Fall River by Jamil McGinnis and Pat Heywood

In the 19th century, Fall River, Massachusetts was one of the United States’ great economic success stories. In 2016, USA Today named it the fifth-worst city to live in the entire country. Through the intimate reflections of one extraordinary woman, this documentary short tells the story of a family’s tragedy, their once-thriving hometown, and how hope can blossom in unexpected places. In the search for closeness, for comfort, for history — what does it mean to be from somewhere?

Fall River made its world premiere at the opening night of Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and screened at the New Orleans Film festival in 2018.