In an era of deepening political fractures, a new documentary is making a stop in the Central Valley to test a simple proposition: that Americans have more in common than their voting records suggest. Award-winning filmmaker Dave Rosenberg brings the first installment of his series BRIDGING THE GAP to Porterville for a free community event designed to spark conversation rather than confrontation.
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Galaxy Theatres Porterville at 631 N. Indiana Street will host the screening, followed by a live Q&A moderated by Taha Saleh. Saleh, a lifelong Porterville resident, local business owner, and candidate for Porterville City Council District 2, will help guide the discussion. The event is open to the public and specifically welcomes residents with differing political views to engage in dialogue about the divisions facing the country.
The three-part documentary chronicles Rosenberg and producer Susan Gorrell—two Americans who sit on opposite ends of the political spectrum—as they traverse the United States over 23 days. Their journey brings them into conversations with community leaders, public figures, and everyday Americans, all aimed at understanding how political differences affect relationships and whether those divides are truly as wide as they seem. What starts as an examination of political polarization evolves into a deeper look at the individuals behind the positions, challenging the assumption that Americans with opposing beliefs have little in common.
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“I made BRIDGING THE GAP because I believe we’re not nearly as divided as we’re led to believe,” said Rosenberg. “After traveling across America and speaking with people from all walks of life, I discovered that beneath our political differences, we share many of the same hopes, fears, and dreams. My hope is that this screening reminds people that we don’t have to agree with one another to care about one another. The bridge begins when we start listening again.”
Rosenberg, who resides in Los Angeles, found his way to Porterville through his longtime friendship with Saleh. That personal connection embodies one of the film’s central themes: that strong relationships and shared goals don’t require agreement on everything. Bringing the documentary to town shines a spotlight on the hardworking residents of Porterville and the broader Valley—people who help build and feed the nation and shape its future, yet whose voices are too often overlooked.
An actor, writer, producer, and educator, Rosenberg has built a career across television, film, theater, and digital media. He wrote, produced, and starred in the independent feature THE REUNION, which earned Best U.S. Showcase Feature Film at the 2021 SOHO International Film Festival, where cast member Cara Ronzetti also took home the award for Best Acting Performance in a Leading Role. His other credits include the comedy web series ISMS.
BRIDGING THE GAP marks Rosenberg’s directorial debut, with Gorrell—Executive Director of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival—serving as his counterpart on the journey. Their opposing political views anchor the series, and their conversations, along with those they have with people nationwide, offer an unfiltered look at how Americans navigate disagreement in everyday life.
The November 1 screening is free and open to all. Attendees will have the chance to watch the documentary and hear directly from Rosenberg about the experience of making the series.
EVENT INFORMATION
BRIDGING THE GAP – A Special Community Screening & Conversation
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Galaxy Theatres Porterville
631 N. Indiana Street, Porterville, CA 93257
Admission: Free and open to the public
Special Guests: Filmmaker Dave Rosenberg and community leader Taha Saleh
Program: Screening of the first episode of BRIDGING THE GAP, followed by a live Q&A moderated by Saleh
For more information about BRIDGING THE GAP and to view the official trailer, visit https://www.bridgingthegapmovie.com/.
ABOUT BRIDGING THE GAP
BRIDGING THE GAP is a three-part documentary series directed by Dave Rosenberg and featuring producer Susan Gorrell. The project follows the two filmmakers, who hold opposing political views, on a 23-day journey across the United States. Through interviews and conversations with Americans from different backgrounds, the series examines the country’s political divisions and the experiences people continue to share despite their differences.
Why it matters: In a time when political polarization often dominates headlines, this screening offers a local, in-person opportunity to test the film’s premise that listening across differences is possible. For Porterville residents and others in the Valley, the event frames civic engagement not as a battle to be won, but as a conversation worth having.
Lisa Malcolm
Lynk PR
+1 818-296-9763
