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Stranger at the Gate

  • USA
  • Short Documentary
  • 2022
  • 30 min.
  • Director(s): Joshua Seftel
  • Producer(s): Conall Jones, Joshua Seftel, Suzanne Hillinger

Synopsis

After 25 years of service, U.S. Marine Mac McKinney returns home to Indiana filled with an all-consuming rage toward the people he had been fighting against. Still fueled by his desire to fight for his country, he plans to bomb the local mosque.

But when he comes face to face with the community of Afghan refugees and others of Muslim faith that he seeks to kill, his plan takes an unexpected turn.

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Credits

Director(s)

Joshua Seftel

Producer(s)

Conall Jones, Joshua Seftel, Suzanne Hillinger

Co-Producer(s)

Jody Snider

Executive Producer(s)

Mohannad Malas, Malala Yousafzi, Lena Khan, Conrad Fisher, Anna Bick Rowe, John W. Kiser, Eric Nichols, Jeremy Mack

Cinematography

Karl Schroder

Editor

Jeremy Medoff

Original Music

Ezinma

Cast

Bibi Bahrami, Dr. Saber Bahrami, Zaki Bahrami, Captain Kent Kurtz, Dana McKinney, Emily McKinney, Richard “Mac” McKinney, Jomo Williams

Original Language

English

Subtitles

English, Mandarin (Chinese), French

Sound Designer

Bobb Barito

Festival Highlights

  • NOMINEE

    Best Documentary Short
    95th Academy Awards
    2023

  • WINNER

    Special Jury Mention for Best Short Documentary
    Tribeca Festival
    2023

  • WINNER

    Grand Jury Prize
    Indy Shorts IFF
    2022

  • WINNER

    Social Impact Award
    Hollyshorts Film Festival
    2022

  • WINNER

    Honorable Mention - Documentary Shorts Competition
    Riverrun International Film Festival
    2022

  • WINNER

    Audience Award for Best Documentary Short
    Woods Hole Film Festival
    2022

  • WINNER

    Best Short Documentary
    Walla Walla Movie Crush
    2022

  • WINNER

    Special Jury Commendation for Craft in Storytelling
    Port Townsend Film Festival
    2022

  • WINNER

    Best Editing
    Breck Film Festival
    2022

  • WINNER

    Audience Award for Documentary Short Film
    Virginia Film Festival
    2022

Big Sky Film Festival, USA, 2022

Sarasota Film Festival, USA, 2022

Mountain Film, USA, 2022

Doclands Film Festival, USA, 2022

RiverRun International Film Festival, USA, 2022

Tribeca Film Festival, USA, 2023

Indy Shorts International Film Festival (Heartland Film Fest), USA, 2023

Durban International Film Festival, USA, 2022

Woods Hole Festival, USA, 2022

Walla Walla Movie Crush, USA, 2022

Traverse City Film Festival, USA, 2022

Crested Butte Film Festival, USA, 2022

HollyShorts Film Festival, USA, 2022

DTLA Film Festival, USA, 2022

Sidewalk Film Festival, USA, 2022

Port Townsend Film Festival, USA, 2022

Breckenridge Film Festival, USA, 2022

BendFilm Festival, USA, 2022

Hot Springs Film Festival, USA, 2022

Doctober, USA, 2022

Frozen River Film Festival , USA, 2022

Virginia Film Festival, USA, 2022

Lake County Film Festival, USA, 2022

Coronado Island Film Festival, USA, 2022

NY Cinematters Social Justice Film Festival, USA, 2022

Justice Film Festival, USA, 2022

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Reviews

  • "A riveting documentary short."
    - John Blake, CNN
  • "A remarkable story of redemption."
    - Matthew Carey, Deadline Hollywood
  • "One of the best films of the year no matter the length."
    - Awards Daily
  • "If only stories like these were more abundant, maybe we could turn the tide against hatred and towards love."
    - Cameron Geiser, FilmsFatale
  • "A testament to our shared humanity."
    - Bright Lights Film
  • "This film will move you."
    - Unseen Films

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