Written by Elisa Diaz. Photo by Elisa Diaz.
“Generation Next”
“Generation Next” is a collection of films sharing the stories of the world’s successors. It’s about children experiencing life at the fullest: both the good and the bad. Each of the five films will give you a new perspective on life, each child teaches you a different way to view the world. As you watch these films, you become grateful for the youth that will not just follow us, but be the best of us.
“Fletcher Street”
Set in North Philadelphia, the documentary surrounds the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, a second home for the youth in the area. At the riding club, kids learn life skills, build confidence, and develop self-worth, all while riding horses. The club was founded by Ellis “El-Dog” in 1980, and now it is led by his son, Darrin, but both of them share the same heartwarming sentiment, that they feel as if the children in their club are their own. They are preserving a century long history and tradition of Urban Black Cowboys, all while keeping kids away from the dangers of the streets.
This film helps the viewer see the importance of a safe, friendly environment. Throughout the film, they interview multiple kids, each sharing their stories about the club, and why they are grateful for it. You can see how this club has supported the kids’ confidence in themselves and their futures.
The creators of this documentary do an incredible job sharing the riding club’s message: never give up. Everyday, these kids are being taught to be strong, to be brave, and to get back up again. These little kids climb right onto horses I would be too afraid to stand near. And when you see them ride, it truly feels like a western film. If you have the time, look over their website and please consider donating, so they can continue their work and help many more children.
“Where We Played: Voices From the Fire”
This documentary tells the story of the 2025 LA wildfires through the perspectives of children as young as five years old, who lost their homes and are still dealing with the results of the fires. During the interviews, each child tells their story, what they lost, and what they hope for their own future and the world’s.
Each child spoke about what they were grateful for, how objects are replaceable, but their lives are not. These children are forced to learn lessons many of us do not learn until we are teenagers or even adults. Listening to them talk about the wildfires and other horrible events (such as the Covid pandemic in 2020), made me realize that we need to hear the voices and thoughts of children more often.
Not every topic needs to be a debate, and children know that. Their age, status, education, and all the factors humans classify as important do not matter to the children being interviewed. Choosing to only interview the children who experienced the wildfires, forced the audience to focus on the tragedy, on these children and their families, and want to do more for the environment. This film truly puts into perspective the effects of climate change, how our mistakes are affecting our world and their future.
“The Boys and the Bees”
This documentary follows the Ray family as they tend to their honey bees and work on their homestead in rural Georgia. It focuses on the two sons, Aaro and Carver Ray, as they learn how to take care of and appreciate the land.
Whether they are camping, bird watching, fishing, or eating honey, the children are always learning from their parents and the land. “The Boys and the Bees” is an incredibly heartwarming and inspirational film that teaches us the importance of creating a home and protecting a place. It asks the question how it is possible to make our earth last for generations?
Every scene is a real moment in the Ray’s lives with real lessons being taught. Each scene brings back your childhood sense of wonder and happiness. The editors did such a great job picking the moments that mattered the most, that show us this family’s love and passion for their way of living. I cannot wait for this film to be out, as it is possibly the greatest short film pick-me-up I will ever experience in my lifetime. They are truly an unforgettable family.
“The Boy with the Dinosaur Head”
The film opens with Mr. Sharif (Rizwan Manji), who is trying to get Sami (George Soliman) to take off his dinosaur mask, with Mrs. Marie (Aisha Alfa) waiting outside the classroom door. Just three characters, one setting, and ten minutes of video. Due to its simplicity, we are able to focus entirely on each character’s dialogue, especially Sami’s.
“The Boy with the Dinosaur Head” takes the concept of “why,” and uses it as Sami’s way to communicate with his teacher and us viewers. Every line in the film is vital. Each word has its purpose, each one is a step towards the reveal. The dialogue calmly guides the audience, makes us feel like we’re standing right in the classroom, slowly understanding Sami alongside Mr. Sharif.
Ali Imran Zaidi shows us the power of analogy in film and the magic of verbal imagery. How a story or situation does not need a complicated explanation. The audience does not need to be directly told Sami’s story. Sami tells us everything through his mask, his actions, and his questions.
“Couture to the Max”
“Couture to the Max” is a documentary centered on Max Alexander, an extraordinary designer who has found incredible success at only nine years old. It follows him as he prepares his sustainability collection for Paris Fashion Week, with interludes of those close to him sharing their thoughts on his work and talents.
When you watch Max, you cannot help but smile. He is a true embodiment of creative joy. From his “floofieness” fabric tests to his ways of reusing materials, Max has a way of finding excitement and purpose in everything. As you listen to the interviews with those who know him well, you cannot help but wish you knew Max too. Throughout the film all of his best features shine so well.
As SCAD art students, we tend to forget why we started creating. We not only forget why we love art, but how long we have been dedicated to it. But watching this film, seeing Max creating freely, it made me want to check on my inner child. It made me want to let her out and create carelessly, not for a grade or recognition.
This film was the only option as the concluding film for “Generation Next,” because Max and his refreshing sincerity are exactly what every creative and human being needs to aspire to.
Overall, “Generation Next” is the most inspirational collection of films I have seen. The power of a child’s innocence and impeccable way of accepting life for what it is, makes you remember what it was like to be so little in such a big world. It reminds us that when it was simple, this was our world, and we chose what we did in it.
