DancesWithFilms: Archives - Shorts Q thru S
















	QUEST FOR THE HOLY PORCELAIN USA, 2002, Digital, 8 min. (DWF 2002) Writer/Dir: Ari Eisner, Prods: Michael Spenelli, Cast: Timmy Fitzpatrick, Nick Nordella Eight-year-old Wesley Clark has a problem. Monster movies and lemonade prove to be a dangerous mix in the middle of the night. The bathroom's just down the hall, only the monsters hiding under the bed and lurking in the closet aren't letting him get there so quickly. And as the thunder and rain pound his bedroom window, Wesley Clark must face his fears and make the treacherous journey to reach his prized destination. RAIN TODAY USA, 2004, Digital, 8 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Dir: Carl Lawrence Paoli • Writer/Prod: Kellie Halihan Cast: Robert Hildreth, Kellie Halihan, Taylor Bright, Craig Halihan, Nick Wolotosky, Fred Warner An imaginative look at humanity in this dramatic/thriller. Frank, an average blue collar worker, finds that the journey of his life might be in jeopardy. Just when his fears are allayed, Frank is faced with something much worse. A force stronger than will reveals a dark, hidden side of his psyche and reality slips into an inevitable fate where the truth is unveiled. To many, an average life is not enough, but to Frank it is life’s precious moments that weave the human experience. A REASONALBE HYPOTHESIS USA, 2004, Super16, 20 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir/Prod: Jack Ferry • CoProd: Melissa Schneider, Joe Tipton Cast: Joe McClean, Brian Tom O’Connor, Cheryl Morrier, James E. O’Donnell, Jr., Jo Barrick Plagued with lifelong psychotic visions, a disturbed young man attempts suicide only to awaken prisoner in the hospital of his nightmares. – “A Reasonable Hypothesis” is a dark satire about human cloning. THE REMEMBERER CANADA, 1999, 35mm, 10 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2000) Writer/Dir.: Coreen Mayrs, Producers: Coreen Mayrs, Christopher Gora, Cast: Stephanie Morgenstern, Benjamin Ratner The story of a young woman coping with the loss of her lover, whose melancholy view of our modern thought-ridden world leads to his mysterious physical transformation. REQUIEM USA, 1998, 35mm, 6 min. (Southwest Premiere, DWF 1999) Writer/Dir./Producer: Roy Unger, Cast: Chris St. James, Tami Moss, Janet Borrus In a dark future where love is a crime, one man rages against the machine. RETTA'S REVENGE USA, 2003, Digital, 4 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2003) Writer/Dir: Sara Pratter, Prod: Matt Hanover, Cast: Retta, Amanda Tosch, Asha Mollier, Jacques Slade, Luke Toma, Elizabeth Decker Two vacuous princesses get their comeuppance from a most unlikely acquaintance, invoking the old adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ RIDER PRIDE CANADA, 2001, 35mm, 13 min. (US Premiere, DWF 2001) Dir: Tony Hrynchuk, Writer: Craig Courtice, Prods: Tony Hrynchuk, Craig Courtice, Cast: Brent Butt, John Boylan Grey Cup 1989. All Les P. wants is to get through work without hearing the score of the game. But to make it home and watch the game on tape, Les has to quarterback his way through an opposition more ferocious than any Tiger-Cat. RING OF FIRE USA, 2003, Super16, 13 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2003) Dir: Scott Stephens, Writers: Scott Stephens, Ed Stephens, Prod: Charmel Green Cast: Stephanie Bettman, Thomas Reynolds, Anne Welles, Stuart Proffitt Darlene, who is unsure of her relationship, must choose between her burning desire and her commitment. Only by following the advice of her mystic friend can she see the right path. Darlene will have to make up her own mind or suffer a traumatic loss. ROCKIN' GOOD TIMES USA, 1999, 35mm, 19 min. (Southwest Premiere, DWF 2000) Writer/Dir.: Daniela Lunkewitz, Producer: Lauren Moews, Cast: Daniela Lunkewitz, Randall Batinkoff, Kim Greist, Finola Hughes It’s Saturday night and Adrienne is planning to spend a quiet weekend working, reading and lip waxing. Instead she is blackmailed into a blind date with a rock star and takes a chance on the scariest thing in the world: love... ROCK ON USA, 2004, 35mm, 18 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir: Ramsey Mellette • Prods: Tyler Jones, John Halbert, David White Cast: Jerod Edington, Stacie Richards Dail, Rob Connolly A guy gets a Whitesnake song stuck in his head and can’t get it out. ROMEO & JULIET REVISITED USA, 2002, 16mm, 26 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2002) Writer/Dir: N. Barry Carver, Prods: Fabiana Cesa, N. Barry Carver Cast: Stephanie Griffin, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Ross Gottstein, N. Barry Carver, Drew Droege, Corey Litwin, Darryl Sims, Robyn Johanna, Eric Halasz, Tara Beth Conolly Never was a tale of more woe - stood completly on its head. With just the right sets, costumes and language this film picks up right where 'The Bard' left off. You'll See 'Dead' People... ...Living Happily Ever After! The Feature version is waiting in the wings. ROOM USA, 2000, 35mm, 8 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2000) Dir: Sebastian Hedgecoe, Writer: Mark Taylor, Producer: Dawn Fanning Cast: Deborah Greenfield, Christopher Aponte Choreographer: Madeline Dahm A man and woman, drawn to each other, attempt to cross into each other’s lives. Ultimately though, their intimacy only causes each to return, angry and defeated, to his/her own space. Neither is willing to give up their independence and both finally reject this passionate attraction. ROOMTONE NEW ZEALAND, 2000, 35mm, 15 min. (US Premiere, DWF 2001) Writer/Dir: Charlie McClellan, Prods: Glenis Giles, Emma Haughton, Charlie McClellan, Cast: Jed Brophy, Jeff Thomas, Dave Fane After a neighbor's flippant remark plants a seed of paranoia, the erratic interior decorator, Geoffrey, discovers an odd feature on his answering machine which allows him to spy on his home remotely, and the sounds he hears send him spiraling. Unable to break away from a breakneck work day, Geoffrey finally returns home to a twisted ending. ROSA USA, 2006, Super16, 12 min. (DWF 2006) Writer/Dir: William Sten Olsson • Prods: Begona Castillo, William Sten Olsson Cast: Jessica Contreras, Edward Marshall, Lilly Bernal Pino, Alex Castillo, Allan Shadoan, Alejandra Reynoso, Merv Kretske, Anita Hacker, Eric Losoya, Felicia Kamriani, JessieRodriguez, Agueda Escalante, Albert Contreras, Juan Sanchez Rosa, a young girl, sells roses on the streets of a vast Latin American City. Her father has disappeared and her mother has moved in with another man. Equipped with a torn photograph of her dad, Rosa descends on a quest to find her beloved father... ROSA MI AMOR USA, 1998, 3 min. (DWF 2000) Dir: Modi, Writers: Modi, Adam Cohen, Producer: Merrill Ward, Cast: Manny Chevrolet A short comedy film which stars Mann Chevrolet as a man mourning for a dead wife he never had. A classically styled short with a subversive edge.” ROYAL PALMS USA, 1997, 16mm, 30 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 1998) Writer/Dir: Russell Griffin, Producer: Nate Wood, Cast: Robert Catrini, Dave Corey, Donald Odenkirk Searching for better lives, three homeless men journey towards the beach in this Miami tale of friendship, hardship and charity. RUCKUS! USA, 2005, Digital/35mm, 18min. (Los Angeles Premiere, DWF 2005) Dir: Dean Ishida • Writers: Dean Ishida, Eric Bronson • Prods: Dean Ishida, Matt Stenerson • Cast: Dean Ishida, David Chatfield, Mike Merritt, Dale Keis It’s now or never as four thirty-something men set out to fulfill their noble – yet misguided – boy band dreams. Personal differences cause precious rehearsal time to tick away as they prepare for the music video shoot of their debut song, “She’s Online (And I’m Outta My Mind).” THE SALESMAN USA, 2003, 16mm, 17 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004 - GRAND JURY AWARD - HONORABLE MENTION) Writer/Dir: Matthew Janzen • Prods: Chris Bowman, Matthew Janzen, Allan Staker Cast: Michael Cox, Lauren Keller, Lincoln Hoppe, Colleen Baum, Corey Ewan Patterned after classic silent film comedies, "The Salesman" is a nostalgic, tribute to the first century of cinema. Telling the tale of a down-on-his-luck, shoe salesman and his brush with romance, the film is a reminder that the language of love, like film, is universal. THE SAME USA, 2001, 35mm, 13 min. (Southwest Premiere, DWF 2001) Writer/Dir: Mark Palansky, Prods: Trevor Waterson, Mark Palansky, Cast: Jason Acuna, Jacqui Maxwell, Josh Hartnett A fairytale about the length to which a man will go for the love of a woman. SAMUEL'S LAST CHANCE USA, 2004, Digital, 39 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2005) Dir: Michelle McChesney • Writers/Prods: Michelle McChesney, Charles Wittman Cast: Charles Wittman, Michelle Mcchesney, Paul Lirette, Melissa Searing, Daniel O’Meara Samuel has been given a month to find a decent job or his girlfriend Vanessa is leaving him. He puts it off until the last day and has three interviews lined up. He goes to his friend Francis’ house to borrow a briefcase to look professional and on his way out he passes a Chinese family also picking up a briefcase from Francis. Unfortunately, Samuel grabbed thewrong briefcase and the chase begins – the Chan Gang trying to get the briefcase meant for them and Samuel completely unaware of why they’re after him. The Chan Gang call Francis to say they’ve got Samuel tied to a bridge and intend to throw him over unless he gives up the briefcase. SANCHEZ USA, 1998, 16mm, 17 min. (Southwest Premiere, DWF 1999) Writer/Dir/Producer: Patrick Scanlan, Cast: Kevin Claes, Rod Everett, Pete Scanlan The Legend of Sleepy Hollow meets the “Old West” in this story about a pompous school teacher who foolishly rides through a haunted mountain pass. SATURN RETURN USA, 2005, DIGITAL, 19 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2006) Dir: Mark Hosack • Writer: Terri Zee • Prods: John Zee, Terri Zee, Carol Conlee Cast: Terri Zee, Brandy Little, Denton Blane Everett, Stephanie Young, Ernie Felts Carli, a conflicted twenty-something, seeks advice from her mother’s friend Rachel, an astrologer. Powerful shifts are taking place. Rachel takes Carli back in time to the 70’s with ex-husband Ted, and their decision to buck the establishment and buy an egg farm. It doesn’t take Rachel long to knock off the chicken dust and head out of town for a drink with a girlfriend. When a mysterious stranger asks her to dance, her life turns up side down. Through Rachel’s story Carli discovers that rose colored glasses disguise reality. With eyes wide open Carli moves into the future. SAY IT AGAIN, SAM USA, 2004, Digital, 12 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir: Michelle Steffes • Prods: Ben Bays, Michelle Steffes Cast: Adam Van Conant, Heidi Hazen, Valerie Levitt, Mo Tabatabai A nervous young man on a first date finds a button that lets him fashion himself into the man of her dreams. SCARECROW USA, 2002, 16mm, 12 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2003) Writer/Dir/Prod: Tyler Cook, Cast: James Beck, Shelley Dowdy, Adam Ulsh A lyrical short film about the Midwest. The story follows Nick Carson, a disenchanted youth with dreams of leaving his decaying small town. When an opportunity for some quick money arises, Nick takes it with the hope of hitting the road with the love of his life. S.C.A.R.E.D. USA, 2005, 16mm, 7 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2006) Dir/Prod: Sheldon Gleisser • Writers: Sheldon Gleisser, L.G. Weaver Cast: L.G. Weaver, Jason Dahmer, Chip Kocel, Emily Bach S.C.A.R.E.D.,or Student Criminal Abuse Educational Development, is a program to take at-risk youth to talk to hardened criminals so they can see for themselves what happens when they choose a life of crime! SCORCHER USA, 2002, HD, 5 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2002) Writer/Dir: Robert Rothbard, Prod: Josh Hakien, Peter J. Barnett, Gabe Videla, Cast: Michael Townsend Wright, Greg Lipari, Sr. A solar panel SALESMAN journeys into the desert on the hottest day in recorded history. Things go very wrong once he spots a LONE DRIFTER who appears mysteriously through out his drive. Spontaneous combustion sends our hero into a tailspin and the desert begins to play cruel tricks on him. SEE JANE DANCE USA, 2005, DIGITAL, 13 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2006) Dir: Mona Nash • Writer: Colleen Gallion • Prods: Mona Nash, Shelly Gant Cast: Dawn Joyal, Christopher Fraenza, Stephanie Joyal, Ana Ladiley When suburban housewife Jane finds herself in the humdrum of daily life, she takes a Brazilian dance class that changes her outlook on life. SEEN USA, 2004, 16mm, 15 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004 - GRAND JURY AWARD) Writer/Dir: Stacy Elliott • Prod: Anne C. Russell Cast: Elizabeth Tonan, Octavio Solario, Marvin Zuckerman, Max Brooks, Kathy Kilsby, Sandra Robinson, Sharmilla Devar, Christa B. Allen, Sahara Garvey When Pamela, a lonely and precocious 11 year-old, can no longer hide her serious near-sightedness, she decides to cure herself. SET ME FREE USA, 2002, Digital, 3 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2003) Dir: Mark Pontius, Writers: Mark Pontius, Austin Willis, Benji Clyde, Prods: Mark Pontius, Austin Willis, Benji Clyde Cast: Benji Clyde, Rebecca Pontius One guy. One girl. One uninvited little friend. SHADOWS USA, 1999, 16mm, 24 min. (DWF 2000) Dir: Mitch Levine, Writer: Arthur Lorenz, Producer: Sally Yeh, Cast: Andrew Reynolds, Martin Ferrero, Joel Polis A story set in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. It is about surviving in a world where survival seems impossible. It is a story of what happens when a young man chooses evil and turns against his own. This is a film about about growing up in the most horrendous conditions and the effect that it has on love, family and survival. SHATTERED BITS USA, 2004, Digital, 22 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2005) Writer/Dir: Joshua Fardon • Prods: Scott Noe, Mark Walker, Jeff Watts, Rebecca Baldwin, Mike Wallis • Cast: Steven Amato, Gretel Roenfeldt Lost in a pretentious crowd at a party in a Manhattan loft, Zeke manages to strike up a conversation with Jill, a gregarious and attractive young woman. As the conversation continues, the two strangers grow attracted to one another. However, as Jill’s stories grow more disturbing and self-contradictory, Zeke begins to have doubts. He agrees to accompany Jill to a bar, but changes his mind when she becomes too emotionally intimate. He tries to leave, but she refuses to let him go. The ensuing violent struggle justifies Zeke’s apprehensions. SHIFT USA, 2006, DIGITAL, 36 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2006 - GRAND JURY AWARD) Writer/Dir: Jonathan Yi • Prods: Michael Haertlein, Jonathan Yi Cast: Aldous Davidson, Tim O’Malley, Al Thompson, Paul Sum, Jackson Ning, Jarett Gonzalez, Allyn Rachel, Nathaniel Geng, Hiram Chan, Russ Russo, Matthew Succullo Alex, half Korean/half Jewish, is mistaken to be Chinese and hired to work the graveyard shift of a mailroom where he enters an industrial world of working men dominated by rage and exhaustion. Alex learns to see his life outside the warehouse as surreal and watches it all fall apart. SHINE ON ME USA, 2003, 35mm, 11 min. (DWF 2003) Writer/Dir: Amaya Cervino, Prods: Amaya Cervino, Eric Furie, Erick Garcia, Christopher P. Yan Cast: Thomas Curtis, Eugene Bass, DJ Harner, Michael Ross Jason suffers an extreme allergy to light. As a result, he is forced to live in a world of darkness. As time goes by, this Involuntary imprisonment becomes more and more unbearable and he decides that one day in the sun is worth a million locked away, no matter what the price is. SHEILA TAKES A BOW USA, 2004, Super16, 24 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir/Prod: Stephanie Saxe • Cast: Stephanie Saxe, Denise Gossett, Chet Nelson, Tom O’Keefe, Amy Arce Sheila is an unpublished writer/waiter until a restaurant fire forces her to take a job as a production assistant on adult films. Now she must deal with disapproving friends, an unconsummated romance and her own religious upbringing. Can a nice girl crew on adult films and stay a nice girl? SHOOTERS USA, 1997, 16mm, 22 min. (DWF 1998) Dir: David Gambino, Writer: Lori Rosene, Producers: David Gambino, Lori Rosene, Cast: Tom Chick, Philippe Bergeron Peter Cambria, a struggling art photographer, takes a simple paparazzi job to make some easy cash. Ron, a professional paparazzi, is on the stake out too and is desperate to get the exclusive shot of the celebrity in a compromising situation. The two engage in a battle of ethics and reluctantly join forces when a car chase of the celebrity ensue down an icy, mountain road. Together, they will go after the money shot, no matter the consequences. Morality and sensitivity lie just below the surface of virtually all of us in this prophetic tale written two years before the Princess Diana tragedy. SHORT STORY TIME - MY BEST GUESS USA, 2004, Digital, 9min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2005) Writer/Dir/Prod: Warren Lam Cast: Felicia Day, Jennifer Hodges, CJ, JJ, John Hodges Remember those fireside story readings from public television? When a master thespian, like George Plimpton smokes a pipe and reads a classic? This series takes that genre to bizarre levels, by having the narrative NOT sitting by a fireside, NOT a master thespian, NOT reading a classic. It’s a story within a story, a short within a short. In Short Story Time – My Best Guess, our narrator is caught in an awkard moment; she is having a bad day, putting out numerous fires, and this may not be a good time for a reading. Get ready to break the fourth wall, as this short skillfully navigates the telling of two stories at the same time. SHORT WAIT BETWEEN TRAINS USA, 1998, 16mm, 26 min. (Los Angeles Premiere, DWF 1998 - BEST SCREENPLAY) Dir: Rick Wilkinson, Writer: Michael Zaidan, Producer: Cherryl Espinoza Cast: David Ramsey, Nick Gillie, Les Robinson, Shelton Mack, Carl Bresk, Carol Dougherty, Blaine Cotton, Sterling Wolfe It is 1945, the end of WWII is near as four Negro combat soldiers return home to America from the carnage in Europe. “Jenkins”, “Billy”, “Copy Cat” and “Bible Joe” are battle scarred, decorated, proud and very happy to leave the fighting behind. What matters to them now is what their lives will be after they hang up their uniforms. However, when they stop to switch trains at a station in rural Georgia, an unexpected encounter, the revelation of a secret and a violent confrontation demonstrate that although the War is over, for these men the battle is not. SHUTTER USA, 1998, 16mm, 17 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 1999) Dir: Mark Palansky • Writers: Stuart Beattie & Mark Palansky, Producers: Mark Palansky & Dave Moldavon, Cast: Vanessa Rooke A pregnant photographer is haunted by visions of a strange young girl - visions which ultimately save both of their lives. SHUT UP, AMERICA! USA, 2001, 35mm, 1 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2002) Writer/Dir/Prod: Sheldon Gleisser, Cast: Tom Colucci, Mindy Zimmerman, Robert Flanagan Public Service Announcement for a new attitude sweeping the country that’s winning new converts every day. It’s called --Shut Up, America! SIX AND THE CITY USA, 2003, Digital, 10 min. (DWF 2004) Dir: Hanelle M. Culpepper • Writer: Fred Cheng • Prod: Noelle Pflum • Cast: Adair Tishler, Channing Nichols, Sierra Wingert, Melia Lockwood Before Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte stormed the City, they conquered the playground! Carrie’s problem – Small wants to kiss her. She turns to Samantha for advice, but she has a problem too – she caught her seesaw partner seesawing with another girl. Meanwhile, Miranda wants to impress the boys’ soccer team, but her only available teammate is Charlotte – who stays far away from boys and dirt. While Samantha retaliates with jalapeños, Carrie decides to take control of her destiny instead of doing what a boy wants. And Charlotte finally gets a bit dirty, while Miranda learns that hanging out with girls isn’t so bad after all. SKY ABOVE, HEAVEN BELOW USA, 1999, 35mm, 14 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 1999) Dir: Chi Chi Zhang, Writers: Chi Chi Zhang & Duba Leibell, Producers: Chi Chi Zhang & Linda Polansky Cast: Andrey Chen, Jing Wang, Marlee, Ya-ou Xu, Richard Yang The lyrical story of a young girl’s loss of her old sister to an arranged marriage in pre-revolutionary China. Through her pet bird, the little girl discovers that with dreams, she can fly far, far beyond. THE SLAINSVILLE BOYS USA, 2004, HD, 14 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Dir: Jonathan Brandis • Writer: Grey Williams • Prods: Grey Williams, Jonathan Brandis Cast: Grey Williams, Brad Hunt, Nancy Hochman, Scott Micheal Campbell Two Virginia brothers are torn between love and loyalty to each other on the eve of the Civil War. Jefferson and Lewis Armstrong are left to run the family farm left by their deceased parents when the news of succession falls upon them forcing the two siblings choose between North and South. SMACKERS USA, 2001, 35mm, 2 min. (DWF 2001) Writer/Dir/Prod: Tara Miele, Cast: Alex Deiro, Katy Bullard, Wil Shupe, Tia Raduzin, Cristina Taylor, Matt Danniger SMACKERS is a short and sweet comedy, which parables the fall from grace of Junior High Royalty. Told from the point of view of a twerpy seventh grader who isn’t allowed to join their reindeer games, this oddball gem recalls the painfully funny preteen years in the comic downfall of three Wet Seal-wearing eighth-grade princesses. A SMILE GONE, BUT WHERE? USA, 2002, Digital, 10 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2002) Dir: Kevin Breslin, Writer: Jimmy Breslin • Prods: Tony Dunne, Rosemary Breslin • Cast: Karen Duffy, Jimmy Breslin Two strangers pass on a New York City side street in the pre-dawn hours. Over several years, they form a unique relationship, without ever speaking. After September 11th, when one of them is no longer there, the other realizes he knows nothing about her, not her name, where she lives, or even the sound of her voice. A Smile Gone, But Where? is based on a true story by columnist Jimmy Breslin. SNIFFER AUSTRALIA, 2003, 35mm, 10 min. (US Premiere, DWF 2003) Dir: Judd Tilyard, Writer: Dana Carsley, Prod: Carmel Rooney, Jake Fowler, Sally McKenzie A Roald Dahl-esque tale of Thomas a young adventurous boy, and his beloved dog Sniffer. Forced to stay with his mean old, cat loving, Aunt Magda, while his parents are exploring in the jungle, Thomas is on his best behaviour, and Sniffer has been sent to the vet after bothering Aunt Magda’s precious prize winning Persian, Annabelle. But just when is Sniffer going to be able to come home? SNIPPETS USA, 2004, 16mm, 11 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir: Nived Ravikumar • Prod: Sienhui Tay • Cast: Rob Hartley, Vanessa Britting, Chris Dreiling The story of a famous ventriloquist and his stalker. SNOOZE USA, 1999, 35mm, 16 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2000) Writer/Dir./Producer: Ron Vignone, Cast: David BelAyche, Kyra Ivanoff, Ron Vignone, Lorinne Vozoff An office worker is jolted out of his daydreams and into existential crisis in this tragicomedy about man’s inability to seize his dreams. SOAP SCUM USA, 2003, 16mm, 16 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir/Prod: Maggie Carey • Cast: Courtney Davis, Chris Fairbanks, Matt Bearden, Howard Kremer, Angela Rawna, Grant Elam He never would have guessed he’d end up in the shower with her, and certainly not with the five others that joined them. Tonight the party’s in the bathroom where everyone is hiding a little somethin’. SOME KINDA JOKE USA, 2001, 16mm, 11 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2001 - BEST SCREENPLAY) Dir: Alan Altur, Writers: Steve Seagren, Alan Altur, Prods: Alan Altur, Tony Dimond Cast: Steve Seagren, Jimmy Pardo, Lenny Schmidt, Tom Tully, Ted Lyde, Karen Rontowski, Marc Unger, Eric Edwards When Guy wanders into A BAR, he soon discovers he's walked into the bar where all the jokes exist. His attempts to escape his fate only plunge him deeper into comedy purgatory. SOMETHING FISHY USA, 2004, Digital, 4 min., Animation (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir/Prod: Thanh “John” Nguyen "Fishing is the only sport where one player doesn't know that he's "playing." In this light, humorous commentary, we see an individual's never-ending quest to catch the "big one." An unsavory fisherman catches the "BIG" one only to discover that HE is the bait. SOMETHING IN BETWEEN USA, 2001, 35mm, 14 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2002) Dir: Zackary Adler • Writers: Zackary Adler, Benjamin Hurvitz, Prod: Adrian R. Bartol • Cast: April Grace, Karim Maliki Sanchez It’s the year 2020: injecting the drug "chloropsychloform" is the standard procedure for dealing with the human problem of drug abuse. The drug either kills or cures the patient. SON UP USA, 2005, Super16, 23 min. (DWF 2006) Writer/Dir: Andrew Shearer • Prods: Anna Salim, Liska Ostojic Cast: Herb Tripp, Steven Lee Allen, CJ, Casey Vera, Christopher Roosevelt, Laquita Cleare After months spent locked up at a juvenile hall, Shadd Johnson returns to his dead end, rural hometown where he struggles to find a new path and his own voice. SORORITY SLUTS 3: SPRING BREAK! (THE OUTTAKES) USA, 2001, DV, 7 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2001) Writer/Dir: Johanna Stein, Prod: David Gassman, Johanna Stein Cast: Suzy Nakamura, JP Pitoc, Tracy Vilar, Denny Williams, Joy Gohring, Tamara Bick, Eliza Coyle, Brian Blondell, Lori Nasso, Mike Loprete, Arlea Ashcroft, Tim Bennett, James Grace, Jerry Collins, David Razowsky, Rich Fulcher, Jeff Rosenthal, Johanna Stein The scenes behind-the-behinds. (A PG rated comedy about the world of XXX porn.) SPEAK CANADA, 2001, 35mm, 11 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2001 - GRAND JURY AWARD) Dirs: Jonathan Scarfe, Suki Kaiser, Writer: Jonathan Scarfe, Prods: Jonathan Scarfe, Suki Kaiser Cast: Katie Stuart, Gabrielle Rose, Brent Stait, Jesse Moss, Neil Dennis, Blair Slater, Joel Palmer Three out of five women will be victims of sexual abuse in their lifetime. Two out of five men. Nine out of ten of them will never talk about it...This is the story of one young girl’s journey into silence. SPEED FOR THESPIANS USA, 1999, 35mm, 29 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2000) Writer/Dir.: Kalman Apple, Producers: Shameela Bakhsh, Kalman Apple, Cast: Jamie Harris, Camilla Enders, Denis Holmes Love and betrayal are central themes in Anton Chekhov’s play “The Bear.” In this film adaptation art and life intersect as the play is performed before an audience of unsuspecting commuters on an in-service NYC bus. The story weaves around the performance of three accomplished stage actors as they interact with the passengers; all the time keeping faithful to the original dialogue of the play. SPORTING DOG USA, 1999, 35mm, 26 min. (Southwest Premiere, DWF 2000) Writer/Dir.: Peter Kelley, Producer: Stephen Stapinski Cast: Michael Walker, Stephen Stapinski, Lonnie Farmer, David Dwyer, Michael Scarnici, Kevin Chapman, Kelly Dirstine There’s nothing unusual about Michael Harrison’s problems - gambling debts, a custody battle...all that changes with Mike’s final, extraordinary wager, offered by his enigmatic bookie, which carries the promise of a clean slate - or the threat of destruction. But this time Mike knows he’s got an ace: his dog. Or does he? SQUAD OF SERVERS USA, 2003, Digital, 14 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir: Valerie Kryger • Prods: William DeMar, Lara Ingraham, Valerie Kryger Cast: Ogy Durham, Kimberly Floyd, Kathleen Greeke, Heather Huffman, Lara Ingraham, Valerie Kryger, Melissa Munson, Marcie Rich, Linda Santiman Christmas Day, 2003, evening falls on Le Grand Petit Bistro, an upscale Cali-French eatery on L.A.'s west side. The dinner crowd has invaded with all the subtlety of a pack of wolves. Short on supplies and down two waitresses, Maureen Jones, Shift Captain, must whip her rag-tag crew into fighting form. As they prepare to take the floor, one question plagues their thoughts--"What are the 'specials' again?" So begins a story of guts and survival, of friendships forged, innocence lost, and of the resilient bond between a crew, a cat and a cow. STEALING YOU BLIND USA, 1999, 16mm, 34 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2000 - AUDIENCE AWARD) Writer/Dir.: Al Ceraulo, Producers: Utah Blue, Joshua Sweet Cast: Rick Kelly, Joel Agnew, Ro DiSalvo, Nicole Andris, Utah Blue, Joshua Sweet Simon returns home to discover he’s been burglarized. Anger turns to obsession as he realizes the culprits just may be his “speed freak” neighbors, so he sets an elaborate trap to catch them. STILL LOVER USA, 2002, Digital, 6 min. (DWF 2003 - FUSION AUDIENCE AWARD) Writer/Dir/Prod: Amir Motlagh, Subject: Brie Anne Harris A man journeying into the ambivalent waters of love. Shot mostly in still photography, the film chronicles a young woman in her element from the fogginess of waking to the sweetness of sleep. She is the perpetrator of conflict within the narrator’s world, who is at one end engulfed by the beauty of love, but also senses it's inherent troubles. In the simplicity and rawness of stillness, we get a truthful and personal account of something which is not that easy to define. What’s man to do when he’s been attacked by a 50 ft. woman? STRAIGHT SEX USA, 2002, 16mm, 8 min. (DWF 2003) Writer/Dir/Prod: Mouncey Ferguson III, Cast: Steven Abbott, Katie Cronin Two old friends, a gay man and a lesbian, decide to conceive a baby the old-fashioned way. SUNDAY MORNING USA, 2004, Digital, 4 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2005) Writer/Dir: Marc Fienberg • Prods: Marc Fienberg, Santiago Tapia Cast: Bernice Liuson Sim, Max Flisi An important mistake gets in the way of a couple on the verge of taking their relationship on to the next level… SUNDAY MORNING STRIPPER USA, 2003, HD24, 25 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2003) Dir: Sheldon Collins, Writer/Prod: Lionell Hilliard, Cast: Bruce Bruce, Reynoldo Rey, Jenifer Lewis, Sara Beth Lane, Shawn H. Smith A Pastor of a failing church needs a miracle to hold his congregation together. He gets it in the form of a woman that takes her clothes off during a heightened worship service, which brings new members (and tithes) to his church. Hey, the Lord moves in mysterious ways...sort of. SUPER BITCHIN' MUSCLE CAR USA, 2003, Digital, 10 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir: Dan Cronin • Prod: Brad Yoder • Cast: Emily Gorgen, Bradley Kell, Chris Soldevilla, Brad Yoder An allegory about prejudice set in the acrimonious world of muscle car restoration. SURPRISE USA, 2002, Digital, 8 min. (West Coast Premiere, DWF 2002) Dir: Loren E. Chadima, Writer: Mark Harvey Levine, Prods: Marc Ferrero, Danelle Hand, George Belshaw, Loren E. Chadima Cast: Carolyn Hennesy, Mark Harvey Levine, Sarah Nina Philips The love life of a two-minute psychic in five minutes. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST USA, 2004, Super16, 30min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2005) Writer/Dir/Prod: Daria Price • Cast: Rocco Sisto, Antoinette Peragine, Aida Turturro, James Kiberd, Marie De Cicco, Rachel Alvarado, Joe Tabbanella, Maury Cooper, Michael Crider, Phoebe Price, Michael Walczak, Donald Moran, Nancy Harding, Simone Study, Karl Jaecke, Lisa Casillo, MarLee Candell A satirical mystery in which America’s obsession with youth and beauty hits critical mass, when a gorgeous young corpse turns out to be made of more plastic than flesh and a high-profile divorce turns into a war over the value of an older woman’s newbody parts. When the husband’s attorney claims those parts should be figured into the settlement along with the couple’s other non-liquid assets, his wife’s attorney counterattacks with a “survival of the fittest” defense of all women who "live in an age when the greatest sin of all for a woman is to age!” SWAY USA, 1998, 16mm, 11 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 1998 - GRAND JURY AWARD) Writer/Dir: Mickael Kreuzriegler, Producer: L. Blanchford, Cast: Sophie Chahinian, Stefan Medin, Guy Viau, Trace Turville The Amazon, 1938: Danger, romance, and seduction - a jungle fantasy about love the way it used to be! SYSTEM USA, 2003, 35mm, 12 min. (WORLD Premiere, DWF 2004) Writer/Dir: Oliver Defilippo • Prod: Garrett Grundman • Cast: Justin Stiles, Hugh Mason In the year 2054, the prison system handles their capital-punishment trials outside the courtroom. To appeal for a trial has a whole new meaning.