20 Years Later: Honoring New Orleans Through the Power of Story

On this 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we pay tribute to the strength, culture, and brilliance in the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region—the best way we know how: by sharing stories that inspire.

We are proud to revisit Home (CIFF34 Best Documentary Short) by Matthew Faust, a poignant exploration of what it means to miss the place you call home. Alongside the film, viewers can experience a virtual scrapbook that recreates the life Faust knew in his Chalmette, Louisiana, home before the storm forever changed it.

We are equally honored to introduce a new short film making its Ohio premiere: Inspire the City: What’s The Name of Yo School?! by Edward Buckles, Jr. This uplifting film celebrates the resilience and creativity that continue to define New Orleans’ education system two decades after Katrina.

Both films remind us that storytelling is more than memory—it is a testament to perseverance, renewal, and the unbreakable ties of community.

Join us in honoring this milestone and in celebrating the strength of a city whose stories continue to uplift and inspire us all.