2011 List of Films
"10:03": 12 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Michael Sneed | Official Site »
The very real danger of religious radicalism in a casual meeting with a person with a very different outlook.
Allison: 4 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Charles Hood
ALLISON is a short mockumentary about a failed relationship.
American House: 11 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Michele Chivu | Official Site »
A young couple responds to the economic crisis by moving into a retirement home, where they can get so much more for half of what they pay in the city! 'They can take away our middle years, but they can't take away our final years,' the young man says. Unfortunately, their plan goes horribly wrong when the young man has too much to drink during American House Swing Night and chaos ensues.
American Sweetheart: 8 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Karin Binanto
CLARA discovers clues that her husband is cheating on her and bakes an elaborate, yet deadly cake to give him a taste of revenge.
AYP: Seattle's Forgotten World's Fair: 58 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by John Forsen
Step back 100 years and experience a piece of Seattle's forgotten past. It's 1909. Seattle is on the cusp-shedding its rough frontier past, and embarking on a technological journey destined to become its legacy-a city of innovation, of vision, and of breathtaking beauty. It is at this juncture that the young city decides to host a World's Fair. Its leaders dream big-aiming to put on a grand World's Fair in the spirit of Chicago and St. Louis before it. The fair is held on the burgeoning University of Washington campus against the stunning backdrop of Mount Rainier. Here, Seattle welcomed the world-and the world responded. Visitors walked among palaces fit for an empire, saw new inventions that would change the world, and mined for mirth on the Paystreak, AYP's Midway. Seattle staked a claim at AYP on trade to the North and across the Pacific. It marketed itself as a sophisticated metropolis eager to further America's opportunities across the nation and around the world.
Barko: 8 min
Animated Short - USA Directed by Allison Craig | Official Site »
Barko is a lonely, unloved, and abused dog who has established himself as the unwilling clown of a circus run by poodles. His seemingly random fear of hot dogs is rationalized by flashbacks conveying a former owner who occupies his time tormenting the poor pup with the processed snack. Yet, in the end, Barko suddenly finds himself in the arms of a caring boy who shows him that he can experience a little love after all.
Beatboxing - The Fifth Element of Hip Hop: 55 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Klaus Schneyder | Official Site »
It was in the late 70s that a youth culture evolved in the poorer parts of New York which combined several disciplines under the name of Hip Hop. Apart from the four classic elements of Graffiti writing, DJing, Breakdancing, and Rapping, the musical side of this culture was enhanced by a fifth element called 'Beatboxing'.??From the hardship of poverty and the lack of instruments, a pioneer was inspired to imitate drum rhythms with his mouth - his brilliance creating the term 'Human Beatbox'.
Black Red Yellow: 19 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Andrew Abrahamson | Official Site »
A computer hacker and a seasoned convict are both urged into a heist for vastly different reasons. When things don't go to either ones plan, they are both forced to act on the few options they are left with.
Breakup Breakdown: 7 min
Bright: 40 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Benjamin Busch | Official Site »
A surprisingly contemplative drama centered on a blind man (Robert Wisdom) who must guide a quirky young man (Eric Nenninger) through a desperate fear. This carefully crafted film is rich with imagery, cryptic dialog, and a superb cast chosen from The Wire and Generation Kill to include Robert Wisdom, Eric Nenninger, Glynn Turman, Andre Royo, Marc Menchaca, David Barrera, Rich McDonald, and Benjamin Busch. BRIGHT pulls us into its world, demands our fascination, and keeps us in wonder. It is a truly artful experience.
Catching Dreams: 98 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Kevin Flint | Official Site »
Attempting to fulfill a dream of being cast in a Cirque du Soleil production, a 37 year-old amatuer flying trapeze catcher, seeking experience, travels the globe to train with world class acrobats and to create a video resume aimed at gaining him entry into Cirque's Montreal training center, where he can prove himself worthy of performing for the acclaimed circus. Tapped to create the video resume is the trapeze artist's twin brother, an amatuer cameraman with a dream of his own to become a filmmaker. This is the inspiring true story of two brothers who help each other 'catch' their respective dreams.
Circo: 75 min
Documentary/Drama - USA/Mexico, Directed by Aaron Schock | Official Site »
Tino Ponce operates Circo Mexico, which journeys across the Mexican countryside in search of paying customers. Wanting to please his father and continue the family business, Ponce has recruited his young children as performers while laboring night and day to maintain the circus's faltering financial fortunes. But a growing resentment brewing within his wife about their hardscrabble existence suggests troubles on the horizon. Buttressed by indie-rock band Calexico's evocative score, Schock' film observes this family drama with a sympathetic but clear-eyed view of a vanishing way of life.
Day Labor: 10 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Brendan O'Neill Kohl | Official Site »
A tale of bike messengers, day laborers and outsourcing gone wild.
The Drummond Will: 81 min
Narrative Feature - United Kingdom, Directed by Alan Butterworth | Official Site »
The Drummond Will is a black comedy set in decaying rural England, a collision between old and new. It follows estranged brothers Marcus and Danny Drummond as they find themselves on a surprisingly dangerous undertaking to unravel the mystery surrounding their father's unlikely wealth.
Earthship: 18 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by David Wilson | Official Site »
In 2047 Post global warming Canada the Whitmore family has remained hidden from the rest of the world for years. Now the youngest son Dax wants to see what has become of the world, but the world is coming to them.
Echotone: 90 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Nathan Christ | Official Site »
Internationally known as "The Live Music Capital of the World," Austin's music culture has led it to become one of the world's most sought-after destinations. As nearly two dozen high-rises pop up throughout the city amidst an economic downfall, how does the working musician get along? This lyrical documentary provides a telescopic view into the lives of Austin's vibrant young musicians as they grapple with questions of artistic integrity, commercialism, experimentation, and the future of their beloved city. Echotone is a cultural portrait of the modern American city examined through the lyrics and lens of its creative class.
Five Pounds: 79 min
Narrative Feature - USA, Directed by Michael Peer | Official Site »
'Five Pounds' is a coming of age thriller that examines greed, transformation, and temptations by juxtaposing two distinct narratives. After discovering a duffel-bag full of marijuana, Alex, decides to take advantage of what has fallen into his hands. Alex soon sees how thrilling and easy selling drugs can be but is not aware of the harm he is causing to himself and others, especially to the rightful owner. Unknown to Alex, Ben, the young drug dealer who stashed the bag, is now in a world of trouble as he has to come up with 15 grand to cover for the five pounds he lost. Soon, these two radically different worlds collide and no one is left unscathed.
The Gray Area: 94 min
Narrative Feature - USA, Directed by Chapin Hemmingway | Official Site »
Three young men attempt to comprehend the untimely death of their best friend. In their grief, the men discover their friend may have died under suspicious circumstances. Their efforts to mourn him and reveal the truth about his death eventually lead them down a dark and vengeful path.
Healing Neen: 54 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Laura Cain | Official Site »
One woman's journey back to a childhood of abuse and forward to healing as she spreads her message of hope for other victims still grappling with the consequences of untreated trauma, including homelessness, drug addiction and incarceration.
I AM: 76 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Tom Shadyac | Official Site »
Director Tom Shadyac speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it.
James vs. Reality: 23 min
Narrative Short - USA, Directed by Chris Wilson | Official Site »
A chronic escapee from a mental institution, our 'hero' James, believes he has super powers. He is a nuisance to his physiologist with his attempts to save 'this whole stupid planet on his own'. Is he only doing the world more harm than good? Well, maybe... This comedic action short has a solid cast with outstanding performances and great visual effects all leading to an unexpected ending.
Kaya: 20 min
Short Narrative - USA, Directed by Tony Leonardo | Official Site »
Kaya, a Midwestern girl, 19, follows her passion for cycling to New York City where she becomes a bike messenger.
Mack: 22 min
Narrative Short - USA, Directed by Ben Kadie | Official Site »
'Mack' tells the story of a painter with an ambition tragically larger than his talent. Inspired by Macbeth, the film's 15-year-old writer/director worked with a cast of fellow high-schoolers to capture the suspense, violence, comic relief, and drama of a Shakespearean tale.
Once Upon a Time in Kinmen: 28 min
Short Narrative - Taiwan, Directed by Chun-Han Shih
In 1964, the civil war between Republic of China (Taiwan) and People's Republic of China (China) was not completely over yet. Kinmen was the closest island to Mainland China that belonged to R.O.C., with only a 2.1 kilometer strait in between. Day and night, both sides launched psywars against each other through big speakers. No one knew when the war was going to end. Till the night, the huge broadcasting wall awakened. The wall couldn't fight, however. It was just a tied up giant beast.
Perhaps Tomorrow: 21 min
Narrative Short - USA, Directed by Sandy Garfunkel | Official Site »
Annie has detached herself from her friends and her work, and seems desperate to find a connection with a world other than her own. She thinks there is only one path to resolution, but unexpectedly, her daily lunch routine becomes the key to making peace with the ghosts of her past.
Prayers for Peace: 8 min
Animated - USA, Directed by Justin Grella | Official Site »
Pastels on a slate chalkboard underscore life's impermanence as the artist confronts the memory of his younger brother killed in Iraq.
Ride of the Mergansers: 11 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Steve Furman | Official Site »
The Hooded Merganser is a rare and reclusive duck found only in North America. Every spring, in the Great Lakes region, the wary hen lays and incubates her eggs in a nest high in the trees. Just 24 hours after hatching, the tiny ducklings must make the perilous leap to the ground below to begin life in the wild. This age-old rite is rarely observed by humans. 'Ride of the Mergansers' brings this hidden drama to the screen. Filmed entirely in northern Minnesota, 'Ride of the Mergansers' is a heartwarming blend of natural history, humor, and suspense. You'll be entertained, educated, and inspired - and leave with a newfound appreciation of the phrase 'leap of faith.'
Something Special: 3 min
Narrative Short - USA, Directed by Kristi Simkins | Official Site »
A young war veteran explores the magnificent wilds of New Zealand while reliving a haunting memory from his past. This is a powerful film about friendship, loss, and healing.
Something Ventured: 84 min
Documentary/Drama - USA, Directed by Daniel Geller & Dayna Goldfine |
Official Site »
Apple. Intel. Genentech. Atari. Google. Cisco. Stratospheric successes with high stakes all around. Behind some of the world's most revolutionary companies are a handful of men who (through timing, foresight, a keen ability to size up other people, and a lot of luck) saw opportunity where others did not: these are the original venture capitalists. Something Ventured uncovers the ups and downs of the building of some of the greatest companies of the twentieth century, and the hidden dramas behind some of the most famous names in business.
Superheroes: 90 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Michael Barnett | Official Site »
A journey inside the world of real-life caped crusaders. From all over America, these everyday citizens don masks, homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere. "Superheroes" introduces several of the country's most famous masked heroes including Mr. Xtreme, a 33-year-old security guard officer by day, but "a goon's worst nightmare by night." It also spotlights the New York Initiative - a fantastic foursome of Real Life Superheroes living together to fight crime in Brooklyn, New York. Other personalities include the eccentric and charismatic Master Legend from Orlando, FL and Dark Guardian who patrols parks with no fear to drive drug dealers out.
Taylor Camp: 90 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Robert Stone | Official Site »
The sixties were turbulent times for young people. But on Kauai's north shore, there was a safe haven, the ultimate hippie fantasy - a pot-friendly, clothing optional, tree-house village on a beach at the end of the road.
The Test: 52 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Gary Strieker | Official Site »
An entire Kenyan community of 50,000 participates in an HIV testing and counseling campaign are provided with a CarePack of products to prevent malaria, HIV and diarrheal disease as encouragement to take an HIV test. For the first time, people line up by thousands to take an HIV test--including adult men, a previously hard to reach group for HIV testing. Stigma of testing and knowing HIV status is reduced. Attitudes towards HIV+ people is confronted and overcome. Film shows how lives of five people change over course of one year from when they learn their status. The CarePack campaign was conceived and funded by a private Swiss company. Results have broad implications for achieving national testing goals and achieving Millennium Development Goals.
Touch: 11 min
Narrative Short - USA, Directed by Jen McGowan | Official Site »
Sometimes, the most personal connection in your life occurs with a complete stranger.
True Nature: 92 min
Narrative Feature - USA, Directed by Patrick Steele, Alex Mangen, Alvoro Leite | Official Site »
A malevolent presence haunts a young woman suffering from amnesia after a mysterious, year-long disappearance.
What's Up?: 8 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Kim Sheridan | Official Site »
A small film crew looks up at the sky and contemplates what's really going on with our environment. This film was created as part of the 2010 International Documentary Challenge, in which a short non-fiction film had to be written, filmed, and produced within a five-day period. First-time documentary filmmaker Kim Sheridan accepted this challenge, but took it one step further. She chose to do it all with a crew of only two: herself and her husband. Kim wrote, directed, produced, co-edited, co-filmed, narrated, and even created the musical score for 'What's Up?' It is her intention that the film will encourage viewers to open their eyes and their minds, and to take action to make a positive difference in the world around us.
Who is Alvin Greene?: 82 min
Documentary - USA, Directed by Leslie Beaumont & David Garrett
The story of South Carolina's surprise winner of the Democratic nomination for US Senator. The film follows Alvin's evolution from private citizen living in obscurity to public figure seeking higher office amidst the controversy and media chaos he has stirred in the world of American politics.