Festival Season:
April 2025
MOVING ARTS | SETTING HEARTS ABLAZE
Directors:
Writers:
Zac Cornfield
Producers:
Lex Lotito, Julia Storch
Run Time:
0:34:41
Awarded for the following Category(s):
Awarded Category(s)
MOVING ARTS | Setting Hearts Ablaze demonstrates how creative exploration and expression move at-risk kids from trauma into trust.
Through art, including dance, music, painting, photography, video, computer graphics, and gymnastics, children can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally by providing a necessary outlet for personal expression.
The film includes heartfelt interviews, stunning visuals, and a dramatic narrative (conceived by a former Moving Arts student and now teacher) that addresses the current epidemic of grandparents and extended family members raising up to 60% of students the Espanola school district. Additionally, the film features a dance performed by an alum student that represents the constraints of traditional teaching methods.
As the story evolves, we see how Moving Arts Espanola's core belief that 'art is medicine' is embedded in the souls of founders Roger Montoya, a 2019 CNN Hero, and Salvador Ruiz. As well as the teachers, former students, and volunteers. We take the viewer through a vibrant community where creative expression and experiential learning are encouraged and applauded.
Submitter Statement
When we first started exploring the idea of making a documentary about Moving Arts, I thought we were going to make a film about a children’s art program. Instead, I found myself exploring a story about healing through creativity and one organization’s mission to change a community often defined by so many negatives into one defined by love and support. This film is a testament to the phrase “Art is Medicine” and a love letter to filmmaking as an art form. Challenged by the creativity of Moving Arts, we have created a work of art that incorporates documentary, narrative filmmaking, and music videos into one piece showcasing this life changing program.
Zac Cornfield is an Rocky Mountain Emmy-award-winning director from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is best known for his documentary work with Docufilms.
Zac started his career as a location scout for projects such as Better Call Saul (Sony), The Cleaning Lady (FOX), and Primo (Amazon FreeVee). He has directed various projects highlighting local charities and Eating History (DocuFilms), a feature documentary about the history of New Mexican food.
Key Cast
Other Credits
Executive Producers: Michael Campbell, Paul McKittrick
Director Of Photography: Dwight Harrison
Editor: Alberto Madrigal
Original Music : CKAABAL