An inspiring film about strength and survival... and a personal reminder of what matters most in life

Timing has a way of working out doesn’t it? Personally, I’ve been faced with many obstacles lately, trying to figure out what’s best for me, my daughters, and our future. In these trying economic times, we’re all at crossroads in our lives. Recently I’ve felt pain and knew that time would heal the psychological wounds. So I’ve been trucking on, day to day, with somewhat of a “woe is me” attitude, not fully appreciating all the positives in my life. Needless to say, the last few weeks, well years, have been a bit depressing.

Filmmaker Kevin Breslin shoots Occupy Wall Street from the inside out.

Kevin Breslin is standing on a street corner somewhere in Manhattan shouting into a cell phone. Filtered by street noise and a thousand miles between us he sounds vaguely like Joe Pesci. Last year Breslin’s documentary “Living for 32” made it’s South Carolina debut at BIFF. The inspirational story of Colin Goddard, a survivor of the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, was also nominated for an Academy Award.

Award-winning film seeks to shed light on post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans

Writer/Director K. Lorrel Manning’s “Happy New Year” is a lock to raise eyebrows when it screens at this year’s Beaufort International Film Festival. But according to the filmmaker that’s the whole point of the film. Manning’s first full length feature – adapted from his own play – is a frank and often disturbing examination of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on American military personnel.