Exclusive scenes from four independent documentary films + Q&A with the directors to raise awareness and funds for these deserving projects.

Now extended through the end of September, four independent filmmakers join forces to showcase scenes from their up and coming documentaries that artfully explore the joys and sorrows of family relationships.

All funds will be split evenly between the four projects, helping to fund post production activities like editing, sound mixing, color correction, music, licensing, marketing, legal, and distribution costs.

The program features 5-8 minute long scenes from each film along with a brief introduction from the filmmakers. The event ends with a Q&A moderated by Janet White of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The four films in progress are:

• Adam’s Apple, an unconventional coming-of-age documentary from the perspectives of director Amy Jenkins and her teenage transgender son, Adam. Collaboratively they will trace the transition of Adam from pre- pubescent Audrey to evolving-young-man Adam in an exploration of what characterizes “maleness” for today’s gender-redefining youth.

• Finding Your Laughter - putting her own life—and her dreams of stardom—on hold, comedian Arlieta Hall turns to improv as a tool to communicate with and care for her father Milton, who is slowly losing himself to Alzheimer’s.

• Jimmy in Saigon, a feature documentary from LA based filmmaker Peter McDowell and executive producer Dan Savage. The film explores the mysterious life and death of Jimmy, a 24 year old Vietnam veteran who died as a civilian in Saigon. Peter uncovers family secrets surrounding Jim’s drug use and sexuality, getting to know his brother who died when Peter was only five.

• Journey of A Thousand Miles - when Zhu Shen’s husband Changyou dies of cancer, she throws herself into a six-year odyssey to produce their 12-year-old son Perry’s animated film, unleashing a mother-son tug of war. Zhu must learn to look inward to reconnect with her son, reclaim her own buried artistic prowess, and transform from “Tiger Mom” to “Zen Mom.”