2016 Media Film Festival

2016 Film Details

20 meters of love in Montmartre (4:40, France) narrative

Four lonely women in Paris find a secret connection between them, through their hearts and through their arts…

• director/writer: Pierre Gaffié
• producer: Marilia Deloison
• cast: Marie Neplaz, Katherina Marx, Valerie Even, Myriam David

 

Animation Hotline (7:05, USA) animation

An intriguing series of animated real-life stories based on actual crowd-sourced answering machine messages that have been continuously collected since 2011.

• director: Dustin Grella
• stories By: Anonymous, Thatcher Keats, Sarah Rusnak
• animators: Dustin Grella, Jamie Nowik, Chu Chi Lin

 

Artspeak (16:00, USA, Italy) documentary

The film follows the director as he seeks to counter the use of “artspeak” by curators, writers, and other art insiders with the way everyday people think, and feel, about art.

• director/co-writer: Bill Claps
• producer: Mauro Botticelli
• DP: Francesca Pagani
• cast: Bill Claps

 

Awakenings (13:19, India) horror

The line between dreams and reality is blurred when a young woman in charge of two children is haunted by mysterious entities.

• director/writer/producer: Bhargav Saikia
• cinematographer: A. Vasanth
• cast: Palomi Ghosh, Saurabh Goyal, Mrudula Sathe, Jairaj Dalwani, Prisha Dabas

 

Baits and Hooks (10:00, Serbia) narrative

The transition from socialism to capitalism for two long-time factory workers is a bumpy one. Or is it?

• director/producer: Luka Popadic
• writers: Tamra Barackov, Luka Popadic
• DP: Nikola Mrdalj
• editor: Natasa Pantic

 

Breakfast (1:52, USA) comedy

A young man greets the day, enjoys nature, and decides on some breakfast served with a twist.

 

Chateau Sauvignon: terroir (13:10, USA) horror

A gruesome coming of age story about a vintner son’s disobedience and desire to care for his ailing mother.

• director/writer: David E. Munz-Maire
• producers: Rob Eletto, Jayesh Hariharan, Carlos Valdivia, David E. Munz-Maire
• cast: Michael Lorz, Sean Weil, Anthony del Negro, Nancy Nagrant, Pooya Mohensi

 

Disco Zal (14:00, USA) comedy

Zal is a legend in his hometown for the Disco Dance he held years ago. State television interviews Zal, and his family, on the eve of the triumphant return of Disco Dance to the village.

• director: Sean McKnight
• writers/producers: Sean McKnight, Gary Gustin
• cast: Gary Gustin, Janice LaFlam, Marian D’Angelo, Edmiston, Sarah Dewey, Evangeline Young, Frank Williams, Lisa Panzer, Tina Khaladze

 

The Dolphin Skin City (21:00, France) drama

Eric is an idealistic architect who attends a conference to present his ideas on the future of how cities might be built. He happens to meet a young florist named Claire and theirs is a story about the love of architecture as well as the architecture of love.

• director/writer: Pierre Gaffié
• writer: Marilia Deloison
• cast: Regis Lux, Magaly Godenaire

 

Donald’s Mom (8:32, USA) comedy

Donald gets picked on by just about everybody at school. That is until he meets his new mommy, Maureen.

• director/writer: Elyse Ostrow
• producers: Elyse Ostrow, Andrew Paszkiewicz
• cast: Seanan Ellis, Lauren Langley, Felicia Wilkins, Tyler Warrington

 

Dream Big (12m, Media Youth Film Initiative) drama

Danny is a very talented musician, if only someone would listen.

• director/writer: Talia Steinmetz
• co-writer: Christian Dath
• executive producer: Hezekiah Lewis:
• cinematographer: Harrison Kracht
• assistant camera: Tori Judge
• grip: Dominic Patterson
• cast: William Prakash, Christian Dath, Antonella DeCicci, Ciara Kain, Giacomo Fizzano, Maria Courter, Michael Courter

 

The End of Blessings (10:00, USA) narrative

A cyclist repeatedly rides past an elderly couple’s home while completing his daily workout. The ride and the silent, mutual acknowledgments between the rider and the couple seem rhythmic and routine, until something changes.

• director: John Rice
• writer: Jim Daniels
• producers: John Rice, Jim Daniels, Jonathan Joseph
• cast: Stephen Olney, Larry Meyers, Mary Ballerini

 

The Eve (19:24, Italy) horror

As a boy who has everything, Simon should be happy, especially on Christmas Eve. Instead, Simon senses something is wrong and only wants for Santa to take him away. As the clock ticks toward Christmas day, Simon’s idyllic family life is about to change.

• director/writer/producer: Luca Machnich
• cast: Valerio Santosuosso, Ulf Kusdas, Mary Wall, Maurizio Rapotec, Sandro Di Stefano

 

Ferdinand Knapp (15:00, France) narrative

Ferdinand Knapp is the pre-eminent actor of French theatre, revered by all. In preparing for a new play, the lines between his character’s malevolent personality and his own begin to blur.

• director: Andrea Baldini
• producers: Duncan Way, Louis Le Bayon
• writers: Andrea Baldini, Thomas Compere-Morel
• DP: Philippe Piffeteau
• cast: Dominique Pinon, Dominique Uber, Philippe du Janerand

 

Fish (3:50, Iran) comedy

An elderly couple shares their apartment with their pet fish. When it’s time to change freshen its bowl, the tap has run dry and our scaly friend literally ends up a fish out of water. Where will he land?

• writer/director/producer: Saman Hosseinpuor
• DP: Zanyar Lotfi
• sound recorder: Zanyar Tahmasebi
• cast: Asie Moradi Zar, Mahmood Mirzaee

 

Frontman (18:12, USA) drama

When an emotionally self-destructive rock star faces a health crisis, his personal and professional lives begin to unravel.

• director: Matthew Gentile
• writers: Matthew Gentile, Corey Wilcosky
• producers: Brenden Hubbard, Kristoffer Polaha
• cast: Kristoffer Polaha, McKaley Miller, Emily Tremaine, Robin Thomas Grossman

 

A Full Stop that Searches for its End (10:02, India) drama

Upon learning of the death of a long lost friend, Seshadri searches his memories and his heart in an effort to understand what his life has been and what it never was.

• director: Vivek Vishwanathan
• writer: Vinayak Guhanarayan
• cast: Maheswaran M, Shyam Sunder, Latha Venkatraman, Nithya Ramachandran, Sivasaran RK, Vikram Dev, Vinayak Guhanarayan, Zulfikar, Annupamaa Krishnaswami

 

Ginger and Snapper (5:00, USA) animation

The dead have risen; society has collapsed, and guess who Ginger has for a new playmate?

• director/Writer: D.C. Douglas
• exec. Producer/Animator: Rachael Leone
• cast: Lacey Chabert, D.C. Douglas, Liam O’Brien, Laura Bailey, Roger Craig Smith, Steve Blum

 

Got This (16:00, USA) comedy

Things are not going well as Hope and Jack try to get out of town and Bugsy the cat has gone missing at the worst possible time. As the Cat Patrol springs to action, the day may yet be saved (along with Hope and Jack!)

• director: Susan Barry
• producers/writers: Susan Barry, Ethan Cadoff
• DP: John M. White
• cast: Bernard the Cat, Emily Pantalone, John Racioppo, Reagan Frankhouser, Richard Kent Green

 

Gumball (6:00, USA) narrative

A teenager breaks into a diner with a can of spray paint intending to do some damage. She instead finds something that gives her pause.

• co-directors: Kris Theorin, Kurtis Theorin
• writer: Niklas Theorin
• producer: Amy Theorin
• cast: Olivia Dalessandro

 

The Hitch-Hiker (29:14, Canada) horror

Bad things can happen when you catch a lift with a stranger.

• director/Writer: JP Marchant
• producers: Tiara Adams, JP Marchant
• DP: Tiara Adams
• cast: Kelten Jensen, Adan Munro, Gin Fedotov, Garrett Bishoff, Claire Ainscough

 

Hopscotch (10:30, USA) drama

Matt and Emma have known each other since childhood and their relationship has finally hit the breaking point. As Matt contemplates walking away, the events of his crumbling relationship with Emma begin to intertwine with the game they played as children.

• director/writer/producer: Chung Wei Huang
• cast: Brian Evarts, Linh Chia

 

How Olin Lost His Eye (6:00, Ireland) horror

Sometimes it’s better not to look.

• director/writer/producer: Damian Mc Carthy
• cast: Taghd O’Leary Ashford, Frank Hurley

 

(IM)Moral (9:30, USA) comedy

Lars is a struggling actor who needs to prove to his high-powered, lawyer girlfriend that he can pull his own weight. A big audition comes his way for actors with disabilities. What at first poses a moral dilemma turns into a funny tale of integrity and success.

• director: Rachel Breitag
• writers/producers: Rachel Breitag, Mads Black
• cast: Mads Black, Rachel Breitag, Nirav Bhakta, Alex Kyle, Erika Godwin, Logan Martin, Daniel Cordileone, Diana Aeris

 

I’ve just had a dream (7:25, Spain) narrative

A poignant story that proves the adage that one’s nightmare can truly be another’s dream.

• director: Javi Navarro
• writers: Pedro Herrero, Javi Navarro
• cast: Andrea Mas, Estela Del Carmen

 

Lucky Penny (6:44, USA) narrative

Making a connection and finding a friend is sometimes like sifting through the penny jar-that special one is out there, you just have to look.

• writer/director: Becca Roth
• producers: Dana Kaplan-Angle, Becca Roth, Melina Marini, Molly Cahen
• cast: Becca Roth, Hallie Haas

 

Monkeys (14:52, USA) drama

Years after their toxic relationship has ended, Lila’s and Gimmie’s lives are still mysteriously connected. But Lila has spiraled out of control. Will Gimmie be able to save her?

• director: Christopher Soren Kelly
• writer: Clark D. Schaefer
• producers: Jessica Graham, Christopher Soren Kelly, Clark D. Schaefer, Bruce Logan
• DP: Adrian Pruett
• cast: Jessica Graham, Christopher Soren Kelly

 

Moths (22:25, USA) drama

While awaiting her father’s return from the WW2 front lines, a 9-year-old girl helps the disfigured town outcast secretly nurture a rare breed of moths.

• director: Andy Fortenbacher
• story: Zac Page, Andy Fortenbacher
• screenplay: Zac Page
• producer: Madeline Shapiro
• cast: Blaine Mallory, Bryan Burton, Blake Robbins

 

Night Mare (3:00, USA) animation

An animated short film that follows a horse on a doomed journey.

• created by Julie Long

 

Oh Crappy Day (17:42, USA) comedy

On a date with a charming young woman, a film student tries his best to keep his OCD on the down low.

• director/writer: Jon Lance Bacon
• producer: Steven P. Neilson
• cast: Jordan Estes, Jess Barbour

 

Oh Lucy (17:00, Japan) narrative

Setsuko, a 55 yr old “office lady” is given a blonde wig and a new identity by her unorthodox English instructor. When the instructor suddenly takes off, Setsuko must come to terms with what, and who, remains behind.

• director/writer: Atsuko Hirayanagi
• producers: Ken Natsuhara, Masumi Soga, Perry Loong, Michael Chua, Razmig Hovaghimian
• cast: Billy Scott, Kaori Momoi, Miyoko Yamaguchi, Rian Shimada, Keiichi Tsuda, Koji Kitazono

 

One is No One (29:51, USA) documentary

Set in Costa Rica, One is No One tells the story of 57 year old Mama who struggles to provide for her multi-generational household. The film follows Mama as she works to overcome poverty and the growing mistrust between her community and those in power.

• directors: Paola Gadala-Maria, Marissa Losoya
• writers: Paola Gadala-Maria, Marissa Losoya, Austin Haitos, Evan Mcintyre
• producers: Diandra Navarro, Kathleen Einspanier, Andrew Caracciolo
• cinematographers/editors: Austin Haitos, Evan Mcintyre

 

Pain Killers (8m, Media Youth Film Initiative) drama

Danny has to make a life-altering decision that could change the life of his friend Atom for ever.

• Executive Producer: Hezekiah Lewis
• Producers: Anthony Taurisano, DJ Gleason, Deja Holder, Matthew Manzi, Andrew Proctor
• Director: Anthony Taurisano
• Assistant Director: DJ Gleason
• Writers: Anthony Taurisano, DJ Gleason
• Cinematographers: Matthew Manzi, Andrew Proctor
• Editors: Andrew Proctor, Matthew Manzi
• Cast: DJ Gleason, Mark Gornto, Deja Halder, Anthony Taurisano, Patrick Williams, Eric Blenk

 

Peanut Butter Lips (2:20, UK) comedy

One boy. One Girl. Loads of sandwiches!

• director/writer: Jamie Cooper
• cast: Arne Cunningham, Mia Baker

 

Putdown (10:00, UK) comedy

John is socially awkward and deep in debt. Things start to turn around when a lucky accident thrusts him into a new line of work helping clients tend to their pets.

• director/writer: Rick Limentani
• producer: Rebeca Cobos
• cast: Wilf Scolding, Rebeca Cobos, Chris Bearne, Ellie Dickens

 

Sara and Dennis (12:00, USA) drama

A couple is confronted with their differences through a seemingly harmless game of “would you rather…”

• director/Writer: Shahin Izadi
• producers: Rodney Evans, Lois Drabkin, Jacob Feiring, Jaime Sweet
• cast: Aaron Moten, Kellyn Lindsay

 

The Song of Wandering Aengus (4:00, UK) animation

Haunting stop-motion animation based on W.B. Yeats poem of the same title.

• director: Matthew Lawes
• exec. producers: Marlena Hellebo, Marta Sala Font
• cast: Liam Cunningham

 

Sonnet 134 (3:00, USA) drama

Shakespeare’s 134th sonnet is brought to life as a young, conflicted mother prepares to repay a debt.

• director/writer: Edward Shieh
• producers: Christiane Seidel, Ross Williams
• DP: Dave Giles
• cast: Christiane Seidel, Anna Gutto, Sebastian Beacon

 

A Sublime Screenplay (10:00, Media Youth Film Initiative) comedy

Sam is the best director in the world, as far as he is concerned. Now if he can only keep his crew together to finish his film.

• director/editor: James Zeigler
• writer: Julia Smith
• executive producer: Hezekiah Lewis:
• producers: James Zeigler, Julia Smith, Christian Dath, George Hollyer, Anna-Oliva Machado, Dakota Alexander, Sadeeq Carpenter
• cinematographer: George Hollyer
• assistant director: Christian Dath
• grips: Anna-Oliva Machado, Dakota Alexander
• boom operator: Sadeeq Carpenter
• cast : DJ Gleason, Flounders, Melissa Ronaldson, AJ Belville, Christian Dath, Dakota Alexander, Darryl Ridgeway

 

Sushi (2:42, USA) animation

Offbeat and irreverent, Sushi serves up several popular types of the delicacy-much to the horror of the Sushi themselves!

• director: Jacob Greenawalt
• cast: Lauren Rooney, Marc “DJ Marquis” Snyder

 

Telegram Man (14:09, Australia) drama

During World War II, Bill is alone and somewhat isolated from the rest of his small Australian farm town. The reason he is shunned becomes clear as the film unfolds.

• director/producer: James Francis Khehtie
• cast: Gary Sweet, Jack Thompson, Sigrid Thornton

 

Tommy (10:00, Media Youth Film Initiative) drama

Tommy is an average teenager who just wants to enjoy life but school, family, and friends all seem against him. Who will be the one person Tommy can turn to in his time need?

• director/writer: Talia Steinmetz
• executive producer: Hezekiah Lewis
• producers: Talia Steinmetz, Harrison Kracht, Matt Kenny, Riley George, Yvonne Yokoyama
• Cinematographers: Harrison Kracht, Yvonne Yokoyama
• boom operator: Matt Kenny
• cast: Giacomo Fizzano, Riley George, Isabella Evangelista, John Bucci, Julie Stackhouse, Marshal Bushman, Nicholas Evangelista

 

Tunnel Vision (15:45, USA) drama

Brandon is losing his sight and convinces his ex, Sarah, to drive him around for one last look at the places where they spent time together so he can see them, and her, one last time. They both struggle with the concepts of vision, blindness, and confronting the past.

• director/writer: Joseph A. Kraemer
• producers: Ginger Jolly, Joseph A. Kraemer
• cast: Kate Chamuris, David Blatt, Thomas Daniel Dwyer

 

Welcome Home (6:00, Media) narrative

Is someone watching? Are you being followed?

• director: James Ziegler
• co-director: Catherine Nelson
• writer: Julia Smith
• executive producer: Hezekiah Lewis
• producers: James Ziegler, Catherine Nelson, Dakota Alexander, Damon Patterson, George Hollyer, Julia Smith, Sadeeq Carpenter
• DP: George Hollyer
• sound mixer: Sadeeq Carpenter
• editor: Catherine Nelson
• digital effects: Harrison Kracht
• cast: Catherine Nelson, Dakota Alexander, Damon Patterson, Julia Smith, Sadeeq Carpenter