Race to a Legacy

When Jo Martin, a nurse, notices significant changes in her father’s paintings, she becomes suspicious of a medical issue. Afraid he’s causing damage to his beautifully intricate pieces she begins a journey of understanding and instead uncovers Pete Martin’s life and work as an artist over seventy-five years. Pete is in a race to finish his pieces and Jo is in a race to safeguard her father's legacy.

  • Jo Martin
    Director
  • Jo Martin
    Writer
  • Jo Martin
    Producer
  • Peggy Russin
    Producer
  • Pete Martin
    Key Cast
  • Jo Martin
    Key Cast
  • Dolores Martin
    Key Cast
  • Linda Vega
    Key Cast
  • Beth Miller
    Key Cast
  • Grayg Noireault
    Story Consultant & Technical Consultant
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 18 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    iPhone 13 Pro with Filmic Pro
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    Cannes World Film Festival
    Winner Best Senior Film, July 2023
Director Biography - Jo Martin

Jo Martin is a multi-talented creative powerhouse hailing from Durango, CO. With an impressive skill set that encompasses managing traumas in the ER as a nurse to directing, writing, producing, and more. Her artistic vision and attention to detail shine through in her work as a documentary filmmaker, jewelry & graphic designer. Jo's relentless passion and dedication continue to push boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on every project she undertakes.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

July of 2022, I fell down the rabbit hole known as “Masterclass” and soon found myself inspired by Jodie Foster, Hans Zimmer, and Mira Nair. I decided to write an outline and film a documentary with an iPhone. What an emotional ride this doc was!

Initially I wanted to shoot a documentary for my 90 year old dad chronicling his 40 year career as a professional illustrator for the government and life as a fine artist. But it became so much more. Now, standing on the other side of it, I’m extremely grateful that I created this opportunity to sit down and spend so much more time not only with my dad, but my mom and sisters as well.

About a week or so after I started this project, I noticed changes in some of Dad’s “already finished paintings”. He had painted over his beautifully intricate paintings. They were painted over with black paint, almost like a child’s scribbles. My heart sank as I wracked my brain for an explanation. My nurse brain took over and all I could think about was there must be something going on with him. I wanted to explore why he changed his paintings and more than ever wanted to hear his stories and the stories about my parents. That was when the documentary showed its path.

My hope is that the audience walks away with some tears of inspiration, some understanding of my dad’s life and work as an artist for 75 years, and their own reasoning why he is painting over his detailed paintings.