This weekend, the Big Eddy Film Festival returns to Narrowsburg, bringing a vibrant mix of storytelling, creativity, and community spirit to the Delaware River region. Radio Catskill, a proud media partner, sat down with three filmmakers whose work highlights the festival’s focus on local voices and innovative storytelling.
Moh Azima: Blending Community and AI in “Be Like a Tree”
Moh Azima’s video installation, Be Like a Tree, will be featured in the festival’s digital gallery. The piece is a meditative exploration of community, impermanence, and identity, blending local participants’ voices with AI-generated imagery.
“The idea of community felt crucial,” Azima explained. “I wanted to bring people together from my community to speak with one voice. Then I used AI to merge all their faces together gradually over five hours. It creates this idea that we’re all parts of the same tree — like leaves on the same tree, constantly changing but rooted together.”
Azima said the community’s response to participating was overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone was really enthusiastic. Many were familiar with Rumi’s poetry, which ties directly into the work’s meditation on accepting change and transformation.”
Alex Spotts: Bowling, Band, and Local Charm in “No Crying in Baseball”
Alex Spotts’ short, No Crying in Baseball, brings playful energy to the festival’s Rural Shorts program. Filmed in Port Jervis, the video stars local residents, including young girls’ bowling teams and longtime community members, alongside the regionally celebrated Riot Grrrl band Basic Bitches.
“It was really fun to bring everyone together,” Spotts said. “The girls versus the older men, their playful taunts, and the energy of the community made the video incredible. I hope audiences just have fun watching it.”
The short emphasizes connection, playfulness, and local culture, capturing the spirit of collaboration that thrives in small-town filmmaking.
Mariah Dunker-Kramer: A Family Legacy in “Shirley”
Mariah Dunker-Kramer’s Shirley, part of the Family Ties program, tells the poignant story of a young mother facing kidney failure in the early 1960s. Inspired by Dunker-Kramer’s maternal grandmother, the film examines loss, legacy, and resilience through a deeply personal lens.
“Growing up in a rural area with a large, close-knit family shaped my storytelling,” Dunker-Kramer said. “This film is a glimpse into my grandmother’s life and how her legacy continues through generations. My hope is that audiences leave with a sense of how grief, love, and legacy intertwine.”
Celebrating Community Through Film
All three filmmakers emphasized the festival’s role as a creative hub for the region. “It brings us together, gives local creators an outlet, and fosters collaboration,” Azima said. Spotts echoed that sentiment: “Being a creative can feel lonely. Festivals like Big Eddy let you connect with people who share your ideas.” Dunker-Kramer added, “It’s a resource in a rural area that supports artists and celebrates creativity.”
The full lineup is available at bigeddyfilmfest.com.
Image: Riot grrrl punk duo Basic Bitches in the music video for the track “There’s No Crying in Baseball,” which was directed by Alex Spott and filmed at Memory Lanes in Port Jervis, New York. (Credit Basic Bitches)