E45 • The Humanitarian Crisis Through a Filmmaker's Lens • NATHANIEL LEZRA, dir. of ‘Roads of Fire’ - BEST DOC WINNER at the Santa Barbara Int. Film Festival
Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle
In this conversation, Nathaniel Lezra discusses his journey as a documentary filmmaker, focusing on his latest project, “Roads of Fire”, which just won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Nathaneil’s past inspirations include Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing” and “The Look of Silence”.
He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of cinematically capturing the humanitarian crisis and the political climate’s impact on filmmaking. He also shares insights into the smuggling industry and the importance of capturing authentic experiences in documentary storytelling.
Nathaniel discusses the complex, harrowing realities faced by migrants, the need for empathy when addressing these issues, and how filmmakers can play a crucial role in pushing for change.
The Past Present Feature Film Festival returns Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Eastwood Revival in Hollywood, California.
Join us for features, shorts, and convos with filmmakers, including an in-person Q&A with Shih-Ching Tsou following a screening of her acclaimed film Left-Handed Girl.
Festival lineup, schedule, and reservations coming soon.
https://pastpresentfeature.com/film-festival/
Revival Hub is your guide to specialty screenings in Los Angeles - classics on 35mm, director Q&As, rare restorations, and indie gems you won't find on streaming. We connect moviegoers with over 200 venues across LA, from the major revival houses to the 20-seat microcinemas and more.
Visit revivalhub.com to see what's playing this week.
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The Past Present Feature Film Festival - Nov. 21, 2026 in Hollywood, CA - Submit at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature
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