Big Stories in Small Packages: 'Mountainfilm on Tour' Returns to Southampton Arts Center

Every year, Southampton Arts Center hosts a unique one-day film festival that offers an intriguing lineup of short documentaries from around the world. Called “Mountainfilm on Tour,” the films presented may be short, but they cover a wide range of adventure and human-interest stories from the point of view of a diverse collection of subjects — from environmentalists and outdoor thrill seekers to artists and impassioned humanitarians on a mission.

This year is no exception, and beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, “Mountainfilm on Tour” returns to SAC with a presentation of nine short documentaries on a wide array of topics. The screening is hosted by Southampton resident and SAC board member Elyn Kronemeyer in partnership with SAC, but it comes to the East End thanks to Kronemeyer’s close ties to Colorado, where the Mountainfilm Festival is based.

“My connection is Telluride — we’ve been wintering there for 30 years,” Kronemeyer explained. “The Mountainfilm Festival is over Memorial Day weekend. They show both feature and short documentaries. They also have a speaker series and art in different venues throughout the town.

“I love this festival. It’s all documentaries — environmental, artistic, human interest. It fits into the mission of SAC,” she added. “I went to Mountainfilm for years. I’m a fan who learned a lot. When I went, I was inspired and realized the one thing I can do is bring this to my community. It’s been 11 years. I brought it to SAC and then they asked me to join the board.”

As the host and curator of “Mountainfilm on Tour” at SAC, Kronemeyer is free to design her own program for East End audiences using Mountainfilm’s collection of short documentaries. She puts a great deal of consideration into deciding which films should be screened at SAC.

“I think our audience is very special and I want to make sure we have films that will challenge them a bit,” Kronemeyer explained of her selection process. “I go to the festival and see as many films as I can. Mountainfilm licenses 100 or so short documentaries and I choose from the films they present. I try to make a whole program of 90 minutes. It gives us time to discuss the films afterwards.

“It’s a very broad theme – three to four outdoors films, and human interest and environmental films.”

Among this year’s “Mountainfilm on Tour” human interest selections at SAC is Paul Collins’ “Dago’s Boots,” which offers a glimpse into the world of a third-generation master cobbler from Honduras who emigrated to the U.S. and now makes cowboy boots for movie stars. Another film, Courtney Dixon’s “The Changebaker,” tells the story of Manolo Betancur, a former Colombian army captain who escaped war by moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he operates a bakery employing other immigrants from around the world who also make baked goods from their own countries.

“He went to Ukraine to distribute donations and bakes birthday cakes for the homeless,” Kronemeyer said. “He’s a grassroots individual who makes a difference in people’s lives.”

But this year, ICE raids in Charlotte have had a chilling effect on Betancur’s business, which counts immigrants as among its most loyal customers. As a result, the bakery has transformed into a hub of local activism and a symbol of hope and resilience with a sign on the door reading, “Made in America by the Hands of Immigrants.”

Another film, “Tiger” directed by Loren Waters, tells the story of Native American Dana Tiger, who lost her father, Muscogee Creek artist Jerome Tiger, when she was five years old.

“She uses her artistic skills as a way to keep his memory alive,” Kronemeyer said. “She has Parkinson’s and turned to his art as a way to get to know him. And the film ‘Momo’ is a beautiful two-minute film of a young man from the west coast of Africa who is discovered on the beach and hired to perform for Cirque du Soleil.”

When asked if there’s a thread that ties all these films together, Kronemeyer said, “The theme that evolved this year for me was listening. Listening to people you normally maybe wouldn’t.

“These films will be informative and really get into a world that people don’t know,” added Kronemeyer, who has had the opportunity to meet many of the subjects depicted in the films. “We’re so privileged here. I want to give people insight and hope they think in their own minds, ‘What can I do to make a difference?’ Ask a question of the man behind the counter. Your eyes will be opened and you’ll learn so much.”

Prior to COVID-19, Kronemeyer notes that “Mountainfilm on Tour” screenings were presented at SAC on both Friday and Saturday nights. She also took the films to be screened by students at local schools. Mountainfilm also sent a presenter and sometimes a filmmaker to speak at screenings.

“Now, they have the host do the hosting,” Kronemeyer said. “But I know the films as well as any presenter.”

Kronemeyer notes that it’s not an inexpensive proposition to bring “Mountainfilm on Tour” to SAC and she relies on the financial support of community members and businesses to bring it to Southampton every year. She is always happy to have new donors come on board to keep the program going and, hopefully, expand it. For that reason, Kronemeyer wants to know what people in the community would like to see screened at SAC. She also hopes to bring “Mountainfilm on Tour” back to the local public schools and in the future, would like to create programs focused specifically on Indigenous films or Spanish language shorts, as well as a festival of local filmmakers.

“People have been inspired by the films. Some are completely blown away, and most of all, people say, ‘I learned something I would never have learned if I hadn’t seen this,’” she said. “There is a growing love for short documentaries. I’m very particular about a good selection of films being presented in a short amount of time.

“So come to discover something new and learn in a new way. We want to make it a fun night.”

Tickets for “Mountainfilm on Tour” in Southampton are $10 (free for members) at southamptonartscenter.org. See the complete playlist at mountainfilm.org/tour/schedule. Southampton Arts Center is at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton.

The Films:

“One Inch From Flying” directed by Jim Aikman, Taylor Humphrey. A young climber grapples with the complexity of modern life and celebrates the sense of balance he gets from carefully navigating highlines while rigging and walking an alpine highline in Washington’s North Cascades. (USA, 2024, 4 min.)

“Dago’s Boots” directed by Paul Collins. A third-generation tradesman from Honduras, Dago emigrated to the U.S. seeking opportunity and landed on Hollywood’s doorstep. For the last 35-plus years, he’s focused his talent and imagination into custom footwear for clientele ranging from the biggest names in entertainment to everyday people. Making shoes by hand is a dying art and Dago’s Boots spotlights how humor, diligence and style are the sole ingredients of an honest day’s work. (USA, 2024, 6 min.).

“Shanti Rides Shotgun” directed by Charles Frank. On Manhattan’s jam-packed streets, New York City’s most iconic driving instructor prepares students to navigate the road ahead. With a brash attitude and a 99 percent drivers test pass rate for her students, Shanti Gooljar is the most-requested instructor at the Empire State Driving School. (USA, 2024, 8 min.)

“And Again” directed by Wiley Kaupas. Iconic freestyle skier and Winter X Games champion Bobby Brown struggles to hold his identity after being sidelined by two injuries. Brown learns to give up the grind as he transitions to the next chapter where he is grateful for small moments and a life that still includes skiing. (USA, 2024, 10 min).

“White Gold” directed by Peter Brown, Amon Barker. From the Silverton road gap to the infamous Telluride Trestle, legendary freeskier Bobby Brown and friends spent the winter filming around the San Juan Mountains. This film showcases Brown’s athleticism, the allure of the snowy peaks. (USA, 2024, 6 min).

“Momo” directed by Michael Schwartz. From humble beginnings of a small African village to the dazzling heights of Cirque de Soleil, “Momo” shares the story of a man who defied gravity and destiny. This short film is a celebration of resilience and the magic of flight, where Momo doesn’t just perform — he transcends. (USA, 2024, 2 min).

“The Changebaker” directed by Courtney Dixon. Manolo Betancur immigrated to the U.S. to chase the American Dream and escape the horrors of war in Colombia, where he was a captain in the army. He uses nightmares of the past to fuel his mission to create jobs for fellow immigrants at his bakery in North Carolina. But after a string of ICE raids, the shop has become something more than just a trendy local spot for baked goods. It has become a center for local activism and resilience for the community. (USA, 2025, 16 min).

“Tiger” directed by Loren Waters. Dana Tiger (Muscogee, Seminole, Cherokee) was just five years old when her father, legendary Muscogee Creek artist Jerome Tiger, died. She turned to his art as a way to know him, the richness of her culture and her family’s artistic tradition. After the family T-shirt printing business was derailed by tragedy, Dana and her family work for years through their grief to revitalize the iconic Tight T-shirt company. Now, everybody wants to get their hands on a Tiger. (USA, 2024).

“Your Last Best: A Memphis Rox Story” directed by Glen Janssens. South Memphis is a historic neighborhood long recognized for being the home of Soulsville USA and the birthplace of Aretha Franklin. The area has also historically struggled for basic resources. Many areas are recognized as food deserts as national chains have left due to crime, gang violence and basic economic inequalities. In 2018, a dedicated group got together and began an effort to bring lasting change and hope to the community. This unlikely place is a climbing gym called Memphis Rox. (USA, 2025, 16 min).