2019 Indy Shorts International Film Festival Guidebook by HeartlandFilm

#iNdYsHoRtS

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Indy Shorts �� 2 About Heartland Film �� 3 How to Fest �� 4 Workshops & Panels �� 5 Special Events �� 6 Festival Award Juries �� 8 Special Screenings �� 9 Finalists �� 10 Official Selections �� 14 Schedule of Screenings �� 30 Sponsors �� 32

A WELCOME mESSAGE FROm THE SPOKESGNOmE We are glad to be back for the 2nd Annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival and, yes, I am still here! I guess I did a pretty stellar job as spokesgnome last year, so you will be seeing my face even more during this year’s Festival. Being spokesgnome allows me to bring my love of all things short and my genetic fondness of flowers together for Indy Shorts at Newfields. With more than $30,000 in cash prizes, craft beer, Academy Award®-qualifying films, workshops, panels, and our new event Indy Shorts Pride Stride in partnership with the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival, this is bound to be the greatest event of the summer. Thank you to our staff and board of directors for their ongoing support throughout the year. And shoutout to our volunteers – film festivals could never survive without you. Visit IndyShorts.org to learn about this year’s films, events, and filmmakers, as well as view trailers, read synopses, interviews, and more. Follow us on social media and if you see me, be sure to take a selfie and share it using #IndyShorts!

Iggy Shorts @heartlandfilmfestival 2

@heartlandfilm

ABOUT HEARTLAND FILM Heartland Film’s Mission To inspire filmmakers and audiences through the transformative power of film Founded in 1991, nonprofit arts organization Heartland Film is a curator and supporter of purposeful filmmaking, honoring a wide variety of cinema, and awarding storytellers from all over the world. The films we select and exhibit – whether they inspire and uplift, educate and inform, or shift audiences’ perspectives on the world – all have one thing in common: they are story-driven films that do more than just entertain.

Heartland Film Programs Indy Shorts International Film Festival

Contact Us 1043 Virginia Avenue, Suite 2 Indianapolis, IN 46203 Phone: 317.464.9405 Email: info@heartlandfilm.org Web: heartlandfilm.org

Indy Shorts is an Academy Award®-qualifying film festival in the Short Film categories of Live Action Short Subject and Documentary Short Subject, and exclusively showcases short films under 40 minutes. Winning films will go on to play encore screenings at the Heartland International Film Festival.

Heartland International Film Festival The annual Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) showcases more than 200 independent films over 11 days of red carpet premieres and events, parties, and hundreds of film screenings across Indianapolis. Heartland Film’s annual Cultural Journey event is moving to HIFF where we partner with a host country to showcase their films, cuisine, and culture. The 28th Annual Heartland International Film Festival will take place Oct. 10-20, 2019 and will feature Cultural Journey: Passport to Germany.

Truly Moving Picture Award Heartland Film honors select theatrically-released films – story-driven movies that do more than just entertain – with the Truly Moving Picture Award. The Award allows studios and distributors to inform potential audiences of a film’s transformative power.

Heartland Film Roadshow The Heartland Film Roadshow travels across Indiana to offer year-round screenings of select Heartland films to the community. Screening venues include the Heartland Basile Theatre, JCC Indianapolis, the Athenaeum, The Historic Artcraft Theatre, and more. View the calendar of screenings online at heartlandfilm.org/roadshow.

Thank You, Indy Shorts Volunteer Screeners! Christian Arciniega Ashley Baylor Megan Bickel Kelly Boe Aaron Brelsford Laura Callender Ben Cramer Steven Curtis John Dalton

Gary Denney Beth Dow Julie Easton Carol Filkins Lisa Fisher Julia Frick Saundra Gilbert Jean Graham Lauren Hall

Casey Harper Leigh Harris Sheryl Holko Terri Horvath Avalon Husain Christine Jackson Lindsey Jones Maura Kent Brandon Kratkoczki

Julie Landrum Clay Lomneth Debi Lyon Robin MacKellar Cindy Marin Bob Massie Antonio Menendez Carol Milam Steve Moll

Virginia Mosier Brea Mullen Natalie Nemeth Jim Newlin Clark Pfifer Valeria Phillips Steph Pifer Amanda Reichling Nathan Richard

Daniese Roberson Austin Rudicel George Sanders Tiffany Settles Tom Shriver Dania Smith Bob Spoonmore Justin Stenger Caitlin Stevens

Amy Tompkins Lew Truex Deepu Varghese Bobbi Whittemore Hope Williams

HOW TO FEST How to Purchase Screening Tickets

Locations Newfields (a) Single ticket price Regular/Member

ONLINE Visit IndyShorts.org...............................

$12/$10

BY PHONE Call toll-free at 1.866.HFF.1010..........

$12/$10

AT NEWFIELDS Visit the Festival box office.................

$12/$10

Print at Home Print-at-Home tickets allow you to skip the box office! Volunteers will scan your printed ticket at the theater entrance.

Fest Passes The Fest Pass is the best way to fully enjoy Indy Shorts. It allows you access to unlimited regular program screenings, panels, and special events for Indy Shorts. Passholders can claim their tickets online or present their pass at the box office in exchange for a ticket. Fest Pass.................................................................................$95/$75 Members

4000 N. Michigan Road Indianapolis, IN 46208 JCC of Indianapolis (b) 6701 Hoover Road Indianapolis, IN 46260 The Jazz Kitchen (c)

b c a

5377 N. College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220 Athenaeum (d) 401 E. Michigan Street #3 Indianapolis, IN 46204

d e

The Alexander (e) 333 Delaware Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

Meet the Filmmakers Nearly 100 filmmakers and talent from all over the world will be in Indianapolis over the course of the Festival, eager to meet you and talk about movies! Don’t be shy – these individuals will be wearing special “FILMMAKER” badges. Strike up a conversation and make new friends.

Group Discount

Nightlife

Group sales for 10 or more tickets are available by calling the Heartland Film office at 866.HFF.1010.

End of the day and you still haven’t had enough of us fabulous people and gnomes at Indy Shorts? Join us at our nightlife locations! Each evening starting at 8:30 pm you can find staff, filmmakers, and festival goers at a different local bar. You can talk about films, flowers, beer, games, or whatever else you’d like! Ages 21+ only!

Additional Ticketing Information Attendees must be seated 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the screening or their seat may be forfeited. You may purchase tickets to future Indy Shorts screenings at the Festival box office.

Wednesday, July 24 Metro (Pride Stride) 707 Massachusetts Ave. Thursday, July 25 Tappers Arcade Bar 501 Virginia Ave. #102 Friday, July 26 Punch Bowl Social 120 S Meridian St.

Audience Choice Awards After each screening, you will use the provided ballot to rate the film from one to five. Ballots will be tabulated to decide the Audience Choice Award winner for each of the following categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short, Indiana Spotlight, and High School Film Competition. Winners will be announced post-Festival (voting will run through Sunday, July 28).

Saturday, July 27 Plat 99 333 Delaware St. *Ticketed Event Sunday, July 28 Metro 707 Massachusetts Ave.

WORKSHOPS & PANELS All workshops and panels are $10 for general admission and $5 for members and take place in Iggy’s Lounge! Tickets available online or at the box office.

LIGHTS, CAmERA, ACTION: WHY DETAILS MATTER Thursday, July 25 at 5:30 pm This panel will expand your thoughts on being a film professional in Indiana as well as the technical importance of storytelling to take you to the next level. You’ll be inspired to think big, take risks, hone your skills, and stay creative in your own backyard. Panelists include: Brice Bowman (Earshot Audiopost), Mina Keohane (Earshot Audiopost), Derek Hammer (Hammer Lighting & Grip), Eric Maloney (Innovative), Steven Potascek (Audio Engineer), Rachel Murphy (Producer)

PASSION AND PROFIT? “TRUE FIRST” AND THE INDY FILM SCENE WITH FILMmAKER JERALD HARKNESS Thursday, July 25 at 7:15 pm Indianapolis native, Heartland Film alumnus, and award-winning filmmaker Jerald Harkness will discuss his career and the ever-shifting balance of passion versus profit, the changing distribution landscape, and how the industry has grown — but still has a way to go — here in Indiana.

FESTIVAL FORmULA PANELS Festival Formula Founder & CEO Katie McCullough and Submissions Coordinator & Festival Liaison Manager Ian Bignell will present two panels. Attendees will be given the opportunity to sign up for private sessions on a limited, first-come-first-served basis. Panel 1: Gatekeepers & Relationships — What Film Festivals Can and Can’t Do For You Friday, July 26 at 2:30 pm Panel 2: Myth-Busting the Heck Out of Film Festivals & Submissions Friday, July 26 at 5:00 pm

AT THE MOVIES WITH ROGEREBERT.COm CRITIC mATT FAGERHOLm RogerEbert.com Assistant Editor Matt Fagerholm will discuss how he’s covered the movie beat from Chicago over the past decade. Part I: From Home Movies to Hollywood Critic: Matt covers his journey from young film lover and filmmaker to achieving his dream as a film critic. Friday, July 26 at 7:00 pm Part II: Critic Workshop: Learn the ins and outs of film criticism! Matt will break down a scene with attendees and offer guidance for aspiring critics. Saturday, July 27 at 2:00 pm

THE STORY OF EVA: FROM DOC FEATURE TO VR EXPERIENCE Saturday, July 27 at 12:00 pm WFYI Public Media and director Ted Green’s feature documentary “EVA: A-7063” won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award at the 2018 Heartland Int’l Film Festival. Now the creative team has brought the story of Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor to the world of virtual reality. Join the discussion with the filmmaking team on the journey, challenges, and transformation of Eva’s story from feature doc to virtual reality experience. There will be a free opportunity for the public to try out this VR experience all day Friday and Saturday outside of the DeBoest Lecture Hall.

FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN: BRINGING SCREENPLAYS TO REALITY Sunday, July 28 at 3:00 pm Television Writer, Producer, and Non-Fiction Author Jack Lugar provides insight to best prepare your screenplay for the big screen. In this interactive workshop, he’ll discuss what you should consider as you write your screenplay. He’ll also cover best practices for taking your screenplay into production, and finishing with a successful project.

SPECIAL EVENTS KICKOFF RED CARPET & AFTER-PARTY Thursday, July 25 Heels or no heels, own the red carpet as you make your way toward our first event of the summer! Indy Shorts’ KICKOFF will set the tone for an exciting weekend ahead. Be sure to grab one of the limited tickets to the after-party where local indie pop band, Forstory, will perform! The Toby Screening Tickets: After-party Tickets: 5:00 pm Indiana Spotlight 1 7:30 pm Indiana Spotlight 2 $12 general admission $10 general admission 6:30 pm Red Carpet $10 members $8 members 9:30 pm After-party

SUmMER NIGHTS AT NEWFIELDS Friday, July 26 A warm summer night and a picnic consisting of FREE Hot Box Pizza! Enjoy an outdoor screening of Heartland Film’s Academy Award®-nominated short films at Indy Shorts’ Summer Nights at Newfields. Outdoor Amphitheater Tickets: 7:00 pm Doors Open $12 general admission 9:30 pm Program Starts $10 members

CONVERSATIONS WITH INDIANAPOLIS PRIZE Saturday, July 27

The Toby at 1:00 pm

The Indianapolis Prize was established to bring the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented, and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species. This special event includes the World Premiere screening of documentary short “The Prize,” followed by a panel of filmmakers and our friends from the Indianapolis Zoo.

SECRET LIFE OF MUSLImS: JOURNEYS FROM HATE TO LOVE Sunday, July 28 Join us for a screening and discussion with Rais Bhuiyan, Richard McKinney, and filmmaker Joshua Seftel from the Emmy®-nominated short film series “Secret Life of Muslims.” In a special presentation, hear from people who have traveled on unbelievable journeys from hate to love, joined by the filmmaker who told their stories. The event is a testament to the power of redemption, showing just how much is possible when we choose to overcome hate. “Secret Life of Muslims” is an Emmy® and Peabody® nominated set of short films that feature Muslim Americans from a wide range of ethnic and national origins speaking directly to their own experiences. The series’ goal is to illuminate the existing complexity and diversity of America’s 3.3 million Muslims while pointing to a common shared humanity. JCC of Indianapolis 3:30 pm Program Starts

Tickets: $12 general admission $10 members

SHORTS & VIBES Sunday, July 28

The Jazz Kitchen Head over to The Jazz Kitchen for a special screening of “The Creative Process” shorts program. 5:30 pm Doors Open Fill up on good vibes and funky beats partnered with food and drinks as we end 2019 Indy 6:30 pm Program Starts Shorts with class and style! Live music by local jazz fusion band, Premium Blend. 8:00 pm Live Music

Tickets: $15 general admission $12 members

SPECIAL EVENTS: AWARDS AWARDS PRESENTATION Saturday, July 27 Escape to an evening of honorees and VIPs! Indy Shorts’ Awards show honors our filmmakers’ outstanding work and powerful stories. We’ll recognize the best independent filmmakers from all over the world and present the Festival’s top prizes. This event includes a screening of our “Finalist 3” program (page 12). Awards presented include: » $5,000 Grand Prize for Best Narrative Short Underwritten by Heartland Film Endowment’s Sparks Vision Award

Congratulations to the 2019 High School Film Competition Winners

» $5,000 Grand Prize for Best Documentary Short Underwritten by Heartland Film Endowment’s Sparks Vision Award » $5,000 Grand Prize for Best Animated Short » $2,000 Grand Prize for Best Indiana Spotlight Short Film » $2,000 High School Film Competition Summer White Lynch Memorial Grand Prize Underwritten by Gary D. & Marlene Cohen » $1,800 Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award

“The Burdens They Carry” by Alyssa Andrews Narrative Winner

» $1,000 Best Student Film Award The Toby

Tickets:

4:30 pm Red Carpet 5:15 pm Awards Program

$12 general admission $10 members

“Ascent” by Max Miesen, Max Mereminsky, Gabe Yung, Reed Martin, Riley Scott, Noah Hecht Documentary Winner

“INDY-Viduals: Rising Above” by Adele Reich, Hope Stauffer Indiana Winner

High School Film Competition founded by Bob & Alison Spoonmore.

AWARDS AFTER-PARTY Saturday, July 27 After the Awards Presentation at Newfields, join us at our host hotel, The Alexander, for live music, specialty drinks, and specialty eats as we celebrate with all of our talented filmmakers!

The Alexander Hotel at Plat 99 8:00 pm

Tickets: $15 general admission $12 members

JENNI BEREBITSKY LEGACY AWARD The Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award honors longtime Heartland Film friend Jenni Berebitsky, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease [ALS] in March 2009. The $1,800 award will recognize one short film in the Indy Shorts lineup that best captures the triumph of the human spirit and a person’s capacity to inspire others, just as Jenni does. The 2019 Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award Winner will be announced at the Indy Shorts’ Awards Presentation Saturday, July 27 at Newfields!

JURIES Film Selection Process Submitted films are initially viewed by tiered screening committees. These committees are comprised of volunteer screeners, each of whom have taken a critical examination and have been hand-selected by Heartland Film staff. Screeners watch each submitted film in its entirety and complete a detailed online review. These reviews help Heartland Film’s programming staff determine the strongest submissions each year. Consisting of film professionals, academics, and critics, each jury ultimately selects the Grand Prize Winner within each category. Full bios can be found at IndyShorts.org.

Narrative Sharon Badal

Jeffrey Bowers Vimeo

Cinema Society of San Diego

2018 Winner “Abu Adnan”

Kristin Borella

Matt Fagerholm

Alexandra Mitchell

Brighid Wheeler

Megan Leonard

Niki Lindroth von Bahr 2018 Winner “The Burden”

Cleveland Int’l Film Festival

Michael Husain

Teresa Sabatine

Keishana Vazquez White-Hicks

VP/Head of Shorts, Tribeca

Andy Freidenberg

Sylvia Le Fanu

Chris O’Falt IndieWire

Documentary

Associate Dean, USC School of Cinematic Arts

RogerEbert.com

Austin Film Festival

Indie Memphis

Rayka Zehtabchi

2018 Finalist and Oscar® Winner “Period. End of Sentence.”

Animated Bears Rebecca Fonte

Other Worlds Austin / aGLIFF

Lou Hamou-Lhadj

2016 Winner “Borrowed Time”

Seattle Int’l Film Festival

Paul Sloop

Indiana Spotlight Emmanuel Carter Actor

Jordon Hodges

River Bend Film Festival

2018 Winner, Indiana Spotlight “When Kids Wrote the Headlines”

Visit Indy

Indy LGBT Film Festival

High School Joey Chu

2018 Finalist / Student Award Winner “$30 to Antarctica”

Brad Condie

Animation Professor, Ball State University

Jeremy Kemp

2018 High School Winner “Middleweight”

Carol Nguyen

Two-Time High School Winner

Tom Olivia

All-American High School Film Festival

SPECIAL SCREENINGS SAN DIEGO JEWISH FF: BEST OF SOUTHEAST JOYCE FORUm WINNERS ASIA: 9FEST SUNDAY, JULY 28 – 12:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall Thailand’s 9FilmFest showcases international short films that expand visions, ideas, and truths to the world. For the second year, 9FilmFest partners with Indy Shorts to screen the top films from the 9FilmFest competition. This program contains mature themes and drug use.

SUNDAY, JULY 28 – 1:00 PM JCC of Indianapolis The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents The Joyce Forum winners to promote awareness, appreciation, and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people. This program contains mature themes.

Ten Bell Tolls

Fallen Star Rising Sun

NARRATIVE / 24 MINUTES / ISRAEL, PALESTINE / 2017

DOCUMENTARY / 30 MINUTES / USA / 2019

Director/Writer: Eli Rezik Cast: Tarik Kopty, Safaa Amoury, Julian Kassabri, Doraid Liddawi, Tamer Nafar

Director: Bake Phouikham Producer: Zohra Hasta Featured Subjects: Ko Chandetka, Kone Chansey

The story of Elias, a 10-year-old reticent orphan living with his grandparents: a priest and a delusional grandmother.

Identity. Addiction. Perseverance to make it to the top. “Fallen Star Rising Sun” tackles these modern day issues through the story of Ko Chandetka, the first Lao-American bodybuilder.

Leftovers NARRATIVE / 19 MINUTES / ISRAEL / 2017

Boom Boom NARRATIVE / 13 MINUTES / INDIA / 2019

Director/Writer: Yael Arad Zafrir Producer: Chen Asherov Cast: Irit Gidron, Avi Pnini, Ilan Hazan

Director/Producer: Siddhartha Dutt Writers: Siddhartha Dutt, Sreekanth Agneeswaran Cast: Yash Sinha, Vicky Arora

A devoted wife takes care of her disabled husband leaving her with unmet needs.

Two young men, reconciling with their respective baggage of rivalry, prepare to settle the final conflict of their lives with a game in which one of them has to die.

The Driver is Red ANIMATED / 15 MINUTES / USA / 2017 Director/Writer: Randall Christopher Cast: Mark Pinter

The Translator.

Set in Argentina 1960, this true crime documentary follows the story of secret agent Zvi Aharoni as he hunted down one of the highest ranking Nazi war criminals on the run.

NARRATIVE / 16 MINUTES / THAILAND / 2018 Director: Pagorn Jungrungruang Producers: Jasmine Tan, Vanessa Aguirre Tan Writers: Aaron Koh, Kevin Joseph

The Red House

The story of Jonathan Huang, a professional translator who excels at helping others communicate but lacks every social skill imaginable in his personal life.

DOCUMENTARY / 21 MINUTES / ISRAEL / 2016 Director/Writer: Tamar Tal Anati

DOCUMENTARY / 18 MINUTES / TAIWAN, USA / 2018

The film journeys through the many stories the walls of one unique building in Tel Aviv have witnessed, with love and longing for a building that is coming back to life.

Director/Writer/Producer: Larry Tung Featured Subjects: Jennifer Lu, Frank Wang, Jason Hsu, Chih-Wei Cheng

NARRATIVE / 15 MINUTES / GERMANY / 2018

Taiwan! Let’s Get Married

Die Abreise (The Departure)

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court ruled in favor of legalizing samesex marriage. Pressured by anti-gay groups, lawmakers have yet to introduce any bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

Director/Writer: Milan Carl Bath A woman is preparing her flat for departure. Step-by-step she seems to be following a strict plan. When she realizes she is missing money for the train she asks her neighbor for help.

Rojak Romance

Egg Cream

DOCUMENTARY / 22 MINUTES / SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA / 2019 Director/Writer: Christine Seow Producer: Jeremy Oh Featured Subjects: Tinesh Indrarajah, Jane Zhang

Directors/Writers: Nora Claire Miller, Peter Miller

A young mixed-race couple questions differing religious backgrounds, expectations on children, and meeting each others’ families, in multiracial, yet CMIO-centric Singapore.

Born in immigrant neighborhoods at the turn of the 20th century, this film explores the beloved chocolate soda drink and its meaning to generations of Jewish Americans.

DOCUMENTARY / 15 MINUTES / USA / 2018

These short films have risen to the top and have been selected as the competition titles across the Narrative, Documentary, and Animated categories. Presented in three programs, five films in each category will compete for the coveted $5,000 Grand Prize, as chosen by our esteemed juries comprised of filmmaking, academic, and industry professionals. Indy Shorts has earned the special designation of being a qualifying festival for the annual Academy Awards® within the Live Action and Documentary Short Film categories. The winner of the Grand Prize for Best Narrative Short Film and Grand Prize for Best Documentary Short Film will each qualify for consideration in the Short Films categories of the Academy Awards®.

Finalist Shorts 1 / 101 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 – 7:30 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

SATURDAY, JULY 27 – 2:45 PM The Toby

Vying for the Grand Prize in their respective categories, these five competition titles across the Narrative, Documentary, and Animated categories span subjects from a sweeping recollection of childhood friendship to the eye-opening creation of fake news stories in Macedonia. This program contains mature themes and drug use.

Selling Lies DOCUMENTARY / FINALIST / 31 MINUTES / USA / 2018 Director/Producer: Leslie Iwerks Editor: Doug Jacobson Executive Producers: James Younger, Suki Medencevic

IN ATTENDANCE: Doug Jacobson, Editor

In 2016, hundreds of Macedonian teenagers discovered a digital gold rush by spreading fake political news on Facebook. This rare glimpse inside the secret network unveils the truth behind the lies and reveals the dramatic impact on America and the U.S. presidential election.

Guaxuma ANIMATED / FINALIST / 14 MINUTES / FRANCE, BRAZIL / 2018 Director/Writer: Nara Normande Producers: Damien Megherbi, Justin Pechberty, Livia de Melo Executive Producers: Manuel Cam, Gao Shan Pictures, Amopix

IN ATTENDANCE: Nara Normande, Director

Tayra and I grew up on a beach in the north east of Brazil. We were inseparable. The sea breeze brings back happy memories.

In the Absence DOCUMENTARY / FINALIST / 29 MINUTES / USA, SOUTH KOREA / 2018 Director: Yi Seung-Jun Producer: Gary Byung-Seok Kam Executive Producers: Laura Poitras, Charlotte Cook

IN ATTENDANCE: Yi Seung-Jun, Director

When the MV Sewol ferry sank off the coast of South Korea in 2014, over 300 people lost their lives, most of them schoolchildren. Years later, the victims’ families and survivors are still demanding justice from national authorities.

SHORT FILM FINALISTS The Bird & the Whale ANIMATED / FINALIST / 7 MINUTES / IRELAND / 2018 Director/Writer: Carol Freeman Producer: Jonathan Clarke Executive Producers: Emma Scott, Pauline McNamara

IN ATTENDANCE: Carol Freeman, Director

A young whale separated from his family discovers a caged bird, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Together they struggle to survive lost at sea.

Best Game Ever NARRATIVE / FINALIST / 20 MINUTES / HUNGARY / 2018 Director/Writer: Kristóf Deák Producers: Anna Udvardy, László Dreissiger, Gábor Osváthn Cast: Tamás Rétfalvi, Irén Szabó, Márton Patkós, Lajos Ottó Horváth

IN ATTENDANCE: Tamás Rétfalvi, Actor

When two CCTV technicians find out about an A.I. machine threatening their jobs, they must get out of their chairs to beat the system, leading them to an unexpected solution. The new short film from Academy Award®winner Kristóf Deák.

Finalist Shorts 2 / 104 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 – 5:00 PM The Toby

SATURDAY, JULY 27 – 2:00 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

Vying for the Grand Prize in their respective categories, these five competition titles across the Narrative, Documentary, and Animated categories span subjects from a Missourian activist-turned-politician to a mysterious phone booth. This program contains mature themes and strong language.

The last in a line of fishermen DOCUMENTARY / FINALIST / 29 MINUTES / SWEDEN / 2018 Director: Karolin Axelsson Producers: Karolin Axelsson, Johanna Becker

IN ATTENDANCE: Karolin Axelsson, Director

A story about a father who has spent decades alone at sea and a daughter who returns home to tackle the waves and carry on the legacy.

The Wind Phone NARRATIVE / FINALIST / 16 MINUTES / USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Kristen Gerweck Producer: Linda C. Riedmann Cast: Megumi Kabe, Hitoshi Masaki, Yukina Takase, Miho Ando, Hiroshi Watanabe

IN ATTENDANCE: Kristen Gerweck, Director

A phone booth on an ocean cliffside brings together seven strangers whose seemingly different conversations are connected by one harrowing reality.

SHORT FILM FINALISTS Brotherhood NARRATIVE / FINALIST / 25 MINUTES / TUNISIA, CANADA, QATAR, SWEDEN / 2018 Director/Writer: Meryam Joobeur Cast: Mohamed Grayaa, Salha Nasraoui, Malek Mechergui, Chaker Mechergui, Rayaan Mechergui

IN ATTENDANCE: Meryam Joobeur, Director

Mohamed is a hardened shepherd living in rural Tunisia with his wife and two sons. He is deeply shaken when his oldest son Malik returns home after a long journey with a mysterious new wife in tow. Tension between father and son rises over three days until reaching a breaking point.

Sister ANIMATED / FINALIST / 8 MINUTES / USA, CHINA / 2018 Director/Writer: Siqi Song Cast: Bingyang Liu

IN ATTENDANCE: Siqi Song, Director

A man thinks back to his childhood memories of growing up with an annoying little sister in China in the 1990s. What would his life been like if things had gone differently?

St. Louis Superman DOCUMENTARY / FINALIST / 26 MINUTES / USA / 2019 Directors: Sami Khan, Smriti Mundhra Producers: Smriti Mundhra, Sami Khan, Poh Si Teng, Cheyenne Tan Cast: Bruce Franks Jr., King Bruce Franks III

IN ATTENDANCE: Sami Khan, Director

Bruce Franks Jr., a Ferguson activist and battle rapper who was elected to the overwhelmingly white and Republican Missouri House of Representatives must overcome both personal trauma and political obstacles to pass a bill critical for his community.

Finalist Shorts 3 / 106 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 – 2:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

SATURDAY, JULY 27 – 5:15 PM The Toby

Vying for the Grand Prize in their respective categories, these five competition titles across the Narrative, Documentary, and Animated categories span subjects from an infamous 1955 auto race to tender prom memories from LGBTQ+ perspectives. This program contains mature themes, strong language, nudity, sexual content, and drug use.

Mind My Mind ANIMATED / FINALIST / 30 MINUTES / NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM / 2019 Director/Writer: Floor Adams Producers: Willem Thijssen, Tom Van Gestel, Floor Adams Cast: Simon Hodges, Cézanne Tegelberg, Adam Fields, Faye Bloomfield, Lesley Hughes, Elias Vervecken When relying on social scripts to survive the social world, it’s not easy to go off-script. Especially if you’re obsessed with German dive bombers and just want to date a girl.

IN ATTENDANCE: Floor Adams, Director

SHORT FILM FINALISTS Liberty NARRATIVE / FINALIST / 17 MINUTES / USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Faren Humes Producers: Katherine Fisher, Diego Nájera, Diana Ward Cast: Milagros Gilbert, Alexandra Jackson, Willnya Jenkins, MacArthur Richard, Mary Griffin

IN ATTENDANCE: Faren Humes, Director

Alex and Milagros deal with great life upheaval as they prepare to dance at their community’s redevelopment groundbreaking ceremony.

November 1st NARRATIVE / FINALIST / 25 MINUTES / UK / 2019 NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL Director/Writer: Charlie Manton Producer: Teodora Shaleva Cast: Lindsay Duncan, Sophia Myles

IN ATTENDANCE: Charlie Manton, Director

A mother and daughter travel across the state to witness a long-overdue execution.

Le Mans 1955 ANIMATED / FINALIST / 15 MINUTES / FRANCE / 2018 Director: Quentin Baillieux Writer: Julien Lilti Cast: Nathan Willcocks, Joe Sheridan, Nicholas Mead

IN ATTENDANCE: Quentin Baillieux, Director

The 24 hours of Le Mans, 1955 where 300,000 spectators are watching from the sidelines. It is 6:00 p.m. when Pierre Levegh’s car ploughs into the spectator stands, scattering the crowd with his car engine’s hot debris. At Mercedes, a friend and co-pilot of Pierre’s is ready to take the relay.

Take Me To Prom DOCUMENTARY / FINALIST / 21 MINUTES / CANADA / 2019 Director/Writer: Andrew Moir Featured Subjects: Alf Roberts, Fontaine, Marcy Rogers, Alphonso King Jr., Marc Hall, Carmen, Caroline Kan-Hai

IN ATTENDANCE: Andrew Moir, Director

Featuring intimate, charming interviews with queer people ranging in age from 17 to 88, “Take Me To Prom” invites audiences to revisit an iconic adolescent milestone while telling a story of social change that spans more than 70 years.

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In just a brief amount of time, short films are able to make an emotional impact that can change the way you see the world. All of our shorts programs present innovative voices in film. We are grateful to have partnerships that allow us to create programs with the Alliance of Women Directors and the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. All Official Selections are eligible for Audience Choice and other select awards including the Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award. See page 7 for a full list of awards that will be announced at the Awards Presentation. University-level films are eligible for the $1,000 Best Student Film Award and are denoted in the guidebook. In addition, we are proud to showcase student talent with the High School Film Competition founded by Bob & Alison Spoonmore. The top high school films will compete for the Summer White Lynch Memorial Grand Prize and $2,000 cash, underwritten by Gary D. & Marlene Cohen. Short films in competition for the Indiana Spotlight Award and $2,000 cash prize either have a director or producer with former/current Indiana residency, and/or the majority of the short film was shot in the Hoosier state.

Indiana Spotlight 1 111 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 5:00 PM The Toby SUNDAY, JULY 28 7:30 PM The Toby A blind kayaker and a TSA conflict highlight these short films with Indiana ties. These shorts directed, produced by Hoosiers and/or partially shot in Indiana will compete for the Indiana Spotlight Grand Prize. This program contains mature themes, drug use, strong language, and sexual content.

Midwestern NARRATIVE / 5 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Nick Rieth Producers: Daniel Anderson, Nick Rieth Executive Producers: Daniel Anderson, Nick Rieth, Patrick Rieth Cast: Byron Wolter, Alex Westrick A forlorn wanted poster sends a cowboy on a journey through the Midwest.

Brentwood NARRATIVE / 12 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Sharon Everitt Writers: Sharon Everitt, Karen Anderson, Jeff Cosgrave Producer: Russell Sanzgiri Cast: Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Peri Gilpin, Doug Benson, Kristen Rozanski Brent Spiner (Data from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) begrudgingly returns to Hollywood in order to one-up his rival and former co-star, LeVar Burton. Although he can be a bit of a jerk, Brent declares that he’s going to change his ways — through song.

L’Humble Cirque DOCUMENTARY / 6 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Will Wertz Producers: Bennett Conrad, Lauryn Zimmerman, Andrew Quinn Executive Producers: Will Wertz, Bennett Conrad Featured Subject: Lionel Hills A short documentary celebrating the singular Lionel Hills, a street performer at an unlikely busy middle-American intersection.

Dear Frankie NARRATIVE / 4 MINUTES USA / 2018 Directors/Writers: Megan Marie Connolly, Claudia Krogmeier Producers: Nate Gilbert, Megan Marie Connolly Executive Producer: Nate Gilbert Cast: Rose Amer, Hilary Williams On a young woman’s journey to heal, she must relive her past and face her conflicting feelings towards her unstable friend.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Golden Voices

Singh

NARRATIVE / 15 MINUTES USA / 2019

NARRATIVE / 18 MINUTES USA / 2019 / IUPUI

Director: Layne Marie Williams Writer: Zack Sievers Producer: Grace Pisula Cast: Kalika Rose, Bobby Christman, Quentin Malicoat, Amy Woodall, David Carter-T

Director/Writer: Jenna Ruiz Producer: Sunday Ruiz Executive Producers: Gurinder Singh Khalsa, Gagandeep Kaur Cast: Gurinder Singh Khalsa, Michael J. Peterson, Jeff Angel, Jordan Wheatley, Steven Haynes

Development of June The Slower Path

Feel of Vision

DOCUMENTARY / 9 MINUTES NARRATIVE / 18 MINUTES / UK / 2018 USA / 2018 UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS Director/Producer: John Scott Featured Subjects: Director/Writer/Producer: Jonathan Balash, Joe Olmstead Cast: Holly de Jong, Rose Muirhead, Alasdair E. Thomasina Marsili, Robert Ping-Slater Melrose, Joyce Greenaway,

DOCUMENTARY / 26 MINUTES USA / 2018

The true story of a Sikh man (Gurinder Singh) who is to choose between his religious beliefs and his flight to see his dying mother in her last days.

Learning that a field holding her dearest memories will be commercially developed, June finds herself coping with the realities of time and dementia. She scrambles for a foothold on the crumbling walls that have been built inside her mind and family.

Though Spencer, IN is located within a nerve center of conservatism and has a population of just over 2,000 residents — the Spencer Pride Festival has grown to become more than a singular annual event, and the town has come to represent a welcoming space for the rural gay community.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 7:30 PM The Toby

Homecoming

As We Begin

Empty Skies

SUNDAY, JULY 28 5:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

NARRATIVE / 7 MINUTES USA / 2018 / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

Paranormal Investigator Radha Laburnum takes her radio show on the road across Indiana to track the emergence of ghastly voices speaking of gold.

Inès Wightwick

Directors: Tucker Gragg, Austin Gardner Producers: Tucker Gragg, Kevin Weaver Executive Producer: Kevin Weaver Featured Subject: Lonnie Bedwell Lonnie Bedwell, a former Navy Petty Officer turned extreme adventure athlete, became the first blind person to ever whitewater kayak the entire length of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in a solo kayak.

Indiana Spotlight 2 112 min.

From China to Muncie, these are global subjects with a Hoosier twist. These shorts directed, produced by Hoosiers and/or partially shot in Indiana will compete for the Indiana Spotlight Grand Prize. This program contains mature themes and strong language.

Director/Writer: Jennifer Blair Producers: Jennifer Blair, Tom Hodges, Elly Lachman Cast: Romy Rosemont, Tom Hodges, Spencer Curnutt When a college sophomore returns home to share some important news with his parents, things don’t go exactly as he had expected… until they do.

NARRATIVE / 12 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director: John Robert Armstrong Writers: Whitney Roberts, Cynthia Foulke Producers: Zachary Spicer, John Robert Armstrong, Claire Tuft Cast: Grace Bennett, Sebastian Russell, Eleanor Cook, Austin Lizama Two high school best friends begin to distance themselves from each other as their lives inevitably begin to separate before college.

NARRATIVE / 18 MINUTES USA / 2018 / OHIO UNIVERSITY

Hard to Place NARRATIVE / 22 MINUTES USA / 2019

Director: MD Neely Writer: Eric Epperson Directors/Writers: Producers: John Lerchen, Wenting Deng Fisher, MD Neely, Eric Epperson Luke Fisher Executive Producers: Producers: Victoria Hill, Michael Arter, Curt Chathamd Jayson French, Jedd Medefind Cast: Samuel Goergen, Cast: ViviAnn Yee, Arthur Ava Torres, Mike Markoff, Welch, Shu Lan Tuan, Deborah Lacey Gabriel Tsai, Zhan Wang When it’s no longer safe to stay A boy and his new friend hunt in their home, two young kids their village’s last sparrow make a desperate escape and for a reward to save his sick attempt to live on their own. Grandma during Communist Based on a true story. China’s Great Leap Forward (1958-1961).

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Indiana Spotlight 2 [Continued] 112 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 7:30 PM The Toby SUNDAY, JULY 28 5:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

Destination: Unknown ANIMATED / 10 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director/Writer/Producer: Ethan Wellin Cast: Mike Vaughn, Ryan Bartley, Kiyo McGann, Kayli Mills To survive a deep space accident, a lone astronaut must cross through the malfunctioning virtual reality chamber of his damaged ship. Therein lurk ghosts of a life left behind on Earth, and questions about the true nature of his mission.

Our Lady Victory: Only In My The Story of Indy 11 Dreams DOCUMENTARY / 25 MINUTES USA / 2018 / BALL STATE UNIVERSITY Director/Writer: Nicholas Evans Producers: Cole Callahan, Jacob Guenin Featured Subjects: Mick Tidrow, Josh Mason, Peter Evans, Ersal Ozdemir, Owain Fôn Williams, Brad Ring From grassroots to a championship, this documentary chronicles the rise and growth of the Indy 11 soccer team.

NARRATIVE / 15 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Zac Cooper Producer: Think Ahead Studios Executive Producer: Trevor Yager Cast: Jeff Stanich, Merry Moore, Joseph Denney Thomas and Anna fall quickly for one another. They soon realize; however, that their dream relationship comes with its own unique issues.

The Secret Life of Muslims: Richard McKinney DOCUMENTARY / 5 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Joshua Seftel Producers: Erika Frankel, Anna Bick Rowe, Wajahat Ali, Mona Damluji, Nathalie O’Neill, Layla Shaikley, Asma Uddin Featured Subject: Richard McKinney This former Marine hated Muslims so much that he intended to blow up a mosque. Then, everything changed.

High School Film Competition 97 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 5:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 11:30 AM DeBoest Lecture Hall Founded in 2010 by Bob and Alison Spoonmore, the High School Film Competition features student work with Narrative, Documentary, and Indiana category winners competing for the Summer White Lynch Memorial Grand Prize, underwritten by Gary D. & Marlene Cohen. This program is suitable for most audiences. Parental guidance is suggested.

Parking Lot

The Last Straw

Dear America

Starfish

NARRATIVE / 5 MINUTES USA/ 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 13 MINUTES USA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 4 MINUTES USA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 5 MINUTES USA / 2018

Director/Writer/Producer: Jack Nordstrom Cast: Griffin Gunn-Myers, Rory Gesner, Lucy Thomas, Harris Culhane

Director/Writer: Julian Jordan Producers: Julian Jordan, Kyle Trefny, Monica Menor Featured Subjects: Aji Piper, Chris Jordan, Dr. Cara Field, Grace McGee, Kyle Trefny

Directors: Molly Smith, Sage Croft Writer: Molly Smith Producer: Elizabeth Buzbee Executive Producer: Montverde Academy Cast: Julia Jordan, Tierney Smith, Maui Kai Malone, Jackson Tessmer, Harlan Drum

Director/Writer/Producer: Sarah Williams Executive Producer: Monica Hoenig Cast: Aria Sencer, Collin Nelson, Miles Rosenbloom

After a boring day at school, an awkward student searches for his limited edition “Star Trek” pen so he can finish his drawings.

A jarring documentary that expresses the problem, causes, and effects of oceanic plastic pollution. The film offers a unique perspective from the point of view of the currentday teens who will soon be inheriting this massive issue.

Generation Z shares their fears in the age of school gun violence.

An exploration of the strained relationship between a young boy with Asperger’s syndrome and his mother, and a glimpse of what unfolds when the tension rises.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS High School Film Competition [Continued] 97 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 5:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 11:30 AM DeBoest Lecture Hall

This House Has Eyes NARRATIVE / 7 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director/Writer/Producer: Theo Taplitz Cast: Nicholas Taplitz, Daniel Taplitz A house and an invalid boy collude to keep the boy’s fragile relationship with his depressed caretaker afloat.

Meeting at Half Past Five NARRATIVE / 4 MINUTES RUSSIA / 2018 Director/Writer/Producer: Daria Litvichenko Cast: Andrey Blokhin, Konstantin Litvichenko There’s no doubt that the world is cruel and corrupt. This evening, Philip gets more proof of this.

Mother NARRATIVE / 3 MINUTES SOUTH KOREA, SLOVAKIA / 2019 Director/Writer/Producer: Ejun Hong

The Astral Project Grey Heart DOCUMENTARY / 4 MINUTES USA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 11 MINUTES USA / 2018

Director: Natalie Christensen Writer: Frances McDaniel Producer: Aaron Rosapepe Featured Subjects: Frances McDaniel, Odessa Hott, India Cloe

Director/Writer/Producer: Theo Taplitz Cast: Jamie Burris, Olivia Eggleston, RJ Solomon

Fran reflects on herself, the past, and how she creates art as catharsis through photos and writing.

Lunchbox NARRATIVE / 8 MINUTES AUSTRALIA / 2018

Directors/Writers/Producers: My 92-year-old grandfather, Tian Yi (Amy) Shi, Tisya who suffers from Alzheimer’s Sharma, Annabelle Richens and lost his mother at the age of Cast: Catherine Shi, three, never stops his love and Lillian Zhou longing for his mother. Time Sunny is struggling to fit goes by, but loving someone in at school due to the never goes away. unconventional food she brings

After his father abandons the family, Holden tries to prove his independence by getting his driver’s license as his little sister retreats into a fantasy world and his mother tries to hold their splintering family together.

INDY-viduals: Rising Above DOCUMENTARY / INDIANA CATEGORY WINNER / 10 MINUTES USA / 2018 Directors/Producers: Adele Reich, Hope Stauffer Featured Subjects: Shelly Henley, Jacob Henley

The story of Jacob and Shelly Henley, whose dreams in her lunchbox. Through the of oatmeal cream pies and help of her mum, she learns that delectable brownies influenced her culture should be embraced them to start a bakery. They and not suppressed. continue to impact the Carmel, IN community’s lives by employing people on the autistic spectrum.

The Burdens They Carry NARRATIVE / NARRATIVE CATEGORY WINNER / 12 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer/Producer: Alyssa Andrews Executive Producers: Terry Andrews, Terrye Andrews Cast: Cory Kays, Adam Flowers, Kyle Summers A troubled Vietnam War veteran struggles to overcome the burdens of his hidden past until, one day, he realizes his only solution may be to face his greatest fear.

Ascent DOCUMENTARY / DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY WINNER / 11 MINUTES USA / 2019 Directors: Max Miesen, Max Mereminsky, Gabe Yung, Reed Martin, Riley Scott, Noah Hecht Writers: Max Miesen, Reed Martin Producers: Brad Kester, Andrew Norbeck Featured Subjects: Joshua Golden, Randy Englekirk, Susan Golden, Jonathan Golden A documentary about Joshua, an 18-year-old rock climber diagnosed with autism, who has surpassed expectations despite challenges he has faced in his life.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Alliance of Women Directors 104 min. SATURDAY, JULY 27 4:30 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall Shorts from members of the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD). In 2019, Heartland Film became the first festival partner to commit to AWD’s toplevel Dorothy Arzner Partnership and we are proud to present this selection of films directed by women. This program contains mature themes, strong language, sexual content, and violence.

Bridget and Iain

Cult NARRATIVE / 10 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Wei Ling Chang Producers: Emily Troedson, Wei-Ling Chang Cast: Christopher Egan, David Huynh, James W. Quinn, Diana Tanaka In sunny SoCal, a religious zealot tries to recruit a man into his sect but ends up getting more than he bargained for.

So What Now

NARRATIVE / 10 MINUTES USA / 2019

NARRATIVE / 3 MINUTES CANADA / 2018

Director/Writer: Jessica Mendez Siqueiros Producers: Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Jenn Garcia Executive Producers: Maegan Simpson, WeTransfer Cast: Monica Sanchez, Ana Isabel Dow, Mike A. Salazar, Jess Hinojos, Peter Quintana

Director: Katarzyna Kochany Writer: Andrew Dickhout Producer: Quang Ngo-Trong Cast: Guy Quango, Milcania Diaz-Rojas After yet another failed attempt to conceive, a young couple must revisit their definition of a family.

When Maia, a mixed race Latina woman, sets out to reconnect with her traditional Mexican roots on her Nana’s 100th birthday, things go terribly wrong.

See You Tomorrow The Gift of the Magi Sorry, Not Sorry

NARRATIVE / 18 MINUTES NARRATIVE / 3 MINUTES NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, LONDON, CANADA / 2018 USA / 2018 Director: Katarzyna Kochany Director: Leah Patterson Writers: Katarzyna Kochany, Writer: Norelle Scott Justin Hay, M.E. Lewis Producers: Debbie von Ahrens, Producer: M.E. Lewis Diana Zollicoffer, Cast: Justin Hay, M.E. Lewis Leah Patterson Two macho cops, secretly Executive Producer: haunted by PTSD, find deeper Adriane Scott-Kemp camaraderie in the aftermath of Cast: Vivienne Powell, a case that pushed them both to Damian Sommerlad the brink. Bridget loves her charming adult son Iain and would do anything for him. When Iain disappears, Bridget, worried sick, finally gets the support she needs to stand up to him.

Pozole

NARRATIVE / 13 MINUTES USA / 2018 / UCLA Director/Writer/Producer: Sofia Streisand Cast: Emilly Thomas, Joseph Lopez, George Duryea, Ana Lopes, Ryan Brophy It’s a big day for a casting studio in Hollywood — a renowned filmmaker is casting his new masterpiece. It’s a stressful day for him — will he ever find the right girl for the lead part? But it’s Hollie, a shy, aspiring actress who will never forget this day.

The Room in the Elephant NARRATIVE / 8 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Tricia Lee Producers: Angela Cohen, Tricia Lee Cast: Ingrid Rogers, Lila Bahng, Brent Bailey When Nicole receives lifechanging news, her 7-year-old daughter poses an insightful perspective.

Dispel

NARRATIVE / 8 MINUTES USA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 14 MINUTES USA / 2019

Director/Writer: Monique Sorgen Producers: Darryl Pugh Jr., Monique Sorgen Executive Producers: Olivier Goldschmidt, M. Emmet Walsh Cast: Wallace Langham, Jessica Oyelowo, M. Emmet Walsh

Director/Writer: Kylie Eaton Producer: Julia Kennelly Executive Producer: Eric Ulbrich Cast: Eris Baker, Gina Torres, Omete Anassi, Marie-Francoise Theodore, Lee Sherman

A couple’s one-upmanship escalates to ridiculous heights after a man eats his wife’s plums. Inspired by the William Carlos Williams poem “This is Just to Say.”

Young Lizzie must battle the monster that has possessed her mother, using the wisdom of her favorite fantasy TV show.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Alliance of Women Directors [Continued] 104 min. SATURDAY, JULY 27 4:30 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

Beyond the Headlines 108 min.

There You Are NARRATIVE / 15 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director/Producer: Lisa Donato Writer: Jen Richards Executive Producer: Heather Nevill Cast: Jen Richards, Alexandria Anderson, Heather Kafka, Claire Hart-Palumbo, Jo Perkins, Heath Allyn A trans woman must dress like a boy to say goodbye to her dying grandmother.

Ghosts of Sugar Land DOCUMENTARY / 22 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director: Bassam Tariq Writers: Bassam Tariq, Thomas Niles Producers: Farihah Zaman, Bassam Tariq In Sugar Land, Texas, a group of young Muslim-American men ponder the disappearance of their friend “Mark,” who is suspected of joining ISIS.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 7:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall FRIDAY, JULY 26 12:00 PM The Toby There’s always more to the story; in today’s stream of endless news we invite you to dig deeper in this powerful slate of stories centered on current events.

Guns Found Here

Libre

DOCUMENTARY / 10 MINUTES USA / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 12 MINUTES USA / 2018

Director/Executive Producer: David Freid Producer: Mor Albalak Featured Subjects: Charles Hauser, Neil Troppman

Director/Producer: Anna Barsan Executive Producers: Laura Poitras, Charlotte Cook

A surprisingly non-fictional tragicomedy about how America traces a gun involved in a gun crime back to its owner.

For detained immigrants who can’t pay their bond, forprofit companies like Libre by Nexus offer a path to reunite with their families. But for many, the reality is much more complicated.

This program contains mature themes, strong language, and violence.

Mack Wrestles

Judas Collar

Women in Fire

DOCUMENTARY / 25 MINUTES USA / 2019

NARRATIVE / 15 MINUTES AUSTRALIA / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 8 MINUTES USA / 2018

Directors: Taylor Hess, Erin Sanger Producer: Gentry Kirby Executive Producer: Katie Barnes Featured Subjects: Mack Beggs, Nancy Beggs

Director/Writer: Alison James Producer: Brooke Silcox Executive Producers: Jessica Mitchell, Aidan O’Bryan, Janelle Landers, Roslyn Walker Cast: Sonic, Snowy, Wasim, Zara, Buddha

Director/Writer: Tim Kressin Producer: Davis Goslin Executive Producer: Anders Nordblom Featured Subjects: Lacey England, Kelly Martin, Monique Hein

Mack Beggs loved wrestling — it gave him a sense of purpose and self. Go behind the scenes as this gifted athlete from Euless, Texas, struggles against the outside forces that stigmatize transgender athletes.

In outback Australia, a wild camel is captured and fitted with a tracking device known as a Judas Collar. Based on a real life practice, Judas Collar is a scripted, no-dialogue, live action short that explores the story of a camel used to betray her kind.

Less than 10 percent of firefighters are women. But what these women lack in numbers, they make up for in guts and inspiration, paving the way for the next generation of women firefighters.

This Side Has Dreams Too DOCUMENTARY / 16 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Spencer Rabin Producers: Spencer Rabin, Randall Christopher Featured Subjects: Enrique Chiu, Jesus Escarcega, Alex Bulnes Mexican artist Enrique Chiu is painting the longest mural in the world on the border wall separating Mexico and the U.S. His mural is a collaborative effort that captures the hopes and dreams of the men, women, and children whose stories are written on the wall.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Black Experiences 101 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 12:30 PM The Toby SUNDAY, JULY 28 7:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall Remarkable collection of shorts examining Black experiences in America and around the world. This program contains mature themes and strong language.

Stay Close

While I yet Live

DOCUMENTARY / 19 MINUTES USA / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 15 MINUTES USA / 2018

Directors/Writers: Luther Clement, Shuhan Fan Producers: Ashley Brandon, Luther Clement, Shuhan Fan, Nevo Shinaar Executive Producers: Isabelle Watkins, James Watkins Featured Subject: Keeth Smart

Director/Writer: Maris Curran Producers: Jon Coplon, Maris Curran Featured Subjects: Essie Pettway, Mary Lee Bendolph, Rita Mae Pettway, Lucy Mingo, China Pettway, Mary Ann Pettway

An underdog fencer from Brooklyn overcomes a gauntlet of hardships on the road to the Olympics.

Five acclaimed AfricanAmerican quilters from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, talk about love, religion, and the fight for civil rights as they continue the tradition of quilting that brought them together.

All These Creatures NARRATIVE / 13 MINUTES AUSTRALIA / 2018 Director/Writer: Charles Williams Producers: Elise Trenorden, Charles Williams Cast: Yared Scott, Mandela Mathia, Helen Hailu, Melody Demessie An adolescent boy attempts to untangle his memories of a mysterious infestation, the unraveling of his father, and the little creatures inside us all.

Edgecombe DOCUMENTARY / 15 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Crystal Kayiza Producers: Sean Weiner, Crystal Kayiza Revealing the deeply personal truths of three local residents, Edgecombe is an examination of the ways trauma repeats and reinvents itself in rural Black communities.

Comedy 111 min.

A Love Song for Latasha DOCUMENTARY / 19 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director: Sophia Nahli Allison Producers: Sophia Nahli Allison, Fam Udeorji, Janice Duncan Featured Subjects: Tybie O’Bard, Shinese Harlins, Zoe Flint, Nnenna Brown, Marley Cortez, Londyn Sharp, Raigan Alex A dreamlike conversation with the past and the present, this film reimagines a more nuanced narrative of Latasha Harlins by excavating intimate memories shared by her cousin and best friend.

Yirga NARRATIVE / 8 MINUTES USA 2018 Director/Writer: B.B. Araya Producers: Tamar Price, B.B. Araya Executive Producers: Alan Berg, Simone Otenaike Cast: Rekik Neway, Evelyn Ngugi, Filmon Yohannes The night before Yirga’s big move, she’s plagued by one problem. With her peace of mind at stake, she must take matters into her own hands.

A Fresh Perspective DOCUMENTARY / 12 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director: Aaron Hose Producers: Aaron Hose, Brigitte Hose, Buzzy Torek, Jason Gregory Featured Subjects: Day Bracey, Mike Potter, Ed Bailey, Celeste Beatty, Christopher Harris Three African-Americans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania create the nation’s first-ever Black beer festival, a historic event aiming to diversify the multi-billion-dollar craft beer industry.

FRIDAY, JULY 26 9:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 9:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

Prepare to laugh out loud at this slate of eclectic comedy shorts. This program contains mature themes, strong language, sexual content, nudity, and violence.

Hors Piste (Off Road) ANIMATED / 6 MINUTES FRANCE / 2018 / ÉCOLE DES NOUVELLES IMAGES Directors/Writers: Léo Brunel, Loris Cavalier, Camille Jalabert, Oscar Malet Producer: Julien Deparis The two best rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, it will not go as planned...

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Comedy [Continued] 111 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 9:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 9:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

The Big Break NARRATIVE / 12 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Philip Andelman Writers: Ian Roumain, Philip Andelman Producer: Joe Masi Executive Producers: Josh Goldstein, Peter Williams Cast: Paul Lieberstein, Justin Bartha, Mandy Moore Ted has always wanted to win just once in life. When the opportunity to be a modernday hero arises, will he finally triumph?

Sammy the Salmon

Friends Online

40 Minutes Over Maui

NARRATIVE / 7 MINUTES AUSTRALIA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 6 MINUTES FRANCE / 2019 EICAR INTERNATIONAL

NARRATIVE / 14 MINUTES USA / 2019

Director/Writer: Jake Shannon Producer: Chris Luscri Executive Producers: Hossein Khodabandehloo, Jake Shannon Cast: Liam Maguire, Mark Mitchell, Elizabeth Esquerra, Edward McCullough Unable to pluck up the courage to tell his girlfriend he’s gay, Spencer comes across Sammy a talking salmon who offers to help him with his relationship problems.

Director/Writer: Samantha White Producers: EICAR International, Samantha White Cast: Alex Blanchard, Marc Susbielle, Eva Quinto, Felix Bruneau, Jennifer Luckit A hopeless online predator tries to convince his favorite online ‘friend’ that he too is a teenage girl, in order to attain the pictures he desperately craves.

Directors: Michael Feld, Josh Covitt Writers: Steve Feld, Michael Feld, Josh Covitt Producers: Brent McHenry, Nick Clifford Executive Producers: Steve Feld, Michael Feld Cast: Julie Brister, Johnny Ray Meeks For 40 minutes on January 13, 2018, the fate of the world hung in the balance. For Larry and Penny, their Hawaiian vacation was ruined.

Handarbeit (Cover Up)

Asparagus Tips

Tungrus

Squirrel

Plankton

NARRATIVE / 5 MINUTES UK / 2019

DOCUMENTARY / 13 MINUTES INDIA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 17 MINUTES USA / 2018

ANIMATED / 5 MINUTES UK / 2018

NARRATIVE / 13 MINUTES GERMANY / 2019

Director/Producer: Sam Bailey Writer: John-Luke Roberts Executive Producer: Oliver’s Island Cast: Cariad Lloyd, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, John-Luke Roberts, Katharine Bennett-Fox, Ross Spaine

Director/Writer/Executive Producer: Rishi Chandna Producers: Rishi Chandna, Ritika Ranjan Featured Subjects: The Bharde Family

Director/Writer/Producer: Alex Kavutskiy Cast: Andrea Rosen, Max Jenkins, Ted Tremper, Kati Rediger, Clay Tatum

Director/Writer: Gustaf Lindström Producers: Gustaf Lindström, Alex Plapinger, Michael Ashton Cast: Will Hislop, David Elms, Barney Fishwick, Eleanor White, Baker Terry

Director/Writer: Marie-Amélie Steul Producers: Marie-Amélie Steul, Patricia Mestanza Niemi Cast: Husam Chadat, Mohamad Al Rashi, Özge Delioglan The reputation of a shorttempered conservative Arabic censor is in danger when his colleague discovers a compromising photo. A race against the clock begins.

Dinner is so much better with friends. Especially when one of them is edible.

In a cramped apartment in Mumbai, a family considers eating their hell-raising pet rooster so they can reclaim their lives.

A meager apology tests a woman’s fortitude to forgive.

As different aquatic microorganisms engage in casual conversations, we get a glimpse of the ideas and aspirations that float around at the bottom of the food chain.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Comedy [Continued] 111 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 9:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 9:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

The Creative Process 109 min.

I Think She Likes You NARRATIVE / 9 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director: Bridey Elliott Writers: Teresa Lee, Christine Medrano Producer: Bridgett Greenberg Executive Producers: Teresa Lee, Christine Medrano Cast: Christine Medrano, Teresa Lee, Josh Fadem When Justine and Julia pick Jake up at a bar, it’s not quite the evening he was expecting.

Relationship Deli NARRATIVE / 4 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Ian Van der Werff Writer: Kaitlyn Black Producer: Kate Alden Executive Producers: John Black, Maryann Black Cast: Kaitlyn Black, Kelly Vrooman A deli worker and a desperate woman attempt to build the perfect relationship, sandwich-style!

FRIDAY, JULY 26 12:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SUNDAY, JULY 28 6:30 PM The Jazz Kitchen Celebrating innovation and creativity in a variety of art forms. This program contains strong language, sexual content, and nudity.

That’s My Jazz DOCUMENTARY / 14 MINUTES DENMARK, USA / 2019 Director: Ben Proudfoot Producers: Jeremy Lambert, Ben Proudfoot Executive Producer: Abby Davis Featured Subject: Milton Abel Milton Abel, a world-renowned pastry chef, reflects on his relationship with his deceased father, Milton Abel Sr., a famed Kansas City Jazz musician.

Life in Miniature

Don’t Define Me

A Song Can’t Burn Reneepoptosis

I’m No Holiday

DOCUMENTARY / 5 MINUTES UK / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 13 MINUTES USA / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 12 MINUTES UK / 2018

ANIMATED / 10 MINUTES USA, JAPAN / 2018

NARRATIVE / 16 MINUTES USA / 2019

Director/Writer/Producer: Ellen Evans Featured Subject: Kath Holden

Director/Writer/Producer: Don Casper Featured Subject: Charmaine Wheatley

Director/Writer/Producer: Renee Zhan

A proud Yorkshire woman, Kath Holden reflects on her life and art as she carves a place for herself in the precious world of miniatures.

An artist shares intimate moments of people affected by HIV, creating watercolor portraits that capture their image, thoughts, feelings, joys, and challenges.

Director: Roscoe Neil Producer: Martin Ball Executive Producer: Majid Hussain Featured Subject: Nigel Osborne

Director/Writer: Rick Gomez Producers: Jenny Gomez, Coby Toland, Rick Page, Steve Zahn, Rick Gomez Cast: Steve Zahn

Since 1992, professor and musician Nigel Osborne has developed techniques to use music as therapy for children suffering the effects of trauma. These methods are now being used in a program for Syrian refugees who have fled to Lebanon.

Three Renees go on a quest to find God, who is also Renee. As they traverse the mountains and valleys of Renee, they discover all the great joys, sadnesses, and mysteries of being Renee.

A comical portrait of world-renowned fireworks photographer, Lawrence Sendass (Steve Zahn), as he attempts to reframe his work through the memory of lost love.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS The Creative Process [Continued] 109 min. FRIDAY, JULY 26 12:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SUNDAY, JULY 28 6:30 PM The Jazz Kitchen

For the Whole Family 85 min.

Dear, Dreamer

Perspective

DOCUMENTARY / 11 MINUTES USA / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 5 MINUTES USA / 2018

Director/Writer: Kristian Melom Producer: Helen Simril Executive Producer: J. Brandon Hinman Featured Subject: Jason Reynolds

Director/Producer: Allyssa Agro Featured Subject: John Arnao

A lyrical portrait of the life and work of rising literary star Jason Reynolds. Best known as a New York Times bestselling author and mentor to young adults, this short documentary finds Jason in the writers’ room preparing for the release of his next book.

Rock Paper Scissors NARRATIVE / 7 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director/Writer/Executive Producer: Brian Lawes Producer: Amanda Hyden Cast: Joshua Gage, Camille Columbus, Happy Frejo A boy and girl must exchange numbers at an intersection before the light turns green.

Dream Homes According to Kids: Milo ANIMATED / 3 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Rebecca Blumhagen Producer: Annie Lennon Carroll Executive Producer: Apartment Therapy Media Featured Subject: Milo Stein

83-year-old John Arnao, a 23-year veteran of the NYPD, uses his love and skills from a lifetime of woodworking to craft beautiful works of art. In a world where everyone uses social media and technology to pass the time, this is the way John chooses to use his while leaving his legacy behind.

Slurp NARRATIVE / 4 MINUTES FRANCE / 2018 Director/Writer/Producer: Florent Hill Executive Producer: Marina Barabanova Cast: Colin Hill, Fanny Hill Grandma’s table manners drive one boy bananas until he devises a clever fix.

Five-year-old Milo describes the architecture of his dream home.

All on a Mardis Gras Day DOCUMENTARY / 23 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Michal Pietrzyk Featured Subjects: Big Chief Demond Melancon, Alicia Winding, Spyboy Trigga Blakk, Spyboy Shaudy Brown In New Orleans, Demond sacrifices to be Big Chief in a secret 200-year culture known as Mardi Gras Indians: AfricanAmerican men from the city’s roughest neighborhoods who spend all year sewing feathered suits to wear once, in a battle to decide who’s “the prettiest.”

THURSDAY, JULY 25 12:00 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 11:00 AM The Toby Bring the kids! This program will inspire both the young and the young at heart. This program is suitable for all audiences.

Mice, a small story Ian, a moving story ANIMATED / 5 MINUTES FRANCE / 2018 / ISART DIGITAL

ANIMATED / 10 MINUTES ARGENTINA / 2018

Directors: Jade Baillargeault, Nazli Doale, Dimitri James, Quang Daniel La, Morgane Lau, Mélanie Pango, Manon Pringault Producer: Xavier Rousselle

Director: Abel Goldfarb Writer: Gastón Gorali Cast: Diego Levi, Juan Elías, Mauricio Vides, Almonacid Marina García Navarro, Franco Spagnolo, Gretel Lusky, Pablo Borghi

In a dark subway tunnel, a group of mice find a gold pop tab that seems to have a mysterious effect on one of them. Not so far away, an owl and his enslaved rats are watching.

Ian was born with cerebral palsy. All he wants is to make friends, although it seems impossible to achieve when discrimination and bullying keep him away from his beloved playground. However, this young boy is determined and won’t give up easily.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS For the Whole Family [Continued] 85 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 12:00 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SATURDAY, JULY 27 11:00 AM The Toby

Pinchpot

The Black Mambas Red Apple

ANIMATED / 5 MINUTES AUSTRALIA / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 13 MINUTES SOUTH AFRICA, USA / 2018

Director/Writer/Producer: Greg Holfeld

Director: Bruce Donnelly Writers: Bruce Donnelly, Clive Horlock Producers: James Kubesch, Fermin Rojas, Paulo Adorni Featured Subject: Lewyn Maefala

A story about giving and receiving, art and work, life and death, and things made from lumps of clay.

Archie

ANIMATED / 8 MINUTES CROATIA / 2018

ANIMATED / 5 MINUTES UK / 2018

Director/Writer: Ana Horvat Producer: Maša Udovičić

Director: Ainslie Henderson Writer: Domenica More Gordon Producer: Christopher Young Executive Producers: Jackie Edwards, Mark Thomas

An adopted girl tells a story about how families come to be.

South Africa’s first and only all-female anti-poaching unit, rescuing their country’s rhinos from the edge of extinction.

Archie and his pet dog make the long journey to the Outer Hebrides of Scotland after the death of his beloved aunt. Saddened by all the memories, the storm soon passes and a new day brings sunshine and renewed hope.

More Than a Feeling 112 min.

Baja Betty: Three Pawed Perfect

Louder than Words Paris You Got Me

DOCUMENTARY / 3 MINUTES USA / 2019

NARRATIVE / 13 MINUTES AUSTRALIA / 2018 GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

NARRATIVE / 9 MINUTES GERMANY / 2018 / FILMAKADEMIE BADEN-WUERTTEMBERG

Director/Writer: Rachel Larkin Producer: Paige Hilliard Cast: Layla Potts, Candice Hill, Todd Sucic

Director/Writer: Julie Boehm Producer: Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg Cast: Ksenia Parkatskaya, Liam Scullion

Amy Clearwell is 11 years old and all she wants is to be the drummer in her school concert band. When both her concert band conductor and her father block her from being involved in the band, she wants them to realize she can be both talented and deaf.

Street artist George lures Ksenia into his magic world of art illusions. Their steps turn into dancing taps, gestures into splashes of paint, their action into art, and art into the creation of a new reality.

Director/Producer: Joyce Axelrod Featured Subjects: Baja Betty, Adrianne The true tale of a mistreated dog found wandering on a street in Baja, Mexico. She was rescued and then adopted by a San Diego, California couple who opened their home and hearts to her.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 4:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall FRIDAY, JULY 26 2:30 PM The Toby Experience a range of emotions with this collection of inspiring and moving shorts. Tissues recommended. This program contains mature themes and violence.

Fast Eddie DOCUMENTARY / 9 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Producer: Brenna Rae Eckerson Executive Producer: Frank Watson Featured Subject: Ed Fisher A short documentary about the lifelong passion of WWII veteran and 94-year-old motorcycle racer Ed Fisher, who still rides every day.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS More Than a Feeling [Continued] 112 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 4:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall FRIDAY, JULY 26 2:30 PM The Toby

My Grandfather’s Memory Book DOCUMENTARY / 5 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director/Writer/Producer: Colin Levy Featured Subjects: Colin Levy, Ron Levy, Byron Levy Before he died, Byron Levy packed a lifetime’s worth of memories into an extraordinary sketchbook. As his son and grandson explore its pages, the “memory book” connects generations – and reveals an unconventionally creative life.

Stray Cat Ah Q ANIMATED / 6 MINUTES USA / 2019 NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Director/Writer: Mulan Fu Cast: Meng Jin, Mulan Fu, Johanna Lee A chance encounter between a stray cat and a young girl becomes a lifelong friendship able to withstand distance and time.

Liliu NARRATIVE / 17 MINUTES NEW ZEALAND / 2018 Director/Writer: Jeremiah Tauamiti Producer: Ngaire Fuata Cast: Vito Vito, Ana Tuisila, Peter Hayden, Tuiasau Uelese Petaia A young, ambitious Samoan court interpreter risks everything when Nua, a wrongfully imprisoned Chief, fights to get back to her stranded grandchildren.

Better Man DOCUMENTARY / 14 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director/Writer/Producer: Chris Stanford Featured Subjects: Josh Brooks, Robin Brooks A father-son relationship is tested after a rodeo injury leaves the young cowboy in a hopeless situation.

Little Miss Sumo DOCUMENTARY / 18 MINUTES UK, USA / 2019 Director/Writer: Matt Kay Producers: Andrew Carver, Didi Mae Hand Executive Producers: Chi Thai, Elliot Kotek, Karina Michel Featured Subject: Hiyori Kon Female sumo wrestling champion, Hiyori, confronts obstacles both inside and outside the ring in an attempt to change Japan’s national sport forever.

My Mother’s Eyes Sylvia ANIMATED / 5 MINUTES UK / 2018 CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS Director/Writer/Producer: Jenny Wright Cast: Jenny Wright, Matt Huxley, Ben Goodall A story about motherhood and loss in an abstracted world of childhood memory.

NARRATIVE / 17 MINUTES UK / 2018 Director/Writer: Richard Prendergast Producer: Rachel Prendergast Cast: Jolie Lennon, Gaynor Fraser, Maisie Prendergast, Evie Prendergast, Benjamin Hartley A loving family sets off in their car on what seems like a carefree family outing. They sing, stop for ice cream, and play I Spy. However, it becomes clear this isn’t a happy outing after all. Once the car arrives, reality manifests itself.

Sixth of June DOCUMENTARY / 15 MINUTES USA, FRANCE / 2019 Director: Henry Roosevelt Featured Subjects: Susan Eisenhower, Helen Patton Sainte-Mère-Église was ground zero on D-Day. For 75 years, people of all countries, races, and faiths have gathered to commemorate those whose sacrifice changed the world. With few veterans left, who will preserve their legacy? “Sixth of June” is the story of why we remember and what we lose if we forget.

Don’t worry, there’s more!

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Pride in July 103 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 9:30 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SUNDAY, JULY 28 12:00 PM The Toby Showcasing the lives of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. This program contains mature themes and strong language.

Misdirection NARRATIVE / 14 MINUTES USA / 2018 / AFI DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN Director/Writer: Carly Usdin Cast: Victoria Ortiz, Kara Royster, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Justin Willman, Jasika Nicole Camila is your average college freshman with OCD. She has a big, gay crush on her roommate, and is stuck trying to find a distraction. An encounter with a street magician teaches her to channel her misguided energy into a new hobby, and to open her heart to new possibilities.

The Orphan

All In My Family

Framing Agnes

NARRATIVE / 15 MINUTES BRAZIL / 2018

DOCUMENTARY / 40 MINUTES USA / 2019 / NETFLIX

DOCUMENTARY / 19 MINUTES CANADA, USA / 2018

Director/Writer: Carolina Markowicz Producers: Mayra Faour Auad, Mario Henrique Peixoto Cast: Kauan Alvarenga, Clarisse Abujamra, Leila Georgina Castro, Ivo Müller, Julia Costa

Director/Writer/Producer: Hao Wu

Directors: Chase Joynt, Kristen Schilt Producers: Samantha Curley, Chase Joynt, Kristen Schilt Featured Subjects: Angelica Ross, Chase Joynt, Max Wold Valerio, Silas Howard, Zackary Drucker

Jonathas has been adopted, but it doesn’t take long until he is returned because he is “different” from the other kids. Inspired by true events.

A heartfelt, cross-cultural autobiographical story of Chinese-born filmmaker Hao Wu. He creates a thoroughly modern LGBTQ family with his partner in the U.S., only to face the dilemma of how to introduce his partner and two children to his very traditional parents and relatives back in China – some of whom don’t even know he’s gay.

In the late 1950s, Agnes approached the UCLA Medical Center seeking sex reassignment surgery. Her story was long considered to be exceptional and singular until never-before-seen case files of other patients were found in 2017.

Redefining Disability 91 min.

Going Forward DOCUMENTARY / 15 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director/Writer/Producer: Tim Harris Featured Subjects: Malcolm Kenyatta, Residents of the 181st District in Philadelphia On Election Day in povertystricken North Philadelphia, a third-generation activist hopes to become the first openly gay candidate of color elected to state office in Pennsylvania.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 2:45 PM The Toby SUNDAY, JULY 28 2:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall These shorts promote the awareness and appreciation of the lives and stories of people with disabilities. Among the selections, this program features the winners of the 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC). Suitable for most audiences. Parental guidance is suggested.

Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is a competition that gives people with and without disabilities the opportunity to collaborate to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms. Best Awareness Campaign: Rachel Handler, “The Vanished” Best Actor: Nicole Evans, “Human Helper” Best Director: Carl Hansen, “I/O” Best Film: Amy Hopper, “Parents, Inc.”

The Vanished

Human Helper

NARRATIVE / 5 MINUTES USA / 2019

Directors: Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, Rachel Handler Writer: Kara Moulter Producers: Rachel Handler, Melanie Waldman Cast: Rachel Handler, Melanie Waldman, Jaleesa Graham, Sofiya Cheyenne

Director/Writer: Shaina Ghuraya Executive Producer: Kittsie Klaes Cast: Nicole Evans, Alora Kinley, Anthony Golden Jr., Shauna Turnmire, Davy McCall

In the near future, artificially intelligent robots known as “Inception” meets “Groundhog “human helpers” are a regular Day” as Alice’s friends begin to part of life. However, they’re disappear and she must choose not very inclusive. Dr. Rachel between constantly reliving the Hubbert and her assistant, Tony have made it their mission same nightmare or vanishing to make them not ableist. into the unknown.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Redefining Disability [Continued] 91 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 2:45 PM The Toby SUNDAY, JULY 28 2:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

I/O

Parents, Inc.

Jack’s Revenge

NARRATIVE / 6 MINUTES USA / 2019

Director/Producer: Carl Hansen Writer: Andrew T. Horne Cast: Julia Arian, Danny Gomez, Scott Rosendall, Shannon Dieriex

Director: Harald Zwart Writers: Emily Hopper, Mitch Bechtold, Veslemoey Zwart, Harald Zwart, Steven Shaw Producers: Amy Hopper, Veslemoey Zwart Cast: Emily Hopper, Laqota Gunn, Paul Lasa, Emily Behr

Director/Writer: Brian Swinehart Cast: Dennis “Scooby” Willoughby, Jack Staudt, Pastor Don Solin, Ranson Karr, Cody Ray Barrett

A man struggles to reveal to his girlfriend that he’s been dating her through his robot.

A girl living in a postapocolyptic world struggles with the new reality she lives in, being a teenager, and unreasonable parents.

Jack wants to kill Big Foot. The only thing in Jack’s way is Scooby. This film was an entry in the 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.

Love, Trails, & Dinosaurs DOCUMENTARY / 9 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Alex Oliver Producers: Jamison Stalsworth, Carson Hunt, Blake Waring, Dana Nies, Edy Recendez Featured Subjects: Garan Moore, Theresa Moore Meet Garan Moore, the first person with autism to hike every trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Wanderlust 91 min.

Lucy in the Sky NARRATIVE / 14 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Bertha Bay-Sa Pan Writer/Producer: Jen Rudin Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Zoe Margaret Colletti, Catherine Curtin, Kelly Hu, Quinn McColgan Living with autism and adjusting to mainstream high school, 14-year-old Lucy Katz is suddenly faced with cataclysmic change when she and her sister become the subject of a genetic research study.

Love&Loss DOCUMENTARY / 22 MINUTES USA / 2018 / USC

1500 Miles DOCUMENTARY / 17 MINUTES USA / 2018

Director/Writer: Yiying Li Executive Producers: Stephanie Hernandez, Xiangying Cai Featured Subjects: Nicole Evans, Ryan Evans, Karen Crespo

Director: Chris Duncan Producer: Jess Vogel Executive Producer: Larry Landis Featured Subjects: Nicole Ver Kuilen, Natalie Harold, Jan Harley, Kathleen Wang

Nicole has had the past 30 years to cope with and learn to embrace her disability, while Karen had to deal with both the physical and emotional trauma almost overnight. Despite their trials, these women are taking steps to find love in their lives.

Nicole Ver Kuilen is an amputee athlete who challenges herself to swim, bike, and run from Seattle to San Diego. She has the endurance and passion to make it to the end. The question is: will her prosthesis survive the journey?

THURSDAY, JULY 25 2:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

Space to Explore

SATURDAY, JULY 27 7:45 PM The Toby

Director/Writer/Producer: Katherine DuBois Executive Producer: Jeffrey Halis Featured Subjects: Natalie Panek, Elizabeth Jens

Fuel your travel dreams with these stories of exploration and discovery from around the world. This program contains strong language.

DOCUMENTARY / 14 MINUTES USA, CANADA / 2018

Aerospace engineer Natalie Panek has always dreamed of traveling to the outer reaches of space. In visiting the Marslike terrain of Moab, Utah, she finds it easy to believe that all the adventure you need is right here on Earth.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Wanderlust [Continued] 91 min. THURSDAY, JULY 25 2:15 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall

The New Homesmiths: The Phantom 52 We Live in an Airstream ANIMATED / 8 MINUTES

SATURDAY, JULY 27 7:45 PM The Toby

DOCUMENTARY / 12 MINUTES USA / 2019 Director: Rebecca Blumhagen Producers: Annie Lennon Carroll, Rebecca Blumhagen Featured Subjects: John Ellis, Laura Preston When John’s father dies unexpectedly, he decides to spend a year traveling the country in an airstream. Fourand-a-half years later, John and Laura now live on the road and create modern quilts based on landscapes that they have encountered along the way.

El Astronauta

USA, JAPAN / 2019

NARRATIVE / 18 MINUTES VENEZUELA, MEXICO, USA / 2019

Director/Writer/Producer: Geoff Marslett Executive Producers: Warren Etheredge, Aron Campisano Cast: Tom Skerritt

Director/Writer: Manuel Trotta Producers: Manuel Trotta, Dennis Casali Cast: Manuel Trotta, Luigi Sciamanna

Loneliness is a trucker who calls out on his CB radio waiting for a reply that never comes; a ghost that haunts the deserted highways; and a whale that sings at a frequency no other whale can even hear.

Beto must help his father fulfill his only desire: to reach the moon to say goodbye to his beloved late wife.

Muedra ANIMATED / 9 MINUTES SPAIN / 2019 Director/Writer/ Executive Producer: Cesar Diaz Melendez Producer: Pedro Collantes Life can arise anywhere, nature behaves strangely, and days can last for minutes. Although everything is familiar to us, nothing is what it seems in this place. The cycle of life seen from a different point of view.

Wild Card 109 min.

All Inclusive DOCUMENTARY / 10 MINUTES SWITZERLAND / 2018 Director/Writer: Corina Schwingruber Ilić Producer: Stella Händler Under the spell of mass entertainment on the high seas.

Untitled (burned rubber on asphalt, 2018) DOCUMENTARY / 20 MINUTES FINLAND / 2019 GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART Director: Tinja Ruusuvuori Producer: Marja Pihlaja In a remote Norwegian village, the roads have become the subject of controversy. The documentary investigates the bewildering phenomena of car skid marks and their mysterious appearance. Winding, looping, curving, the hypnotising patterns reveal unexpected frictions in the village.

SATURDAY, JULY 27 6:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SUNDAY, JULY 28 2:30 PM The Toby Expect the unexpected from style to story in this mix of genre-defying shorts. This program contains mature themes, strong language, and violence.

Bodega

Facing It

NARRATIVE / 12 MINUTES USA / 2018 SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS

ANIMATED / 8 MINUTES UK / 2018 / NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL

Director/Writer: Rebecca Halfon Producers: Rebecca Halfon, Gabby Green Cast: Laith Nakli, Adham Murched, Mirabella Raschke-Robinson, Bella Danieli, Bryan Fitzgerald, Nadia Affolter

Director: Sam Gainsborough Writers: Louisa Wood, Sam Gainsborough Producer: Jimmy Campbell Smith Cast: Danielle Bertolucci, Daniel Quirke, Myra Ford, Cathy Walker, Basil Pruveneers

One night in Brooklyn from the dual perspectives of a Syrian deli owner and a high school girl with a fake ID.

As a man anxiously awaits a meeting in the local pub, he is forced to explore his own difficult memories and relationships in an evening that will leave him changed forever.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS Wild Card [Continued] 109 min. SATURDAY, JULY 27 6:45 PM DeBoest Lecture Hall SUNDAY, JULY 28 2:30 PM The Toby

But First... NARRATIVE / 5 MINUTES USA / 2018 Director: Erin Brown Thomas Writers: Mike Esperanza, Erin Brown Thomas Producers: Lindsay Gauthier, Christy Bollingbroke, Dave Hayward Cast: Erin Nicole Love, Sarah Houespian, Tiffanie Carson Through dance, “But First...” explores how coffee changes the way we see, think, and interact with other people.

Tundra

Reality Baby

NARRATIVE / 10 MINUTES CANADA / 2018 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY Director/Writer/Producer: Carol Nguyen Cast: Thao Nguyen-Duong, Fred Nguyen, Meko Deng A mother dreams and hallucinates, trying to cope with the loss of her daughter.

DOCUMENTARY / 13 MINUTES IRELAND / 2018 Director/Writer: Nodlag Houlihan Producer: Matthew Leigh Featured Subjects: Chloe Longmore, Maggie Ryan A group of friends are given lifelike baby dolls to care for as part of a sexual health program. How will they rise to the challenge of teenage motherhood?

Woman in Stall

Patision Avenue

The Coin

La Noria

NARRATIVE / 10 MINUTES CANADA / 2018

NARRATIVE / 13 MINUTES GREECE / 2018

ANIMATED / 7 MINUTES USA / 2019

ANIMATED / 12 MINUTES SPAIN / 2018

Directors/Producers: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli Writer: Joshua Boles Cast: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Ben Kerfoot

Director: Thanasis Neofotistos Writers: Yorgos Angelopoulos, Thanasis Neofotistos, Pavlos Sifakis Producer: Ioanna Bolomyti Cast: Marina Symeou

Director/Writer: Siqi Song Producers: Diana Ward, Ashim Ahuja Cast: Anna Pan

Director/Writer: Carlos Baena Producer: Sasha Korellis

A woman finds herself trapped in a bathroom stall by a man whose intentions are not entirely clear.

A single mother’s most important roles in life will collide over the phone while she walks through the most controversial area of central Athens.

On Chinese New Year holidays, finding the coin inside the dumplings means having a blessed year ahead. A young woman loses a jar on her journey to a new country, which contains the lucky coins she has been collecting growing up. Her new life begins with a search to find the coin.

A young boy who loves to draw and build Ferris wheels encounters strange creatures that turn his life upside down.

Royal Blue NARRATIVE / 21 MINUTES AUSTRIA / 2018 / THE UNIVERSITY OF ARTS AND DESIGN Director/Writer: Dinko Draganovic Producers: Dinko Draganovic, Sinisa Vidovic Cast: Rubina Mia Jungwirth, Ljubisa Lupo Grujcic A gambling addict goes to a betting shop and leaves his 9-year-old daughter in the car. When he returns, he realizes nothing will ever be the same again.

2019 Indy Shorts International Film Festival guidebook compiled and edited by Heartland Film’s Marketing Manager, Emily Darr with cover design and graphics by Bohlsen Group. Special thanks to the Heartland Film editing team including: Kelly Alexiou Michael Ault Angelo Auriemma Mary Foreman Ed Fry Chase Hammerstrom Adam Howell Erin Poulsen Craig Prater Julia Ricci Greg Sorvig Nathaniel Uecker

THURSDAY, JULY 25 The Toby

DeBoest Lecture Hall

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Other

The Toby

DeBoest Lecture Hall

Other

11 am

12 pm

12:30 pm BLACK EXPERIENCES 101m / p20

12:00 pm FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 85m / p23

12:00 pm BEYOND THE HEADLINES 108m / p19

12:15 pm THE CREATIVE PROCESS 109m / p22

All Day EVA: A-7063 VR EXPERIENCE p5

2 pm

3 pm

4 pm

5 pm

6 pm

2:45 pm REDEFINING DISABILITY 91m / p26

25:00 pmpm ART & MUSIC INDIANA 104m / p24 1 SPOTLIGHT

2:15 pm WANDERLUST 91m / p27

2:30 pm MORE THAN A FEELING 112m / p24

2:45 pm FINALIST 3 106m / p12

FESTIVAL FORMULA: GATEKEEPERS & RELATIONSHIPS

4:45 pm MORE THAN A FEELING 112m / p24

111m / p14

5:00 pm FINALIST 2 104m / p11

5:30 pm LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! p5 Iggy’s Lounge

Iggy’s Lounge

5:00 pm 5:15 pm HIGH SCHOOL FILM COMPETITION 97m / p16

7 pm

2:30 pm

FESTIVAL FORMULA: MYTH BUSTING FILM FESTIVALS

Iggy’s Lounge

7:00 pm 7:30 pm INDIANA SPOTLIGHT 2 112m / p15

7:15 pm BEYOND THE HEADLINES 108m / p19

7:15 pm PASSION & PROFIT W/ JERALD HARKNESS Iggy’s Lounge p5

FROM HOME MOVIES

7:30 pm FINALIST 1 101m / p10

TO HOLLYWOOD CRITIC

Iggy’s Lounge

9 pm

9:30 pm AFTER-PARTY p6

9:30 pm PRIDE IN JULY 103m / p26

9:45 pm COMEDY 111m / p20

9:30 pm 7:00 pm - Doors Open SUMMER NIGHTS p6

11 pm

Nightlife: Thursday, July 25 - p4 Tappers Arcade Bar at 8:30 pm

Nightlife: Friday, July 26 - p4 Punch Bowl Social at 8:30 pm *Special Event

Amphitheater

SATURDAY, JULY 27 The Toby 11 am

1 pm

11:00 am FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 85m / p23

DeBoest Lecture Hall

11:30 am HIGH SCHOOL FILM COMPETITION 97m / p16

1:00 pm

SUNDAY, JULY 28

Other

The Toby

12:00 pm THE STORY OF EVA: FROM DOC TO VR p5

12:00 pm PRIDE IN JULY 103m / p26

12:15 pm BEST OF SOUTHEAST ASIA: 9FEST 99m / p9

Iggy’s Lounge

INDIANAPOLIS PRIZE

3 pm

75m / p6 2:00 pm FINALIST 2 104m / p11

2:45 pm FINALIST 1 101m / p10

2:00 pm CRITIC WORKSHOP

Iggy’s Lounge

6 pm

7 pm

8 pm

5:15 pm AWARDS PRESENTATION p7 + FINALIST 3 126m / p12

4:30 pm ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS 104m / p18

2:45 pm REDEFINING DISABILITY 91m / p26

9 pm

10 pm

5:00 pm AWARD WINNERS

5:15 pm INDIANA SPOTLIGHT 2 112m / p15

9:15 pm COMEDY 111m / p20

3:00 pm THE ART OF THE STORY W/ SCREENWRITER JACK LUGAR

THE SECRET LIFE OF MUSLIMS: JOURNEYS FROM HATE TO LOVE p6 JCC of Indianapolis

5:30 pm SHORTS & VIBES p6

7:30 pm INDIANA SPOTLIGHT 1 111m / p14

8:00 pm AWARDS AFTER-PARTY AT THE ALEXANDER PLAT 99 p7

7:45 pm BLACK EXPERIENCES 101m / p20

11 pm

Nightlife: Saturday, July 27 - p4 The Alexander - Plat 99 at 8:00 pm *Ticketed Event

Iggy’s Lounge

3:30 pm

Includes a screening of “The Creative Process” Program / p22

6:45 pm WILD CARD 109m / p28

7:45 pm WANDERLUST 91m / p27

1:00 pm SAN DIEGO JEWISH FF: JOYCE FORUM WINNERS 109m / p9 JCC of Indianapolis

2:30 pm WILD CARD 109m / p28

W/ ROGEREBERT.COM

5 pm

Other

All Day EVA: A-7063 VR EXPERIENCE p5

CONVERSATIONS WITH

2 pm

DeBoest Lecture Hall

Nightlife: Sunday, July 28 - p4 Metro at 8:00 pm *Special Event

The Jazz Kitchen

2019 INDY SHORTS SPONSORS

Premier Media Sponsor

Gary D. & Marlene Cohen

Bob & Alison Spoonmore

Official Film Partners