FILM SOCIETY OF LITTLE ROCK
PRESENTS
FANTASTIC CINEMA FILM FESTIVAL
MARCH 11-14TH, 2015 | THE STUDIO THEATRE | 320 W 7TH STREET, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 TWITTER: @FanCinemaFest | FACEBOOK: facebook.com/FantasticCinemaFilmFestival
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WELCOME TO THE FANTASTIC CINEMA FILM FESTIVAL EVENT ORGANIZERS TONY TAYLOR
FSLR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER
JOSHUA HARRISON
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER
MICHAEL ARMSTRONG FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
MINDY VAN KUREN
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
JENNIFER BOULDEN PR AND MARKETING
JESS CARSON
WEB DEVELOPMENT
JASON WILLEY BOARD MEMBER
JOHNNIE BRANNON BOARD MEMBER
OUR MISSION: The mission of Fantastic Cinema is simple. We bring the best genre films from around the world to the film fans of Arkansas. Our aim is to introduce a new audience to truly fantastic international genre cinema and show audiences not to be afraid of subitles, but instead thrilled by the performances and images on screen.
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CONTENTS FSLR - UPCOMING EVENTS
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MEET THE JUDGES
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FEATURES SYNOPSES
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FEATURES SYNOPSES (CONTINUED...)
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FEATURES SYNOPSES (CONTINUED...)
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SHORTS BLOCKS SYNOPSES
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SHORTS BLOCKS SYNOPSES (CONTINUED...)
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MIA INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR AWARD
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
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FSLR - UPCOMING EVENTS T
he primary focus for the Film Society of Little Rock is to bring quality programming to Central Arkansas that is not currently available. There is a whole world of quality independent cinema being produced that currently has little to no venues in the state. Below are a few of the exciting events we have coming up to help change that.
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ASIAN MOVIE MADNESS!
Presented by Fantastic Cinema and Well Go USA Entertainment A New Monthly Film Series - Once a month every month! “White Hair Witch” will screen on Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 pm at The Studio Theatre Synopsis: In the twilight of the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial court is plagued by corruption as tyrants rule over the land. With the Manchurians preying on a weakened empire, war is imminent. To save the victims from their suffering, sorceress Jade Raksha fights the soldiers that oppress people for their own gain. As payback, local government officials decide to pin the murder of Governor Zhuo Zhonglian on Jade, turning her and the members of her cult into wanted fugitives for a crime they didn’t commit.
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FSLR MONTHLY SHORT FILM SERIES
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KALEIDOSCOPE FILM FESTIVAL
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FLIPBOOK ANIMATED FILM FESTIVAL
APRIL 15 - MADE IN ARKANSAS FILM SERIES MAY 20 - RED OCTOPUS PRESENTS A NIGHT OF COMEDY SHORTS JUNE 17 - TBD JULY 15 - TBD AUGUST 26 - TBD
THE FIRST LGBT FILM FESTIVAL IN ARKANSAS! The Kaleidoscope Film Festival will showcase films that feature, celebrate, and explore LGBT themes and diversity. JULY 30 - August 2
A SHOWCASE OF THE BEST ANIMATED SHORTS AND FEATURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD! JULY 30 - August 2
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MEET THE JUDGES JONATHAN & MICHAEL CUARTAS Jonathan grew up in the hot city of Miami, raised in movie theaters with his brother. With an undying interest in storytelling, he began to pursue his degree in Film Production at Miami Dade College in 2011. He is currently working towards his Bachelor’s Degree. Jonathan directed his first independent short film, “The Pallor”, in the fall of 2013. It was received at several festivals. His new film, “Twelve Traditions” is currently in the festival circuit and has been accepted 2015 edition of Cannes Short Film Corner. Jonathan works with his brother Michael, co-producer and cinematographer. Michael Cuartas is a cinematographer based in Miami, FL. He is also known for working alongside his brother, Jonathan Cuartas. He received a Bachelor’s of Applied Science (Honors) in Film Production in 2014.
JOEL FROOME
Joel Froome is a cinematographer from Sydney, Australia currently based in New York City. After graduating from the prestigious Australian Film School, Joel began working as a freelance cinematographer shooting short films, music videos and commercials for international companies such as “Emirates” and “Bonds”. He recently shot the feature film “The Philosopher King” in Sweden and is in pre-production for the feature film “Cleveland” starring Liam Aiken (Road to Perdition, Lemony Snicket) and Amber Tablyn (Django Unchained, 127 Hours). Joel has received numerous cinematography awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society and also international film festivals such as Blue Whiskey Film Festival in Chicago and at the El Dorado Film Festival.
SARAH JONES Sarah Jones was born and raised in Central Arkansas. From an early age, everyone knew that she was destined to be a storyteller. After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in 2012 with an MFA in Digital Filmmaking, Sarah enjoyed a brief stint as a producer for P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home Challenge. She currently works in Public Affairs for the Arkansas National Guard. Sarah has written and directed several short films including John Wayne’s Bed, Turn Right on Madness, and An Ode to Angeline. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her watching sitcoms, geocaching, or winning at trivia.
ANDREW & MATTHEW MCMURRY Andrew and Matthew McMurry are the two filmmakers that make up AndrewMfilms, a YouTube channel with a focus on visual effect intensive action shorts that are highly influenced by gaming and geek culture. At the time of writing, the channel has amassed over 100 million views and nearly half a million subscribers. Andrew has been an independent visual effect artist for almost a decade while Matthew works as an independent musician and sound designer, writing and scoring music for a variety of different films and projects. Both work as partners, as they co-direct and co-write a majority of their films.
JUSTIN ROBINSON Justin Robinson is a young writer and director from Palm Bay, Florida, and currently based in South Carolina. Justin’s most recent short film, “Grape Soda” was not only a Vimeo Staff Pick but also a featured short by Short of the Week (shortoftheweek.com). Jeanette Bonds of Short of the Week calls the film, “a uniquely intimate film addressing challenges of life and loss.” Justin is currently in post production with his next short film “Popeye the Pizza Man.” Justin’s passion for film only grows daily, as does his own personal voice. Both his taste in films and quality of filmmaking made him stand out among the choices for judges.
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FEATURES SYNOPSES 54 DAYS A well-to-do Sydney party disintegrates into chaos and panic when a bomb goes off forcing 5 friends into a 1960’s nuclear shelter. As food and water runs out they are forced to make an impossible decision - either one dies or they all die. - 84 mins - Psychological Thriller, Australia | Directed by Tim R. Lea
A BATMAN’S TALE In a facility in Gotham City, Batman discovers the mob changing medications for mental patients. However, it is in this facility that we go deep into a behavioral, psychological and social study of characters that did not want but were caught in the crime life. A tale of the Brazilian life through the eyes of pop culture - 88 mins - Drama, Brazil | Directed by Elvis delBagno
BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES Three sworn brothers, and deadly Jinyiwei – Secret Police of the Imperial Guard. The new Emperor’s first mission - find and annihilate the corrupt fugitive Eunuch Wei and his followers. But one mistake reveals the truth - the three men are pawns in a deadly game, unleashing a CHAIN of secrets, conspiracies, and lethal consequences. - 112 mins - China, Action/Wuxia (Martial Arts) | Directed by Lu Yang
CHILDREN’S SHOW Based on a true story of Children being used by a syndicate for an underground fighting match.
- 85 mins - Drama, Phillippines | Directed by Roderick Cabrido
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FEATURES SYNOPSES (CONTINUED) CUB CUB is a horror adventure in which a young imaginative twelve-year-old boy named Sam heads off to camp with his Cub Scouts pack, leaders Peter and Chris and quartermaster Yasmin. Once they enter the woods, Sam quickly feels something is not quite right. - 85 mins - Horror, Belgium | Directed by Jonas Govaerts
DER SAMURAI A German mind-bender about shape-shifting cross-dressers, bloody decapitations, repressed sexual desires and small town life. Set in a small German village, a bloody game of cat-and-mouse ensues between a young, straight-shooting police officer and a cross-dressing villain with a large sword and a predilection for beheadings. - 79 mins - Fantasy/Horror, Germany | Directed by Till Kleinert
DOG DOG, the local triad ‘enforcer’ finds himself dying of boredom when he’s ordered to keep a derelict building free from intruders but when a wily heroin addict tricks her way into staying he soon finds himself looking at violence in a very different way. - 40 mins - Action/Crime, United Kingdom | Directed by Robin Schmidt
FANTASTICHERIE DI UN PASSEGGIATORE SOLITARIO Three characters in three different ages are united by a dream of freedom and a small masterpiece of literature. A journey through the mysterious and timeless aspirations, sufferings and ‘Reveries’ of a poet, of a young student and a child lost in the woods. - 83 mins - Fantasy/Animation, Italy | Directed by Paolo Gaudio
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FEATURES SYNOPSES (CONTINUED) HUNGERFORD The lives of a group of teenagers are turned upside down when their town is taken over by sinister forces.
- 79 mins - Sci-Fi/Found Footage - United Kingdom | Directed by Drew Casson
MEXICO BARBARO 8 Mexican directors unite to bring you tales of the most brutally shocking Mexican traditions and legends to life. MĂŠxico BĂĄrbaro shows the world stories that form a part of our culture, and even some that have haunted us and made us have nightmares since childhood, those ones which took away our innocence. - 113 mins - Horror Anthology/Mexico
THE MAN IN THE ORANGE JACKET A young man is fired from his job at the sea port and begins to stalk his boss and his beautiful wife. After a blood chilling turn of events, he attempts to escape his past by moving into the lavish mansion previously owned by his boss, but nothing will prepare him for an unsettling visit by a vaguely familiar guest. - 71 mins - Horror/Thriller, Latvia | Directed by Aik Karapetian
FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER After being mortally wounded and taken to the morgue, murderer Jason Voorhees spontaneously revives and embarks on a killing spree as he makes his way back to his home at Camp Crystal Lake. - A Special Retro Screening on Friday the 13th!
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SHORT BLOCKS SYNOPSES BLOOD RED SHORTS BLOCK Step inside and feast your eyes on sick horrors from around the globe. A sadistic family of lucha libres, a creature from the sea, a man amidst a horrific transformation, and an absolutely, totally normal group of students will add to the shapes you see in the shadows at night. Bring the kids: it’ll be a downright blast.
BRIGHT YELLOW SHORTS BLOCK The “Others” category represents the films that were too hip to be square. These films enjoy standing out in the crowd. They didn’t fit in the other categories, and for good reasons. What does a hamster, an artichoke, a box of memories and an emo kid have in common? Probably nothing, but you’ll enjoy the combination nonetheless.
MIDNIGHT BLUE SHORTS BLOCK A bit of action and dark humor mix for the perfect taste of what genre films are all about. These films all reside a bit off into the shadows, down an alley, away from the neon sidewalks. You won’t want to miss these five shorts that combine to form a perfect blend of action, thriller and dark comedy. All the really cool kids will be at this block.
NEON GREEN SHORTS BLOCK Come look into the future with a crystal ball. Enjoy the genres of stars and swords: lasers and unicorns. Fantasy and Science Fiction made love, and this block of shorts was the result. Be dazzled, amazed, and challenged. These 5 international shorts give a glance into other words, where the line between magic and science blurs.
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SHORTS BLOCK SYNOPSES (CONTINUED) BLOOD RED SHORTS BLOCK 1.) EL GIGANTE (13:42) 2.) SELKIE (14:00) 3.) SUBSTITUTE (20:00) 4.) BLATTARIA (20:00)
BRIGHT YELLOW SHORTS BLOCK 1.) EMO (THE MUSICAL) (15:51) 2.) ARTICHOKES (10:51) 3.) CURIOSITY KILLS (13:35) 4.) MEMORY BOX (9:08)
MIDNIGHT BLUE SHORTS BLOCK 1.) CORTO (9:40) 2.) SHINER (10:00) 3.) GOOD HANDS (5:40) 4.) SPOILT (9:26)
5.) THANATOPRAXY (10:54)
NEON GREEN SHORTS BLOCK 1.) PHOENIX (12:10) 5.) KIKO’S PARADISE (9:10) 2.) SUMER (9:57) 3.) KRESNIK (22:15) 4.) SLEEPING DEATH (15:15)
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MADE IN ARKANSAS INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR JJARRRAS JARROD PAUL BECK
The Film Society of Little Rock & Fantastic Cinema are proud to honor
JARROD PAUL BECK
the recipient of the 2014 Made in Arkansas Independent Filmmaker of the Year Award.
Ceremony March 14, 2015 at 5:00 pm
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AGENCY 501 ALLEGRA PRINTING BIG ORANGE DIGITAL DOJO LOCAL LIME LOST FORTY THE STUDIO THEATRE ZAZA’S IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE FILM SOCIETY OF LITLE ROCK OR ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT US AT INFO@FILMSOCIETYLR.COM