The 36th Starz Denver Film Festival (SDFF), taking place November 6 to17, 2013, announced its full Festival line-up. SDFF 2013 will screen more than 250 features, shorts, music videos and student films, along with Denver Film Society’s signature programs such as Cinema Q, Reel Social Club and Women + Film. This year, SDFF shines a spotlight on cinema from the Netherlands, known for its wildly diverse range of cinematic treasures. Fourteen Dutch films are included in the Festival line-up.
FOCUS ON A NATIONAL CINEMA: NETHERLANDS
Each year the festival shines the spotlight on one particular country in order to illuminate its range of cinematic treasures. Dutch cinema, for the most part, does not find its way onto the screens of U.S. Theaters. However, the Netherlands hosts two of the most important film festivals in the world: the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. The EYE Film Institute on the banks of the IJ waterfront in Amsterdam is a film exhibition, collections, and education wonder. Dutch cinema is wildly diverse: popular comedies dominate the local box office, off-kilter narratives punctuate major film festivals’ competition sections, and lush dramas find their way around the world. We’ve brought some of all of that to you.
Feature Films:
Borgman – DIRECTOR Alex van Wamrdam
The Girl and Death – DIRECTOR Jos Stelling
The Marathon – DIRECTOR Diederick Koopal
Matterhorn – DIRECTOR Diederik Ebbinge
The Resurrection of a Bastard – DIRECTOR Guido Van Driel
Tricked – DIRECTOR PAUL VERHOEVEN
20 Lies, 4 Parents and a Little Egg – DIRECTOR Hanro Smitsman
Warriors, Preceded by: Symbiosis – DIRECTOR Mijke de Jong
Wrong Time Wrong Place – DIRECTOR John Appel
Short Films:
Amstel – DIRECTOR Jaap van Eyck
The Animation of Man – DIRECTOR Amanda Nedermeijer
Balance – DIRECTOR Mark Ram
Chopper – DIRECTORS Lars Damoiseaux and Frederik Palmers
Sevilla – DIRECTOR Bram Schouw
CINEMA Q
Queer voices. Queer visions. Queer lives. Experience the best in films that convey every angle of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer rainbow through our Cinema Q program during the festival, as well as year-round.
Feature Films:
In The Name Of – DIRECTOR Malgorzata Szumowska
20 Lies, 4 Parents and a Little Egg – DIRECTOR Hanro Smitsman
Vic & Flo Saw a Bear – DIRECTOR Denis Côté
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? – DIRECTOR Arvin Chen
WOMEN + FILM
Women + Film is a year-round program of the Denver Film Society that not only celebrates the art and achievements of women filmmakers around the world, but also brings together an array of scholars, civil- and human-rights advocates, community leaders, and concerned members of the public to shine the spotlight on social issues through cinema and the dialogue it stimulates.
Feature Films:
American Mustang – DIRECTOR Monty Miranda
The Animal Project – DIRECTOR Ingrid Veninger
August: Osage County – DIRECTOR John Wells
Lion Ark – DIRECTOR Tim Philips
Brave Miss World – DIRECTOR Cecelia Peck
Lovely Louise – DIRECTOR Bettina Oberli
Mother, I Love You – DIRECTOR Janis Nords
The One Who Loves You – DIRECTOR Katharyn Grant
Papusza – DIRECTORS Joanna Kos and Kryzsztof Krauze
Salma – DIRECTOR Kim Longinotto
Sarah Prefers to Run – DIRECTOR Chloe Robichaud
The Truth About Emanuel – DIRECTOR Francesca Gregorini
SPOTLIGHT ON COLORADO
Colorado’s filmmaking scene continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. More often than not, filmmakers are choosing to stay and work in the state rather than moving to Los Angeles or New York. This year’s Starz Denver Film Festival features a host of locally produced feature-length films and shorts, including an amazing 3-D documentary, and six shorts from the Denver Actor Project.
Feature Films:
American Mustang – DIRECTOR Monty Miranda
An American Terror – DIRECTOR Haylar Garcia
EAT – DIRECTOR Jimmy Weber
Hanna Ranch – DIRECTOR Mitch Dickman
The One Who Loves You – DIRECTOR Katharyn Grant
Ring of Water – DIRECTOR Joel Stangle
Torn Cloth – DIRECTORS Tate Zandstra and Phil Brown
Uranium Drive-In – DIRECTOR Suzan Beraza
Short Films:
Breathe – DIRECTOR Clifton Archuleta
Capstone’s Oak – DIRECTOR Will Phelps
Caretaker – DIRECTOR Tony Gault
Chasseur – DIRECTOR Christopher Soren Kelly
The Diver – DIRECTOR Damon Mohl
Fluffy the Flying Fish – DIRECTOR Ryan Charmatz
The Happy Go-Lucky Sunshine Twins – DIRECTOR Rylan Rafferty
Love to Hate – DIRECTORS Evan and Adam Nix
More – DIRECTOR Daniel Beahm
Tongue Twister Variations– DIRECTORS Dan Boord and Luis Valdovino
Music Videos:
The Blue Riders (12-6-10) – DIRECTOR Rett Rogers
Esme Patterson (My Young Man) – DIRECTOR Rett Rogers
The Epilogues (The Fallout) – DIRECTOR Dillon Novak
Frances England (Day You Were Born) – DIRECTOR Antonina Clarke
Ian Cooke (Cassowary & Fruit Bat) – DIRECTOR Adam Singer
The Denver Actor Project:
Brought to life by producer, writer, and director Brad Stabio, the Denver Actor Project showcases the talents of local actors as they perform a variety of monologues from films and plays juxtaposed with scenes of their own creation. Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, find six of these works scattered throughout the festival screening in front of these films:
Jordan Leigh – screening prior to A Field in England
Tracy Shaffer – screening prior to The Truth About Emanuel
Chris Crundy – screening prior to Cold Turkey
Paul Page – screening prior to In the Name Of
Amie MacKenzie – screening prior to Northwest
Jeff Kosloski – screening prior to The Resurrection of a Bastard
ENVIRONMENT IN FOCUS
Environmental advocacy has become a powerful cultural touchstone; as such, it is a core concern for the 2013 Starz Denver Film Festival. The Environment in Focus program features seven cutting-edge documentaries that have the ability to inspire audiences to make a difference through their interactions with the natural world.
Hanna Ranch – DIRECTOR Mitch Dickman
Eternal Amazon – DIRECTOR Belisario Franca
Gold Fever – DIRECTORS Tommy Haines, JT Haines and Andrew Sherburne
If You Build It – DIRECTOR Patrick Creadon
Lion Ark – DIRECTOR Tim Phillips
Uranium Drive-In – DIRECTOR Suzan Beraza
MUSIC VIDEO MIXTAPE VOL. 1
New to the festival this year, SDFF presents a selection of the best new music videos from around the world. This compilation features funny, provocative, and mesmerizing videos with a wide range of genres, featuring local, international, indie, and industry-staple talent. These beg to be seen on the big screen and heard at full volume in surround sound. You might just find yourself dancing in your seat. Highlights include Placebo, “Too Many Friends,” narrated by Bret Easton Ellis; The Epilogues, “The Fall Out”; MGMT, “Your Life Is a Lie”; and Nine Inch Nails, “Came Back Haunted,” directed by David Lynch. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6:45 p.m., Sie FilmCenter & Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:45 p.m. at Sie FilmCenter.
MILLION DOLLAR MOVIES
From the ’60s to the 80s, numerous TV stations across the country showed late-night movies under the moniker “Million Dollar Movies.” From Night of the Living Dead to The Night of the Hunter. From House of Wax to House of 1000 Corpses. From Holy Mountain toHoly Motors. From The Princess Bride to Princess Mononoke. It is in this tradition that we bring back “Million Dollar Movies” as a part of SDFF’s midnight programming.
An American Terror – DIRECTOR Haylar Garcia
Bushido Man – DIRECTOR Takanori Tsujimoto
The Demon’s Rook – DIRECTOR James Sizemore
EAT – DIRECTOR Jimmy Weber
She Wolf – DIRECTOR Tamae Garateguy
PANELS
Kickstart Your Dream
So, you want to make a movie, but have no idea how to raise the money. Crowdsource fundraising has opened a world of new possibilities. Many Denver filmmakers have funded their projects through Kickstarter, and the Denver Film Society used Kickstarter to help finance the purchase of digital projectors for the Sie FilmCenter, the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and Film on the Rocks. Panel moderator Robert Denerstein will lead a nuts-and-bolts, in-depth conversation covering the basics of running a successful crowdsource campaign. How promising is crowdsource funding? What are the keys to success? The road to fundraising success has taken a new turn, but it’s best traveled with good directions and an awareness of pitfalls. Our panel will help. Saturday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m. at Sie FilmCenter.
Women + Film
Animal rightsactivists hold the idea that all animals are entitled to the possession of their own lives, and that one of their most basic interests, that of not suffering, should be championed by all. SDFF 36 presents two thought provoking films on the subject. Lion Ark,features the world’s most ambitious and daring animal rescue, in which 25 lions are airlifted to freedom to a preserve in Colorado. American Mustang, is an artful blend of documentary and a character-driven narrative about the majestic wild horses of the American West-revealed as never before in stereoscopic 3D. Both stories present the intricate interplay between animals and man, providing insights and lessons for us all. These films will stir you into action by raising awareness of the issues these animals face. Join our panelists and festival guests as they talk about their passions and fierce dedication to making a difference in the lives of animals world over. Saturday, Nov. 9, 12 p.m. at Sie FilmCenter.
The Land That Feeds Us Presented by Hanna Ranch
Hanna Ranch, an “Environment in Focus” documentary selection, introduces us to holistic ranching pioneer Kirk Hanna. Dubbed the original “eco-cowboy,” his legacy lives on in the sustainable ranching movement – which is up against grim statistics. Over the last 30 years, half a million ranchers have quit or gone out of business due to relentless encroachment of development and misuse of land. Moderated by Culinary Director of Root Down and Linger Daniel Asher, this in-depth discussion over brunch will tackle the issues facing the agriculture industry in our country today – how can it withstand continual loss? Who will be at the forefront of the sustainable agriculture movement? Who will be the stewards of the land that feeds us? Panelists: Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation, Food Inc., Command and Control), Chris Pague (The Nature Conservancy), Matthew Jones (Slow Food USA), Dale Lasater (Lasater Grasslands Beef); Brunch by: Linger & Root Down Sunday, Nov. 10, 12 p.m. at RedLine.
How To Package And Sell Your Film
Join the best film agents in the business as they discuss what is often the hardest part of making a film: the financing. Robert Denerstein moderates a conversation about best practices for packaging, financing, and selling a film, and how to navigate the ever-changing marketplace. This is the third in a quarterly series of Industry Panels supporting professional development in the Colorado filmmaking community. Saturday, Nov. 16, 12 p.m. at Sie FilmCenter.
Are Movies Breaking Bad?
Lines along various parts of the entertainment/arts continuum seem to be blurring on a daily basis. Long gone are the days when watching a movie meant buying a ticket and sitting in a Theater. But over the past decade or so, series-most aired on premium cable channels-have accomplished what many criticize the movies for not doing: focusing on characters, developing compelling stories, and dominating the national conversation. Long- form storytelling even has spread to services such as Netflix, which provide on-demand streaming as well as disc rentals. Panel moderator Robert Denerstein leads a discussion about whether the best of television now rivals and possibly surpasses movies in both relevance and artistry. Our panelists also will consider which form penetrates more deeply into the national consciousness. Were you more likely to hear watercooler talk about such cable series asBreaking Bad, Homeland, and Game of Thrones than about Argo, last year’s Oscar winner for best picture? Our panel will examine seismic shifts in the entertainment business, and chime in on whether movies are keeping pace. And, yes, we’re talking content, not just delivery systems. Sunday, Nov. 17, 12:15 p.m. at Sie FilmCenter.
Medicine And The Movies: An Eye-Opening Look At America’s Health-Care Crisis
Two vitally important festival documentaries-Code Black and Remote Medical Area-provide revealing looks at different aspects of the U.S. health- care system, emergency-room treatment and medical care for underserved rural populations. These films-both accompanied by their directors-will serve as a springboard for a wide-ranging discussion about health care from the perspective of those who have witnessed the front-line dedication of physicians who serve highly stressed communities. Amid often-acrimonious arguments over Obamacare, it’s essential to learn from the people who’ve seen the system at its best and at its worst. Local health-care officials also will join the filmmakers and panel moderator Robert Denerstein for a discussion that reminds us that documentaries can bring important issues into sharper focus while keeping us in touch with the human face behind the policy and politics that typically tend to dominate public debate. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2:15 p.m. at Sie FilmCenter.
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