“Beyond Barriers: The Road to Well-being” became an official selection in the 2024 Golden State Film Festival. It will be screened on Saturday, Feb. 24 at noon at the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
Jardín Orgánico San José in Naco, Sonora
Congratulations to Renée Windman for her award-winning art poster “The Road to Well-being." Her key art poster design was recognized among the top selections in the prestigious 2023 Graphic Design Awards™ competition.
This is the true story of a determined mother from Mexico, and a retired U.S. businessman who come together on personal journeys to improve the well-being of a borderlands community – all while trying to overcome barriers ranging from the pandemic to severe drought.
PBS_KVCR Empire airs “Beyond Barriers” as Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 begins on September 15th. Catch it tonight at 9:30 on the KVCR App or through the KVCR.org homepage schedule. Discover how people on both sides of the border wall work together to create a center of hope and wellness.
People from opposite sides of the former border fence between Arizona and Sonora shake hands in friendship.
When the short film “Beyond Barriers” screened at the Laemmle Theatre in Newhall this November, the audience was treated to an English version and then the world premiere of its Spanish version.
The “Beyond Barriers” Spanish version received an outpouring of positive feedback from an eclectic audience — some of whom speak both languages and others who primarily speak Spanish. This short documentary highlights how much can be accomplished when a determined group from opposite sides of the U.S.-Mexico border work together toward a common goal.
The film’s Spanish version made it possible for Spanish-speaking audience members to gain a unique perspective in their own language on the lives of people at the border. It also gave those in the audience who only speak English — an idea of what it was like to go beyond barriers (such as different languages) to achieve an overall goal.
The filmmaker was thrilled and honored to see “Beyond Barriers” featured in the SCV Signal newspaper, which has been in circulation for more than a century! The story can be found at the link below:
https://signalscv.com/2021/11/valencia-filmmaker-brings-awareness-to-the-power-of-community/
Join us November 3rd at 7pm for the original “Beyond Barriers” movie in English and then the Spanish version premiere (with subtitles) of this short film.
Stay afterward for a lively Q&A with the filmmaker, Mayor of Santa Clarita, Chair of College of the Canyons’ Modern Languages & Cultures Dept., and other special guests!
Award-winning poster by Renée Windman for “Beyond Barriers” from Alpha Films
Acclaimed artist Renée Windman received Honorable Mention for her “Beyond Barriers” film poster design in the Graphis International Poster annual competition. “This is the highest prize granted to a chosen few by a jury of former Platinum and Gold-winning professionals,” according to Graphis.
Her work will be presented in the upcoming print and digital copy of Graphis Poster Annual 2022 and on the Graphis website! Congratulations to Renée!
Beatriz “Betty” Dray, nursing student at Arizona State University, is interviewed during initial filming.
The “Beyond Barriers” pilot was well-received by audiences at its debut on PBS in December 2020, and so now Alpha Films has started developing a 3-part limited docuseries. This second episode (working title “The Road to Well-being”) is the story of changemakers who are determined to create a healthier future. They come from a variety of places, from the U.S.-Mexico border to Arizona inner cities to islands overseas, and begin a quest to improve the well-being of vulnerable communities and beyond.
The compelling, short documentary "Beyond Barriers/ Esperanza sin fronteras" will be broadcast live for the first time in the United States on Dec. 17th, 2020 at 9:30pm on KVCR-TV. This is the story of a community that transcends borders. It is the first of a 3-part docuseries that tells the story of people from opposite sides of the border who come together to create a center of hope and wellness. It features Lupita Sanchez from Sonora, Mexico and Thomas Carlson from Bisbee, Arizona – who are determined to build a grass-roots organization to change lives for the better.
The AZ/Sonora border has opened again recently. Dedicated residents from both sides of the border are now continuing their efforts to change lives for the better. Using lesson plans developed by students at Arizona State University, the promotoras at Casas Saludables are teaching the children in Naco, Sonora how to protect their health: The children are learning about proper hand-washing, care of their teeth, and how to wear masks properly to guard against the virus!
PEACE_LOVE in Naco, Sonora
Photo © Scott Gould and used with his permission.
The Casas Saludables leaders continue to do their work behind the scenes, despite the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They hold online meetings to keep up their spirits and plan for the expanded Health Education programs in the future, thanks to partnerships with Arizona State University. They continue to go “Beyond Barriers” in their efforts to change lives!
Photo used with permission: © Scott Gould
At the 2020 Golden State Film Festival, “Beyond Barriers” won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Documentary. The film was screened before a large audience at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.
On stage at the TCL Chinese Theatre are some of the many people who made “Beyond Barriers” a success!
“Beyond Barriers” Film Poster Wins American Graphic Design Award!
Read MoreView our trailer here…
“Beyond Barriers” was an official selection at the festival, held Sept 5 - 8, 2019 at the Cinema Pathé Massena. Filmmakers, actors and producers from around the world were in attendance. What an exciting venue and appreciative audience!
Cinema Pathé Massena
“Beyond Barriers” had its world premiere at the Cannes Short Film Festival on September 8th. The film received a positive reception, with many audience members stating how encouraging it was to see a new perspective of hope at the border.
Laura meets with filmmakers from “Borderless Forests” at the Cannes Short Film Festival.
Check the map (from wikimedia.org) to locate Naco, Sonora – across from Naco, AZ. This is where the story of “Beyond Barriers” begins.
More than 700 miles of fencing exist along the border between Mexico and the United States. This wall is just one of many obstacles that exist in border towns like Naco, Sonora.
To understand more about the border, see the attached story “A Busy Border.” (SCNG gave Alpha Films permission to post it here.)
