TFI-Supported Films You Can See This Summer

Summer's here and that means BBQs, pool parties and checking out the latest CGI-heavy blockbuster that Hollywood has thrown out on thousands of screens.

Though all that sounds like fun, what if we told you about amazing original stories you can also see while trying to beat the heat (and it starts tonight!). Yes, in the next few months some of our recent supported projects will be premiering in theaters or on TV. We're biased, but we hope what you read below will get you as excited to seek them out as we were to see them come to fruition.

"HOMEGOINGS" TRAILER from Homegoings on Vimeo.

Homegoings Airs on POV June 24 Directed by Christine Turner TFI Documentary Fund

Premiering on POV tonight, Christine Turner looks at the passionate 150 year old institution that is the African American funeral and how its prideful tradition is beginning to vanish. Through the eyes of a funeral home director in Harlem, we take a rare glimpse at the world of undertaking in the black community.

Gideon's Army Airs on HBO July 1 Directed by Dawn Porter Tribeca All Access®

Winning the Best Editing award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Dawn Porter sheds life on the plight of the Public Defender in this moving spotlight on three young lawyers in the deep south who work long hours for low pay but are dedicated to make "justice for all" a reality. The Hollywood Reporter calls the film "an eye-opening insight into a judicial hellhole world that ordinary citizens can never imagine." 

Herman's House Airs on POV July 8 Directed by Angad Bhalla TAA

Inspired by the question sent to him by a young art student, Herman Joshua Wallace—serving a 25 year sentence for bank robbery then being accused of murdering a prison guard—begins an inspired correspondence that becomes a popular art installation and then an artist's mission to make The House Herman Built into a reality.

Computer Chess Opens In Theaters July 17 Directed by Andrew Bujalski TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund

For his latest film Austin-based Andrew Bujalski brings us back to the '80s with this trippy look at a chess tournament where man and machine face off for supremacy (if you know Bujalski's work we don't have to tell you that there's a lot more going on in this movie than just computers playing chess).  

High Tech, Low Life Airs on POV July 22 Directed By Stephen Maing TAA

Spotlighting the journey of two of China's first citizen reporters, Stephen Maing's compelling documentary shows the dedicated by a few to report on the social issue stories that most of China don't know about. Time Out New York calls it "an engaging study of the disparate characters who are drawn to speak out when the authorities crack the whip." 

Smash and Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers Opens at NYC's Film Forum July 31 Directed by Havana Marking TFI Documentary Fund

In their own words the most successful jewel thieves of all time, known as the Pink Panthers, give director Havana Marking unprecedented access into their world. Using inventive camera work and animation to conceal their identities as well as showing the security footage of the heists, we are given a play-by-play of the events from the men and women who pulled off these dramatic events.

Cutie and the Boxer Opens In Theaters August 16 Directed by Zachary Heinzerling TFI Documentary Fund

One of the darlings at this year's Sundance Film Festival (which ended with director Zachary Heinzerling walking away with the Best Director prize), this candid love story of a famed boxing painter and his wife—who is beginning to build her own following for her art—is part funny, touching and chaotic. Matched by the amazing characters is the beautiful score and striking cinematography, which has made this film one of the most anticipated docs of the summer.

Una Noche Opens In Theaters August 23 Directed by Lucy Mulloy TAA

Marking her feature debut, Lucy Mulloy's look at three Cuban teens who embark on the 90 minute voyage to Miami on a makeshift raft has found impressive attention as the film won the Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best New Narrative Director awards at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. This story of love and friendship is one you won't forget anytime soon.

FOUR Trailer from 306 Releasing on Vimeo.

Four Opens In Theaters September 13 Directed by Joshua Sanchez TAA

Having already won the Audience Award at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival and receiving a Independent Spirit Award earlier this year, Joshua Sanchez's Four has been building a buzz for some time. In the film, based on the acclaimed play by Christopher Shinn, we follow a father (Wendell Pierce) named Joe and his daughter Abigayle, each enshrouded in loneliness, as they reach out for sexual intimacy: he with a nervous, self-hating teenage boy, she with a smooth-talking wannabe homeboy. Variety says the film spotlights "a quartet of furiously committed performances… burnished by vivid, atmospheric lensing."