2024 Schedule

Palm Springs Convention Center June 11-14, 2025

“Freedom Hair,” directed by Dianne Houston, walked away with four awards at Anthem this year, including Best Narrative Feature, Best Original Score, Best Libertarian Hero for Melony Armstrong, and the Anthem Grand Prize. The film, produced by Lana Link of the Moving Picture Institute, tells the story of Armstrong’s courageous fight to secure the right “to make a living…especially for black women,” who were blocked from braiding hair due to onerous licensing laws. The film received a standing ovation from the audience.

Mikki Willis’s “The Great Awakening” won the coveted Audience Choice Award,” screening to a standing room crowd and earning a 4.91 approval rating (of a possible 5) from the audience.

The Anthem Film Festival has been called “one of the centers of film innovation… running counter to film industry practice.” At Anthem, we’re proud of being counter-cultural when it means being in favor of individuality, choice, accountability, and self-reliance.

This year our theme was “Brave New World,” and it couldn’t have been more timely as we considered Aldous Huxley’s view of a disconnected, technological future. Our audience enjoyed films about free speech and student protests, new solutions to the housing crisis, vaccine trials, transgenderism and parental rights, immigration and border control, and the “great reset” where “you will own nothing, and you will be happy.” We followed these films with lively Q&A with the directors, and provocative panel discussions where the audience joined their voices with the experts.

Be a part of Anthem! Submissions for the 2025 season will open in mid-October and will close April  8. And join us for the Anthem Film Festival at Palm Springs Convention Center June 11-14, 2025.

We’ll see you at the movies!

Wednesday 11:45am

Director: Mark Skousen Length: 15 minutes

Director: Mark Skousen

Length: 15 minutes

How to Get the Most Out of FreedomFest, with Mark Skousen

Want to get the most out of your FreedomFest experience? What's new, what's back, and what's better -- FreedomFest Producer Mark Skousen will give you the scoop! With over 200 speakers, 100 breakout sessions, 30 films, and fun social activities every night, you need help getting the most out of FreedomFest! Join producer Mark Skousen as he shares highlights of the program and what he is most looking forward to seeing, hearing, and doing this week.

Wednesday 12:00pm

Director: Jo Ann Skousen, Michael Moses Length: 15 minutes

Director: Jo Ann Skousen, Michael Moses

Length: 15 minutes

GALA OPENING OF THE ANTHEM FILM FESTIVAL

What are our can't-miss films this year? How to decide what to see? Enjoy an overview of Anthem 2024 with festival director Jo Ann Skousen. Then stay for "The Best of the Fest" -- we're bringing you the winners of the Anthem Persian Film Festival, hosted by Michael Moses. The day continues with inspiring stories of recovery and rehabilitation. Bring your snacks and settle in for a great afternoon!

Wednesday 12:15pm

Director: Omid Iranikhah Length: 26 minutes

Director: Omid Iranikhah

Length: 26 minutes

*COFFEE WITH BABA

Iranian-American Amin (Omid Iranikhah) and his immigrant father Hossein (Shary Nassimi) meet for coffee. Small talk and awkward silences turn to politics and cultural differences. The more the two men open up to each other, the more their differing worldviews drive a wedge between them. Will Amin and Hossein ever come to terms? *Best Short Narrative, Anthem Persian Film Festival.

Wednesday 12:45pm

Director: Nicholas Mihm Length: 30 minutes

Director: Nicholas Mihm

Length: 30 minutes

*BUBJAN

Parwiz Zafari, former member of the Iranian parliament, dedicated his life to cultivating a progressive, modern, and free society in Iran - before the rise of the Islamic Republic eclipsed those aspirations in 1979. The film delves into the mythology Parwiz learned as a boy and the principles that continue to guide him as a displaced elder living among the Iranian diaspora. *Exellence in Filmmaking, Anthem Persian Film Festival

Wednesday 1:25pm

Director: Rayan Farzad Length: 22 minutes

Director: Rayan Farzad

Length: 22 minutes

*HIDDEN

Parham, a young Iranian boy, feels undermined by his younger step-brother's presence. When the younger boy dies suddenly, Parham feels guilty and has to confront his inner emotions. Beautifully filmed by the late Halyna Hutchins. *Best Cinematography, Anthem Persian Film Festival

Wednesday 2:00pm

Director: Kassi Crews Length: 19 minutes

Director: Kassi Crews

Length: 19 minutes

HEART OF RECOVERY

Through intimate interviews, powerful testimonials, and a behind-the-scenes look at daily life within The Beacon House community, the documentary paints a vivid portrait of hope, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit over addiction.

Wednesday 2:20pm

Director: James Allen, Jr., Kassi Crews, Matt Kibbe, Patrick Acuna; Jo Ann Skousen, mod. Length: 25 minutes

Director: James Allen, Jr., Kassi Crews, Matt Kibbe, Patrick Acuna; Jo Ann Skousen, mod.

Length: 25 minutes

PANEL: “Road to Recovery: Solutions to Addiction and Criminal Behavior”

Wednesday 2:50pm

Director: Paul and Lori Sutton Length: 27 minutes

Director: Paul and Lori Sutton

Length: 27 minutes

FROM PEN TO PAPER

On a maximum security prison yard in southern California, 24 prisoners--mostly lifers--sat across from a dozen college students as part of an innovative and inspiring creative writing program. Through their often intimate collaboration, both groups found hope and humanity in a place where they had expected neither. Meet the formerly incarcerated men who appear in the documentary duringQ&A!

Wednesday 8:00pm

Director: The Reason Team Length: 3 minutes

Director: The Reason Team

Length: 3 minutes

AWKWARD LIBERTARIAN BABY REVEAL

A family's reveal party doesn't go as expected; this baby wants a different kind of NAP! Comedy short featuring Andrew Heaton, Austin Bragg and HiIlary Mann. You can view this film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lg1d8_-RZE

Wednesday 8:05pm

Director: Kristi Kendall Length: 73 minutes

Director: Kristi Kendall

Length: 73 minutes

UNDIVIDE US

OPENING NIGHT! Through the intimate lens of six focus groups across three American cities, UNDIVIDE US explores the twisted landscape of polarization and extreme toxic partisanship in America and uncovers the potential for healing conversation, local community, mutual respect, and classical liberal values.

Wednesday 9:20pm

Director: Kristi Kendall, Spike Cohen, Sam Noah, Chase Oliver; Naomi Brockwell, mod. Length: 30 minutes

Director: Kristi Kendall, Spike Cohen, Sam Noah, Chase Oliver; Naomi Brockwell, mod.

Length: 30 minutes

PANEL: “Common Ground: Creating Harmony in a Divided World”

Thursday 9:00am

Director: Charlotte Cuthbertson Length: 64 minutes

Director: Charlotte Cuthbertson

Length: 64 minutes

THE GOTAWAYS: THE HIDDEN BORDER CRISIS

"Gotaways" is the first documentary of its kind, a high-energy, fast-paced, front-row seat to the biggest border crisis in America’s history. Learn what it is really like to live on the southern border and how the crisis ultimately affects all of America.

Thursday 10:05am

Director: Helen Raleigh, John Lott; Jo Ann Skousen, mod. Length: 15 minutes

Director: Helen Raleigh, John Lott; Jo Ann Skousen, mod.

Length: 15 minutes

PANEL: “Immigration and the Border Crisis”

Thursday 10:30am

Director: Jen Sidorova Length: 12 minutes

Director: Jen Sidorova

Length: 12 minutes

SHABBIFICATION

“Shabbification: The Story of Rent Control” is the story of Bryan and other small property owners whose dreams of providing a better life for their families are made impossible because of the state's control of their property. The story also reveals the city's own battle, where vacant apartments and the disincentive for renovations have led to a broader urban decay.

Thursday 11:00am

Director: Ryan Caldwell Length: 8 minutes

Director: Ryan Caldwell

Length: 8 minutes

MY QUARTERLIFE CRISIS

A recent college graduate grappling with unemployment and mounting debt stumbles upon something horrific that may lead him out of his financial worries. This comedic short film delves into the struggles of today's youth, living in Mom's basement while facinn a challenging job market. Comedy short.

Thursday 11:15am

Director: Zach Weissmueller, Liz Wolfe Length: 26 minutes

Director: Zach Weissmueller, Liz Wolfe

Length: 26 minutes

WHY HOMELESSNESS IS WORSE IN CALIFORNIA THAN IN TEXAS

Homelessness has been rising in America's West Coast cities for more than a decade. To figure out why some places are so much more successful than others, we took a trip to Texas where the homeless population declined almost 30 percent over the last decade. What we found in Texas was innovation and a willingness to give local social entrepreneurs the flexibility to craft policies that best serve their homeless populations, instead of adhering to one-size-fits-all federal policies.

Thursday 11:45am

Director: Rob Montz Length: 9 minutes

Director: Rob Montz

Length: 9 minutes

THE FORGOTTEN SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING CRUNCH

Zoning laws are supposed to make neighborhoods better, but sometimes they lead to shortages, higher prices, and homelessness.

Thursday 12:00pm

Director: Jen Sidorova, Christian Britschgi, Ryan Caldwell, Sofia Hamilton; Nick Gillespie, mod. Length: 25 minutes

Director: Jen Sidorova, Christian Britschgi, Ryan Caldwell, Sofia Hamilton; Nick Gillespie, mod.

Length: 25 minutes

PANEL: “Innovative Solutions to the Housing Crisis”

Thursday 12:30pm

Director: Free the People Length: 4 minutes

Director: Free the People

Length: 4 minutes

MISGENDERING A MURDERER

Two police interrogators are flummoxed when confronting a vicious serial killer who also happens to be a demure and dainty lady… or so he, I mean she, claims. Comedy short.

Thursday 12:35pm

Director: Tobias Elvhage, Liz Morberg Length: 90 minutes

Director: Tobias Elvhage, Liz Morberg

Length: 90 minutes

GENDER TRANSFORMATION: THE UNTOLD REALITIES

What happens to the children who have been through gender transitioning therapy? What happens to the families where one or both parents don't want their children to start the treatment at a young age? And who is profiting from this trend? This documentary unveils what actually happens to those who started to change their gender, its implications for parental rights, the financial interests behind the transgender movement, and the political and societal mechanisms in play. 

Thursday 2:05pm

Director: Colin Wright, Haley Kennington, Lou Perez, Grant Brown; Jan Jekielek, mod. Length: 30 minutes

Director: Colin Wright, Haley Kennington, Lou Perez, Grant Brown; Jan Jekielek, mod.

Length: 30 minutes

PANEL:” Under Pressure: A Discussion of Trans Rights, Children’s Rights, and Parental Rights”

Thursday 2:40pm

Director: Grant Brown, Nicole Yeatman Length: 13 minutes

Director: Grant Brown, Nicole Yeatman

Length: 13 minutes

72 HOURS

Late on a July night, police officers came to the home of Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins and demanded the couple hand over their two young sons to child protection officers. Josh and Sarah were well aware of their constitutional rights and their innocence—but still found themselves helpless, unable to protect their children against the government. Most frightening of all, their story could happen to anyone.

Thursday 3:00pm

Director: Nicole Yeatman, *Josh Sabey, *Sarah Perkins, Grant Brown, mod. Length: 25 minutes

Director: Nicole Yeatman, *Josh Sabey, *Sarah Perkins, Grant Brown, mod.

Length: 25 minutes

PANEL: “What To Do When Child Protective Services Knocks on Your Door”

It can happen to anyone: A nosy bystander observes something troubling, and Child Protective Services steps in to remove your children from your home while they investigate the accusation. What are your rights? What should you do?

Thursday 3:30pm

Director: Patrick Reasonover, Daniel Richards Length: 75 minutes

Director: Patrick Reasonover, Daniel Richards

Length: 75 minutes

“Make Me a Video, HAL: AI & Storytelling” (*Anthem Theater)

Professional Filmmakers Workshop, Anthem Theater. Some say AI will end creativity as we know it. Others assert that AI can be a valuable tool that will enhance and expand our ability to create great art. Patrick Reasonover and Daniel Richards have been researching this new field and will give advice on how to use it successfully.

Thursday 7:00pm

Director: Jo Ann Skousen, Will Wallace, Anthem Filmmakers Length: 90 minutes

Director: Jo Ann Skousen, Will Wallace, Anthem Filmmakers

Length: 90 minutes

Filmmakers Reception and Master Class (*Room 130)

It's Red Carpet time! Join the party, meet our filmmakers, and learn from Hollywood icon Will Wallace as he talks about his experiences as an actor, director, and producer. In the photo below, he is directing Glen Powell and Bill Paxton in RED WING. (Tickets required)

Thursday 8:00pm

Director: Martin Durkin Length: 79 minutes

Director: Martin Durkin

Length: 79 minutes

CLIMATE, THE MOVIE (THE COLD TRUTH)

Filmed on location in the U.S., Israel, Kenya and the U.K, "Climate, The Movie," exposes the climate alarm as a quasi-scientific justification for greater state control and a funding bandwagon and justification for the publicly-funded scientific establishment, and a defining moral badge for the anti-capitalist Left. Includes interviews with senior scientists from Caltech, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, and NASA and John Clauser, who won the Nobel-prize for physics in 2022. 

Thursday 9:20pm

Director: Michael Shermer, Michael Shellenberger, Ethan Brown, Tom Nelson; Gary Alexander, mod. Length: 40 minutes

Director: Michael Shermer, Michael Shellenberger, Ethan Brown, Tom Nelson; Gary Alexander, mod.

Length: 40 minutes

PANEL: “The Truth about Climate Change”

How serious is the climate crisis? Are we headed toward a meltdown, or are we coming out of an ice age? Will government meddling make it worse?

Friday 9:00am

Director: Dianne Houston Length: 97 minutes

Director: Dianne Houston

Length: 97 minutes

FREEDOM HAIR

When Melony Armstrong, a determined mother, decides to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence, she must overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and the state of Mississippi. The real Melony Armstrong will attend the screening and answer your questions!

Friday 11:05am

Director: Evrim Inci Length: 19 minutes

Director: Evrim Inci

Length: 19 minutes

THE WALL

This fairy tale documentary of Büşra Ün, the first female tennis player to represent Turkey in the Olympics, chronicles the challenges she faced and the sacrifices she made on the way to making her dream come true.

Friday 11:30am

Director: Dugan Bridges Length: 30 minutes

Director: Dugan Bridges

Length: 30 minutes

SAKAS

Three young Nepalese friends find their lives forever changed by a corrupt system that pits them against each other. Each has a dream that is wrecked by a corrupt, bureaucratic system, but even in tragedy, their spirit and love for each other cannot be broken.

Friday 12:20pm

Director: John Papola Length: 55 minutes

Director: John Papola

Length: 55 minutes

LOVE GOV 3: THE METAVERSE OF MADNESS

It’s back to school for teacher Rose and her son Archie, but with Scott "Gov" Govinsky at the helm of the post-pandemic education system, preaching critical race theory and radical gender theory, working inside the metaverse, and even mandating his own digital money (“Gov Bucks”) it's a new (anything-but) normal. Comedy. Q&A with Patrick Reasonover.

Friday 1:30pm

Director: Cindy Drukier Length: 89 minutes

Director: Cindy Drukier

Length: 89 minutes

THE UNSEEN CRISIS: VACCINE STORIES YOU WERE NEVER TOLD

Some who took the Covid vaccine with the noblest of intentions experienced unexpected debilitating aftereffects. Instead of compassion, they were met with skepticism; instead of being helped, they were shunned; instead of being heard, they were silenced. Join us as we bring their stories out of the shadows so they can be heard and seen and no longer alone. Q&A with Alix Mayer, Cindy Drukier, and Jan Jekielek.

Friday 2:30pm

Director: Joseph Corey, Lana Link, Melony Armstrong Length: 75 minutes

Director: Joseph Corey, Lana Link, Melony Armstrong

Length: 75 minutes

“Adapted from…. Producing Films Based on True Stories and IP” (*Room 130)

Professional Filmmaker Workshop, Anthem Film Lounge. Countless pro-freedom true stories deserve to be told, and the Moving Picture Institute is leading the effort with its slate of narrative films. Learn from MPI producers Joseph Corey, Lana Link, and Melony Armstrong (FREEDOM HAIR) how they bring books and real peoples' lives to the screen, reaching audiences of millions through wide distribution deals on popular streamers.

Friday 3:15pm

Director: Matthew Wood, Tim Hedberg Length: 19 minutes

Director: Matthew Wood, Tim Hedberg

Length: 19 minutes

JAWBONED

As misinformation proliferates online, the government increasingly attempts to curb its spread, often pressuring social media platforms to take action on certain kinds of content from behind the scenes. To what extent can the government’s power to speak be used to combat online misinformation before it becomes “jawboning” against the free speech rights of private actors?

Friday 3:35pm

Director: Naomi Brockwell, Thomas Berry, Tim Hedberg, James Czerniawski; Alexa Secrest, mod. Length: 25 minutes

Director: Naomi Brockwell, Thomas Berry, Tim Hedberg, James Czerniawski; Alexa Secrest, mod.

Length: 25 minutes

PANEL: Free Speech, Social Media, and Digital Censorship

During the Covid pandemic, social media posts were regularly censored if they challenged the official story. How did they circumvent first amendment protections? And what can we do about it?

Friday 8:00pm

Director: Ignacio Alaniz, Erika Höflich Length: 70 minutes

Director: Ignacio Alaniz, Erika Höflich

Length: 70 minutes

The Animated Adventures of Jonathan Gullible

Sneak peek. This animated version of Ken Schoolland's award-winning "Adventures of Jonathan Gullible" is voiced by leaders of the liberty movement, including Tom Woods, Jennifer Grossman, Austin Peters, Larry Sharpe, Johan Norberg, Kenli Schoolland, Robert Anthony Peters, and Jo Ann Skousen.

Saturday 9:00am

Director: Eli Steele Length: 38 minutes

Director: Eli Steele

Length: 38 minutes

KILLING AMERICA

Eli Steele investigates why Bay Area high schools exploded in antisemitism and other forms of hate after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Q&A with Lou Perez.

Saturday 9:45am

Director: Aaron Reese, Tyler MacQueen Length: 15 minutes

Director: Aaron Reese, Tyler MacQueen

Length: 15 minutes

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK FOR FREE SPEECH?

Jinrey Zhang studies in Washington, D.C., where a number of dissident international students from China have set down roots. From decrying the human rights abuses surrounding the Beijing Olympics and joining the global White Paper Movement to launching an Independent Chinese Student Union, these students have embraced their free speech rights — and suffered censorship and surveillance, even half a world away from Chinese government officials.

Saturday 10:00am

Director: John Fund, Aaron Reese, Tyler MacQueen, Lou Perez; Gary Alexander, mod. Length: 25 minutes

Director: John Fund, Aaron Reese, Tyler MacQueen, Lou Perez; Gary Alexander, mod.

Length: 25 minutes

PANEL: “Balancing Act: Free Speech, Violent Speech and The Right to Protest”

Is all speech protected speech? Does speech, like actions, have consequences? Where does the law draw the line? FIRE (Foundation for Rights in Expression) has long defended unpopular speech. Do they draw a line as well? Join this provocative and timely panel that adresses student protests here and abroad.

Saturday 10:35am

Director: Ralf W. Augstroze, producer Length: 12 minutes

Director: Ralf W. Augstroze, producer

Length: 12 minutes

The American Miracle

Our nation is no accident: Divine providence in the rise of the republic. Inspired by the bestselling book by Michael Medved. Sneak peek presentation--coming to theaters (and Anthem!) 2025.

Saturday 11:00am

Director: Mikki Willis Length: 97 minutes

Director: Mikki Willis

Length: 97 minutes

THE GREAT AWAKENING

Hailed by critics as “one of the most important movies of this era,”" The Great Awakening" assembles the forbidden puzzle pieces, revealing the bigger picture - a covert agenda that aims to destroy America from the inside out. Filmmaker Mikki Willis explores topics related to COVID-19, the World Economic Forum, freedom of speech, and more.

Saturday 12:40pm

Director: Mikki Willis,Del Bigtree, Adam Coleman, Brian Thomessen; Gary Alexander, mod. Length: 30 minutes

Director: Mikki Willis,Del Bigtree, Adam Coleman, Brian Thomessen; Gary Alexander, mod.

Length: 30 minutes

PANEL: “Bravely Resisting the New World Order”

Many people suspect that the worldwide pandemic response was an early stage of the "Great Reset," the underlying agenda of those who attend the World Economic Forum at Davos, and who have been quoted saying that in the future, “You will own nothing—and you will be happy.” This concept is actually introduced on page 4 of Brave New World, and will be discussed in this panel following the screening of "The Great Awakening."

Saturday 1:20pm

Director: Free the People Length: 8 minutes

Director: Free the People

Length: 8 minutes

LATINX-FILES

Scully and Mulder are on the prowl for a new kind of alien: the elusive Latinx. Supposedly there are 62.5 million LatinX in the United States, but after searching every barrio, vecindad, manzana, and caserío in the country, the agents still haven’t found anyone who identifies as LatinX. Is LatinX as mythical as the chupacabra? Will Mulder and Scully ever get to the truth?  Starring comedian Lou Perez.

Saturday 1:30pm

Director: Ian Reid Length: 18 minutes

Director: Ian Reid

Length: 18 minutes

UNWOKE, INC.

From iconic beer companies to your favorite retail brands, wokeism has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our culture. In PragerU’s short documentary, Unwoke Inc., Amala Ekpunobi embarks on a cross-country journey to speak with pro-American leaders and entrepreneurs in business, academia, sports, and finance to understand how we got here and what we can do to fight back and win against the woke industrial complex. Q&A with Ian Reid, Thomas Pack. You can view this film here.

Saturday 2:15pm

Director: Penny Zhou Length: 64 minutes

Director: Penny Zhou

Length: 64 minutes

HOLLYWOOD TAKEOVER: CHINA’S CONTROL OF THE FILM INDUSTRY

Producers of "Top Gun: Maverick" attempted to strip the Taiwanese and Japanese flags from Tom Cruise’s jacket; writers of "Iron Man 3" inserted a Chinese doctor into the movie who saves the life of Tony Stark. Is this "artistic license"? Or something more sinister? Why does the CCP want so desperately to control Hollywood? And what can we do about it? Q&A with Cindy Drukier, Thomas Pack.

Saturday 3:45pm

Director: The Reason Team Length: 4 minutes

Director: The Reason Team

Length: 4 minutes

EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL: BOARDGAMES

A lighthearted look at board game instructions -- if everything were political. Comedy short featuring Andrew Heaton and Austin Bragg. You can view this film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4hrF_qf93E

Saturday 3:49pm

Director: Will Keizer Length: 3 minutes

Director: Will Keizer

Length: 3 minutes

REACH NEW HEIGHTS WITH FRANK WEBER

Frank Weber, your libertarian candidate for office, has some important things he wants to tell America, as he announces the beginning of his campaign with his slacker pals. Listen up to Frank’s eloquent campaign-launching message to you, his future constituents. Comedy short.

Saturday 3:52pm

Director: Paul Guay Length: 8 minutes

Director: Paul Guay

Length: 8 minutes

THE GODFATHER

What happens in a world that encourages supplicants to suck up for favors -- any favors at all, no matter how stupid or evil or insane? What happens when that world rewards the man who grants them? Power abhors a vacuum cleaner. This short comedy is set in the world of really organized crime. 

Saturday 4:00pm

Director: Lou Perez, Ryan Caldwell, Paul Guay, Will Keizer; Matt Battaglia, *mod. Length: 25 minutes

Director: Lou Perez, Ryan Caldwell, Paul Guay, Will Keizer; Matt Battaglia, *mod.

Length: 25 minutes

PANEL: “The Lighter Side: Why Comedy Counts”

Talk with our resident comedians about their art.

Saturday 6:00pm

Director: Anthem Filmmakers, Festival Director Jo Ann Skousen Length: 45 minutes

Director: Anthem Filmmakers, Festival Director Jo Ann Skousen

Length: 45 minutes

Champagne Toasts and Awards Ceremony

Who will win the coveted film awards? Join the glitz of awards night and toast the filmmakers in the Anthem Theater Saturday evening, 6:00 pm. Your FreedomFest badge is your ticket to the festivities.