A kaleidoscopic portrait of a place and its people, Dwarf Neon Mayfield travels the Kentucky countryside following a twin set of storms of historic intensity. Humans and animals alike traverse the new contours of their world while left to live amongst the wreckage, unfolding into an intimate panorama of the rural imaginary in upheaval. Elemental images of the living and the dying form a singular impression of America's deepest interior; what of the old world remains?
Screenings:
Atlanta Film Festival - May 2026 - Jury Award Best Cinematography
Mimesis Documentary Festival - Aug 2026 - Grand Jury Award Best Documentary
New/Next Film Festival - Oct 2026
The Downtown Festival - Oct 2026
Tacoma Film Festival - Oct 2026
Los Angeles TBA
More TBA
JURY AWARD — BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
presented by Panavision
50TH ATLFF
"The word 'bravery' came quickly to mind as we discussed our winning film. To landscapes and lives that have been shocked and disrupted by the force of nature, it brings an eye filled with patience and gentleness. From this delicacy, this camera surfaces images of great tenderness; the care in its handling inspires vulnerability and truth-telling in what it documents."
Winner — Dwarf Neon Mayfield
GRAND JURY AWARD — BEST DOCUMENTARY
MIMESIS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
"A tornado swept through a constellation of cities. Years later, a filmmaker sets out on a journey. Through sensitive listening and humanistic perspective, the film makes us reflect on those who stay in these devastated cities after a natural disaster. Between darkness and light, the film invites us to explore this portrait of today's United States and propose a collective way out. As the poet Antonio Machado said: 'Only the people will save the people.' The award for Best Documentary goes to Dwarf Neon Mayfield by Leland Nally."