Documentary Short | 19min. | 2025 | Directed by Riley Fitchpatrick

About the Film

A filmmaker returns to his hometown Oak Ridge, the secret city that built the atomic bomb. There he meets the workers who created humanity's greatest weapon, while their grandchildren inherit a world on the brink of nuclear catastrophe.

This 19-minute short documentary examines the legacy of nuclear weapons in the United States and the future it leaves behind for all of us.

Featuring present day interviews, family video archival, and the photography of Ed Westscott the famed Manhattan project photographer.

The film is executive produced by Derek Cianfrance.

BORN SECRET premiered at Film Fest Knox where it won BEST FILM MADE IN TENNESSEE and went on to win BEST FILM at Hoboken documentary Film Festival, BEST EDITING at Ouray International Film Festival, and BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY at Lighthouse International Film Festival.

The Crew

Riley Fitchpatrick
Director

Derek Cianfrance
Executive Producer

Grant Conversano
Producer

Adam Conversano
Producer & Editor

Katie Mlinek
Cinematographer

Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe
Composer

Doug Moss
Sound Designer

Orlando Wimberly III
Colorist

Poster Design By Aleks Phoenix

AWARDS

Best Film Made in Tennessee - Film Fest Knox (2025)

Best Film - Hoboken Docs Film Fest (2025)

Best Editing - Ouray Film Fest (2026) 

Best Short doc - Lighthouse IFF (2026) 

Best Film - Martinsburg Apollo Film Festival (2026)

FESTIVALS

True/False (2026)

Ouray International Film Festival (2026)

IFF Boston (2026)

New Filmmakers LA (2026)

Deadcenter International Film Festival (2026)

Lighthouse International Film Festival (2026)

Davey Fest (2026)

Oak Cliff FF (2026)

MiddleBury New Filmmakers Fest (2026)

Film Fort (2026)

Full Bloom Film Festival (2026)

Chagrin Film Festival (2026)

Macon Film Festival (2026)

Martinsburg Apollo Film Festival (2026)

El Paso Film Festival (2026)

International Uranium Film Festival (2026)

Window Rock International Film Festival (2025)

Carrboro Film Festival (2025)