Maker is a feature-length documentary on the Maker Movement and its impact on society, culture and economy in the U.S. The ‘Maker Movement’, sometimes called the ‘Third Industrial Revolution,’ subverts traditional manufacturing by building on innovative concepts such as open source, local manufacturing, crowd funding, and digital fabrication. Breaking the hobbyist movement stereotype, Maker delves deep into this ecosystem of design and manufacturing in the Internet era. The film explores the ideas, tools, and personalities that are driving the Maker Movement—and returns with a timely snapshot of one of the transforming influences of the current age.

Hand-painted signs are a product of a fascinating 150 year-old American history. What was once a common job has now become a highly specialized trade, a unique craft in an era of technological advances. Sign Painters, directed by Faythe Levine & Sam Macon, stylistically explores this unacknowledged art form through anecdotal accounts from artists across the country including Ira Coyne, Bob Dewhurst, Keith Knecht, Norma Jeane Maloney and Stephen Powers. These vanguards of unseen originality are leading a renaissance with a keen creative purpose and exemplify the working class American success story. Sign Painters celebrates those keeping the tradition intact with a bespoke approach and appreciation for a balance between art and commerce.

Jennifer Baichwal and photographer Edward Burtynsky team to co-direct this documentary examining the relationship between humanity and water.

Supported by the Mary Bremer Foundation.

Winning numerous awards including Best Feature Film at the 2014 Silver Springs International Film Festival, The Frontier explores the relationship between an aging father and his estranged son.

Supported by the Mary Bremer Foundation.

View the uncensored, uncut 60th anniversary restoration of this 1954 cult phenomenon. Japanese with English subtitles. Godzilla, Gojira and the character design are trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Supported by the Mary Bremer Foundation.

DamNation’s majestic cinematography and unexpected discoveries move through rivers and landscapes altered by dams, but also through a metamorphosis in values, from conquest of the natural world to knowing ourselves as part of nature. (87 minutes, unrated)

The rebuilding of Ground Zero is the most architecturally, politically, and emotionally complex construction project in recent American history. 16 Acres is the inside story of how and why this historic project got built. At the heart of the story is the dramatic tension between noblest intentions, the desire to “get it right,” and the politics, hubris and ego that is the bedrock of New York City. (92 minutes, unrated)

The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opened in 1936 and was almost immediately overshadowed by the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened less than a year later. A dull workhorse next to a glamorous star, it seemed the Bay Bridge would never outshine its sister to the north. Artist Leo Villareal’s light installation on the Bay Bridge changed that almost overnight. Impossible Light provides an inside glimpse at how a small team of visionaries brought The Bay Lights to reality. (70 minutes, unrated)

Burning Man, the debaucherous arts festival, isn’t your average family vacation destination. Bryant Boesen, a reckless party animal, decides to rip his nearly retired parents from their routine and throw them into the adventure of a lifetime: a parental coming of age story. (82 minutes, unrated)

Budding filmmakers submitted films for the 5th annual 3-minute film competition. Join us for the screening of the top films selected by jurors the Museum, the Holland Project and KNPB.