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Topic Studios produces award-winning film, TV & podcasts, supporting creators at the forefront of culture.Learn More

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One Story Up

United StatesLGBTQTV-141 Season | 11 Episodes

Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams hosts this illuminating series showcasing short films from some of the most talented emerging directors and underrepresented voices in film today.

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11 Episodes

“Cherish" by Terrance Daye

S1 | E1

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22 Mins

A visually poetic portrait of a young Black boy in the South who navigates the mundane and discovers the miraculous. Followed by a Q&A with director Terrance Daye, who drew inspiration from growing up Black and queer in a religious home in the South.

"Mizuko" by Kira Dane and Katelyn Rebelo

S1 | E2

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29 Mins

How do you grieve for an unborn child? This tenderly animated short film explores the beautiful Japanese Buddhist ritual for grieving an abortion through one woman’s story. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

"Summer Animals" by Haley Elizabeth Anderson

S1 | E3

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33 Mins

A coming-of-age story about class, race, and jumping into other people's pools. Teenager Tommy’s family can barely keep their heads above water, so why not jump into someone else’s? Followed by a Q&A with emerging filmmaker Haley Anderson.

"Fair Grounds" by Ameer Kazmi

S1 | E4

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29 Mins

Shot on Hi8 tape, this poetic film explores a father’s influence on masculinity, self-acceptance, and lost innocence using urban imagery and experimental visual and audio layering. Followed by a Q&A with emerging filmmaker Ameer Kazmi.

"Edge of Red" by Callie Lyons

S1 | E5

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34 Mins

Intertwining traditional Black folk songs and modern dance, this nonlinear film looks at growing up in the South and reconnecting with the land of one’s childhood and ancestors. Followed by a Q&A with emerging filmmaker Callie Lyons.

"A Craftsman" by Sanford Jenkins

S1 | E6

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35 Mins

In this quiet and tender film about grief, Herman decides to join his wife after losing her. Through the act of crafting his own coffin, he ends up building a stronger connection to life. Followed by a Q&A with emerging filmmaker Sanford Jenkins.

"Wifi Rider" by Roxy Rezvany

S1 | E7

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39 Mins

A viral Instagram account, a bold fashion line. One young Palestinian man shows the Arab diaspora they don’t have to tap into the Western zeitgeist—they can create their own. Followed by a Q&A with Iranian-Malaysian-Chinese filmmaker Roxy Rezvany.

"Aurora" by Everlane Moraes

S1 | E8

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37 Mins

Shot in stunning black and white, the film wordlessly weaves together striking portraits of three Cuban women of different generations who explore their bodies, beauty, strength, and pain. Followed by a Q&A with emerging filmmaker Everlane Moraes.

"Home" by Adewale Olukayode

S1 | E9

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34 Mins

Two immigrant brothers from Nigeria are pitted against each other when one pursues the American Dream and the other gets fed up by the cycle of oppression that defines it. Followed by a Q&A with emerging Nigerian filmmaker Adewale Olukayode.

"Mthunzi" by Tebogo Malebogo

S1 | E10

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35 Mins

An amplification of racial division through one man’s act of kindness, Mthunzi follows a young Black man who stops to help a stranger and ends up in a life-or-death situation. Followed by a Q&A with emerging South African filmmaker Tebogo Malebogo.

"Three Centimetres" by Lara Zeidan

S1 | E11

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29 Mins

After a recent breakup, Joanna reluctantly goes on a Ferris wheel ride with her three friends, who try to offer her advice and end up exposing shocking secrets about all four of them. Followed by a Q&A with emerging Lebanese filmmaker Lara Zeidan.

Credits

Cast

Roger Ross Williams

Director

Roger Ross Williams

Producer

Aisha Jama

Executive Producers

Geoff Martz, Roger Ross Williams, Gena Konstantinakos, Ryan Chanatry

Cinematographer

Reggie Chelsom

Editors

Laura Karpas, Cooper Conley-Currier