• BMW, Red Bull, CHANEL, Square, Apple, Among 10 Finalists for Tribeca X Award at Tribeca Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_21786" align="aligncenter" width="1203"]2017 Tribeca X Games For Every Kind of Dream: Yassin Falafel (Brand: Square) For Every Kind of Dream: Yassin Falafel (Brand: Square)[/caption] Ten finalists, 9 short films and 1 Virtual Reality project, were selected from a field of 600 entries that represent the best in storytelling at the intersection of advertising and entertainment from the past year for the second annual Tribeca X Award at the upcoming 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The award highlights excellence in creative, original and authentic storytelling that is sponsored or underwritten by a brand. The selected projects were created by acclaimed filmmakers in partnership with a wide-ranging array of brands, including Apple, Beefeater, BMW, CHANEL, Diageo North America, Kenzo, Red Bull, Square, Visit Seattle, and YETI Coolers. The finalists include a futuristic short film with an A-list cast and action-packed driving stunts, a VR experience of an immersive play by “La Despensa” that follows the journey of Ulysses, a short film about a deaf choreographer who experiences and shares music and dance through waves of sound, and a short film that follows a bold woman’s climb to the tops of the Seven Summits. The selected projects can be viewed in a special section on TheAtlantic.com, created by Atlantic Re:think [theatlantic.com/sponsored/tribecax]. The winner will be announced during the Festival at a celebration and screening of the work on Monday, April 24, followed by a dinner supported by WHOSAY. “Over the past year, branded content has grown leaps and bounds with an explosion of projects and collaborations. These finalists represent the best artist-brand pairings of the past year and demonstrate how authentic, original and creative storytelling truly rises above the rest,” said Andrew Essex, CEO of Tribeca Enterprises. “Having partnered with some of the world’s most creative brands, Atlantic Re:think is an established arbiter of standout branded content,” said Hayley Romer, SVP and Publisher of The Atlantic. “It’s exciting to now have the opportunity to celebrate the best of the best across the industry – and bring this work to our audience, which has long embraced and engaged with brand storytelling.” Eligible projects included scripted and documentary work for film, TV, digital, social, and virtual reality and/or augmented reality, in both feature and short length. The winner will be chosen by a jury that includes Joanna Coles, CCO at Hearst; Jae Goodman, CCO and Co-Head of Marketing of CAA; Tim & Eric (Comedy Duo) and Directors at PRETTYBIRD, Founders of Abso Lutely; Jenna Lyons, President and Creative Director of J.Crew; Eli Pariser, CEO of Upworthy; and a proprietary A.I. solution developed by Celtra, providing quantitative creative analysis based on performance data and insights from hundreds-of-thousands of video advertising campaigns powered by Celtra’s creative management platform. The 10 finalists for the Tribeca X Award are: BeefeaterXO Brand: Beefeater Directed by Jesús Hernandez BeefeaterXO is an interactive experience inside the creative mind of the 3-Michelin-starred chef Dabiz Muñoz, where the viewer travels through 4 different cities in order to find the secrets behind the most avant-garde cocktails ever made. Chris Fonseca: Keep It Moving Brand: Diageo North America Directed by Zachary Heinzerling Deaf people are anything but disabled, and this film featuring the real story of deaf dancer Chris Fonseca proves it. Born profoundly deaf, Chris challenges the perceptions of disability as a social barrier by teaching his deaf students how to express themselves on the dance floor, inspiring self-confidence within them and pure awe in all of us. The Escape Brand: BMW Directed by Neill Blomkamp BMW Films were a groundbreaking series of eight short, online films released in 2001, starring Clive Owen as an enigmatic driver for hire who used a BMW for his thrilling exploits. To celebrate the film’s 15th anniversary, “The Escape” is a modern homage to the originals, with Clive Owen reprising his role as the driver and also starring Jon Bernthal and Dakota Fanning. Five by Five Brand: Visit Seattle Directed by Terence Nance, Martha Stephens, Clea DuVall, Drew Christie and Ian Cheney Five films by Five Filmmakers each exploring and celebrating Seattle through the lens of one of the five senses. Each film was conceived and directed by a celebrated independent filmmaker. The films cross genres including documentary, experimental, animation and scripted. For Every Kind of Dream: Yassin Falafel Brand: Square Directed by Mohammad Gorjestani Yassin Terou fled Syria with a suitcase and a few hundred dollars. He knew no one in Knoxville, Tennessee, and he spoke no English, but he went there to rebuild his life and pursue his dream of perfect falafel anyway. Every business starts with a dream, and Square exists to serve them—every kind of dream. “Yassin Falafel” is Square’s first short film chronicling their remarkable sellers and their tireless pursuit of their dreams. JellyWolf Brand: CHANEL Directed by Alma Har’el JellyWolf is a feminine-spiritual coming of age story told through notes of scent. CHANEL N°5 L’Eau speaks to a new woman, who are often portrayed as beautiful creatures whose only desire is to be desired. This film is to inspire young women to remember their voice and to see each other. Mavens: Jocelyn Cooper Brand: Red Bull Directed by Salima Koroma Jocelyn Cooper left the top of music industry to start a movement. She is a partner in AFROPUNK, a festival that unifies people through music, film, skate, and art. She inspires perseverance and empowers an underserved population, and that’s what makes her of a true maven. The Realest Real Brand: Kenzo Directed by Carrie Brownstein With social media ever more present in our lives, blurring the barriers between ordinary and instafamous, Kenzo invited writer and Director Carrie Brownstein to take a look at the invisible digital walls that separate us from our favorite stars, and the curious conceit of a dream come true. Wasfia Brand: Apple Directed by Sean Kusanagi As the first Bangladeshi to scale the Seven Summits, Wasfia Nazreen doesn’t just climb for the thrill; she climbs for the women of her country. Lyrical and poetic, this short documentary explores what it means to pursue the unknown. Yeti Presents Brand: YETI Coolers John Shocklee: A Fairy Tale Directed by Ryan Heffernan and Grayson Schaffer Refusing to act his age has worked out well for John Shocklee. The 52 year old has devoted his life to doing what he loves. Powered by old school hip hop and fresh powder, Shocklee makes turns down untamed slopes with the freedom of a man half his age. Soul of a City Directed by Berndt Mader Austin, TX has a rich artistic history sometimes not seen in a sea of new residents. Neon artist Evan Voyles represents the inventive spirit that makes Austin a creative haven, and his work continues to light up landmarks across our capital city.

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  • Cannes Film Festival Unveils Controversial Poster Featuring Italian Actress Claudia Cardinale

    2017 Cannes Film Festival Poster with Claudia Cardinale Here it is, the official poster of the 70th Cannes Film Festival featuring “full of joy” Italian film actress Claudia Cardinale. The poster immediately received criticism in the French media and on social media accusing the festival of airbrushing the original image, taken in 1959, to make the actress look thinner.     Claudia Cardinale appeared not bothered at all, reportedly calling the brouhaha “fake row“. She told the Huffington Post: “This image has been retouched to accentuate this effect of lightness and transpose me into a dream character. This concern for realism has no place here and, as a committed feminist, I see no affront to the female body. There are many more important things to discuss in our world. It’s only cinema.” ‘I am honored and proud to be flying the flag for the 70th Festival de Cannes,’ says Claudia Cardinale, and delighted with this choice of photo. It’s the image I myself have of the Festival, of an event that illuminates everything around. That dance on the rooftops of Rome was back in 1959. No one remembers the photographer’s name… I’ve also forgotten it. But this photo reminds me of my origins, and of a time when I never dreamed of climbing the steps of the world’s most famous cinema hall. Happy anniversary!’ With Monica Bellucci as Mistress of Ceremonies and Pedro Almodóvar as the President of the Jury, the Festival de Cannes will kick off on Wednesday May, 17, 2017 and runs through May 28, 2017.

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  • ‘8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS’ and ‘SWEETHEART DEAL’ Win True Productions + SIFF Documentary Filmmakers Grants

    ,
    [caption id="attachment_21780" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS - Amanda Bailly Sham, Yaman and Lulu in Lesbos, Greece, September 2015 (Amanda Bailly) (8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS – Amanda Bailly)[/caption] Amanda Bailly’s film 8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS and co-directors Elisa Levine and Gabriel Miller’s film SWEETHEART DEAL have been awarded filmmaking grants  in the 2016 True Productions + SIFF $50,000 Documentary Filmmakers Grant program. True Productions founder Dwayne Clark, and his wife Terese Clark, have generously pledged to underwrite an annual $50,0000 grant for three years, this being the second year. “We are committed to producing true stories and both these documentaries touch our hearts. Both my wife and I are children of immigrants and we understand the plight of the immigrant. But we are especially touched by those seeking refuge from violence. In addition, when it comes to the topic of heroin addiction, we see Seattle and nearby communities struggling with solutions. We hope by supporting SWEETHEART DEAL, that we can keep the problem top of mind and perhaps spark more conversations around prevention,” said Dwayne Clark. “I am so grateful to True Productions + SIFF for investing in the story of this single Syrian mother and her children, who had no other option but to travel in a raft across the sea with smugglers,” director Amanda Bailly said. “It is through human stories like this one that I hope our country can understand what it means to close our doors to the millions of people in need of refuge.” 8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS is the story of one woman’s personal revolution in the context of one of the greatest human rights crises of our time. The film weaves between the intimate story of a fierce single mother of two from Syria, and an immersive experience of their eight-day journey to safety. Elisa Levine and Gabriel Miller’s film SWEETHEART DEAL, produced by Peggy Case, follows the lives of four women whose lives are ruled by heroin, and there is no help in sight – except from a ponytailed eccentric living in a Winnebago parked on Seattle’s notorious Aurora Avenue. “When Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell made STREETWISE back in 1984, they chose Seattle because it was considered America’s most livable city. They wanted to show that if the issue of homeless kids could be a problem in wholesome Seattle, it had to be a problem everywhere. The same holds true today for heroin addiction,” director Elisa Levine said. “This incredible support from True Productions + SIFF comes at a crucial point in our post-production process. We so look forward to sharing SWEETHEART DEAL with SIFF audiences when it is completed.” “Continuing with our second consecutive year, we are thrilled to have selected two powerful documentaries for the True Productions + SIFF Documentary Filmmaking Grant,” said Interim Artistic Director Beth Barrett. “8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS and SWEETHEART DEAL have tackled the issues of immigration and heroin addiction with such grace and thoughtfulness, and thanks to the dedication of Dwayne and Teresa Clark and True Productions, both films will be equipped with the necessary tools for launching into the festival and exhibition world.”

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  • Curaçao International Film Festival Rotterdam to Celebrate its 6th Edition, April 5 to 9

    [caption id="attachment_21133" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Other Side of Hope The Other Side of Hope[/caption] From April 5 through 9, 2017, Curaçao International Film Festival Rotterdam (CIFFR) will unspool for the sixth time in Willemstad.  CIFFR presents an interesting mix of local and regional talent and highlights from IFFR 2017. Added to the mix are some fresh new titles that have kicked up a storm at other film festivals, such as Silver Bear winner The Other Side of Hope by Aki Kaurismäki, which opens the festival on April 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHjcWLCZuWs The festival – an initiative by Fundashon Bon Intenshon organized in cooperation with International Film Festival Rotterdam – seeks to inspire film-lovers and help young film talent from the region to get ahead. Festival director Bero Beyer: “We are particularly pleased that this festival is being realized for the sixth time: it is a feast of cinema and reflection. CIFFR is a wonderful opportunity to see the world from a different perspective thanks to the many beautiful visions cinema serves up to us. The combination of films that are setting the tone internationally with local filmmakers gives the festival extra sparkle and depth. We are thrilled that, in its sixth year, CIFFR enjoys such broad support, and is therefore able to make a wide audience enthusiastic about daring films.” For the fifth time in succession, CIFFR will present the Yellow Robin Award Competition in which feature films by talented, up-and-coming filmmakers from the Caribbean and Latin America compete for the Yellow Robin Award.  The nominees are Angélica by Marisol Gómez Mouakad (Puerto Rico); Bad Lucky Goat by Samir Oliveros (Colombia); El hombre que cuida (The Man Who Cares) by Alejandro Andújar (Dominican Republic); Keyla by Viviana Gómez Echeverry (Colombia) and Melocotones by Héctor M. Valdez (Dominican Republic). The winning film gets a spot in the Bright Future program at IFFR 2018, as well as at the Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico. In addition, the Award comes with a $10,000 prize for the filmmaker. A new feature of this sixth edition is the Caribbean Shorts Competition – the result of a cooperation initiated by the festival in 2016 with six film festivals from the region: in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago. These festivals exchange international professionals and organize workshops and competitions in order to share knowledge and experience. Each of these six festivals submitted a film for the inaugural edition of the Caribbean Shorts Competition. The winning short film will screen at all of the festivals. But CIFFR offers much more alongside its competitions: such as the themed program Poetry in Motion; a series of music documentaries under the Music Calls banner; an extensive educational program; special film screenings in community centers and some twenty highlights of IFFR 2017, including Barry Jenkins’ audience smash hit Moonlight, as well as films such as Jackie by Pablo Larraín and Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson.

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  • Sundance Award Winning Documentary LAST MEN IN ALEPPO​ to Be Released in U.S. | Trailer

    [caption id="attachment_19914" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Last Men in Aleppo Last Men in Aleppo[/caption] The award-winning documentary film Last Men in Aleppo, directed by Feras Fayyad and Steen Johannesen will be released in the U.S. by Grasshopper Film. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize, then went on to screen as the Opening Night selection of CPH:DOX where it won the DOX:AWARD. After five years of war in Syria, the remaining citizens of Aleppo are getting ready for a siege. From September 2015 to the fall of 2016, the filmmakers follow the volunteers from The White Helmets as they experience the daily life of death and struggle in the streets of the city. They fight for sanity in a place where war has become the norm. Khalid, Subhi and Mahmoud are among the first to enter the destroyed buildings, scouring through the rubble in search of bodies and signs of life. They now live more or less under siege and constant bombings, together with the remaining 350,000 civilians in Aleppo. They all struggle with the same dilemma: Should they flee and bring their families to safety, or should they stay and fight for their city? “For six years, I witnessed the ugliest of human brutality; secret prisons, destroyed cities and streets littered with human remains,” said director Feras Fiyyad, “I wanted to find a glimmer of hope and humanity under all this hell. War brings out the worst in human beings, but it also brings out the best in us. The White Helmets are indeed a living example of that, and their voices deserve to be heard.” “’Last Men in Aleppo’ is bold, courageous, immersive filmmaking,” commented Ryan Krivoshey. “By embedding us among these extraordinary individuals, allowing us to experience their reality, it illuminates in a way that I haven’t seen before a conflict that is reshaping our world. We’re honored to be working with director Feras Fayyad and co-director Steen Johannesen on the release of this film.” Grasshopper plans to release the film theatrically in May, followed by a non-theatrical and VOD release. The film will have an exclusive New York run starting May 3rd at the Metrograph and May 18 th at Laemmle’s Music Hall in Los Angeles with a nationwide rollout thereafter. The film has also been acquired for US broadcast by POV which will air the film later in the year. Grasshopper Film is a new distribution company dedicated to the release of acclaimed and award-winning independent cinema. Upcoming releases include Bertrand Bonello’s “Nocturama,” Michael Almereyda’s “Escapes,” Andrew Rossi’s “Bronx Gothic” and Oliver Laxe’s Cannes Critics Week winner “Mimosas.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT6IagQ7xos

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  • Inaugural Tribeca Games Festival to Debut April 28 to 29 During Tribeca Film Fest

    Sam Lake Alan Wake Tribeca Games is partnering with Kill Screen to launch the Tribeca Games Festival, an event to bring together New York City’s passionate gaming community.   The festival will include behind-the-scenes looks back at some of the most fascinating games of the past year, and conversations with cultural leaders and game industry insiders, including a conversation with legendary game creator, Hideo Kojima. The inaugural Tribeca Games Festival will take place April 28-29 during the Tribeca Film Festival at The Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios.  The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 19-30. The festival will kick off with the New York premiere of Telltale Games’ first-ever crowd play of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale series, Episode 1 and a concert headlined by British electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa. The Tribeca Games Festival program includes “X Post Conversations,” a series of cross-cultural conversations, each pairing a creator from the gaming community with someone of equal stature from an outside field; “Retro Active,” a series of talks that take a look back on some of the greatest titles from 2016, exploring every element from art, design and sound to storytelling; “Sneak Peeks,” previews of new and unreleased work from some of the most dynamic independent game studios from around the world, and an interactive arcade allowing attendees to get hands-on with new and unreleased games.   Hideo Kojima is widely celebrated as the godfather of the stealth action game genre, having created theMetal Gear franchise 30 years ago this July. He was awarded the Game Developers Choice Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in March 2009, inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science’s Hall of Fame in February 2016 and, most recently received The Game Awards’ Industry Icon Award this past December. Hideo Kojima leads a robust schedule of conversations to take place at the Festival, including additional keynote conversations given by Quantum Break, Alan Wake and Max Payne creator Sam Lake and BioShock director/writer Ken Levine, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of virtual reality-themed movie The Lawnmower Man with filmmaker Brett Leonard, principal filmmaker for VR at Google Jessica Brillhart and Cy Wise from Job Simulator’s Owlchemy Labs, and discussions with developers of recent and upcoming games such as Overwatch, The Banner Saga, Firewatch, The Stanley Parable,Watch Dogs 2, What Remains of Edith Finch and several more. In 2011, Tribeca was the first film festival to welcome gaming to the official program with the World Premiere of L.A. Noire, a detective-based Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3) game. It has continued to support artists in the gaming world with the premiere of Beyond: Two Souls, a PS3 fantasy role-playing game led by Oscar® nominee Ellen Page (2013); a panel series on innovation and storytelling in gaming with League of Legends’ designers, artists, producers, and musicians (2015); a partnership with Games for Change that illustrated how new and innovative platforms can serve the social good with participants including Morgan Spurlock, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn (A Path Appears), Chief Scientist of Oculus VR Michael Abrash, and the developers of Rovio’s blockbuster mobile game Angry Birds (2015, 2016); and more. The Tribeca Games Festival program follows: OPENING NIGHT A celebration of games, play and interactivity set to the music of British electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa, who inspires game makers and players globally, and an exclusive Telltale crowdplay experience KEYNOTE CONVERSATIONS Intimate conversations some of the top game creators on the future of games and storytelling. Hideo Kojima The legendary creator of the Metal Gear franchise, on what’s next for him and the influences of cinema on his work. Ken Levine Director and Writer of the BioShock series, Levine reflects on his two decades in videogames and the legacy his work has created for interactive story-telling. Sam Lake The creator of Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break, on his unique approach to storytelling in games.  X POST CONVERSATIONS Cross-cultural conversations, pairing a creator of the gaming community with leading artists and filmmakers. Winslow Porter, Milica Zec and Tracy Fullerton Virtual reality directors Winslow Porter and Milica Zec and Director of USC’s Game Innovation LabTracy Fullerton discuss how to create real-world environmental awareness in digital worlds Ian Dallas Giant Sparrow’s creative director Ian Dallas takes the stage to discuss his upcoming game, What Remains of Edith Finch. Combining a family drama with famous supernatural Japanese tales, he will discuss how creators are making mysticism relevant to the modern world. Robin Hunicke with Maureen Fan Robin Hunicke, founder of indie studio Funomena, and Baobab Studios CEO Maureen Fan show how to create delight and joy in VR RETRO ACTIVE By breaking down each title piece by piece – exploring every element from art, design and sound to storytelling – we take a look back on the some of the greatest titles from 2016. Firewatch / Campo Santo The Firewatch team at Campo Santo dissects their award-winning debut with a focus on narrative design with writer and studio director Sean Vanaman. Overwatch /Michael Chu Overwatch senior game designer Michael Chu discuss how characters come into being in one of the best-selling PC games of all-time. The Stanley Parable / Davey Wreden The Stanley Parable creator Davey Wreden on how he designs virtual spaces that are perfectly suited for his unique narratives and how that’s pushed him to explore the everyday. The Banner Saga / John Watson Stoic co-founder John Watson on how classic films like Disney’s Sleeping Beauty inspired the Norse world of The Banner Saga series Watch Dogs 2 / Jonathan Morin Watch Dogs 2 creative director Jonathan Morin tackled issues like surveillance, the Silicon Valley housing crisis, and diversity in tech in their ground-breaking title. He’ll talk about how the team built a simulation where everything is connected. SPECIAL CONVERSATIONS 25th Anniversary of The Lawnmower Man + The Past, Present &  Future of VR Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Lawnmower Man, a special conversation on how Lawnmower Man influenced a generation of digital creators and to how capture images of the future with the tools of today with Brett Leonard, director of The Lawnmower Man, Jessica Brillhart, Principal Filmmaker for VR at Google, and Cy Wise from Job Simulator’s Owlchemy Labs. SNEAK PEEK AND THE ARCADE A preview of new and unreleased work with some of the most dynamic independent game studios from around the world like Might & Delight, Finji Games, and Giant Sparrow, and additional hands-on play with unreleased and newly-released titles.

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  • Florida Film Festival to Feature 182 Films, Opens with THE HERO

    [caption id="attachment_19932" align="aligncenter" width="1213"]The Hero The Hero[/caption] The upcoming 26th Florida Film Festival taking place April 21 to 30, 2017, in Maitland and Winter Park, Florida, will feature a lineup of 182 films. The festival will open with the feature film The Hero, directed by Brett Haley, preceded by the Florida premiere of the short film 5 Films About Technology directed by Peter Huang. 

    2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION:

    OPENING NIGHT FILM:

    The Hero – Directed by Brett Haley, USA, 2016, 96 minutes Preceded by: 5 Films About Technology – Directed by Peter Huang, Canada, 2016, 5 minutes, Florida Premiere

    SPOTLIGHT FILMS:

    Bitch – Directed by Marianna Palka, USA, 2017, 93 minutes, Florida Premiere Buster’s Mal Heart – Directed by Sarah Adina Smith, USA, 2016, 98 minutes, In English and Spanish with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Colossal – Directed by Nacho Vigalondo, Canada/Spain, 2016, 110 minutes The Commune – Directed by Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands, 2016, 111 minutes, In Danish with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Dean – Directed by Demetri Martin, USA, 2016, 87 minutes, Rated PG-13 The Exception – Directed by David Leveaux, UK, 2016, 107 minutes, Southeast Premiere/2nd US Showing Manifesto – Directed by Julian Rosefeldt, Germany, 2017, 95 minutes, Southeast Premiere Menashe – Directed by Joshua Z. Weinstein, USA, 2017, 81 minutes, In Yiddish with English Subtitles Paris Can Wait – Directed by Eleanor Coppola, USA, 2016, 92 minutes, In English and French with English Subtitles, Rated PG Patti Cake$ – Directed by Geremy Jasper, USA, 2017, 108 minutes Soul on a String – Directed by Zhang Yang, China/Tibet, 2016, 142 minutes, In Tibetan with English Subtitles,East Coast Premiere Step – Directed by Amanda Lipitz, USA, 2017, 83 minutes, Rated PG

    NARRATIVE FEATURES COMPETITION:

    The Archer – Directed by Valerie Weiss, USA, 2017, 86 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Camera Obscura – Directed by Aaron B. Koontz, USA, 2017, 95 minutes, World Premiere Dave Made a Maze – Directed by Bill Watterson, USA, 2017, 81 minutes, Southeast Premiere Girl Flu. – Directed by Dorie Barton, USA, 2016, 94 minutes Katie Says Goodbye – Directed by Wayne Roberts, USA, 2016, 88 minutes My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea – Directed by Dash Shaw, USA, 2016, 75 min, Southeast Premiere Pushing Dead – Directed by Tom E. Brown, USA, 2016, 111 minutes Some Freaks – Directed by Ian MacAllister-McDonald, USA, 2016, 97 minutes, Florida Premiere The Strange Ones – Directed by Lauren Wolkstein and Christopher Radcliff, USA, 2017, 80 minutes A Stray – Directed by Musa Syeed, USA, 2016, 82 minutes, In English and Somali with English Subtitles,Southeast Premiere

    DOCUMENTARY FEATURES COMPETITION:

    8 Borders, 8 Days – Directed by Amanda Bailly, USA/Lebanon, 2017, 60 minutes, In Arabic with English Subtitles, World Premiere Cassette: A Documentary Mixtape – Directed by Zack Taylor, USA/Germany/Netherlands/UK, 2016, 92 minutes,East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Circus Kid – Directed by Lorenzo Pisoni, USA, 2016, 71 minutes, Southeast Premiere For Ahkeem – Directed by: Jeremy S. Levine and Landon Van Soest, USA, 2017, 90 minutes, Southeast Premiere/2nd US Showing The Peacemaker – Directed by James Demo, USA, 2016, 90 minutes, Southeast Premiere/2nd US Showing Rat Film – Directed by Theo Anthony, USA, 2016, 82 minutes Strad Style – Directed by Stefan Avalos, USA, 2017, 104 minutes, Southeast Premiere This Cold Life – Directed by Darren Mann, USA, 2017, 88 minutes, US Premiere Woman on Fire – Directed by Julie Sokolow, USA, 2016, 84 minutes, Southeast Premiere

    DOCUMENTARY SHORTS COMPETITION:

    116 Cameras – Directed by Davina Pardo, USA, 2017, 16 minutes, Southeast Premiere/2nd US Showing All Good Things – Directed by Chloe Domont, USA, 2017, 26 minutes, Florida Premiere Bayard & Me – Directed by Matt Wolf, USA, 2017, 16 minutes, Florida Premiere Brillo Box (3¢ Off) – Directed by Lisanne Sklyer, USA, 2016, 40 minutes, Florida Premiere The Carousel – Directed by Jonathan Napolitano, USA, 2016, 12 minutes, Southeast Premiere The Christmas Light Killer – Directed by James P. Gannon, USA, 2016, 7 minutes, Southeast Premiere/2nd US Showing Clean Hands – Directed by Lauren DeFilippo, USA, 2017, 9 minutes, East Coast Premiere The Collection – Directed by Adam Roffman, USA, 2017, 11 minutes Commodity City – Directed by Jessica Kingdon, USA, 2017, 11 minutes, In Mandarin with English Subtitles The Hama Hama Way – Directed by Treva Wurmfeld, USA, 2017, 12 minutes, Southeast Premiere Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 – Directed by Frank Stiefel, USA, 2016, 40 minutes, East Coast Premiere High Chaparral – Directed by David Freid, USA/Sweden, 2016, 9 minutes, Florida Premiere The John Show – Directed by Julie Sokolow, USA, 2017, 13 minutes, East Coast Premiere Long Term Parking – Directed by Lance Oppenheim, USA, 2017, 8 minutes, Florida Premiere Oddball – Directed by Joshua Moore, USA, 2016, 5 minutes, East Coast The Rabbit Hunt – Directed by Patrick Bresnan, USA, 2017, 12 minutes Refugee – Directed by Joyce Chen and Emily Moore, USA/Senegal, 2016, 28 minutes, In English, Wolof, and French with English Subtitles, Florida Premiere Richard Twice – Directed by Matthew Salton, USA, 2017, 10 minutes, East Coast Premiere

    NARRATIVE SHORTS COMPETITION:

    August – Directed by Caitlyn Greene, USA, 2017, 8 minutes, Florida Premiere The Candidate – Directed by Michael Hilf, USA, 2016, 6 minutes Cat Killer – Directed by Wes Jones, USA, 2017, 11 minutes, World Premiere Cul-de-Sac – Directed by Damon Russell, USA, 2016, 15 minutes, Florida Premiere Cycle – Directed by Caleb Wild, USA, 2017, 10 minutes, World Premiere Get the Life – Directed by Ozzy Villazòn, USA, 2016, 12 minutes Good Crazy – Directed by Rosa Salazar, USA, 2017, 14 minutes, East Coast Premiere Hijo Por Hijo – Directed by Juan Avella, USA/Venezuela, 2016, 11 minutes, In Spanish with English Subtitles,East Coast Premiere Horseshoe Theory – Directed by Jonathan Daniel Brown, USA, 2017, 12 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Hot Seat – Directed by Anna Kerrigan, USA, 2017, 13 minutes, Southeast Premiere I’m in Here – Directed by Willy Berliner, USA, 2017, 12 minutes, Southeast Premiere It’s Been Like a Year – Directed by Cameron Fay, USA, 2017, 9 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Judy – Directed by Ariel Gardner and Alex Kavutskiy, USA, 2016, 10 minutes, Southeast Premiere La Ramona – Directed by Antonio De Jesus Sanchez, USA, 2017, 27 minutes, In Spanish with English subtitles,World Premiere Laurels – Directed by David Brundige, USA, 2017, 7 minutes, North American Premiere The Lemon Tree – Directed by Amanda Yam, USA, 2016, 11 minutes, Florida Premiere Mrs. Nebile’s Wormhole – Directed by Pinar Yorgancioğlu, USA/Germany/Turkey, 2016, 14 minutes, In Turkish and German with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere New Neighbors – Directed by E.G. Bailey, USA, 2017, 9 minutes, East Coast Premiere Night Shift – Directed by Marshall Tyler, USA, 2017, 16 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing No Other Way to Say It – Directed by Tim Mason, USA, 2016, 7 minutes, East Coast Premiere Red Apples – Directed by George Sikharulidze, USA/Georgia/Armenia, 2016, 15 minutes, In Armenian with English Subtitles, East Coast Premiere Rosie, Oh – Directed by Andy Koeger and Apple Xenos, USA, 2016, 9 minutes, East Coast Premiere Scooter Joe – Directed by Steve Collins, USA, 2017, 7 minutes, World Premiere Shift – Directed by Kristen Hester, USA, 2016, 9 minutes, Southeast Premiere Surrogate – Directed by Olivia Hamilton, USA, 2016, 16 minutes, East Coast Premiere, 2nd US Showing Tiny Mammals – Directed by Dagny Looper, USA, 2017, 8 minutes, World Premiere The Visitor – Directed by Ferran Mendoza Soler, USA, 2016, 16 minutes, North American Premiere Vitamins for Life – Directed by Grier Dill, USA, 2016, 2 minutes, Southeast Premiere You Can Go – Directed by Christine Turner, USA, 2016, 10 minutes, Florida Premiere Your Day – Directed by Ginger Gonzaga, USA, 2017, 32 minutes, Florida Premiere Zaar – Directed by Ibrahim Nada, USA, 2016, 11 minutes, Southeast Premiere Zero-Zero – Directed by Randall Whittinghill, USA, 2017, 15 minutes, World Premiere 

    ANIMATED SHORTS COMPETITION:

    149th and Grand Concourse – Directed by Andy & Carolyn London, USA, 2016, 3 minutes, 2nd US Screening The Biggest Wad is Mine – Directed by: Sam Gurry, USA, 2016, 3 minutes, East Coast Premiere Chella Drive – Directed by Adele Han Li, USA, 2016, 3 minutes, Southeast Premiere Cop Dog – Directed by Bill Plympton, USA, 2017, 6 minutes, World Premiere Fabricated – Directed by Brett Foxwell, USA, 2016, 19 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Have Sex with Us – Directed by: Rob Frese, USA, 2016, 6 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing The History of Magic: Ensueño – Directed by Josè Luis González, USA, 2016, 5 minutes, In English and Spanish with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Hot Dog Hands – Directed by Matt Reynolds, USA, 2017, 7 minutes, East Coast Premiere Insect Bite – Directed by Grace Nayoon Rhee, USA/South Korea, 2016, 2 minutes, Southeast Premiere It’s a Date – Directed by Zachary Zezima, USA, 2016, 7 minutes, Southeast Premiere Legal Smuggling with Christine Choy – Directed by Lewie Kloster, USA, 2016, 4 minutes Slow Wave – Directed by Andy Kennedy, USA, 2016, 4 minutes, Florida Premiere Summer Camp Island – Directed by Julia Pott, USA, 2016, 9 minutes Trouble Brewing – Directed by Timothy Heath, USA, 2017, 8 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Vocabulary 1 – Directed by Becky James, USA, 2016, 4 minutes, Southeast Premiere

    INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE FEATURES:

    I Dream in Another Language (Sueño en Otro Idioma) – Directed by Ernesto Contreras, Mexico/Netherlands, 2017, 101 minutes, In Spanish with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Pop Aye – Directed by Kirsten Tan, Thailand/Singapore, 2017, 101 minutes, In Thai with English Subtitles,Southeast Premiere Sami Blood – Directed by Amanda Kernell, Sweden/Norway/Denmark, 2016, 107 minutes, In Swedish and South Sami with English Subtitles, East Coast Premiere White Sun – Directed by Deepak Rauniyar, Nepal/USA/Qatar/Netherlands, 2016, 89 minutes, In Nepali with English Subtitles

    INTERNATIONAL SHORTS:

    5 Films About Technology – Directed by Peter Huang, Canada, 2016, 5 minutes, Florida Premiere Add Contact – Directed by David Oeo, Spain, 2016, 3 minutes, In Spanish with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Fish Story – Directed by Charlie Lyne, UK, 2017, 14 minutes, East Coast Premiere Gryla – Directed by Tomas Heidar Johannesson, Iceland, 2016, 6 minutes, In Icelandic with English Subtitles, Florida Premiere Home – Directed by More Raça, Kosovo, 2016, 23 minutes, In Albanian with English Subtitles, East Coast Premiere Irregulars – Directed by Fabio Palmieri, Italy, 2015, 9 minutes, Florida Premiere Jonah the Wet Nurse – Directed by Shalom Hager, Israel, 2015, 30 minutes, In Hebrew with English Subtitles,North American Premiere The Other Side – Directed by Griselda San Martin, Spain, 2017, 6 minutes, In Spanish with English Subtitles, East Coast Premiere Overtime – Directed by Craig D. Foster, Australia, 2016, 9 minutes, Florida Premiere Pria – Directed by Yudho Aditya, Indonesia, 2017, 22 minutes, In Bahasa with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Saigo – Directed by TOCHKA (Takeshi Nagata, Kazue Monno), Japan, 2015, 2 minutes, Florida Premiere/2nd US Showing Searching for Wives – Directed by Zuki Juno Tobgye, Singapore, 2016, 12 minutes, In English and Tamil with English Subtitles, Southeast Premiere Slapper – Directed by Luci Schroder, Australia, 2016, 15 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Stallion (Hingsten) – Directed by Ninja Thyberg, Sweden, 2016, 15 minutes, In Swedish with English Subtitles,World Premiere Supot – Directed by Phil Giordano, Philippines/USA, 2015, 13 minutes, In Tagalog with English Subtitles, North American Premiere White – Directed by Paul Cioran, Romania, 2016, 20 minutes, In Romanian with English Subtitles, North American Premiere

    INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORTS:

    The Absence of Eddy Table – Directed by Rune Spaans, Norway, 2016, 12 minutes, Florida Premiere Arts + Crafts Spectacular #3 – Directed by Sébastien Wolf and Ian Ritterskamp, Germany, 2015, 4 minutes,Southeast Premiere Curse of the Flesh – Directed by Yannick Lecoeur and Leslie Lavielle, France, 2016, 16 minutes, No Dialogue,North American Premiere Decorado – Directed by Alberto Vázquez, Spain/France, 2016, 11 minutes, In Spanish with English Subtitles,Florida Premiere Fears – Directed by Nata Metlukh, Canada, 2015, 2 minutes, No Dialogue, Florida Premiere How Long, Not Long – Directed by Michelle and Uri Kranot, Denmark, 2016, 6 minutes, Southeast Premiere Jonas and the Sea – Directed by Marlies van der Wel, Netherlands, 2015, 12 minutes, No Dialogue, Southeast Premiere Journal Animé – Directed by Donato Sansone, France, 2016, 4 minutes, No Dialogue, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Nou Nen Feat.Utae – Directed by Sawako Kabuki, Japan, 2016, 3 minutes, No Dialogue, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Pussy – Directed by Renata Gąsiorowska, Poland, 2016, 8 minutes, No Dialogue, Southeast Premiere SimSim (The Realm of Deepest Knowing) – Directed by Seunghee Kim, South Korea, 2017, 4 minutes, No Dialogue, World Premiere This is Not an Animation – Directed by Federico Kempke, Canada/Mexico, 2016, 5 minutes, Florida Premiere

    MIDNIGHT FEATURES:

    68 Kill – Directed by Trent Haaga, USA, 2017, 93 minutes, Southeast Premiere Bad Black – Directed by Nabwana IGG, Uganda, 2016, 70 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Bad Day For The Cut – Directed by Chris Baugh, UK/Northern Ireland, 2017, 99 minutes, East Coast Premiere Birdboy: The Forgotten Children (Psiconautas) – Directed by Alberto Vázquez and Pedro Rivero, Spain, 2015, 76 minutes, In Spanish with English Subtitles, US Premiere

    MIDNIGHT SHORTS:

    Bad Dog – Directed by Tom Putnam, USA, 2017, 4 minutes, World Premiere Death Metal – Directed by Chris McInroy, USA, 2016, 5 minutes Do No Harm – Directed by Roseanne Liang, New Zealand, 2017, 12 minutes, East Coast Premiere Feeding Time – Directed by Matt Mercer, USA, 2016, 13 minutes, East Coast Premiere Girl #2 – Directed by David Jeffery, USA, 2016, 9 minutes Hold Me (Ca Caw Ca Caw) – Directed by Renee Zhan, USA, 2016, 11 minutes, Southeast Premiere Horses – Directed by Leah Shore, USA, 2016, 1 minutes, World Premiere The Investment – Directed by Steve Collins, USA, 2017, 4 minutes, East Coast Premiere It is My Fault – Directed by Liu Sha, China, 2016, 5 minutes, East Coast Premiere Ivan’s Need – Directed by Manuela Leuenberger, Veronica L. Montaño, and Lukas Suter, Switzerland, 2015, 6 minutes, Florida Premiere Pigskin – Directed by Jake Hammond, USA, 2016, 13 minutes Pinky Toe – Directed by Lina July, USA, 2016, 1 minutes, Florida Premiere Showing it All – Directed by Lasse Persson and Lisa Tulin, Sweden, 2017, 2 minutes, World Premiere Sisyphus – Directed by Grace Nayoon Rhee, USA, 2016, 3 minutes, East Coast Premiere/2nd US Showing Summer’s Puke is Winter’s Delight – Directed by Sawako Kabuki, Japan, 2016, 3 minutes, Florida Premiere We Together – Directed by Henry Kaplan, USA, 2016, 7 minutes, Southeast Premiere

    SPECIAL SCREENINGS:

    FAMILY FILMS:

    Albion: The Enchanted Stallion – Directed by Castille Landon, USA/Bulgaria, 2016, 103 minutes, Florida Premiere Big Booom – Directed by Marat Narimanov, Russian Federation, 2016, 4 minutes, Southeast Premiere Supergirl – Directed by Jessie Auritt, USA, 2016, 80 minutes

    FOOD FILMS:

    Bugs – Directed by Andreas Johnsen, Denmark/Netherlands/France/Germany, 2016, 73 minutes New Chefs on the Block – Directed by Dustin Harrison-Atlas, USA, 2017, 96 minutes, Florida Premiere One Hundred Thousand Beating Hearts – Directed by Peter Byck, USA, 2016, 15 minutes, Florida Premiere

    MUSIC FILMS:

    Honky Tonk Heaven: The Legend of the Broken Spoke – Directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas and Brenda Mitchell, USA, 2016, 75 minutes, Southeast Premiere Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World – Directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, Canada, 2017, 103 minutes, Florida Premiere Vinyl Revival – Directed by Shasta Ford, USA, 2016, 10 minutes, World Premiere

    FLORIDA FILMS:

    FLORIDA SHORTS: THE BEST OF BROUHAHA:

    Amerigo – Directed by Todd Thompson, 2016, 19 minutes, In Italian with English Subtitles Bad Town – Directed by Daniel Smith, 2016, 13 minutes, Southeast Premiere Blackface – Directed by Malcolm Baity, 2016, 7 minutes Burp – Directed by Benjamin L. Gill, 2016, 6 minutes Cartoon Characters – Directed by Carey Kight, 2016, 9 minutes The D in David – Directed by: Michelle Yi and Yaron Farkash, 2016, 2 minutes Dorothy’s Video Application – Directed by Sara Ambra, 2017, 4 minutes Dust Buddies – Directed by Beth Tomashek and Sam Wade, 2016, 4 minutes Flora – Directed by Alexandrina Andre, 2016, 11 minutes, East Coast Premiere For Will – Directed by Grayson Goga and Grace Stalley, 2016, 13 minutes The Goat on the Roof – Directed by Erin Smyth, 2016, 7 minutes Rupee Run – Directed by Tarun Lak, 2016, 2 minutes The Wooden Mannequin – Directed by Stephanie Hunton, 2016, 1 minutes, World Premiere

    FLORIDA DOCUMENTARIES:

    Ain’t Nothing Like Being Free – Directed by John Meyer, USA, 2017, 48 minutes, World Premiere I Am Another You – Directed by Nanfu Wang, USA, 2017, 80 minutes, East Coast Premiere The Original Richard McMahan – Directed by Olympia Stone, USA, 2017, 21 minutes

    RETRO FILMS:

    Popcorn Flick in the Park: Barefoot in the Park – Directed by Gene Saks, USA, 1967, 106 minutes Closing Night Retro: Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! – Directed by Russ Meyer, USA, 1965, 83 minutes

    SPECIAL SCREENING:

    Unrest – Directed by Jennifer Brea, USA, 2017, 97 minutes, In English and Danish with English Subtitles,Southeast Premiere

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  • Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival Unveiled its 2017 Shorts Lineup Featuring Alec Baldwin, Emma Thompson

    [caption id="attachment_21762" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Alec Baldwin (Curse of Don Sarducci by Chris Fondulas) Alec Baldwin (Curse of Don Sarducci by Chris Fondulas)[/caption] The Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival unveiled its lineup today of the shorts selected for the 2nd annual edition of the comedy film festival which takes place April 14 to 16, 2017 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres.  Over 110 of best comedy short films from around the world will be showcased. The official selections include short films starring Emma Thompson (High Road by Justin Harwood), Alec Baldwin (Curse of Don Sarducci by Chris Fondulas), Linda Hamilton (Shoot Me Nicely by Misha Calvert), Erik Boccio’s Wiretap Scars features Mike Starr, Samm Levine, Kevin Pollak, and Scott Murphy. Other selected titles include: Neil Patrick and Harris: The Chronicles of Conjoined Triplets by Adam Fynke and Jesse Eisenberg Uses the Urinal by Alec Brown.

    2nd Annual Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival Official Selections:

    A Christmas Surprise – by Sara Lew Acting Class – by Aaron Fradkin Beside Myself – by Jeff McCafferty Best Served Cold – by Andoni Elias Nava Big Manly Chess – by George Fleming Blazing Saddles – by Maxi Witrak and Keaton Kaplan Born Again – by Jason Tostevin Braggage – by David Mun Breaking Up With Bacon – by George Williams III and David Kerns Brosa Nostra – by Mike Smith Brown Terror – by Tim Bathrust Bullfrog Bullfrog – by Robby Descant and Brian Christ Cabin – by Luke Hollingshead Cash Only – by Jake Rasmussen Church – by Stephen Bodossian Cindy’s New Boyfriend – by Robert Brinkman Crystal – by Crystal Correa Death in Bloom – by Dael Oates Dickey Sledgehammer – by Landon Ashworth and Matt Dean Dissecting Gwen – by Katharine Barrell Divorce Party – by Lauren Manes DIY Daisy – by Erik Boccio Don’t Tell Anyone, But I’m Dating the President – by Tim Martin Gleason Don’t Think About It – by Niv Klainer Fab Life Teresa XO – by Rob Janas Farm to Table – by Ian McClellan First Night – by Daniel Gomez First Word – by Thomas R. Martin Friends on a Bench: A Relationship in Six Acts – by Sean George Friendship Without Love – by Sebastien Auger Game Of Thrones Divorce – by Andrew Pifko Girls I Audition With – by Corey Harrell Grocery Store Action Movie – by Matthew Campbell Happy Birthday Kevin – by John Psathas Have A Little Faith – by Ashton Avila Help! I’m Trapped In A Movie – by Riley Mandincea Here’s The Thing – by Seth Berkowitz High Road – by Justin Harwood How To Save Your Darling-Leopoldo Caggiano Hush Hush – by Tom Nolle I Wanna Date U – by Lisa Ovies In the Hole – by Courtney Thomas Jesse Eisenberg Uses the Urnal – by Alec Brown Justin Has A Date – by Justin Ray Kyloki – by Jordan Henry Let’s Do It – by Joel Jay Blacker Lone Douche – by Katie Locke O’Brien Managed – by Kenneth Bauer Mere Players-Dan Levy Dagerman Mike Holt 4 Ever – by Kenneth Anderson Millions of Drops – by Matt Larson Mommy Heist – by Anna Gutto Movie Night – by Hamish McCollester Neil Patrick and Harris: The Chronicles of Conjoined Triplets – by Adam Fynke New Roommate – by Victor Yerrid Now’s A Bad Time – by Michael Oberst ObSETHed: Memorial Day – by Zack Matzganis Oh Baby – by Rory Rooney One Under – by Ruth Pickett Pee Sitting Down – by Misha Calvert Real Good Drinking with Dan Peff – by Paul Thomas Reckless Juliets – by Skylar Barrett Sammy S&M – by Donnie Hobbie Shoot Me Nicely – by Elias Plagianos Shout at the Ground – by Joe Lonie Shy Guys – by Frederic Lehne Sixty-Five Drive – by Darrel Herbert Skinny Fat Girl – by Brandon Baer So F*cking Happy For You- by Lina Suh Spaceman- by Christopher Oliva Standards & Practices: A Short Film About Modern Romance – by Ellena Chmielewski Strayed – by Heather Edwards Takanakuy – by Austin Kolodney Tales from the Toilet- by Pete Novitch The Apology by Eamon Glennon The Baby Shower (Short Film) by Kiley Lane Parker The Bearded Lady – by Dan Riesser The Chad – by Matthew Moore The Curse of Don Scarducci – by Chris Fondulas The Day LA Stood Still – by Karl Harpur The Driving Seat – by Alexei Slater The Haunt – by Isabel Cueva The Haunting of Lester House – by Michael Benni Pierce The Heist – by Luke Harris The Line – by Jerome Velinsky The Nation Holds It’s Breath – by Kev Cahill The Other Side – by Michael Degani The Plumber (Le Plombier) – by Méryl Fortunat-Rossi & Xavier Séron The Pretender – by Nathan Morse The Rough Part – by Ryan Brown The Schwartz Test – by Josh Yunis The Short Short – by Martin White The United Guys Network – by Tabatha Golat The Way I Love You (Como Yo Te Amo) – by Fernando García Ruiz Think Twice – by Eliaz Rodriguez Time Travel Romance – by Ben Giroux True Dating Stories- Jesse – by Andy King Vantastic – by Alik Griffin Weekend Warriors – by Julien Lasseur Wire Tap Scars – by Erik Boccio Woman of My Dreams (La Mujer de Mis Suenos) – by Javier San Roman Working With Jigsaw – by Chris Capel You, Me & Me – by Micah Paisner You’re Alive – by W. Alex Reeves Your Mom Says Hi! – by Rocco Urbisci, Carlie Mantilla, Doni Carley Zombie Family – by Joseph Weisman

    Screenplay Official Selections

    3 To Die – Mitch Yapko & Allen Rueckert Antoine’s Play – Phillip O’ Sullivan Echo Chamber – Travis Lemke It’s A Job – Emmett Raitt Local Hero – Mark Renshaw Lovin’ It – Stuart Creque Randall Lipschitz Is A Star – Dawn Burgess Red Velvet – Tom Radovich Remedy – Margina Sisson Spooky Kind of Love – Alicia Lomas-Gross The Appetizer – Gerard George The Day The Earth Stood Awkardly – Troy Graham The Dumbest Generation – Leslie Lyshkov The Unsocial Network – Matthew Holt The Will – Amelia Solommon

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  • THE FREEDOM TO MARRY to Open Martha’s Vineyard Film Society’s New LGBTQ Festival “SPECTRUM Film Festival”

    [caption id="attachment_20769" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]THE FREEDOM TO MARRY THE FREEDOM TO MARRY[/caption] The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society is launching its newest, four-day film festival, SPECTRUM Film Festival, presenting a world perspective on LGBTQ stories, people and issues with a variety of films, guest speakers, discussions, and a special event focused on LGBTQ youth.  The SPECTRUM Film Festival will be held at the MV Film Center in Vineyard Haven from Thursday, April 27 to Sunday, April 30 with nine different programs over the course of the festival. The first festival of its kind on the Vineyard, The SPECTRUM Film Festival adds to the MV Film Society’s growing outreach to shine light on subject matters not usually covered by major Hollywood motion pictures and expects to draw moviegoers from around the island as well as from the Cape and beyond. In keeping with the meaning of the word “spectrum” (or “a wide range”), films shown at the SPECTRUM Film Festival are, indeed, wide-ranging. They originate from India, Chile, Kenya, Canada and the US; cover gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender storylines; combine comedy, drama, romance, documentary genres in both short and full-length formats; and focus on a variety of topics including legal matters, aging, parent-child relationships, religion, cultural changes, illness and suicide. Guests speakers participating in live Skype interviews currently include lawyer Mary Bonauto (who pled the same-sex marriage case before the Supreme Court), Peggy Rajski (Academy Award-winning director and co-founder of The Trevor Project), Matt Wolf (director of the short film BAYARD & ME) and Bennett Wallace (a transgender young adult whose story is told in the documentary REAL BOY). Post-show panel discussions will include topics regarding “The Shifting Tides of the LGBTQ Landscape on Martha’s Vineyard,” “Homosexuality and the Bible,” “Growing Up with Same-Sex Parents,” and “Navigating High School.” Participants/moderators appearing live on the Film Center stage currently include Mary Breslauer, Tom Dunlop, Susanna Sturgis, Tony Lombardi, Laurel Redington Whitaker, Ev Wilson as well as Rev. Cathlin Baker and Rev. Bill Clark. In keeping with the MV Film Society’s Free Youth Screenings (which are offered periodically throughout the school year), there will be a SPECTRUM Youth Event on Saturday, April 29 from 9:30am to 3:00pm focused entirely on LGBTQ Youth programming. Any local student aged 13 to 21 will be provided free admission to this event. Students coming from the Cape will also be provided with free round-trip transportation by ferry (courtesy of the Steamship Authority). Opening the festival will be the new documentary THE FREEDOM TO MARRY which relates the pursuit of same-sex marriage as a legal right — from Evan Wolfson’s 1983 senior thesis at Harvard to the U.S. Supreme Court decision [Obergefell v. Hodges] in 2015. Following the film, local resident Mary Breslauer will conduct a live Skype interview with her friend and former co-worker Mary Bonauto. Before the film, a “Wedding Album” of local same-sex couples will be shown on-screen to showcase how the right to marry has affected the culture of the Vineyard which prides itself on being LGBTQ-friendly. Participating couples may attend free of charge and can celebrate their legal victory during a dessert/wine reception in the lobby following the conversation with Mary Bonauto.  

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  • Filmmakers: The Academy Launches 2017 Student Academy Awards Competition

    ,
    [caption id="attachment_21755" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented its 43rd Annual Student Academy Awards® on Thursday, September 22, in Beverly Hills. Pictured (left to right): Foreign Animated film winner Ahmad Saleh, Animated film winner Echo Wu, Animated film winner Carter Boyce and Animated film winner Alicja Jasina. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented its 43rd Annual Student Academy Awards® on Thursday, September 22, in Beverly Hills. Pictured (left to right): Foreign Animated film winner Ahmad Saleh, Animated film winner Echo Wu, Animated film winner Carter Boyce and Animated film winner Alicja Jasina.[/caption] The Academy is now accepting entries for its 2017 Student Academy Awards® competition. All Student Academy Award® winners become eligible for Oscars® consideration. The entry deadline for submissions is Thursday, June 1. New this year, the competition has expanded to allow two options for students at international film schools to submit their films. In addition to CILECT-member schools submitting one student film per international film school category, international students may now enter films that qualify through film festivals recognized by the Student Academy Awards Executive Committee. The U.S. competition is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students whose films are made within the curricular structure of an eligible accredited institution. For the third year, students are asked to submit their films online using FilmFreeway, a widely used festival and competition platform. The 44th Student Academy Awards presentation will be held on Thursday, October 12, at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Past winners have gone on to receive 57 Oscar nominations and have won or shared 10 awards. This year one 2016 Student Academy Award winner received an Oscar nomination in the Documentary Short Subject category: Daphne Matziaraki, a Gold Medal winner in the Documentary category for “4.1 Miles.” Past Student Academy Award winners include acclaimed filmmakers Pete Docter, Cary Fukunaga, John Lasseter, Spike Lee, Trey Parker and Robert Zemeckis. In 1972, the Academy established the Student Academy Awards to provide a platform for emerging global filmmakers by creating opportunities within the industry to showcase their work.

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  • Bette Gordon’s Psychological Thriller THE DROWNING Starring Julia Stiles, to Open in Theaters on May 10th | Trailer

    ,
    [caption id="attachment_21751" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Drowning The Drowning[/caption] Bette Gordon’s psychological thriller, The Drowning, based on Border Crossing, the controversial novel about violence in children by noted Booker Prize-winning author Pat Barker will open in theaters on May 10th, 2017.  The Drowning, starring Julia Stiles, Josh Charles, Avan Jogia, Tracie Thoms and Leo Fitzpatrick, is the story of a forensic psychologist who is haunted by his expert witness testimony that sent a young boy to prison for a chilling murder.  When the boy later reappears in his life, he is drawn into a destructive, soul-searching reinvestigation of the case. An erotic thriller with no let up in tension, The Drowning celebrates the genre with electrifying performances. Complex, riveting and unafraid to tread deep, murky psychological waters, this is a story of shifting identities that will keep you guessing until the very end. The Drowning premiered at the most recent Woodstock Film Festival and went on to screen at film festivals around the world including Warsaw, Sao Paulo, Napa Valley and Savannah. The Drowning marks Gordon’s second collaboration with producer Jamin O’Brien and Paladin which also released her film Handsome Harry featuring Jamey Sheridan, Steve Buscemi, Aidan Quinn and Campbell Scott in 2010. A pioneer in American Independent Cinema, Bette Gordon is known for her bold explorations of themes related to sexuality, violence and power including her feature length debut from her own original screenplay, Variety (1984), a beautifully seductive film about voyeurism and pornography, that Film Comment calls “a unique feminist thought experiment that doubles as a love letter to Fear City-era New York.”  Luminous Motion (2000) was produced by Ted Hope and Anthony Bregman and stars Deborah Kara Unger in a breathtaking performance. Gordon’s film Handsome Harry  premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival (2009) and was released theatrically by Paladin to rave reviews. The film features a stellar ensemble cast including Steve Buscemi, Aidan Quinn, Campbell Scott, Jamey Sheridan. The film critic John Powers has said, “Gordon’s willingness to explore dangerous territory puts her miles ahead of most filmmakers.” Gordon is a film professor at Columbia University.  The Drowning was adapted for the screen by Stephen Molton and House of Cards showrunner Frank Pugliese, and is being released by Paladin and Electric Entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Waqa7wbTpMM

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  • 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

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