This collection of short music documentaries celebrates the many ways music shapes our lives and communities. From historically rooted Americana and folk traditions to deeply personal stories of music as passion and purpose, these films explore how sound becomes both a cultural touchstone and a vital thread in human connection.

This film is a portrait of Sheila Kay Adams, matriarch of Madison County’s ballad singing tradition, filmed after Hurricane Helene. It’s about one woman sustaining community, legacy, and belonging through change.

Sheila

This film is a portrait of Sheila Kay Adams, matriarch of Madison County’s ballad singing tradition, filmed after Hurricane Helene. It’s about one woman sustaining community, legacy, and belonging through change.

Blending character portraits with historical context, "Tessitura" explores how voice and gender are continuously reformulated in opera.

Tessitura

Blending character portraits with historical context, "Tessitura" explores how voice and gender are continuously reformulated in opera.

Music traditions The Ring Shout and the Easter Rock were both birthed on the plantation and were carried on by their descendants. Hundreds of years of music -- yet neither group knew of each other. Not until they met in New Orleans to put on a week of shouting and rocking performances and record their songs for the Library of Congress.

Shouter / Rocker

The music started in enslavement, but now the traditions of the Ring Shout and Easter Rock are being brought to the masses.

After a Black Banjoist learns about the instrument's forgotten history, it launches her on a lyrical journey to reclaim the joy that was lost along the way.

Boil That Cabbage Down

After a Black Banjoist learns about the instrument's forgotten history, it launches her on a lyrical journey to reclaim the joy that was lost along the way.

Six musicians and musical ensembles from Louisiana explain why they made the choice to perpetuate the centuries-long tradition of performing in French and Creole.

Musique(s), Le Film

Six musicians and musical ensembles from Louisiana explain why they made the choice to perpetuate the centuries-long tradition of performing in French and Creole.

Doc Shorts: Musical Roots

Virtual Admission

We are so thankful for your gift and to consider you a part of the NOFS Family!&nbsp;Your generosity helps us continue our work for championing Southern storytelling and allowing us to bring our stories to the big screen for 40,000 moviegoers annually. You help us to nurture the careers of diverse Southern filmmakers, present the Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival, the annual French Film Festival, and produce film series and special events throughout the year. We are deeply grateful for your contribution. For tax purposes, this letter will serve as official acknowledgment of your tax-deductible contribution to the New Orleans Film Society (NOFS). NOFS Tax ID # / EIN: 72-1136068 For more information about your&nbsp;donation&nbsp;or about NOFS, please contact us at (504) 309-6633 or&nbsp;sarah<a href="mailto:megan@neworleansfilmsociety.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">@neworleansfilmsociety.org</a>. If you are not a member of NOFS yet, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://neworleansfilmsociety.org/become-a-member/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">here</a>&nbsp;to join today. Best regards,Sarah Escalante, Executive Director New Orleans Film Society1215 Prytania St. Suite 371New Orleans, LA 70130(504) 309-6633 Orleans Film Festival

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Welcome to the New Orleans Film Festival Virtual Cinema! NOFF is a renowned celebration of independent filmmaking that has been championing groundbreaking storytelling for over 36 years. We are an Academy Award®-qualifying festival in the Doc Short, Narrative Short, and Animated Shorts categories. 

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