Often the most profound acts of humanity emerge in places where people are confronting their greatest fears.
That possibility forms the foundation of Our Kind, a 21-minute, 28-second short film directed by Nia Hill that has been named an official finalist for the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF).
Produced by Gingi Rochelle and Antina Campbell, the drama features Starletta DuPois, Eric Roberts, Kyrel Jaundoo, and Malinda Williams.
Set in a hospital waiting room, the story brings together a young Black artist, his grandmother and a dying white man whose encounter forces them to confront questions of prejudice and faith.
As the characters navigate a difficult moment, an act of compassion becomes the catalyst for a potentially life-changing experience.
The production joins the PVIFF finalist lineup ahead of the festival’s Nov. 5-8 gathering in Atlanta, where independent filmmakers will compete for recognition through professional judging and audience participation.
When Compassion Challenges Division
At the center of Our Kind is an unexpected encounter among individuals whose lives intersect in the emotionally charged environment of a hospital.
A young Black artist and his grandmother find themselves connected to a dying white man under circumstances that bring issues of racial prejudice and personal belief into focus.
The hospital waiting room provides a setting where ordinary routines give way to questions of vulnerability, uncertainty and human connection.
In such an environment, the differences that shape people’s experiences do not simply disappear.
Instead, the film’s premise places those differences at the center of a confrontation involving prejudice, faith and the decision to act with compassion.
The story raises questions about how deeply held attitudes can influence the way individuals perceive one another, particularly when they are forced to navigate situations beyond their control.
Yet Our Kind also introduces the possibility of transformation.
An act of compassion becomes the defining element of an encounter that might otherwise remain shaped by division.
Through that moment, the film examines whether empathy can create a meaningful connection between people whose experiences and perspectives may appear worlds apart.
Faith, Prejudice and the Meaning of Humanity
One of the central themes of Our Kind is the relationship between personal belief and the treatment of others.
Faith can shape how people understand suffering, responsibility and the importance of compassion. Prejudice, meanwhile, can create barriers that influence whether individuals extend that compassion beyond familiar social and cultural boundaries.
By bringing these ideas together, the film’s premise invites audiences to consider how beliefs are reflected in human behavior.
The presence of a dying man introduces an additional dimension to the story.
Mortality has a way of bringing unresolved questions into sharper focus, including questions about forgiveness, dignity and the relationships people form with those around them.
For the young artist and his grandmother, the encounter presents circumstances in which compassion becomes more than an abstract principle.
The film’s central conflict invites reflection on the choices people make when confronted with another person’s vulnerability.
It also raises a broader question: Can one meaningful act challenge assumptions that have shaped how people understand one another?
Rather than offering a detailed account of the characters’ eventual choices or the consequences that follow, the submitted synopsis leaves the nature of the life-changing encounter for audiences to discover.
A Hospital Waiting Room as a Place of Reckoning
The setting of Our Kind adds an important dimension to its central themes.
Hospital waiting rooms are places where individuals from different backgrounds may find themselves sharing space during moments of profound uncertainty.
The setting can bring together people who might otherwise have little reason to interact, creating circumstances in which unfamiliar lives briefly intersect.
In Our Kind, that shared environment becomes the foundation for a story about prejudice and compassion.
The contrast between the characters’ backgrounds and the vulnerability surrounding their encounter allows the film to explore questions about the boundaries people establish between themselves and others.
Its title also invites consideration of what it means to define someone as belonging to one’s own community.
Those definitions can be shaped by race, personal experience, shared beliefs or cultural expectations.
The film’s premise challenges audiences to reflect on whether compassion should be limited by such distinctions.
With a runtime of 21 minutes and 28 seconds, Our Kind brings these questions into a concentrated dramatic narrative centered on human connection and the possibility of change.
Meet the Filmmakers and Cast
Nia Hill directs Our Kind, with Gingi Rochelle and Antina Campbell serving as producers.
The ensemble cast includes Starletta DuPois, Eric Roberts, Kyrel Jaundoo and Malinda Williams.
The production examines themes of racial prejudice, faith, mortality and empathy through an encounter involving a young Black artist, his grandmother and a dying white man.
Its selection as a PVIFF finalist places the film among the independent productions recognized for the festival’s 2026 competition.
PVIFF Finalists Compete Through Judging and Audience Engagement
The 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival is incorporating professional judging and audience participation into its finalist evaluation process.
Under the festival’s announced scoring structure, 70% of each finalist’s overall competition score will come from evaluations by judges representing PVIFF and JaroGO. The remaining 30% will be determined by audience engagement through the JaroGO streaming platform.
Participating finalist films are scheduled to be available on JaroGO during a limited competition viewing period, allowing audiences to watch, rate, and comment on the selected productions.
The initiative gives independent filmmakers additional visibility while extending the festival experience beyond traditional theatrical screenings.
JaroGO is available on iOS and Android in the United States and Canada.
About the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival
Founded in 2005, the Peachtree Village International Film Festival has developed into a platform connecting independent filmmakers, actors, producers, writers and entertainment professionals with audiences and industry opportunities.
Operating under its guiding philosophy, “It Takes a Village,” PVIFF combines film screenings and awards with professional development opportunities, industry panels, masterclasses and networking experiences.
The 2026 festival will take place Nov. 5-8 in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing its commitment to supporting independent voices and expanding access within the entertainment industry.
Our Kind enters this year’s competition as an official finalist, with award results to be determined through the festival’s judging and audience-engagement process.
For additional information about PVIFF 2026, visit https://www.pviffatl.com/.
Film at a Glance
Title: Our Kind
Director: Nia Hill
Producers: Gingi Rochelle, Antina Campbell
Cast: Starletta DuPois, Eric Roberts, Kyrel Jaundoo, Malinda Williams
Runtime: 21 minutes, 28 seconds
Genre: Drama
Festival Status: Official Finalist — PVIFF 2026
Festival Dates: Nov. 5-8, 2026
Festival Location: Atlanta, Georgia
