Discover Voices Rising Film Festival stories on November 8
The Voices Rising Film Festival will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Harlem School of the Arts. The venue address is 645 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10030. This event unites filmmakers, artists, and audiences for the celebration.
The festival celebrates independent cinema while embracing diverse perspectives and amplifying stories from underrepresented voices. Rooted in the belief that storytelling can create understanding, challenge assumptions, and inspire meaningful conversations, it provides a platform for artists bringing fresh perspectives. The event invites audiences to discover emerging and established creative voices while connecting through stories that reflect the complexity, courage, and diversity of the world around us.
Jaret Martino, the festival organizer, remarked that “Voices Rising was created to add light by bringing stories and storytellers into spaces where their voices can be seen, heard, and celebrated. Film has the power to bring people together across differences, encourage empathy, and open doors to conversations that might not otherwise happen. We want every filmmaker and audience member to feel that their voice and perspective matter.”
One highlight is IMPRINT: Women Leaving Their Undeniable Mark directed by Dr. Cheryl Wood. This documentary amplifies stories of courage, leadership, legacy, and determination to make a lasting impact. Dr. Cheryl Wood is an international empowerment speaker, two-time TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and founder of SpeakerCon and Global Speakers University. The film focuses on preserving and elevating stories of women, particularly Black women.
American Fabric, directed by Nyla Hazratjee, is a short drama exploring identity, agency, and expectations placed on women through two young Pakistani-American women with contrasting perspectives on wearing a headscarf and personal choice in cultural identity.
Won't Be Displaced, directed by Piera Van de Wiel and Katharina Benjamim, brings questions of identity, belonging, and displacement into focus, contributing to conversations about whose stories are heard and making space for those seeking acceptance.
A Beacon of Hope, directed by Janneke Wade-de Jong, explores the relationship between nature and healing. It uses storytelling to foster understanding around mental health, helping those with challenges feel represented and encouraging empathy in others.
Carved, directed by James Hartranft, is a dramatic short about an amateur woodcarver confronting grief, perfectionism, and self-harm urges after losing a mentor. It examines emotional pain, recovery challenges, and finding healthier coping through creativity and support.
Anything But ADHD, directed by Jessi Sorensen, examines life without recognizing ADHD, the challenges of late diagnosis, and risks of being misunderstood. Drawing from personal experience, it encourages awareness and connection within the neurodivergent community, especially for women.
The remaining six films are The Applicant by Nadir A Samara, Unextinguished by ELLINA Graypels, Ifrit by Rey Rodriguez, Paradiso by Enrico Mastracchi Manes, Forever After by Miles Smith Jr, and Terra Joy by Paul Duda. These eleven films overall focus on Black, Latin, and Indigenous experiences.
Kiana V. Glanton, who most recently served as the Grand Marshall of the Disability Pride Parade, will attend and receive The Resilience and Impact Award at the festival. She will be accompanied by people from her organization, a notable law group, and NYS officials.
The event includes film screenings and opportunities for audience engagement with filmmakers and the ideas inspiring each project. Hosting the festival in Harlem at the School of the Arts connects to the neighborhood's rich legacy in arts and social change, supporting emerging diverse storytellers.
