EAT SPIRIT EAT, by James Bird
FirstGlance Film Festival, Philadelphia’s Independent Film Festival, announced the schedule for their 16th annual event which runs Friday, September 20th through Sunday, September 22nd, 2013, at Franklin Theater in The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The festival opens on Friday, September 20th with the feature film, EAT SPIRIT EAT, by James Bird. Starring Kristin Minter from the TV series ER, it’s described as an absurdist comedy about Oliver and a pack of misfit orphans growing up in a foster home and their attempt to do the impossible. Closing the festival on Sunday Night September 22nd, is the feature film, WET BEHIND THE EARS, by Sloan Copeland. WET BEHIND THE EARS takes a comical look at joblessness and adjusting to the real world in a way that will resonate with an underemployed generation.
Friday First Night September 20th at 7:45
Join special invited guests, local press, media, filmmakers, cast, and crew for the world premiere of the feature film, EAT SPIRIT EAT, by James Bird. Starring Kristin Minter from the TV series ER, it’s an absurdist comedy about Oliver and a pack of misfit orphans growing up in a foster home and their attempt to do the impossible. Friday’s program also includes the short documentary, TREASURE – THE STORY OF MARCUS HOOK, by Valerio Ciriaci, the short film, FAR, starring Andre Hall from the TV series Love Thy Neighbor, the music video, A HOUSE, A HOME, and web series pilot, SUPER KNOCKED UP.
Saturday September 21st Matinee at 1:30
The feature documentary, SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTARY, by Les Ottolenghi, which explores the epidemic of cyber bullying, screens with the short films, BOOP BEEP and UMBRELLACORN. The web series pilot, JEDI CAMP, starring Stuart Allan and Andy Scott Harris, about dealing with childhood bullying, by local filmmaker Bill Ostroff also screens.
Saturday September 21st Afternoon at 3:00
The Philadelphia premiere of Jessica Vale’s feature documentary, SMALL SMALL THING, about the high profile case of 7-year old Liberian rape victim Olivia Zinnah, who died in 2012 from her injuries, screens with the short films UNBURDEN and GRACE PERIOD on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday September 21st Twilight at 5:15
Local filmmaker and Drexel University alumni, Amanda Danziger’s, feature documentary, THE BACKYARD PHILLY PROJECT, about four teens growing up in a Philadelphia inner-city neighborhood and how their involvement with Helping Hand Rescue Mission gave them hope, screens with the short films VANISHED, TANITH (U.S. premiere) starring Marta Gastini from the TV series Borgia, and the student short PALACE.
Saturday Night September 21st at 8:00
The feature film, PARTING WORDS, by Stanley Schofield starring Elizabeth Regan from the TV series Sherri, is the story of four best friends who are forced to come to grips with their relationship, friendship and marriages when the ailing female of the foursome makes a drunken wedding toast announcing her desire to sleep with all three of her married guy pals that she loves, before she passes away. Also screening is the short film LOST CROSSING, starring Melissa McBride from The Walking Dead, the student short, CINEPHILIa, the music video UPON YOUR ENEMY, and the web series pilot, EVENT ZERO.
Sunday September 22nd Matinee at 1:30
The 3D short documentary, DIGITAL DARKROOM, takes viewers into the fascinating world of stereoscopic photography with artists who are at the forefront of their craft, using digital tools to create imaginative works, screens with the short films LE GRAND COMBAT and THE FAY, and the 3D animated short, FOXED.
Sunday September 22nd Afternoon at 3:00
The Sunday afternoon screening includes the feature documentary, FRACK NATION. FrackNation follows journalist Phelim McAleer as he faces gun threats, malicious 911 calls and bogus lawsuits when questioning green extremists for the truth about fracking. Also screening in this program are the short film MENSCHEN and the student short FAKER CHASEr.
Sunday September 22nd Twilight at 5:15
The twilight screening includes the short documentary, WHO SHOT ROCK AND ROLL, by Steven Kochones. This documentary short explores the groundbreaking collaborations between photographers and recording artists who came together to create some of the most enduring images in rock history and features Deborah Harry, Alice Cooper, and Noel Gallagher. Also screening are the short films 725, SYNCHRONICITY and SPACE CADET, starring character actor Richard Edson from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Platoon, plus Kevin Cannon from the TV series The Unusuals. The web series pilot, SADIE, filmed on location in Philadelphia at The Legendary Dobbs and Milk & Honey by local writer/director and Temple University alumni, Nicole Agostino, also screens.
Sunday Closing Night September 22nd at 7:45
Closing the festival is the feature film, WET BEHIND THE EARS, by Sloan Copeland. Wet Behind the Ears takes a comical look at joblessness and adjusting to the real world in a way that will resonate with an underemployed generation. Also screening are the short films SIDE EFFECTS, SNUGGLE BUNNY, ZERO HOUR starring Camilla Belle from WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, and the student short AWAKEN, ‘Best Film’ at the 2013 Ten Day Film Challenge and created by New Jersey high school film students from Clearview Regional High School.