Water Cooler

THE FILM
The Trump administration has turned immigration courts into deportation traps. As ICE agents wait to arrest their targets outside of courtrooms, their banal conversations clash with the severity of their actions. This observational short documentary — filmed by director Emma V.F. in New York's Federal Plaza from November 2025 through January 2026 — captures the virulent callousness of ICE agents detaining migrants who are trying to stay in the country legally.

THE FUNDRAISER
WATER COOLER received the Best Documentary Short award at Palm Springs International Shortfest 2026, qualifying it for Academy Award consideration. While screening in many prestigious film festivals this fall, WATER COOLER is competing to make the Oscars shortlist of the year’s 15 best doc shorts. This is a singular opportunity to share the film with a large and influential audience and to shine light on injustice that the U.S. government is perpetrating. This fundraiser will support the film's rollout and publicity.

In August, WATER COOLER won the Breaking Boundaries First Place prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and was nominated for the HollyShorts Film Festival Social Impact Award. Critically acclaimed filmmakers Sam Pollard, Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne and Blair Foster have joined the project as executive producers.

WHY NOW
It is a critical time to support coverage of ICE: The Trump administration reached a record number of immigration-related arrests this summer, with more than 50,000 arrests per month in August and July. These arrests tear families apart but go underreported as ICE carries out a so-called “shadow surge” away from cameras and press.

Thank you for your consideration. We sincerely appreciate donations of any size!