​​In 2012/13 Michael was an artist in resident at the UnionDocs Center for Documentary Art in Brooklyn. During the residency he collaborated with Anthony Simon on 3 short documentaries, which have screened at venues such as the MOMA PS1, the Brooklyn Film Festival,  and the Brooklyn Museum. ​​These works were contributions ​to UnionDocs' LIVING LOS SURES project, an innovative expansive documentary involving over 30 artists, which ​premiered at the 2014 NYFF.

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GOODBYE SOUTHSIDE
​(Documentary, 5 mins, HD, 2014)​

​A young woman speculates about the future and reflects on her family history as she leaves the neighborhood where she grew up.

Directed by Michael Vass
Produced by Anthony Simon
Written by Emony Sabria Jones & 
Michael Vass
Cinematography by Beyza Boyacioglu

​Watch: http://lossur.es/short-docs/goodbyesouthside/
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THIRD SHIFT 
(Documentary, 20mins, HD, 2014)

​The Domino Sugar Refinery was once an icon of the industrial workforce in S Williamsburg. Now the site is being demolished for luxury housing and commercial use. In THIRD SHIFT two former workers who still live near Domino reflect on the now-derelict refinery that was part of their lives for 30 years.
Winner of The Best Short Documentary, 2014 Brooklyn Film Festival

Directed by Anthony Simon
Produced by Michael Vass
Cinematography Tamer Hassan, Ian Johnson

Watch: http://lossur.es/short-docs/thirdshift/

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DOMINO 1989
(Documentary, 12 mins, VHS to HD,  2014)

​A time capsule of home video vignettes from 1989 filmed by Domino Sugar employee Kenny Malcom at a contentious union meeting. A companion piece to Third Shift, this found footage documentary illuminates the diversity of the Domino workforce and the empowerment they felt at the time. 

Concept / Editing by 
Anthony Simon & Michael Vass

Watch: http://lossur.es/short-docs/thirdshift/ (scroll down)






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