Fall 2023 Documentary Showcase Shrestha

Ashish Shrestha
The South Trail (short film)

I have always enjoyed being in nature and felt a special connection with it. It is a kind of meditation for me. When I arrived at Oxford, the first thing I looked for was a place where I could go for walking, hiking and running. I found a South Trail nearby and started exploring it. I was impressed by the woods when I first visited there. There is a big wide straight main trail and different numbers of sub trails, small ponds, wooden bridges and biking trails. I did my first field work assignment there.

I also discovered a small organization called Wonder Walks run by Mrs. Katie. It is about outdoor/nature education for the kids. The kids enjoy the experience so far and are always excited to come into the woods. I think it is very important for the kids to spend time in nature and understand it very closely.

My film will simply show the beauty, activities and importance of the South Trail. I will use different landscape shots without any subjects to show the beauty of the Trail. My film will show the place in two different seasons: summer and fall. Likewise, the activities will include kids hiking, playing and painting. Lastly, I will use happy portrait shots of the kids to show the importance of the place. My documentary will be non-narrative and observational. I will try to use my cinematography skills and try different techniques.

Mr. Brown’s Farm (photography)

Mr. Brown is a local farmer based in Water Valley, Mississippi. He is a senior citizen who has been farming for 43 years, following the footsteps of his parents. He grows mushrooms, green vegetables, fruits and herbs on his farm, and raises livestock such as chickens and goats. He occasionally gets some help, but most of the work on the farm is done by himself, from operating machines and building structures to taking care of everything on the farm. He brings his products to the Oxford community market for sale. He believes that community markets are a very good platform for local independent farmers to sell their products and connect with customers.

This project aims to simply show his journey from farm to market and his love for farming despite many challenges. He is a kind and generous person who loves to share his story. You can see pictures of him working on the farm and selling his products in the market.

My name is Ashish Shrestha and I am a self-motivated film maker and traveler from Nepal. My interest in film making stems from my passion for traveling. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I started exploring the rural parts of my country, especially the Himalayan region. I was fascinated by the diversity of people, cultures, communities and places that I encountered, and I felt the urge to share their stories. I learned film making through the internet and from my friends. My country is my biggest inspiration for my film making. I love cinematography and editing, and I want to improve my storytelling skills. I am an outdoor person who enjoys discovering new places, foods, cultures and people.