The Last Doll Lady
In the 1950s a program called Dolls for Democracy was started. Women known as "doll ladies" would travel to local schools and teach children, through the use of hand carved wooden character dolls, about why racism and intolerance is wrong. Over the decades the program has faded into obscurity, but one woman has made it her life's mission to reignite a nations passion for the programs hopeful message. Selma Bukstein was one of the original doll ladies, now 60 years later and at the age of 91, she's the last doll lady.
The Last Doll Lady follows Selma's efforts to revitalize the program and pass on its legacy to a new generation.
Tagline: A free educational program ignited a 60 year passion for her. At 91, she's hoping to pass on its legacy to a younger generation before it's too late
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Taryn HoughDirector/Writer/Editor/Producer/Cinematographer
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Selma Buksteinlead actor (as herself)
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Project Type:Documentary, Short
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Runtime:21 minutes 13 seconds
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Completion Date:May 8, 2017
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Production Budget:500 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Mentone Film FestivalMentone, CA
November 13, 2019
The Or Baker Award -
Adirondack Film FestivalGlen Falls, NY
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Engunity Film FestivalLas Vegas, NV
nominated: Best Short Doc -
The NewsFestLas Vegas, NV
Best Human Interest Story -
A.M.M.I.F. 2019Las Vegas, NV
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The Georgia Documentary Film FestivalAtlanta
Georgia Premiere
nominated: best director -
Hollywood Women's Film Institute: Hollywood women's Film FestivalLos Angeles, CA
June 18, 2019 -
Show Low Film FestivalShow Low, Az
Arizona Premiere
Best Short Documentary -
Redline International Film FestivalToronto, Canada
March 15, 2019
Canadian Premiere
Nominated for Best Documentary Short -
Short.Sweet. Film FestCleveland, Ohio
March 2, 2019 -
PA Indie Shorts Film FestivalStroudsburg, PA
December 9, 2018
Nominated for Best Short Documentary -
Marina Del ReyCulver city, Ca
October 17, 2018 -
The Cutting Room International Short Film FestivalManhattan, New York
October 20, 2018
New York Premiere
Nominated for Best Documentary -
EyeCatcher Film FestivalMcAlester, Oklahoma
November 9, 2018
Nominated: Best Short Documentary -
Female Filmmaker Fuse Film FestivalPasadena
United States
November 2, 2018
Best Documentary -
Lonely Seal Film FestivalBoston, MA
October 6, 2018
Massachusetts Premiere -
Rendezvous Film FestivalAmelia Island, Florida
September 20, 2018
Florida Premiere -
Silver State Film FestivalLas Vegas, NV
September 7, 2018 -
The Indie Gathering Film FestivalHudson, Ohio
United States
August 11, 2018
Ohio Premiere
Won 2nd place for Best Short Documentary -
Lionshead Film FestivalSan Antonio, TX
August 11, 2018
Texas Premiere
Best Short Documentary -
Low to No International Film FestivalLas Vegas, NV
August 18, 2018
Won Best Director of a Documentary, and The Adler Award for a Documentary -
FLY Film FestivalEnid, Oklahoma
United States
August 10, 2018
Nominated for Best Documentary -
Hollywood Dreamz Film FestivalLas Vegas, NV
August 18, 2018
Nominated for Best Political Documentary -
Silicon Beach Film FestivalLos Angeles, CA
April 29, 2018
Won the award for Best Inspirational Short Documentary -
Media Film FestivalMedia, Pennsylvania
United States
April 7, 2018
Pennsylvania premiere -
Bare Bones International Film & Music FestivalMuskogee, Oklahoma
United States
April 28, 2018
Won the award for Best Documentary Short -
Las Cruces International Film FestivalLas Cruces, New Mexico
March 4, 2018
New Mexico Premiere -
docLAHOMA Film FestivalOklahoma City, Oklahoma
United States
January 14, 2018
Oklahoma Premiere -
Culver City Film FestivalCulver City, CA
United States
December 9, 2017
Southern California Premiere
Won the Audience Award Documentary -
Big Water Film FestivalAshland, WI
United States
November 11, 2017
Wisconsin Premiere -
Action on Film FestivalLas Vegas, Nevada
United States
August 19, 2017
Las Vegas Premiere
Runner Up, Best Documentary Short -
Shortz! Film FestivalChico, Ca
United States
July 15, 2017
California Premiere -
Marquee on MainWashington, North Carolina
United States
Finalist -
Highway 61 Film FestivalPine City, MN
United States
Semi-Finalist -
Miami Independent Film FestivalMiami, Florida
United States
July monthly edition
Taryn Hough was born and raised in Southern California. Her love for cinema started at a young age, when her mother would take her to the movies every weekend, which sometimes resulted in seeing not so age appropriate films. Taryn's love for documentaries started in Jr High when she saw "American Movie" for the first time. Taryn has worked in front of and behind the camera for over 10 years. Her style of documentary filmmaking is "Observational Cinema". The Last Doll Lady is not Taryns' first film, but it is her first documentary and she hopes you enjoy it.