Bentonville Film Festival (BFF)

  • Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival Announces 2018 Dates

    [caption id="attachment_24894" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain[/caption] The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) co-founded by Academy Award® winner Geena Davis, announced the dates for the fourth annual festival, returning to Bentonville, Arkansas May 1 to 6, 2018. “It’s exciting to watch the filmmaking community and senior industry executives come together to support women & diverse voices,” said Davis. “Word is traveling that BFF identifies these voices and connects them with partners who’ll ensure that their stories reach wider audiences. We look forward to presenting all forms of media and providing unique opportunities for storytellers.” Added BFF co-founder Trevor Drinkwater, “As we enter our fourth year, BFF is focused on accelerating the entertainment industry’s emphasis on producing and integrating diversity into mass media. The business imperative is clear: content that is gender balanced and inclusive performs better. BFF is working hard to provide a platform for the next generation of creators who’ll produce the content that inspires all young minds to do great things.” BFF kicks off its year-round season on October 11 with the World Premiere of “6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain” at the AMC Fiesta Square in Fayetteville, Arkansas with stars Mira Sorvino, Sarah Dumont, director Scott Waugh and writer Madison Turner, along with the subject of the true-life story, Eric LeMarque. The film first screened in the Showcase section at the 2017 Bentonville Film Festival and tells the story of former professional hockey player LeMarque (played by Josh Hartnett), a double amputee who leads an inspiring life after a harrowing struggle for survival. “6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain” chronicles LeMarque’s struggles after being stranded atop a mountain for eight days during a snowstorm. He is forced to face his past and come to terms with his personal demons and rediscover the power of faith within in order to survive. Tooley Entertainment and Sonar Entertainment fully financed the film which hits theaters for an exclusive cinema premiere on Thursday, October 12 and will be available on demand and digital HD on Friday, October 13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s30aDnoz-LE The 2018 festival submissions for the BFF Film Competition will open on October 2, 2017 and close December 12, 2017. There is also a late submission deadline of January 12, 2018. Films accepted into the festival will be announced March 2018.

    Read more

  • Geena Davis’ 2017 Bentonville Film Festival Reveals Panels and Showcase Films Lineup

    [caption id="attachment_22153" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Everything, Everything Everything, Everything[/caption] The 2017 Bentonville Film Festival kicks off today May 2nd, and will feature a panels lineup that builds upon the mission-oriented foundation set in the previous years, while boldly expanding into progressive conversations surrounding comedy, music, toys, tech, and STEAM. The festival is brining back favorites like the Samsung Create Student Short Film Competition and the star-studded “Geena and Friends” panel featuring Meg Ryan and Brooklyn 99’s Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz, which invites some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces to participate in a live script-reading of iconic scenes from popular films with one catch: all major roles are gender-swapped to prove to the audience, in a fun way, that women characters can do anything male characters can do. The panel “In Control of Her Own Destiny” asks what would happen if we gave all young girls the ability to forge their own path, free from the weight of implicit bias? It will feature actress Judy Greer. Filmmaker and actor William H. Macy will be joining us on our “Stories Matter” panel. We’re excited to announce our partnership with Snapchatter CyreneQ, who will be presenting “Through Our Lenses,” a visual compilation of diverse perspectives created by Snapchatters around the world. We are also collaborating with the IW Group to screen the documentary “Relocation: Arkansas,” and host a panel to discuss the history of Japanese-American internment camps in Northwest Arkansas and the power of healing through art and acceptance. Director Stanley Nelson will share with attendees his film, “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities.” Outside of the Narrative, Documentary, Spotlight, Episodic, and Short Film Competitions, the festival has hand-selected this year’s Showcase films to provide a series of screenings that celebrate recent works from major studios that embody that changes we hope to see in the entertainment industry. These films include the heartwarming 2017 Sundance favorite, “Step” from Fox Searchlight (director and cast in attendance) and the intimate Latino family drama, “Lowriders” starring Gabriel Chavarria, Demian Bichir, Theo Rossi, and Eva Longoria from Universal. Lionsgate will be presenting Saban’s “Power Rangers;” panel with director Dean Israelite and actress Becky G to follow. The festival will also showcase short films, “The Forever Tree,” co-written and produced by Chrishaunda Lee Perez and starring Olivia Washington and “Writer’s Block,” starring Jane Lynch.

    SPECIAL SCREENING EVENTS

    Everything, Everything Directed by Stella Meghie and written by J. Mills Goodloe. (USA). A teenager, who’s lived a sheltered life because she’s allergic to everything, falls for the boy who moves in next door. Immediately after the screening, Warner Bros. and MGM invites you to a moderated discussion with director Stella Meghie and novelist Nicola Yoon. STEP Directed by Amanda Lipitz. (USA) The senior year of a girls’ high school step team in inner-city Baltimore is documented, as they try to become the first in their families to attend college. The girls strive to make their dancing a success against the backdrop of social unrest. Q&A with director and cast will follow. DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Bumblebee and Katana square off against Korugar Academy in the Intergalactic Games, but trouble is in the air as Lena Luthor takes advantage of the gathering of the Supers to enact her villainous plan! In addition to product giveaways and toy samples on displays from toylines inspired by Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming action adventure feature film ‘Wonder Woman,’ Warner Bros. Consumer Products is also excited to bring out the real DC Super Hero Girls costume characters who will be available for photo opportunities Friday and Saturday! Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Dir: Stanley Nelson (USA) A haven for Black intellectuals, artists and revolutionaries-and path of promise toward the American dream-Black colleges and universities have educated the architects of freedom movements and cultivated leaders in every field. They have been unapologetically Black for 150 years. For the first time ever, their story is told. Following the screening, a moderated discussion with film representatives will follow. Painted Woman Directed by James Cotton (USA). A young woman with a dark past finds wisdom in her identity in the romance of the old west. Following the screening, the filmmakers will be joined by panelists from Starz, the Screen Actors Guild, and Walmart to share solutions they’ve discovered in the quest to defend diversity and improve gender representations in film. Relocation, Arkansas: Aftermath of Incarceration Directed by Vivienne Schiffer and Johanna Demetrakas (USA). This film explores the effect of the Japanese American incarceration experience in Arkansas during WWII on the generation that was born after the camps closed, the unlikely tale of those Japanese Americans who remained behind, and the even more unlikely tale of how a small town Arkansas mayor became a legend in the Japanese American community. Themes surrounding the complexity and hypocrisy of race relations in America and the journey toward forgiveness and understanding across cultural boundaries are just two of the many reasons this compelling story must be told. Saban’s Power Rangers Directed by James Cotton (USA) 2017. The film follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers. Moderated panel discussion with director Dean Israelite and actress Becky G (Trini/yellow ranger) will follow. “Through Our Lenses” with Snapchatter CyreneQ Location/Time TBA Through Our Lenses is a Snapchat-made documentary told by 30 individuals inviting us to get a glimpse of their daily life. Each storyteller captured and edited their own documentary with only a smartphone and the app Snapchat. By allowing the storytellers to document themselves, it gives the most authentic representation of their lives, through their very own lenses. Come see the story of artists, musicians, nomads, thrill seekers and so much more, told and created by the amazing individuals themselves.

    BFF LEGACY SERIES

    Each year, the Bentonville Film Festival pays homage to early pioneers and icons of film. In 2017, this tradition will be continued through two efforts: first, with a video-based exhibition at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art focused on pioneers of African-American cinema and second, with the following ground-breaking screenings at BFF, of early films that broke barriers for women and diverse voices: “The White Raven” Directed by George D. Baker. (USA) A young woman swears revenge on the man who left her father destitute in the Yukon gold fields. She tracks him to the opera houses of New York, where he is a director, but the man’s daughter and a mysterious stranger combine to disrupt her plans. In an effort to recreate the authentic audience experience of its time, this 1917 silent film will be accompanied by a live pianist. “Hamlet” Directed by Svend Gade, Heinz Schall. (Denmark) This revolutionary 1921 silent film sees Hamlet made into a female character – a princess forced to masquerade as a man by her scheming mother. This film will also be accompanied by a live pianist. “The Flute of Krishna” Early Color Film made in 1925 by Eastman Kodak. Martha Graham’s dance “The Flute of Krishna” is performed in front of the camera by students from the Eastman School of Music.

    PANELS

    From Script to Screen – with American Cinema Inspires and UP TV American Cinema Inspires will offer insight into the upcoming UP TV movie Runaway Romance as well as other upcoming and recent projects including the use of VR. The panel will include the CEO/President and Founder of UP TV, Charley Humbard, Veteran Producers George Shamieh and Chevonne O’Shaughnessy of American Cinema Inspires, Runaway Romance novel writer Miralee Ferrell and CEO of Observe Media, Travis Cloyd. Inclusion: Does That Include Me? What does it mean to be underrepresented? How do we champion inclusion without excluding anyone? Geena Davis leads a panel discussion dedicated to diversity, exposing our own implicit bias, encouraging connection, empathy, and more. A lively round of Inclusion-inspired 5-Second Rule by PlayMonster will serve as a conversation catalyst for panelists from Wonder Crew, Coca-Cola, Mars and Walmart, who will share their gamified insights. Lights! Camera! Inclusion! Actor Joey Travolta founded ‘Inclusion Films’ to support and empower individuals with developmental disabilities by creating custom-designed filmmaking workshops and camps. Actress and advocate Jane Seymour and his fellow panelists help us identify resources in our own lives to empower us to become agents for good, right where we are. Stories Matter Storytelling is the oldest form of entertainment and a good tale is timeless. But if great responsibility comes with great power, what did the power of narrative ask of us 100 years ago? What does it ask of us today? And what will it implore us to do tomorrow? To answer these questions, a handful of the industry’s best and brightest examine story as one of the most effective tools for social change. Storytelling through Music In a week dedicated to the visual mediums of film and television, we take a moment to recognize recording artists who use sound and the power of mission-driven music to advocate for the causes that matter most. Hollywood is Not Your Prince Charming Women filmmakers, producers, directors, actors are not freelancers but are becoming self-made. To become self-made is the new ticking clock for women, it’s not if but when. The times we live in demand that women become financially self-reliant. There is no Prince Charming that will come and save us, no mate, no boss, no studio so we must all learn the trick to find the hidden money in America and go get our own chips! We must create a life equally grounded in Mission and in Money. The State of Womanhood In this session A+E Networks’ Ad Sales executives, Marcela Tabares, SVP Strategic Insights, Joetta Gobell, VP, Primary Research Strategic Insights and Amy Baker, EVP, deconstruct what defines who “she” is and how “she” responds to advertising as well as diving deeper on how marketers can be thinking about catering to the female audiences that feel underrepresented in media. Girls Rule What do some of TV’s most strong, inspiring and provocative female characters have in common? A team of strong, inspiring and provocative women who are responsible for bringing them to the screen, and to life. Karen Bailey, Maril Davis, Emma Frost and Tanya Saracho, showrunners and executives behind television hits including “Outlander,” “The White Queen,” “The White Princess” and more, share their stories and advice on creating premium dramas and empowering female voices in all stages of development and production. In Control Of Her Own Destiny What would happen if we gave all young girls the ability to forge their own path, free from the weight of implicit bias? Is it even possible? Well, it is possible, especially when we work together. These women share the tools they use in their personal and professional lives to make that possibility a reality. Progress vs. Perfection Presented by Mattel Whether you’re an individual or a business, when striving for gender equality and cultural diversity, fear of failure and the paralyzing desire to “do it right” can keep you from ever reaching the finish line. If we wish to leave behind a legacy of lasting change, these panelists explain why the future is counting on us to seek progress, and not unattainable perfection, to measure our success. Gender Norms in Entertainment Presented by Common Sense Media In today’s media world, kids are flooded with messages about how they should look and act. As parents navigate entertainment for their children, how women, girls, men, and boys are portrayed on screen is critical — something that 80% of surveyed Common Sense members agree on and want more information about. In this panel, we’ll discuss why this topic is so important for kids, families, content creators, and more. Geena and Friends Presented by L’Oreal Each year, Geena Davis and a handful of celebrity friends come together to swap gender roles while reading scenes from some of Hollywood’s favorite scripts to expose implicit bias and have some fun! This year’s guests include Brooklyn 99’s Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz, Meg Ryan, and other special guests! If You Can Read it, See It, Play It, Be It… All forms of media have the power to inspire and change lives. That’s why our founder Geena likes to say, “If they can see it, they can be it.” Looking beyond film and television, this event showcases forward-looking companies, innovative artists, and cutting-edge creators on their mission to create BOOKS, GAMES, TOYS, and TECH that inspire everyone.

    STEM to STEAM

    Adding the “A” for Arts to STEM creates STEAM. Creativity is important to fueling the innovation that companies seek in order to stay competitive. The solution to narrowing the STEM pipeline gap and innovation may lay in the arts for engaging the underrepresented demographic of girls and kids of color. This panel is dedicated to demonstrating why the Arts are just as essential as the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Kids: Shaping Tomorrow’s Influencers Today Presented by Mattel If our destiny is diversity, then it’s never too early to begin these important conversations with our kids. Meet the children’s television programmers and product developers who have dedicated their life’s work to making those conversations a little bit easier. Game Changers Success in Sports hinges on teamwork and collaboration. We rise together or fall together… Winning does not discriminate. These game changers discuss what inspired them to accomplish the incredible! Sustainability: Going Further Recycle, reduce, reuse, right? Sustainability actually goes way beyond all that. From managing our natural resources to maintaining health, safety, and labor rights for workers, learn why this issue is becoming increasingly vital to all industries and discover what inspired our panelists to commit significant portions of their lives to fighting for this cause. #OurPurposeIsProgress Samsung Create Student Short Film Competition Student filmmakers were challenged to make a short film based on the mission of BFF by utilizing the incredibly powerful Samsung Galaxy phone and tablet. The top films will premier at BFF followed by a Q&A with the student filmmakers. A League Of Their Own 25h Anniversary Game Yes it has been 25 years! Join our BFF’s Geena Davis, select cast members from the film, and the Rockford Peaches for an afternoon at the ballpark with the family. The game will feature Celebrity and Professional athletes competing against our BFF partners. And remember, “THERE IS NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!”

    SHOWCASE FILMS

    3 Generations, directed by Gaby Dellal, written by Nikole Beckwith and Gaby Dellal. (USA) After Ray decides to transition from female to male, Ray’s mother, Maggie, must come to terms with the decision while tracking down Ray’s biological father to get his legal consent. 6 Below, directed by Scott Waugh, written by Madison Turner. (USA) An adrenaline seeking snowboarder gets lost in a massive winter storm in the back-country of the High Sierras where he is pushed to the limits of human endurance and forced to battle his own personal demons as he fights for survival. Animal Crackers, directed by Tony Bancroft, Scott Christian Sava and Jaime Maestro (USA) A family must use a magical box of Animal Crackers to save a run-down circus from being taken over by their evil uncle Horatio P. Huntington. Cries From Syria, directed by Evgeny Afineevsky. (USA). We follow child protesters, revolution icons, activists and their relatives, and high-ranking Army generals who defected to join the fight of the people. It tells the story of the Syrian people who have never lost hope. Despite the Falling Snow, directed and written by Shamim Sarif. (UK). In 1950s Moscow, communist Katya secretly spies for the Americans in the Cold War arms race. When she lands her biggest assignment, stealing secrets from rising government star Alexander, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with him. Guardians of the Galaxy 2, directed and written by James Gunn. (USA) In Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” the Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Leap!, directed by Eric Summer and Eric Warin, written by Carol Noble, Laurent Zeitoun & Eric Summer. (USA) An orphan girl dreams of becoming a ballerina and flees her rural Brittany for Paris, where she passes for someone else and accedes to the position of pupil at the Grand Opera house. Lowriders, directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, written by Cheo Hodari Coker, Elgin James. (USA) A young street artist in East Los Angeles is caught between his father’s obsession with lowrider car culture, his ex-felon brother and his need for self-expression. Painted Woman, directed by James Cotton (USA) A young woman with a dark past finds wisdom in her identity in the romance of the old west. Paris Can Wait, directed and written by Eleanor Coppola. (USA) Long married to a successful, driven but inattentive movie producer, Anne unexpectedly finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with a business associate of her husband. What should be a seven-hour drive turns into a carefree two-day adventure replete with diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food and wine, humor, wisdom and romance, reawakening Anne’s senses and giving her a new lust for life. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson (USA) Alice returns to where the nightmare began: The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse. Sonic The Hedgehog: Just A Guy, a CGI showcase episodic starring Sega’s iconic Sonic the Hedgehog, directed by Natalys Raut Sieuzac (USA/Japan/France). When Sonic insults his friend Mike the Ox by calling him “just a guy,” the village teaches Sonic the important lesson that it’s better not to judge or label anyone. We all are special. The Eagle Huntress, directed by Otto Bell (UK) Thirteen-year-old Aisholpan trains to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle huntress. The Red Turtle, directed by Michael Dudok de Wit (France/Belgium/Japan) The dialogue-less film follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds. The Forever Tree, a showcase short film directed by Alrick Brown. (USA) Tawny Bennett, an antiquarian’s apprentice, receives a visitor in the middle of the night with a mysterious clue to a legend which threatens to disrupt her quiet life. (paired with opening film, “3 Generations”) Underworld: Blood Wars, directed by Anna Foerster (USA) Vampire death dealer, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) fights to end the eternal war between the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. Writer’s Block, a showcase short film directed by Troy Miller. (USA) Past her prime and afflicted with a severe case of writer’s block, a veteran songwriter finds new inspiration in a bird that takes up residence outside her home, starring Jane Lynch. (paired with showcase feature, “Paris Can Wait”)

    ADDITIONAL SPOTLIGHT FILMS

    Like Cotton Twines, directed and written by Leila Djansi. (USA) Micah Brown, an American volunteer takes a teaching job in a remote African village where he meets Tuigi, a 13-year old girl who is to become Trokosi, wife to the gods. A practice of religious sexual slavery. Accepting of her fate, Tuigi’s only desire it to be able to write her GED.

    Read more

  • Bentonville Film Festival to Open with Transgender Drama “3 GENERATIONS + Announces Competition Lineup

    [caption id="attachment_21743" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]3 Generations THREE GENERATIONS[/caption] The 2017 Bentonville Film Festival will open on May 2 with The Weinstein Company’s transgender drama “3 Generations” starring Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon. Directed by Gaby Dellal, “3 Generations” shares the story of a family dealing with a life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. Festival co-founder Geena Davis said, “ I’m so excited to be heading into our third annual BFF. The Festival has become an important catalyst for change and we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the past year and setting the stage for years to come.” The Festival today announced an exciting slate of films across the following categories: Narrative and Documentary Feature Competition, Short Film Competition, Episodic Content Competition, and Spotlight Narrative and Documentary Feature Competition. Today’s announcement includes 46 of the feature length titles with Showcase films and more titles coming soon. Competing for the Distribution Prize are 19 narratives. Competing for the Documentary Jury Award are 14 documentaries. Currently, there are 12 narrative and documentaries in the Spotlight Competition, 4 in the Episodic Competition, and 18 films in the Short Film Competition.

    Narrative and Documentary Competition

    Documentary Features

    An Acquired Taste, directed and written by Vanessa LeMaire. (USA). Why kill your own food? A new mindful generation of teens defy factory farming and turn to hunting as a way of connecting with the source of their sustenance. To make a humane kill, these animal lovers confront tormenting ethics and their worst nightmares, partly to eat dinner, and partly to carve out their own identities in a world increasingly at odds with reality and nature. Bogalusa Charm, directed by Stephen Richardson and written by Jennifer Harrington. (USA). A loving portrait of a small Louisiana town created at the site of the world’s largest lumber mill that we examine through the lens of a 27 year-old charm school for girls run by Miss Dixie Gallaspy. Blood Road, directed by Nicholas Schrunk and written by Mark Anders. (USA, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam). Although she’s used to pushing her body to its limit, nothing could prepare ultra-endurance mountain biker Rebecca Rusch for the emotional journey she took in 2015 when she pedaled 1,200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh trail in search of the crash site that claimed the life of her father, a US Air Force pilot shot down during the Vietnam War. Cinemability, directed by Jenni Gold, written by Jenni Gold and Sam Reed. (USA). This star-studded documentary takes us on a thought provoking and humorous journey to explore the evolution of disability portrayals in film and television. Late Blossom Blues, directed by Wolfgang Pfoser-Almer and Stefan Wolner, written by Wolfgang Pfoser-Almer. (USA). A 1932-born hard-working poor black man from the Mississippi backwoods becomes an internationally acclaimed Blues star after he releases his debut album at age 81. Letters From Baghdad, directed by Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum. (USA/UK/France). Gertrude Bell, the most powerful woman in the British Empire in her day, shaped the modern Middle East after World War I in ways that still reverberate today. More influential than her friend and colleague Lawrence of Arabia, Bell helped draw the borders of Iraq and established the Iraq Museum. Why has she been written out of history? Looking at the Stars, directed by Alexandre Peralta, written by Alexandre Peralta and Melissa Rebelo Kerezsi. (Brazil/Nicaragua/USA). “Looking at the Stars” is an intimate glimpse into the lives of the extraordinary ballerinas at the world’s only ballet school for the blind – the Fernanda Bianchini Ballet Association for the Blind. Mothers in the Middle, directed by Lauren Hollingsworth and written by Kaitlin McLaughlin, Inbal B. Lessner and Lauren Hollingsworth. (USA) World Premiere. Five middle-class working mothers juggle parenting and demanding jobs while contemplating major life decisions. Served like a Girl, directed by Lysa Heslov, written by Lysa Heslov and Tchavdar Georgiev. (USA). Five women veterans who have endured unimaginable trauma in service create a shared sisterhood to help the rising number of stranded homeless women veterans by entering into a competition that unexpectedly catalyzes moving events in their own lives to bring them full circle in a quest for healing and hope The Gateway Bug, directed by Johanna B Kelly, written by Johanna B Kelly and Cameron Marshad. (USA). Over 2 billion people on earth eat insects for protein. “The Gateway Bug” explores how changing daily eating habits can feed humanity in an uncertain age, one meal at a time. Unrest, directed and written by Jennifer Brea. (USA). Jennifer Brea is an active Harvard PhD student about to marry the love of her life when suddenly her body starts failing her. Hoping to shed light on her strange symptoms, Jennifer grabs a camera and films the darkest moments unfolding before her eyes as she is derailed by M.E. (commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), a mysterious illness some still believe is “all in your head.” Vegas Baby, directed and written by Amanda Micheli. (USA). Some think an in vitro fertilization contest sounds crazy, but countless Americans desperate to start a family believe this social media experiment is their only hope. Woman On Fire, directed and written by Julie Sokolow. (USA). Brooke Guinan is the first openly transgender firefighter in New York City. As a third-generation firefighter, Brooke has a passion for heroism that runs in her blood. Women of the Silk Road, directed and written by Yassamin Maleknasr. (Iran/Oman/Turkey/Tajikistan) World Premiere. Four women. Four countries. Four stories. Stories of love, struggle and art portraying the unknown faces of the East. “Women of the Silk Road” explores the diversity of individual lives under the broad banner of the Middle East and Central Asia; and the simple truth that all lives are about love.

    Narrative Features

    A Different Sun, directed and written by Reed Tang. (USA). A Chinese family moves from their native land to a town in Germany and struggle to adjust to the different culture. Marriage hangs in the balance. Cast: Chin Han, Jing Xu, Tessa Keimes, Ashley Gerasimovich and Catherine Jiang A Witches’ Ball, directed by Justin G. Dyck and written by Keith Cooper. (USA) World Premiere. A young witch is ready to jump in feet first to the Witching World but not before overcoming some magical hurdles. Cast: Morgan Neundorf, Karen Slater, Loukia Ioannou and Will Ennis Axis, directed by Aisha Tyler and written by Emmett Hughes. (USA). On the day he is set to star in a career-changing blockbuster, an Irish actor with a rocky past confronts a series of devastating events that threaten his sobriety, his loved ones, and possibly his life. Cast: Emmett Hughes, Thomas Gibson, Ciáran Hinds, Paula Malcomson, Bronagh Waugh, Jerry Ferrara, Aisha Tyler and Sam Rockwell Bloodstripe, directed by Remy Auberjonois, written by Kate Nowlin and Remy Auberjonois. (USA). A dramatic psychological thriller about a female Marine veteran and the struggle to come home. Cast: Kate Nowlin, Chris Sullivan, Tom Lipinski, Rusty Schwimmer, Ashlie Atkinson, Ken Marks and Rene Auberjonois Girl Flu, directed and written by Dorie Barton. (USA). Bird, 12, has to become a woman whether she wants to or not when – in the worst week of her life – she gets her first period, is ditched by her impulsive, free spirited mom, and learns that you can never really go back to The Valley. Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Jade Pettyjohn, Jeremy Sisto, Heather Matarazzo, Judy Reyes and Diego Josef H.O.M.E., directed by Daniel Maldonado, written by Daniel Maldonado and Hector Carosso. (USA). A ‘love letter’ to New York City woven of two stories through its subways and ethnic enclaves. Cast: Jeremy Ray Valdez, Jesús Ochoa, Angela Lin and Carlo Alban Homestate, directed by David Hickey, written by Blaise Miller and David Hickey. (USA). A truly homemade film about a down and out brother that shows up unannounced, altering the routine of his sister’s family. Cast: Blaise Miller, Grace Love, Shaneye Ferrell and David Hickey Imperfections, directed and written by David Singer. (USA). A struggling actress working as a diamond courier conspires to stage a fake robbery, setting up her ex-boyfriend as the fall guy. Cast: Virginia Kull, Marilu Henner, Ed Begley, Jr., Zach McGowan, Ashton Holmes, Chelcie Ross and Jerry Mackinnon Let Me Go, directed and written by Polly Steele. (UK) World Premiere. The film is set in the year 2000 following not only Helga and Traudi’s journeys but the next two generations and how Beth, Helga’s daughter and Emily her granddaughter are confronted with the unraveling of the darkest of family secrets. Cast: Juliet Stevenson, Jodhi May, Lucy Boynton, Karin Bertling and Stanley Weber Little Pink House, directed and written by Courtney Moorehead Balaker. (USA/Canada). A small-town nurse named Susette Kelo emerges as the reluctant leader of her working-class neighbors in their struggle to save their homes from political and corporate interests bent on seizing the land and handing it over to Pfizer Corporation. Cast: Catherine Keener, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Callum Keith Rennie, Colin Cunningham and Aaron Douglas Parkers Anchor, directed by Marc Hampson, written by Ryan and Jennica Schwartzman. (USA) World Premiere. When her plans for marriage and a family fall apart, Krystal finds herself back in her hometown, re-evaluating her life. Krystal soon discovers that you’re never starting over, every step of the journey seems destined in hindsight. Cast: Jennica Schwartzman, Amy Argyle, Christopher Marquette, Ryan Schwartzman, Penny Johnson Jerald, Michael Beach, Sarah Colonna, Brandon Keener, Claire Donald, Peter Weidman and Deborah Smith Quality Problems, directed by Brooke Purdy and Doug Purdy, written by Brooke Purdy. (USA). Family To-Do-List: throw perfect eight-year-old’s birthday party, find wandering grandpa and deal with cancer in the left boob. Cast: Brooke Purdy, Doug Purdy, Max Purdy, Scout Purdy, Mo Gaffney, Chris Mulkey, Jenica Bergere, Ryan Bollman and Michael Patrick McGill Saving Sally, directed by Avid Liongoren and written by Charlene Sawit-Esguerra, Carlo Ledesma and Avid Liongoren. (Philippines/France). A teenage comic book artist who secretly sees unpleasant people as cartoon-like monsters struggles to save his eccentric best friend (and love of his life) from her abusive foster parents—but she becomes involved with an older man who happens to be a monster too. Cast: Rhian Ramos, Enzo Marcos, TJ Trinidad and Peejo Pillar The Archer, directed by Valerie Weiss and written by Casey Schroen. (USA). High school archery champion Lauren has just landed in Paradise Trails, a brutal juvenile correctional facility in the wilderness, after hospitalizing a boy in self-defense. But when Lauren learns how deep corruption runs at Paradise Trails under the pernicious rule of warden and bow-hunter, Bob, she plots her escape, with the aid of rebellious inmate Rebecca. Cast: Bailey Noble, Jeanine Mason, Michael Grant Terry and Bill Sage The Relationtrip, directed by Renée Felice Smith and C. A. Gabriel, written by Renée Felice Smith, C. A. Gabriel and Dana Scanlon. (USA). At an age when everyone around them is settling down and finding love, Beck and Liam are self-proclaimed loners. After bonding over their mutual disinterest in relationships, they decide to go away together on a ‘friend’ trip. That’s when things get weird. Really, surreally weird. Cast: Renée Felice Smith, Matt Bush, Eric Christian Olsen, Linda Hunt, Nelson Franklin, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Sally Struthers, Georgia Mischak and Owain Rhys Davies The Space Between, directed and written by Amy Jo Johnson. (Canada). A new father discovers his child is not his own and sets out on a journey to find answers. Cast: Michael Cram, Sonya Salomaa, Michael Ironside, Julia Sarah Stone, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, Jayne Eastwood and Kristian Bruun The Sun at Midnight, directed and written by Kirsten Carthew. (Canada) US Premiere. Shot at the Arctic Circle, “The Sun At Midnight” tells the story of an unusual friendship between a hunter obsessed with finding a missing caribou herd and a teenage rebel who gets lost while on the run. Cast: Devery Jacobs, Duane Howard, Mark Anderako, Sarah Charlie Jerome, William Greenland, Shayla Snowshow and Jaclynn Robert Unbridled, directed by John David Ware and written by Bonne Bartron. (USA). Inspired by a healing ranch for troubled girls in North Carolina, “Unbridled” tells a tremendous story of redemption and triumph, exposing the atrocities of abuse, neglect and sex trafficking and the healing and redemption experienced by girls and horses who have suffered the same types of abuse. Cast: Eric Roberts, T.C. Stallings, Tea Mckay, Jenn Gotzon, Dey Young, Rachel Hendrix, David Topp and Rusty Martin, Sr. Wexford Plaza, directed and written by Joyce Wong. (Canada). A misunderstood sexual encounter unravels the life of a lonely female security guard and her deadbeat paramour in this slice-of-life comedy set in a dilapidated Scarborough strip mall. Cast: Reid Asselstine, Darrel Gamotin, Francis Melling and Mirko Miljevic

    Spotlight Narrative and Documentary Competition

    A Happening of Monumental Proportions, directed by Judy Greer and written by Gary Lundy. (USA). During the course of one day, a group of students at a school in Los Angeles find themselves caught up in a plot of sex, lies and dead bodies. Band Aid, directed and written by Zoe Lister-Jones. (USA). A couple who can’t stop fighting embark on a last-ditch effort to save their marriage: turning their fights into songs and starting a band. In Search of Fellini, directed by Taron Lexton and written by Nancy Cartwright and Peter Kjenaas. (USA). A shy small-town Ohio girl who loves movies but dislikes reality, discovers the delightfully bizarre films of Federico Fellini, and sets off on a strange, beautiful journey across Italy to find him. Cast: Maria Bello, Ksenia Solo, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Beth Riesgraf Krystal, directed by William H. Macy and written by Will Aldis. (USA) World Premiere. A young man living a sheltered life develops a crush on a stripper and joins her Alcoholics Anonymous group just so he can be in the same room with her. Losing Sight of Shore, directed by Sarah Moshman, written by Sarah Moshman and Peter Saroufim. (USA/UK/Samoa/Australia) World Premiere. Four brave women set out to row across the Pacific Ocean from America to Australia. Mully, directed and written by Scott Haze. (USA) “Mully” depicts the extraordinary rags-to-riches story of Charles Mully, whose meteoric rise from orphaned poverty in Kenya leads him on an unimaginable journey of selflessness. Pray for Rain, directed by Alex Ranarivelo, written by Christina Moore and Gloria Musca. (USA) World Premiere. When Emma Gardner learns of her father’s untimely death, she returns to her home town to find that the idyllic farming community of her childhood has been ravaged by drought and is now a place tormented by gangs and the ill effects of extreme poverty. She quickly figures out that her dad’s accidental death was not accidental at all and the lists of possible suspects is very long. Cast: Jane Seymour, Annabelle Stephenson, Nicholas Gonzalez, James Morrison and Paul Rodriguez Pure Country: Pure Heart, directed by Damon Santostefano and written by Holly Goldberg Sloan. (USA) World Premiere. When Ada and her sister, Piper, discover a letter about their late father, a Marine who died in Iraq, they embark on a secret quest beyond their life in rural Tennessee to discover the truth about the man they never knew. As they uncover his remarkable past as a musician, the sisters find their own voice, beginning their journey as singers/songwriters. Cast: Kaitlyn Bausch, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Amanda Detmer, Laura Bell Bundy, Willie Nelson, Shawn Michaels and Ronny Cox Sanctuary, directed by Len Collin and written by Christian O’Reilly. (Ireland). Larry has Down’s, Sophie has epilepsy, in a world that conspires to keep them apart, will love triumph? Cast: Kieran Coppinger, Charlene Kelly, Robert Doherty, Emer Macken, Michael Hayes and Valerie Egan The Black Prince, directed and written by Kavi Raz. (UK/India) World Premiere. The tragic yet fascinating true story about the last King of the mighty Kingdom of Punjab. Cast: Satinder Sartaaj, Jason Flemyng, Shabana Azmi, Amanda Root, Keith Duffy, David Essex and Sophie Stevens

    Short Film Competition

    Bombing, directed and written by Gloria Mercer. (Canada). A comedian struggles to adjust to taking care of her estranged daughter. Cast: Lauren McGibbon, Annabel Maclean, Daniel Jeffery, Sarah Faye Bernstein, Penelope Good, Michael Bean, Derek Trowell, Steve Waldman and Tyson Storozinski Code Red, directed and written by Sabrina Doyle. (USA) US Premiere. What’s a girl to do when she gets an unwelcome visit from Aunt Flo? A self-conscious teenager uses technology to combat the stigma around menstruation. Inspired by a real-life story. Cast: Elle Winter, Kylee Russell, Sam Evans, Emily Johnson and Carson Boatman Deep Storage, directed and written by Susan Earl. (Australia) US Premiere. Two loners find love in the most unromantic of places. Cast: Miles O’Neil, Alice Ansara, James Lawson and Dawn Klingberg Flip the Record, directed and written by Marie Jamora. (USA). In this 1980s coming-of-age story set to pulsing hip-hop music, a Filipino-American teen discovers her identity through a budding talent for turntablism. Cast: Michael Rosete, Courtney Bandeko, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Sammay Dizon, JD Charisma, Olga Natividad and Derek Basco Free to Laugh, directed by Lara Everly. (USA). A comedy workshop in Los Angeles teaches improv and stand up to women recently released from prison, culminating in a show for friends and family. Healing River, directed by Hollie Noble, written by Megan Bannon and Jessica Marcy. (USA) World Premiere. Six years after a tragic accident, 26-year-old Andy and his family struggle to find their footing again. As Andy faces addiction and post traumatic stress, another deeper trauma emerges to threaten his course to recovery. Jonah Stands Up, directed and written by Hannah Engelson. (USA). New Orleans artist and rabble-rouser Jonah Bascle faces his mortality. He leaves behind a legacy of comedy, visual art, and disability advocacy. Kate and Lily, directed and written by Grey Cusack. (USA). Kate seems cursed to make a fool of herself every time she bumps into Lily, an old friend from college. But little does Kate know, not everything is what it seems. Cast: Lindsey Naves, Claudia Crook, Noël Wells, Joey Scoma and Shane Browne Little Hero, directed and written by Marcus A McDougald and Jennifer Medvin. (USA). “Little Hero” is a documentary about a six-year-old boy’s autism as seen through his twin sister’s eyes. Lunch in Lima, directed and written by Gail Gilbert. (USA). An elegant ladies lunch in Peru reveals the dark side of privilege with no conscience. Cast: Rengin Altay, Adrianne Cury, Julie Greenberg, Susannah Kavanaugh, Amelia Lopez, Daniela Lopez and Isabel Quintero Marc Chung Protects His Address, directed by Michael Chan and written by Drew Pollins. (USA). Marc Chung buys a gun to protect his address in this comedic and highly stylized student short film. Cast: Robert M. Lee, Corban Cloward, Christopher Carrillo, Austin Kress, Dante Smith and Scarlett the Corgi Momo, directed and written by Avid Liongoren. (Philippines) US Premiere. A little girl searches for her missing dog, Momo. Nacido de Nuevo, directed by Evan Kaufmann, written by Rick del Castillo and A. Taylor. (USA) On the anniversary of his young son’s death, border patrol agent Ramon Nunez finds redemption at the hands of an illegal alien in a single polarizing and life-altering night. Cast: Juan Pablo Raba, Grace Santos, Johan Luis and Anthony Escobar Pool, directed and written by Leandro Goddinho. (Brazil). On a quest to understand her grandmother’s past, Claudia meets Marlene, an old woman who’s created an homage to her memories inside an empty pool. Cast: Luciana Paes, Sandra Dani, Carolina Bianchi, Marcela Feter, Ester Laccava, Mawusi Tulani and Jane Eyre The Final Show, directed and written by Dana Nachman. (USA). A woman who has lived a long life full of love and loss has to decide, based on all that she has learned, who to take along to eternity. Cast: Marion Ross, Peter Mark Richman, Nancy Dussault, Jerry Douglas, Murphy Dunne, Roger Rose, Elizabeth Hayden, Kay Benjamin and Loren Lester They Charge for the Sun, directed by Terence Nance and written by Eugene Ramos, story by Terence Nance. (USA). In a dystopian future where people live nocturnally to avoid the harmful rays of the sun, a young girl unravels the lie that has kept her and her sister in the dark. Cast: Rylee Nykhol and Jontille Gerard Three Fingers, directed and written by Paul D. Hart. (USA). A young female Marine war veteran navigates her disintegrating life until there is nothing left but to make a choice. Cast: Virginia Newcomb, Benjamin Keepers, Kim Kendall, Jon Winscher and Kinsley Carter Episodic Content Competition Each piece of episodic content contains a progressive perspective that asks viewers to revisit the inviting worlds these filmmakers have created, on a recurring basis. Entertaining voices, settings not often seen, and conflicts centered on the causes near and dear to our hearts, compel all who watch to stay true and stay tuned. Au Pair, directed and written by Enid Zentelis. (USA) World Premiere. A Chinese au pair, Min, is in America “to be the woman she can’t be in China”- a radical, outspoken feminist. But her host mother, newly divorced Cindy, intends to use Min as dating bait. Cast: Wei-Yi Lin, Maeve Fogarty, Naomi Fogarty, Ann Carr, Scott Vicari, Jamie Harold and Mary Kay Place Lost & Found, directed and written by Haroula Rose. (USA). When Stella and Ian host their “unwedding”, all kinds of uncomfortable truths are unearthed for this group of friends. What is intended to be a healthy way of breaking up in fact raises all kinds of issues for this group of thirty-somethings in their own relationships, especially when Stella’s unruly mother Lourdes appears unexpectedly. Cast: Melonie Diaz, William Janowitz, Jennifer Lafleur, Terence Nance, Avi Rothman, Peter Thomson, Laura Lee Botsacos, Nick Thurston, Ethan Gold and Haroula Rose Nosh: Bite-Size Adventures, directed by Dream Kasestatad and written by Jan Epstein Schwaid. (USA) World Premiere. In this smart and funny educational series, two pint-sized cooking show hosts and their hapless young producer prepare their favorite foods, then go on fantastic adventures through time and space to learn more about the recipes’ origins. Cast: Liberty Hayes, Holden Jahn, Ann Zavelson and Sean Callawy Wild Kitchen, directed by Caroline Cox. (Canada) US Premiere. “Wild Kitchen” is a 22-minute documentary TV series about wild food, the people who harvest it, their unique stories that compel them to live off the land. Cast: Tiffany Ayalik, Lawrence Nayalle and Liz Nayalle

    Read more