2015 Media Film Festival

2015 Film Details

Absolution drama (10m, Australia)

On his first visit to the local Laundromat, a man has a fateful chance encounter with his wife, five years after she walked out. A powerful two hander about guilt, regrets and maybe even a chance at forgiveness.

• director/writer/editor: Dean Butler
• producers: Dean Butler, Hannah Moran, Shane Piggott
• cinematographer: Shane Piggott
• music/sound: Daniel Purcell
• cast: Dalip Sondhi, Gemma Cavoli

 

America in Black and White and Many Colors (24m, U S A)

The story of America's struggle with diversity throughout its history — based on the dolls in the collection of the Media Fellowship House.

• directors: George Rothacker, David Sibley
• writer/producer: George Rothacker
• cast: Gail Whitaker, Jane Valdes-Dapena, Ian Alexander, Andy Johnson, and Members of the Hedgrow Theater

 

Another Time (25m, U S A)

A twenty-something woman who may or may not be a lost time traveler deals with commitment issues and indecision in present day Philadelphia.

• director/screenwriter: Amy Frear
• director of Photography: Shawn Annable
• sound design: Sean Hamilton
• cast: Amy Frear, Davy Raphaely, Michael Wyant, Natasha Piletich, Elena Bossler, John Lopes, Rob Carroll

 

Arcadia experimental (5m, Canada)

Arcadia uncovers some unpleasant truths about idealized pastoral landscapes.

• director: Rick Fisher
• producers: Rick Fisher, Don Rice
• cast: Andrew John Milne

 

Ardoyne music video/documentary (5m, U S A)

Director Philip Clayton-Thompson wants to reinvent how documentaries are watched, by combining the documentary and music video forms. He takes footage from his award-winning 1972 documentary on 'The Troubles' in Ardoyne, Belfast, Ireland, and sets it to music and lyrics.

• director/lyricist: Philip Clayton-Thompson
• editors: Marshal Serna, Donna Pizzi
• composer: Daniel Buhr
• animation: Marshal Serna

 

Bread Elegant documentary (9m, U S A)

This short black and white film is based on recent social science research by its co-writer, Dr. Matt Bereza, which suggests growers and food service managers struggle with local food models. During the film, the subject builds a small oven in the rural Ohio landscape from found materials, produces bread, and distributes it free from the oversight of established procedures. Bereza describes his personal history with baking and his research on the disconnect between the ability to produce and buy local foods.

• director/cinematographer/editor: Holly Hey
• producers/writers: Lee Fearnside, Matt Bereza
• cast: Matt Bereza

 

Brian's Dots documentary (27m, U S A)

Brian was paralyzed in a serious accident when he was 16, and was told he would never walk again. But with determination and spirit he had a miraculous recovery, and traveled to Hawaii in search of something more.

• director/producer: JiHoon Im
• cast: Brian Delozier

 

The Brothers Brimm animation (5m, U S A)

The Brothers Brimm is equal parts homage to pop culture, vintage cartoon romp and underground comic. Mixed all together and delivered through the vocal stylings of Mr. John DiMaggio of Adventure Time and Futurama fame.

• directors: Matt Killian, Tom Bremer
• art director: Christian Patchell
• producers: William Vaughan, Anne Scheetz, Jeff Scheetz
• writers: Christian Patchell, Matt Killian
• cast: John DiMaggio, Jodie Killian

 

Butterfly Dreams drama (21m, U S A)

A young child laborer in India sees a way to pursue her dream to learn to read and write when an educated man comes to her village.

• director/writer: Venkat Krishnan
• cinematographer: Sunny Joseph
• music: Prasanna Sivaraman
• cast: Basheera Banu, Ganapathy Murugesan, P.T. Arasu Kalathilvenrar

 

Sivullinen (Bystander) documentary (8m, Finland)

Topi Kovanen is a retiree living on the island of Uto in the Finnish archipelago. The landscape is dominated by the sea, rocks and a lighthouse rising in the middle of the island. Because Uto is a bilingual island, Topi learned to speak Swedish in addition to his native Finnish. Topi later lost his Swedish skills as a result of a stroke. Through Topi’s story, the film deals with the relationships between man and nature and between language and surroundings. What is left when language disappears?

• director/writer/cinematographer: Pinja Valja
• cast: Topi Kovanen

 

The Confessional horror (5m, Philippines)

A young newly-ordained priest inside a confessional box is visited by a man possessed by the devil himself and holds the priest hostage as he narrates his descent into madness.

• director/writer: Miles Nera
• producer: Sheena Branzuela
• cast: Jason Holbrook, Anthony Uy

 

Cookie Media Youth Film Initiative (11m, USA)

All Xena wants is the attention of her father. Maybe baking cookies could help him father remember the way things were before her mother died.

• Executive Producer: Hezekiah Lewis
• Producers: George Hollyer, Andrew Proctor, Hafiz Tunis, Yvonne Yokoyama
• Director: Andrew Proctor
• Assistant Director: Hafiz Tunis
• Writer: Andrew Proctor
• Cinematographer: Andrew Proctor, George Hollyer
• Editor: Andrew Proctor
• Sound: Yvonne Yokoyama
• Production Assistant: Danielle Ridgeway, DJ Gleason
• Cast: Rebekah Weagraff, John Mullaney, Christen Mandracchia, Maegan Freese, Krista Ruddick, Hafiz Tunis, Joesph Niagara

 

Crow Hand horror (3m, U S A.)

A Husband gets more than he bargains for when he picks up a mysterious crow totem off the ground, much to his Wife's chagrin.

• director/writer/editor: Brian Lonano
• producer: Brian Lonano, Victoria Cook and Blake Myers
• cinematogrpahy: Josh Skierski
• music: Mark Arson
• cast: Caitlin McPhail, Jason Vail

 

Dear Guardians documentary (8m, Canada)

Since 2002, the Guardians have held an integral role at the Temple of the Burning Man festival. They have remained largely invisible, holding space from the shadows. Until now. From award winning director Ian MacKenzie comes this meditation on the nature of Guardians.

• director/producer/writer: Ian MacKenzie

 

Duality thriller (13m, U S A)

A young woman wakes up and, checking her phone, finds a photo of herself sleeping. She lives alone.

• director/writer/cinematographer: Daniel Ruczko
• producers: Jonathan Cook, Daniel Ruczko, Kenny Miller
• editing: Daniel Ruczko, Florian Kelm
• cast: Jodi Lynn Thomas, Kristen Rakes, Wendy Scott,Madison Fogle

 

Escape from Garden Grove comedy (15m, U S A)

Life isn’t all rosy for 16-year-old Sophie. Her dad moved out, her mom’s never home, and nobody tells her anything. So when she makes a disturbing discovery, she turns to the one person who knows how to make things better: Grandma. The plan’s simple: break out of the nursing home and escape to Belgium. If only the bus would come. If only Grandma knew where Belgium was.

• director/writer: Mathilde Dratwa
• producer: Elisabeth Durkin
• cinematographer: Bresser de Oliveira
• cast: Martine Moore, Victoria Blankenship

 

Fear to Sail drama (10m, U S A)

Marty Lewis, an aspiring musician, fears taking the next step while dealing with his relationship and family issues.

• director/writer: Darius Ichi
• producers: Charles Jean-Pierre, Darius Ichi
• cinematographer/editor: Kerry King
• cast: Darius Ichi, Julian Parker, Tarrence Taylor

 

Field Work comedy (12m, U S A)

Two middle-aged coworkers are forced into a wilderness trek by their new boss.

• directors/producers: Jeanne Benzel, Kevin Corcoran
• writers: Kevin Corcoran, James Haigney, Jeanne Benzel
• cinematographer/editor: Kevin Corcoran
• music: James Haigney, Max Caggiula, Aimee Moran
• cast: Sam Cagguila, James Haigney, Richard Bergh, Nathalie Manevich

 

From the South to the Stars drama (15m, U S A)

When Martha Bannister, a proud and entitled Southerner, comes to Hollywood to become a movie star, she goes through the unexpected difficulties every emerging actor has to face. As a result of her disappointing adventures, she decides to return home to Atlanta, as she gets the unexpected news on the way to the airport.

• director/editor: Kostantinos Mousoulis
• screenwriter: Janet Roth
• cinematographer: Joel Layogan
• cast: Janet Roth, Greg Travis, Jeff Eberly, Jenny Hollis, Mark Majarian, Megan Nager, Mike Zent, Sandra Videnska, Suzanne Marie Berman

 

Grimace horror/comedy (2m, U S A)

It's about life and death and the wars we wage within ourselves. It's about growth under pressure. It's about... a growth. One man's plight against a pesky pimple... a mysterious flesh bubble in full bloom. It's a sophisticated story chronicling his efforts to destroy the barnacle of unknown being in a battle for the ages (typically ages 12 to 20 but generally dependent upon hormone imbalances).

And it all boils down to one question: what would you do to save face?

• director/producer/writer: Levi Caleb Smith
• cinematographer: Danny Valentine
• editor: Thom Newell
• music: Rob Himebaugh
• cast: Justin Lazernick

 

Hidden Flowers The Media Youth Film Initiative (7m, USA)

A journey of a young artist who finds her voice through art.

• Executive Producer : Hezekiah Lewis
• Producers: James Ziegler, Julia Smith, Nicholas Evangelista, Sam Stern, Andrew Loignon
• Director: James Ziegler
• Assistant Director: Julia Smith
• Writers: Julia Smith, James Ziegler
• Cinematographer: Nicholas Evangelista
• Editors: Nicholas Evangelista, James Ziegler
• Sound: Sam Stern, Andrew Loignon
• Grip: Andrew Loignon
• Production Assistant: Danielle Ridgeway
• Cast: Jenna Dibona, Ally Duvak, Paola Gadaia Maria, Paola Gadaia Maria, Jennifer Ziegler, Julia Smith, James Ziegler

 

The Illusion animation (2m, Iran)

An animated story about illusion and vanity.

• director/producter/writer: Mohammad Reza Hanafi
• animation: Behrooz Roostaie
• cast: Reza Aftabi

 

Into the Gray science fiction/drama (17m, U S A)

After haunting visions of forgotten memories and a quandary of self, Stiller must determine if an apocalyptic world is worth saving again.

• director/writer: Anthony Berenato Jr.
• producers: Anthony Berenato Jr., Clarence Ma
• cast: Andreas Beckett, Jay C. Brothers, Lisa Roumain, Austin Chase

 

Last drama (11m, U S A)

Last explores the flawed relationship between two estranged brothers, Jim and Dave. Fearing that his way of life has finally caught up with him, Jim tries to make things right with his brother before it's too late.

• director/producer/writer/cinematographer: Noah Petrie
• cast: Michael Fisher, Jordan Gullikson, Emily Wood

 

Last Resort animation (8m, United Kingdom)

At their isolated hotel in the Canadian Rockies, a pair of teenage twin girls need to get over themselves and work together in order to defeat the most horrifying threat they have ever faced: their four-year-old sister.

• animation: Stephanie Blakey
• producer: Helen Gladders
• writer: Gillian Park
• cinmatographer: Sebastian Cort
• editor: Rory Gordon
• music: Arran Price
• cast: John Standing, Katherine Ryan, Stephanie Blakey, Violet Ryan

 

Make It Fair music video (4m, U S A)

Touching viewers through music and images, this music video shows the realities of life for children working on cocoa plantations — as well as the positive impacts of fair trade.

• director: Laura Kiehner
• writers: Laura Kiehner, Tricia Kiehner
• editor: Kiah Graham
• producer: Fair Trade Committee of Media, PA
• cast: Tricia Kiehner, Isaiah Kim, Amir Newton

 

Meet Mario drama (10m, U S A)

Meet Mario... a 27 year old PhD student in Italian Literature. Mario was born in Italy and, with his father, moved to the United States at the age of 14 after the death of his mother. Let's just say that Mario's not your "average" Italian (or is he?). Come join us on a wild ride where culture, spirituality and hypocrisy collide!

• director: D.J. Higgins
• writers: D.J. Higgins, Julie Robinson
• producer: Jean Chery
• cast: Cario George, Lou Martini, Joe Sernio, Amadeo Fusca, Christopher McCallister, Meredith Antonian

 

Motel Providence comedy (9m, U S A)

A cheating counselor working out of a sleazy motel room tests the boundaries of his own advice after a client's startling revelation.

• director/producer: Derek Frey
• writers: David Amadio, Gil Damon, Steve Kuzmick
• cast: Steve Kuzmick, David Amadio, Gil Damon

 

My Kingdom animation (4m, U S A)

A not so meditative meditation on the nature of personal space...

• director/producer/writer: Debra Solomon
• painting: Jieting Chen, David Sheahan
• music/sound: Alan Zahn, Nick Cipriano
• compositing: Jietnig Chen, Maryam Hajouni
• cast: Jane Curtin

 

Nightmare horror (13m, U S A)

While on a hike, Steven discovers a relic from another time. Intrigued by its mysterious nature, he takes it with him -- unknowingly unleashing the evil forces trapped within. With every passing night, the dead makes its way to Steven, paralyzing him... consuming him.

• director/writer: Mauricio Perez
• producers: Jevon Hicks, Mauricio Perez
• cinematographer: Dustin Parker
• music: Eros Cartechini
• cast: Andrew Ian, John Mahon, Kalif Price, Karina Perez

 

No Two Alike experimental (1m, U S A)

An inside look at what happens during a snowstorm.

• director/producer/writer: Ronnie Cramer

 

Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution documentary (15m, U S A)

The story of the Syrian revolution as told through the experiences of two young Syrians, a male rebel fighter and a female journalist, as they fight an oppressive regime for the freedom of their people.

• director/writer/cinematographer: Matthew Vandyke
• producers: Matthew Vandyke, Nour Kelze
• cast: Omar Hattab, Nour Kelze

 

Pain Killers The Media Youth Film Initiative (8m, USA)

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

 

The Perfect Drug experimental (4m, Russian Federation)

A young man lives his life online. The Internet becomes his only friend, his only passion. When one day all possible Internet connections are lost, he starts to feel real pain. He's addicted, and there's only one way to get freedom — start to live real life.

• director/writer/editor: Artem Makarevich
• writers: Artem Makarevich, Boris Gorlov
• cinematographer: Dmitry Demyanov
• cast: Artem Makarevich

 

Philly Blood Week horror (8m, U S A)

Chuck has great taste in beer and poor taste in women, and is on a quest to find the best beer in Philly, and hopefully a great woman too. He gets more than he bargained for when he meets Charli, a vivacious redhead who takes him to a dive that offers the 'best beer in Philly.' Will he survive the night?

• director/producer/writer: Zac Jones
• cinematographer: Ben Neate
• music: Marty Krzywonos
• cast: Stephen Medvidick, Sarah Taylor Cummings, Hollie Schwarz, Sarah Alexander, Scott Lehman

 

Relativity Explained to Children drama (11m, France)

Because he forgot a teacher's assignment, a father makes a radical decision to explain Einstein's theory of relativity to Nicolas, his 8 years old son.

• director/writer: Pierre Gaffié
• producer: Marilia Deloison
• cast: Dominique Parent, Sylvie Audcoeur

 

Signs of Life documentary (10m, U S A)

Sign spinning is a way of life for Justin Brown and thousands of others across the globe. Sign spinning is a combination of interactive advertising and lively street performances. For many sign spinners, spinning is more than just a hobby or fad.

• director/shooter/editor: Danny Corey
• cast: Justin Brown

 

Through the Trees drama (15m, U S A)

Grief-stricken and lost after the death of his wife, Tom has decided to commit suicide. His last hope is a no-nonsense counselor with some unorthodox advice. His challenge to Tom: Give yourself one day to think of a way to make a positive impact on someone else. While contemplating his decision, Tom meets a young homeless man who may be the key to his challenge. Will Tom find his way, or remain lost forever?

• producers: Aimee Donovan, Ryan Donovan
• director: Adedapo Akisanya
• writer: Ryan Donovan
• cinematographer: Vincent Singleton
• cast: Sean Walton,Dan Stearns ,Will Lidke

 

TICE horror (30m, U S A)

Cunning serial killer Albert Tice has escaped en route to a maximum security prison, turning the typically peaceful Topanga Canyon into grounds for terror. Notorious "chameleon" Tice has set up shop in the home of a Topanga resident, where a pregnant young woman, Jessica, is headed in order to retrieve something she desperately needs. Who will survive the night?

• director: Kathryn Mallinson
• writer: Daniel J. Rita
• producers: John Rita, Mike Flores, Matthew Eisenberg
• cast: Sandra Luesse, Dustin Loomis

 

Tumble Dry Low drama (7m, U S A)

A little girl and her father deal with loss in East Texas.

• director: Jefferson Stein
• producers: Kelly Stein, Myles Siegel, Jefferson Stein
• writers: Jefferson Stein, Kelly Stein
• cinematographer: Kenneth Richard
• editor: Jill Patricia
• music: Jefferson Stein
• cast: Chase Arrington, Georgia Rose Bell

 

Unknown horror (11m, U S A)

Halloween night with an unknown random caller.

• director/cinematographer/editor: DeWaun Ragland
• writers/producers: DeWaun Ragland, Tiara Parker
• cast: Tiara Parker, Adriane Hoffman, Henry Elizalde

 

A Very Busy Man dark comedy (13m, U S A)

When her employer disappears, fussy paralegal Sherry Pendleton must contend with his ex-wife, the police, and clients desperate for legal help.

• director: John Fecile
• screenwriter: J. Joseph Cox
• cast: Tracy Garrison, Lilliana Winkworth, Laurie Lister, Tom McGregor

 

Visions of an Imperfect Mind experimental (2m, Canada)

'Midway upon the journey of our life, I found myself within a forest dark, for the straightforward pathway had been lost.'

A man sits at a desk, writing on a piece of paper. Are we seeing his past, the influence of something darker, or the uncanny intrusions of a vivid imagination?

• director/producer/writer: Jean-Pierre Marchant
• cinematographer: Tiara Adams
• cast: Jean-Pierre Marchant, Craig Sephton

 

Zugzwang comedy (9m, U S A)

Zugzwang in German means "obligation to move." Life and chess are not so different. There is a moment in life where you know you have to make a decision, but the best thing to do would be not to make any move. But... you must. We simply call this being screwed. In chess, they call it Zugzwang.

• director/writer: Yolanda Centeno
• cinematographer: John Rosario
• cast: Roger Rignack, Di Koob, Chad Sano