Private Project

Beyond the Bridge

Two community leaders in a coastal Mexican town turn a practical conversation about public safety into a brainstorming session. Before they know it, they've conjured an international public art festival, bringing together people from all sectors of the community to collaborate with more than 100 artists from around the world to strengthen the local web of life.

  • Kim Zanti
    Director
    n/a
  • Kim Zanti
    Writer
    n/a
  • Marti D. Johnston
    Producer
    n/a
  • Joe Gutesha
    Producer
  • Pablo Latapi
    Director of Photography
  • Pablo Sauti
    Composer
  • Oscar Caymares
    Sound Recordist
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 10, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Mexico
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kim Zanti

After a rewarding career working behind the scenes in the public benefit arts arena in Los Angeles and Flagstaff, Arizona, Kim pivoted into creativity research where she served as Associate Director of the Centers for Research on Creativity, founded by Dr. James Catterall. Beyond the Bridge is her first documentary.

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Director Statement

Documenting the Akumal Arts Festival was a process that happened over several years. I volunteered during the first year in 2018 and returned again in 2022 to shoot the film. After a full career as an arts producer, presenter, development specialist, I'd never seen anything like the festival in Akumal or experienced such a welcoming community. It was an honor and privilege to witness their stories.

To make the documentary, I asked my colleague, a festival producer, what would be our lens. She didn't hesitate to answer 'creative placemaking.' The practice of strengthening communities by engaging artists as leaders, collaborators, and creators gave us a wide angle to work with and then we zoomed in with interviews and visuals. Patient, open minded collaboration fueled this project. I hope you take away inspiring bits that lead you to engage in your own community/communities.