USA 2025
Opening June 4, 2026

Directed by: Kate Beecroft
Writing credits: Kate Beecroft
Principal actors: Tabatha Zimiga, Porshia Zimiga, Scoot McNairy, Jennifer Ehle, Jesse Thorson, Chancey Ryder Witt, Clay Pateneaude, Leanna Shumpert, Brynn Darling, Ryan Caraway 

Director Kate Beecroft’s debut film East of Wall truly captures the American contemporary dilemma portrayed in this Western drama. Set in the Badlands of South Dakota, this docu-fiction film focuses on a family struggling with their unresolved grief and as a patchwork family are trying to survive a rough road ahead. Instead of a Western tale with cowboys, this one takes the reins by the hand and is led by a strong matriarch figure Tabatha who has become a legendary horse whisper in these parts as she takes on rescue horses, trains them, and sells them to keep her family’s economic situation afloat. Tabatha provides refuge to a group of rebellious neighborhood youths which include many young Native Americans. This film shows how complicated the political system is and how hard it is to reach and help on another.

Tabatha is not only a strong female figure but shows her vulnerability mostly when it comes to her very talented rodeo star daughter Porshia. Porshia has a natural talent and is a horse of a different color where she truly feels the nature of the land and had a very special connection to her father who she grieves. Can Porshia forgive her mother for closing up in her moments of grieving? Will this family survive and find a solution to save the ranch? Will they be able to overcome all the outside influences which are trying to change their paths to be successful? This is a hard, raw film that is poetically beautifully told and should not be missed. It has already premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and has won the Audience Award. (Shelly S.)