Hollywood Film Festival Unveils Lineup with new Team onboard
The 2015 Hollywood Film Festival, which runs September 23-27th, promises a fresh and exciting global direction under its new team: CEO & Executive Producer Brad Parks and Executive Director Rod Beaudoin.
After funding the acquisition of the festival last year, Brad Parks guided the transition of the festival theme to socially relevant films anchored in causes and calls-to-action. Now, with the help of Rod Beaudoin, the festival takes its message global with international partnerships, new media programming and cutting edge entertainment which all complement its “See Good / Do Good / Feel Good” mission. This year, the festival received an unprecedented 3,019 submissions; and from that number, programmed 20 Narrative Features, 27 Documentaries and 38 Shorts, along with Social Impact TV and Social Impact Streaming projects incorporating social Vine and social YouTube content.
With over 15 years of experience in community engagement and social commerce software, Brad Parks also served over a decade as V.P. of The Hanleigh Companies, America’s first-ever direct underwriter for Lloyds of London, specializing in entertainment, professional sports and high net worth corporate risk management. He also served 10 years as a Sergeant with the United States Army. Rod Beaudoin, with over 20 years of festival programming and entertainment experience, helped to form the Beloit International Film Festival in 2005 and a few years later, he was instrumental in launching the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Iowa with Brad Parks. Last year he reunited with Parks in the production of the Hollywood Film Festival.
Brad Parks and Rod Beaudoin plan to grow the Hollywood Film Festival to a top tier global festival without the help of typical glitz and glamour, by celebrating the creative artists, activists and industry leaders who have supported causes around the world. “Our goal is to demonstrate the power of cinematic storytelling as a tool to fuel positive social change,” says Parks. “The Hollywood Film Festival is connecting the dots,” adds Beaudoin. “Many of Hollywood’s celebrities are heavily involved in important global causes, so overlapping is eminent. But with digital technology, our cultures are colliding more now than ever and audiences globally are responding to the inspiration of social content.”
The 2015 Hollywood Film Festival begins Wednesday September 23rd with a “Welcome Wednesday: Welcome to Hollywood” night of events designed to get to know the vast number of filmmakers who traveled from around the world to attend the festival, and to introduce them to a pool of industry professionals and distribution partners.
Thursday September 24th , promises stars and emerging filmmakers on the Red Carpet as they join the four Showcase Opening Night Films anchored in the social impact See Good / Do Good / Feel Good theme along with an additional “Be Good” film. PEARLY GATES, directed by Scott Ehrlich, features an all-star cast including Uzo Aduba, Illeana Douglas, Bonnie Sommerville, Peter Bogdonavich and Lainie Kazan in a comedic musical about wanting to be remembered and learning that the only way to truly live on is in the hearts and minds of the people around you; WAFFLE STREET, directed by Eshom and Ian Nelms stars James Lafferty and Danny Glover in the true story of Jimmy Adams, a V.P. of a $30 billion hedge fund, who loses his job and winds up working as a waiter at a waffle shop; OUTLIVING EMILY, directed by Eric Weber stars includes Olympia Dukakis, Louis Zorick, Andre Braugher, Zosia Mamet and Alexis Bledel in a look at the marriage of Tim and Emily over the course of 50 years with numerous actors playing both characters; and GHOST TOWN TO HAVANA, directed by Eugene Corr and Roberto Chile is the story of two youth baseball coaches who strike up a friendship in an online gaming room but, when they decide to meet in person, fun and baseball quickly turns to murder and poverty.
The evening continues with a tier of four risk taking films. The World Premiere of F FOR FRANCO, is a multi-layered exploration into the mind of James Franco the Actor, Director, Author, and Visual Artist. Directed by Dr. Francisco J. Ricardo, the film will incorporate a live art exhibition with discussions of Franco’s art process. THE KEY, directed by Jefery Levy, is an erotic look at marriage and lust and stars David Arquette and Bai Ling. GLORY DAZE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MICHAEL ALIG is directed by Ramon Fernandez and takes place in NYC in 1987 when a new group of individuals arises to fill the artistic power vacuum created by Andy Warhol's untimely death and the demise of his 'Factory', in the form of The Club Kids. THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES, directed by Phil Allocco, tells the story of a man who finds himself in a tangled web of lies when the truth proves to be too much to admit and even harder to accept.
“Female Friday” taking place on September 25th is dedicated to showcasing films produced and/or directed by an exceptional female filmmaker with curated conversations about issues facing women in Hollywood today.
Each day, the festival will honor one of its six Jury Prize winners at a special 6pm event at the Arclight for Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short and Emerging Filmmaker. On Sunday, top honors for Best Social Impact Film will be awarded to the film that best exemplifies the festival’s See Good / Do Good / Feel Good mission.
The Hollywood Film Festival seeks to promote phenomenal films about causes that count while inspiring audiences to act. The festival connects some of our generation’s best independent filmmakers, cultural content creators, and social impact storytellers with Hollywood, the "Entertainment Capital of the World."
NARRATIVE FEATURES
12 Citizens
Synopsis: A Chinese remake of the Classic American Film 12 Angry Men.
Director: Ang Xu
Producer: Luna Wang
Country: China
Stars: Bing He, Tongsheng Han, Tiezeng Mi, guangfu Li, Chunyang Zhao, Gang Wang, Dongping Gao, Yongqiang Zhang, Zan Ban, Bo Qian, Hui Liu, Jia Lei
Trailer: https://youtu.be/n8HHV4HIYYc
Astraea
Synopsis: When disease nearly wipes out the human race, a telepathic teenage girl believes her visions confirm that survivors are living in Northern Canada.
Director: Kristjan Thor
Producers: Jessica Cummings, Ashlin Halfnight, Scotty Crowe, Kristjan Thor
Country: United States
Stars: Nerea Duhart, Dan O'Brien, Scotty Crowe, Jessica Cummings
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/118208194
Backgammon
Synopsis: Thirty-something Erik makes a living playing Backgammon in the local park. He is about to get thrown out of his residence, when a young girl approaches him in the park. She changes his life, while he tries to fight the demons from his past.
Director: Danny Thykaer
Producers: Kenneth Skouboelling, Danny Thykaer
Premiere Status: West Coast Premiere
Country: Denmark
Stars: Danny Thykaer, Sofia Lever, Maja Muhlack, Dan Zahle, Thomas Chaanhing, Laura Kamis Vrang, Adam Fischer, Carl Emil Lohmann
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/103457582
Booze Boys & Brownies
Synopsis: An aspiring actress navigates the musically comedic underbelly of Hollywood in search of fame, fortune, boys and herself.
Director: Veronica Mannion
Producer: Veronica Mannion
Country: USA
Stars: Deborah Geffner, Brent Weinbach, Brandon Denton
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/124341899
Don't Worry Baby
Synopsis: A father and son unknowingly sleep with the same woman, then four years later compete over the paternity of a child either of them could be the father of.
Director: Julian Branciforte
Producers: Nick Shore, Thomas Kaier, Brendan McHugh
Premiere Status: West Coast Premier
Country: United States
Stars: Christopher McDonald, Dreama Walker, John Magaro, Tom Lipinski, Talia Balsam
East Side Sushi
Synopsis: Juana, a Latina single-mother strives to become a sushi chef.
Director: Anthony Lucero
Producers: Julie Rubio, Vicki Wong, Heather Haggarty, Nanou Matteson
Country: United States
Stars: Diana Elizabeth Torres, Yutaka Takeuchi, Rodrigo Duarte Clark, Roji Oyama, Kaya Jade Aguirre, Lane Nishikawa
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/65911466
Website: www.eastsidesushifilm.com
Forward. Side. Close!
Synopsis: A neurotic cynic who suffers from obsessive compulsive behaviors lives in a remote castle with his two servants. His life undergoes a dramatic restructuring when his excitable friend surprises him on his 70th birthday weekend with the intention of turning his life upside down.
Director: Alexander Peter Lercher
Producers: Alexander Peter Lercher, Elsa Hartlieb
Premiere Status: World Premier
Country: Austria
Stars: Heinz Trixner, Christian Futterknecht, Uschi Glas, Sandra Lipp, Julius Kuhn, Herman van Ulzen, Vivien Wulf, Otto Retzer, Helmut Nagele, Bruno Thost and Mark Jaeger.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/127802209
Hells Heart
Synopsis: A lonely ten-year-old boy becomes enamored with a woman who lives across the hall and her seemingly perfect family. One evening, he witnesses her brutal murder, and his life changes forever. Decades later, he believes her spirit has come back to haunt him.
Director: Ryan Denmark
Producers: Ryan Denmark, Carol Matthews-Nicoli
Premiere Status: World Premier
Country: United States
Stars: Michael Kirby, Adrienne LaValley, Kersti Bryan, Christine Cartell, Alexander McCarty, Diane Perell, Kenneth Tigar
January 1st
Synopsis: In the midst of his parents’ divorce, a twelve year old boy tries to find his family's stolen piano.
Director: Erika Bagnarello
Producers: José Miguel Bonetti, Eduardo Najri
Premiere Status: US Premier
Country: Dominican Republic
Stars: Víctor Pintor, Paula Sánchez-Ferry, Carlos Báez
Oblivion Season
Synopsis: An ex-prostitute tries to start a new life by marrying the man she has fallen for, but leaving behind the shadow of her dark past is not as easy as she thought it would be.
Director: Abbas Rafei
Producer: Abbas Rafei
Premiere Status: US Premier
Country: Iran, Islamic Republic of
Stars: Sareh Bayat, Amin Zendegani
Outliving Emily
Synopsis: A look at the tumultuous marriage of Tim and Emily Hanratty over half a century, with numerous actors playing both characters throughout the 50 years.
Director: Eric Weber
Producers: Josh Sugarman, Eric Weber
Country: USA
Stars: Thomas Mann, Zosia Mamet, Kal Penn, Alexis Bledel, Dominic Fumusa, Cara Buono, David Pittu, Malcom Gets, Andre Braugher, Phylicia Rashad, Louis Zorich, Olympia Dukakis,
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/68799015
Pearly Gates
Synopsis: A comedic musical about wanting to be remembered and learning that the only way to truly live on is in the hearts and minds of the people around you.
Director: Scott Ehrlich
Producer: Scott Ehrlich
Country: USA
Stars: Scott Grimes, Uzo Aduba, Illeana Douglas, Bonnie Sommerville, Sam Mcmurray, Nolan Gross, Madison Grimes, Peter Bogdonavich, Lainie Kazan, Jack Noseworthy, Hill Harper, Jordyn Belle, Vincent Soano Jason Stanford
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/123352723
Silent Sea
Synopsis: Two families clash in a lonely house by the sea and are faced with the disturbing reality of a somber truth.
Director: Juliane Fezer
Producers: Alexandra Krampe, Juliane Fezer
Premiere Status: US Premiere
Country: Germany
Stars: Charlotte Munck, Christoph Grunert, Christoph Gawenda, Nadja Bobyleva, Alexander Beyer, Daan Lennard Liebrenz, Henny Reents, Nico Holonics, Elias Kassner, Bella Bading, Natalia Belitski
Surviving Me
Synopsis: When fear and insecurity get the best of college sophomore Sophie, she loses her moral compass, and must journey through her own experience of Dante's Inferno to find redemption.
Director: Leah Yananton
Producer: Mary Prendergast
Premiere Status: World Premier
Country: United States
Stars: Mira Furlan, Vincent Piazza, Fredric Lehne, Dennis Hill, Leah Yananton, Christine Ryndak
The Key
Synopsis: An erotic exploration of marriage and lust.
Director: Jefery Levy
Producer: Jefery Levy
Country: USA
Stars: David Arquette, Bai Ling
Trailer: https://youtu.be/TxuMFVvz6gQ
The Truth About Lies
Synopsis: Gilby finds himself in a tangled web of lies when the truth proves to be too much to admit and even harder to accept.
Director: Phil Alocco
Producers: Steve Carr, Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof, Phil Allocco, Coleen Camp, Kim Jackson
Country: USA
Stars: Fran Kranz, Odette Annable, Chris Diamantopolous, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Miles Fisher, Colleen Camp, Arthur J. Nascarella
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/109487763
Website: http://thetruthaboutliesmovie.com
Two 4 One
Synopsis: A bittersweet comedic drama with a transgender hero in an unimaginable predicament. Oddball couple Adam and Miriam have a pivotal and ill-advised one night stand that sees them both wind up pregnant.
Director: Maureen Bradley
Producer: Daniel Hogg
Country: Canada
Stars: Gavin Crawford, Naomi Snieckus, Gabrielle Rose, Andrea Menard, Matt Baram
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/106037011
W.A.K.A.
Synopsis: Matilda, a 30-something-year-old single woman abandoned by her family, works as a waitress in a bar. Her life is shaken up after her boss finds out that she's pregnant, and opts to fire her.
Director: Françoise Ellong
Producers: Jonathan Taieb, Adam D. Lablack
Premiere Status: US Premiere
Country: France
Stars: Patricia Bakalack, Bruno Henry, Alain Bomo Bomo
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/99406203
Waffle Street
Synopsis: The true story of Jimmy Adams, a V.P. of a $30 billion hedge fund, who loses his job and winds up working as a waiter at a waffle shop. Amidst the greasy madness of the 24-hour diner, Jimmy befriends Edward, an ex-con grill master who serves up hard lessons about life, finance, and grits.
Director: Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms
Producers: Autumn McAlpin, John J. Kelly, Brad Johnson
Premiere Status: West Coast Premier
Country: USA
Stars: James Lafferty, Danny Glover, Julie Gonzalo
Trailer: https://youtu.be/E4A1LWWGkaA
Well Wishes
Synopsis: After losing his job on a coin toss, Miles gets rich harvesting coins out of wishing fountains across the country; until his prosperity is questioned by best friend Jack, Durwood the homeless man, and a kind-hearted fugitive who ultimately teach him the real meaning of wealth and happiness.
Director: Anderson Boyd
Producers: Anderson Boyd, Juan Cruz Pochat
Premiere Status: World Premier
Country: USA
Stars: Shane Callahan, Cullen Moss, Don Baker, Anna Stromberg
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/138768490
Website: http://www.wellwishesmovie.com
DOCUMENTARY
Among the Believers
Synopsis: An unsettling and eye opening exploration into the spread of the radical Islamic school Red Mosque in Pakistan, which trains legions of children to devote their lives to jihad, or holy war, from a very young age.
Director: Hemal Trivedi, Mohammed Ali Naqvi
Producers: Hemal Trivedi, Jonathan Goodman Levitt
Premiere Status: West Coast Premiere
Country: Pakistan/United States
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/121476322
Angel of Nanjing
Synopsis: The Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing is one of the most famous bridges in China. It is also the most popular place in the world to commit suicide. For the past 11 years Chen Si has been patrolling this bridge, looking to provide aid for those who have gone there to end their lives. Incredibly, he has saved over 300 people since he began - nearly one every two weeks.
Director: Jordan Horowitz, Frank L. Ferendo
Producers: Jordan Horowitz, Frank L. Ferendo
Premiere Status: West Coast
Country: USA
Trailer: https://youtu.be/QA93svbHgok
Cold Nights Hot Salsa
Synopsis: Cold Nights Hot Salsa takes you inside the international Latin dance world of Victor and Katia, aspiring young salsa dancers from Montreal, Canada who seek to win a World Salsa Championship.
Director: Edwin Gailits
Producer: Edwin Gailits
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Country: Canada
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/111233312
East LA Interchange
Synopsis: East LA Interchange follows the evolution of working-class, immigrant neighborhood, Boyle Heights and how it managed to survive the construction of the largest and busiest freeway interchange in the nation. The film explores the shifting face of community in the United States today and argues why it should matter to us all.
Director: Betsy Kalin
Producers: Betsy Kalin, Christine Louise Mills, Vanessa Luna Bishop, Gretchen Warthen, Eric Waterman
Country: United States
Stars: will.i.am, Danny Trejo, Father Greg Boyle, Josefina Lopez, Momo Yashima, Xavi Moreno
Trailer: https://youtu.be/9Z2FYuL0Zgg
F_For_Franco
Synopsis: Filmmaker and art theorist Dr. Francisco J. Ricardo delves into the creative mind of the multi-faceted James Franco in this innovative documentary or film essay. As the two converse on Franco's thoughts and process in executing some of his early experimental art and film work, the viewer is privy to these art pieces, some of which were rarely seen outside of a film festival or art show.
Director: Francisco J. Ricardo
Producer: Adrienne Chamberlin
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Country: USA
Stars: James Franco, Seth Rogan, Evan Goldberg
Frame By Frame
Synopsis: After decades of war and an oppressive Taliban regime, four Afghan photojournalists face the realities of building a free press in a country left to stand on its own – reframing Afghanistan for the world and for themselves.
Director: Alexandria Bombach, Mo Scarpelli
Producers: Alexandria Bombach, Mo Scarpelli, Jeff Orlowksi
Country: United States
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/70207830
Website: http://www.framebyframethefilm.com
Ghost Town to Havana
Synopsis: The story of two youth baseball coaches who strike up a friendship in an online gaming room but, when they decide to meet in person, fun and baseball quickly turns to murder and poverty.
Director: Eugene Corr, Roberto Chile
Producer: Ruth Shapiro
Premiere Status: World Premier
Country: Cuba
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/125864735
Website: http://www.ghosttowntohavana.com
Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig
Synopsis: New York City. 1987. A new group of individuals arises to fill the artistic power vacuum created by Andy Warhol's untimely death and the demise of his 'Factory', in the form of The Club Kids.
Director: Ramon Fernandez
Producers: Lisa Brubaker, Ramon Fernandez
Premiere Status: West Coast
Country: USA
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/130982190
Great White Lies
Synopsis: Focusing on the Western Australian Government’s decision in January of 2014 to hunt and kill the white shark, a protected species in Australia, filmmaker Skyler Thomas visits Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand to learn more about the shark culling practices in each of those locations.
Director: Skyler Thomas
Producer: Skyler Thomas
Country: United States
Homme Less
Synopsis: From all outside appearances, Mark seems to have the glamorous New York City life that many would envy. Handsome and always impeccably dressed, the charismatic former male model works as a fashion photographer, appears in movies and attends the best parties. When he leaves those events, however, he heads to the East Village— not to an overpriced loft, but to a hidden corner of a rooftop to sleep each night. Thomas Wirthensohn exposes the dark underbelly of the American Dream in an often-merciless city.
Director: Thomas Wirthensohn
Producers: Karol Martesko-Fenster, Wolfgang Ramml
Premiere Status: West Coast
Country: USA
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/96111593
Website: http://www.homme-less.com
In The Game
Synopsis: A warm and intimate look at sisterhood and hope in the face of adversity over four years in the life of a Latino inner-city girls’ soccer team
Director: Maria Finitzo
Producers: Kartemquin Films
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/133053729
Inside Fur
Synopsis: A group of highly motivated activists work for years with the goal of exposing the true face of the Nordic fur industry.
Director: Ola Waagen
Producers: Nadja Nørgaard Kristensen, Peter Engel
Premiere Status: US
Country: Norway
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/129788043
Inside Peace
Synopsis: Three criminal offenders marked by generations of violence, addiction and poor social conditions attend the Peace Class in a Texas prison, where they struggle to discover their humanity, improve their outlook on life, and rebuild their lives from the inside out.
Director: Cynthia Fitzpatrick
Producer: Cynthia Fitzpatrick
Country: USA
Stars: Trinidad Silva, Jake Alvarado, David Sigee, Julian Castro, Michael Gilbert
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/117020290
Website: http://insidepeacemovie.com
Lighter than Orange – The Legacy of Dioxin in Vietnam
Synopsis: Ten North Vietnamese veterans tell about their memories of the war and Agent Orange as well as the struggles they have faced as a consequence of both. There are an estimated more than 3 million victims of Agent Orange living today.
Director: Matthias Leupold
Producer: Matthias Leupold
Country: Germany
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/72646787
Website: lighterthanorange.com
Magda
Synopsis: Magda is the courageous story of a young Jewish woman who was a spy during WWII for the Polish Underground Army and at 93, recounts the tales of her incredible family and life.
Director: Jason Rem
Producer: Linda Taylor
Premiere Status: World Premier
Country: USA
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ll3qrEcIttw
Milk
Synopsis: Through an intimate and artistic lens, Milk brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe.
Director: Noemi Weis
Producers: Noemi Weis, Carolyn Allain
Premiere Status: US Premier
Country: Canada
Website: http://www.milkhood.com
One Rock Three Religions
Synopsis: This documentary starts from Jerusalem's most politically sensitive site, the Temple Mount or Haram Al Sharif, and examines the effect the three Abrahamic faiths have on the Israeli Palestinian conflict and world peace.
Director: Isaac Hertz
Producers: Isaac Hertz, Sam Grundwerg, Valentina Castellani Quinn
Country: USA/Israel/Palestine/UK
Website: http://onerockthreereligions.com
Personal Gold: An Underdog Story
Synopsis: Four underdog women become America's medal hope at the London Olympics when the men's team is banned during the Lance Armstrong drug scandal.
Director: Tamara Christopherson
Producer: Sky Christopherson
Country: United States
Stars: Dotsie Bausch, Jennie Reed, Sarah Hammer
Website: http://www.personal-gold.com
Right Footed
Synopsis: Jessica Cox was born without arms as a result of a birth defect, but managed to overcome many physical and emotional challenges to become fully independent. She learned to type with her toes, drive a car with her feet, and amazingly -- fly an airplane with her feet. Right Footed follows Jessica as she transforms from a motivational speaker to a mentor, and eventually into a leading advocate for people with disability.
Director: Nick Spark
Producers: Nick Spark, Mona Lisa Yuchengco
Country: USA
Trailer: https://youtu.be/xh9xGavDZ9M
Rooted In Peace
Synopsis: Greg Reitman shares his past experiences of living in the Gulf War and witnessing the aftermath of Hiroshima, Japan and later the grievances of 9/11. Greg challenges the viewer; on what will it take for humanity to wake up and to stop the cycle of war & violence.
Director: Greg Reitman
Producers: Greg Reitman, Britta Reitman
Country: USA
She’s The Best Thing In It
Synopsis: Oscar-nominated writer/producer Ron Nyswaner’s first documentary feature is an examination of the actor's craft and the sacrifices demanded by a lifelong career. Veteran character actor and Tony Award winner, Mary Louise Wilson, age 79, teaches her first acting class to skeptical members of the YouTube generation, smashing their red carpet illusions and challenging them to bring emotional honesty into their acting.
Director: Ron Nyswaner
Producers: Neda Armian, Jeffrey Schwarz, Ron Nyswaner
Country: United States
Stars: Mary Louise Wilson, Frances McDormand, Melissa Leo, Valerie Harper, Estelle Parsons, Tyne Daly, Charlotte Rae, Doug Wright
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/118725896
Something Better to Come
Synopsis: 10-year-old Yula is growing up in Putin's Russia in the Svalka, the largest junkyard in Europe, just 13 miles from the Kremlin. She has one dream-to escape the Svalka and have a normal life. For 14 years, we follow Yula as she grows up.
Director: Hanna Polak
Producers: Sigrid Dyekjær and Hanna Polak
Website: http://somethingbettertocomethemovie.com
The Rainforests Are Under Threat
Synopsis: A new documentary underscoring the threats facing the rainforest in Peru, the perpetuation of climate change, and the people who are fighting to protect it.
Director: Jerome Dolbert
Producers: Jerome Dolbert, Daniel Dolbert, Arlette Gritti
Country: Peru, USA
Website: http://www.jeromedolbert.com/rainforests_are_under_threat/
The Russian Woodpecker
Synopsis: As his country is gripped by revolution and war, a Ukrainian victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster discovers a dark secret and must decide whether to risk his life and play his part in the revolution by revealing it.
Director: Chad Gracia
Producer: Chad Gracia
Country: Ukraine/UK/USA
Trailer: https://youtu.be/9rd4ARsbg_0
The Search for Freedom
Synopsis: The story of a cultural revolution grounded in embracing the moment and doing what makes us feel the most alive. Through the eyes of the pioneers and top practitioners of surfing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, and more, we experience an uprising that has changed the face of recreation. We discover how an electrifying new world came about through pure energy and imagination and the infinite possibilities of self-expression available to anyone willing to drop in.
Director: Jon Long
Producer: Jon Long
Country: Canada
Stars: Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater, Nyjah Huston, Kelia Moniz, Robbie Maddison, Annie Boulanger
Website: http://thesearchforfreedom.com
Warriors
Synopsis:On the plains of Kenya, Maasai Warriors form a cricket team to fight harmful traditions such as FGM and gender inequality. The team embark on a journey to play a tournament in London, before returning home to confront their elders in an attempt to change their community.
Director: Barney Douglas
Producers: Barney Douglas, Michael Elson, James Anderson
Country: United Kingdom
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/54674923
Website: http://www.warriorsfilm.co.uk
Who Is Billy Bones?
Synopsis: Billy Bones hitchhiked his way to Hollywood in 1973 in pursuit of his dream to become a musician. After securing a spot as lead singer of The Skulls -- arguably the first punk band in LA -- Bones became a figure at the forefront of the punk movement. Over 40 years later, he’s still in pursuit of that dream.
Director: Kathy Kolla
Producers: Drew Milford, Kathy Kolla, Rick Watson
Country: USA
Trailer: https://youtu.be/7iqN7uqxWHA
TELEVISION
Myrna - "You're Not Done Yet" (TV Pilot)
Synopsis: After a successful career, an actor sacrifices everything when she transitions from male-to-female.
Director: Ted Campbell
Producer: Jennifer Fontaine, Marci Liroff, Heather Marie Piper, Kristin Beck, Christine D. Beatty, Ted Campbell, Marlo Bernier
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Country: United States
Stars: Marlo Bernier, Jennifer Fontaine, Julie Carmen, Mark Atteberry, Candis Cayne, Paul McKinney, David Mattey, Deacon Ledges, Cristina Van Valkenberg Mattey, Marci Liroff, Geralyn Flood, Jeremy Gordon
Syd
Synopsis: About a black female soccer player from Canada who gets recruited to UCLA and then ends up being on the USA women’s soccer team. (She also scored the winning goal this year in the world cup)
Director: Rena Mundo Croshere and Nadine Mundo
Country: United States
The Find: Season 2 Nicaragua
Synopsis: In 2007 Dave and Morgan Hansow took a risk by moving their family to Uganda, where they adopted their daughter and started an organization that created sustainable jobs for over 100 African Families. Through their experiences, they have realized that it is normal people like them that are changing the world through risk and creativity. Join the Hansow’s as they find and share the amazing stories of other individuals who are changing the world around them.
Director: Jesse Schluntz
Producer: Dave & Morgan Hansow
Country: Nicaragua
SHORT FILMS
A Passion Of Gold And Fire
Synopsis: A beekeeper shares his worries about the future of his apiary school.
Director: Pins Sébastien
Across Time I Cry
Synopsis: A young, solitary woman receives a series of anonymous gifts and an invitation to attend a social gathering, which leads her into a dark, mysterious world.
Director: Robertino Fonseca
ʻĀINA: That Which Feeds Us
Synopsis: ʻĀINA (pronounced "eye-nah") means, “that which feeds us” in the Hawaiian language. The film highlights a way to address some of the most pressing environmental and health crises facing the island of Kauai - and of island Earth.
Director: Josh Thome, Dave Mossop
Blame
Synopsis: Haunted by a dead rape victim, a young father must decide to either delete the only evidence of the attack or turn in his only son to the police.
Director: Kellee Terrell
Blitz
Synopsis: A father and son agree to a 'winner take all' blitz chess game in order to settle a bet.
Director: Faraday Okoro
Catching Fireflies
Synopsis: A young Latina girl attempts to escape the rigors and misfortunes of living on skid row Los Angeles through the power of her mystical imagination while simultaneously trying to protect the bond with her addict mother.
Director: Lee Whittaker
Charlie's Supersonic Glider
Synopsis: A look at the dynamic contrast between the very real, very brutal realities of hidden abuse, and the wondrous and beautiful world that exists within a little boy's imagination.
Director: Kate Maberly
Cold War
Synopsis: A deserting USSR soldier fleeing to Alaska encounters who he believes is a Native American woman. Befriending her seems like his best option.
Director: Richard Gray
Crayons
Synopsis: Two year old Jimmy, persists in drawing despite his father's restrictions. (partially animated)
Director: Giovanna Sarquis
The Dynamic Double Standard
Synopsis: Zoey's first night as a superhero is nearly ruined when she's given a sexy and impractical uniform.
Director: Luke Patton
Family Unit
Synopsis: A female inmate receives her husband for a three day conjugal visit on prison grounds.
Director: Zach Marion
Fragile Storm
Synopsis: A scared young woman goes to extreme measures to escape the clutches of a terrifying older man only to realize the shocking truth about why she's there.
Director: Dawn Fields
Golden Shot
Synopsis: Rusty machines living in their small houses imagine that the sun will come and take them to the sky someday. A small light keeps them alive and dreaming. But one of the machines wants to see the sun itself and he has a plan. (animated)
Director: Gokalp Gonen
Goran
Synopsis: The documentary, which began as an audio recording, soon became a chronicle of how Goran has overcome the stereotypes and obstacles associated with his condition while inspiring the same society that often considers his disease to carry the taint of inferiority and derangement. (BAD SYNOPSIS BUT FILM NOT ON IMDB)
Director: Roberto Santaguida
Hasta La Vista
Synopsis: Andy, socially awkward and single, is sent into an emotional spiral after mistakenly offending a woman at a party.
Directors: Matt Porter, Matt Kazman
In His Shoes
Synopsis: Chiddy Boy doesn’t speak. He doesn’t know what you are saying to him. When you don’t understand him he will throw himself on the floor and cry. He doesn’t play with toys. He doesn't understand them. His favorite thing in the world is shoes.
Director: Agnieszka Rudnicka
Indigo Grey: The Passage
Synopsis: A young boy's discovery of a mysterious gas mask provides a glimpse into an alternate reality.
Director: Sean Robinson
Latiner
Synopsis: Malena, a young woman form Argentina comes to New York to work as an actress, but she quickly realizes she is not "Latin" enough to play these roles -and that she has too much of an accent to play the "white" roles.
Director: Ines Gowland
Moto Borgatoro (on grid -- not on IMDB is this synopsis ok?)
Synopsis: "Moto Borgatoro" follows curmudgeon / savant mechanic Peter Boggia and the birth of his custom 1979 Moto Guzzi Le Mans.
Director: Roberto Serrini
My Pilot, My Whale
Synopsis: After spending several months at sea with free-living dolphins, international expedition came up with the unique result; direct contact between two forms of intelligence is possible.
Director: Alexander Gratovsky, Nicole Gratovsky
Plastic
Synopsis: Trapped in her own body, August's true self finally comes out and confronts her perfect yet plastic skin.
Director: Stella Deng
Pony
Synopsis: Claudia, a hardworking single mom, has to go out of town on an important last minute business trip, forcing her to leave her 5 year old daughter, Miko with uncle Jeff, a rock musician in his 50's who is still running on fumes of his glory days.
Director: Candice Carella
Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball
Synopsis: The story of an 11-year major League pitcher, who after winning two world championships with the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals and the 1969 Miracle Mets, embarked on a USO tour through Vietnam that would change his life.
Director: Drew Taylor
Scraps
Synopsis: One man's admission to doing something that generally draws a chuckle from others: Scrapbooking.
Director: Dave Kamens
Sketch
Synopsis: A 12 year-old boy on the Autistic spectrum uses his special talents to survive on his own in an impoverished and dangerous neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.
Director: Stephen T. Barton
Still A Rose
Synopsis: Through the modern lens of equality, Romeo and Juliet change on screen. Illustrating equal love in unequaled prose; because Love, by any other name, is still Love.
Director: Hazart
The Art House
Synopsis: Ginger Westray, a retired school teacher, uses her entire house as a canvas for her painting and sculpture.
Director: Laura P. Valtorta
The Birth of an Artist
Synopsis: A short documentary about a disabled Ukrainian girl who, despite all the odds, lives the life of a prolific artist.
Director: Natasha Babenko
The Emissary
Synopsis: An obsession with a young man who resembles her son leads Natalie Ray (Margo Martindale) to a surprise encounter with the stranger when he suddenly shows up at her New York City apartment.
Director: Rudy Dobrev
The Fallen Phoenix
Synopsis: An established composer struggles to write a masterpiece that pleases both himself and his sponsor. (animated)
Director: Gwen Barriac, Heather Larkin
The Record Parlour
Synopsis: In his mid-thirties and wrestling with what's really important in life, a man risks everything by quitting a job he's successful at to pursue something he's passionate about...owning a record store. But, bringing this childhood dream to life was never going to be easy.
Director: Ryan Goble
The Red Thunder
Synopsis: A nerdy teenager steals her Mom’s car so that she can go out on a date with the boy she’s in love with.
Director: Alvaro Ron
The Song Of The Seashore
Synopsis: A young Japanese soldier saves a Chinese woman from peril in wartime.
Director: Long Yang
Title
Synopsis: A dinner date gone awry where the couple says what they mean, and mean what they say, literally.
Director: Hazart
Tomgirl
Synopsis: Girls play with dolls and boys love sports, right? This film takes a look at what happens when those stereotypes are called into question.
Director: Jeremy Asher Lynch
Vanity
Synopsis: A girl's preparation for a first date gets a bit... weird.
Director: Arturo Perez Jr.
Welcome
Synopsis: The day her boyfriend plans to propose to her, Anna, a young New York-based Czech doctor is held at U.S. immigration after a humanitarian trip to Uganda.
Directors: Diane Hodson, Jasmine Luoma
Whispers Among Wolves
Synopsis: Every Thursday, an alcoholic CEO and her long suffering PA sit down to business.
Director: Kevin Lim
