliver, Producer, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE; Chloe Walters-Wallace, Documentary Lab Manager, Firelight Media & Films; Adnaan Wassey, Digital Media Executive, formerly of POV; Pamela A. Aguilar, Senior Director, General Audience Programming and Development, PBS; and Judith Vecchione, Executive Producer, WGBH Educational Foundation.
Generating more than nine million streams over the course of the festival’s history, the PBS Short Film Festival continues to be an engaging annual digital event. The festival also received a 2015 Webby Awards nomination for Online Film & Video: Variety (Channel).
For more information and updates on the PBS Short Film Festival, visit www.pbs.org/filmfestival. Viewers are also encouraged to engage in online conversation by tagging @PBS and using #PBSFilmFest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About PBS Short Film Festival
Since its inception in 2012, the PBS Short Film Festival, formerly called the PBS Online Film Festival, has showcased independent films of all genres. The festival, now in its ninth year, features short films created by PBS member stations, ITVS, POV and a wide variety of public television producers. Each year the films highlight topics like social injustice, religion, addiction, public policy, love and other subjects inspiring to the filmmakers. Throughout the festival, viewers can watch, love and share their favorite films on a variety of platforms. At the close of the festival, a prize is awarded to the film chosen by the hand-picked jury. The 2020 PBS Short Film Festival represents a celebration of independent films and filmmaking, and a love for the craft. For more information, visit www.pbs.org/filmfestival.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices.
Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About Latino Public Broadcasting
Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) is the leader in the development, production, acquisition and distribution of educational and cultural media that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. These programs are produced for dissemination to public broadcasting stations and other public media entities. Latino Public Broadcasting provides a voice for the diverse Latino community throughout the United States and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Latino Public Broadcasting also produces VOCES, the signature Latino arts and culture documentary series on PBS devoted to exploring the rich diversity of the Latino cultural experience. Between 2009 and 2020, LPB programs won over 125 awards, including two prestigious George Foster Peabody Awards as well as Emmys, Imagen Awards and the Sundance Film Festival Award for Best Director, Documentary. In addition, LPB has been the recipient of the Norman Lear Legacy Award and the NCLR Alma Award for Special Achievement – Year in Documentaries. Sandie Viquez Pedlow is Executive Director of LPB; Edward James Olmos is Co-founder and Chairman.
For press inquiries on Joyride please contact:
PRESS HERE
Nick Ponisi
nick@pressherepublicity.com
LATINO PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Luis Ortiz
luis.ortiz@lpbp.org