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Trinity International Film Festival
Our Vision: To provide a festival experience that connects artists to audiences through screening culturally diverse movies to engage the community in dialogue with independent filmmakers. Our Mission: To provide a platform that showcases diverse and international films that supports the work of established and emerging filmmakers. We’ve acknowledged over 1,000 local and national filmmakers. In previous years, winners of our “Best Short Film” category have aired nationally on the BET-Centric and locally on MY TV20 (which was acquired E.W. Scripps Company). The TI Film Festival has hosted industry professionals locally and nationally to share their knowledge and expertise in various workshops and industry discussions. Special guests have included famed Actress and Producer, Tangi Miller, Syndicated Radio Host and Film Producer, Russ Parr, and Former BET Executive Producer, Ralph Scott, currently with the Aspire Network (Owned by Magic Johnson), Producer Tim Greene, Film Segment Producer/Head of Production for more than 100 episodes of SNL, Tanya Ryno and Writer, Director, Qasim Basir. The highlight of this event over the years has been all of the innovative work we've showcased by indie filmmakers and the support we receive from the community. Thank you for joining us at this year's TI Film Festival.
Sincerely, Trinity International Film Festival Team
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August 25-27, 2017 OUR VENUES: Location 1: The Marlene Boll Theatre, 1401 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 Location 2: The Carr Center Gallery, 1505 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226 SCREENING SCHEDULE Friday, August 25, 2017 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Location: The Marlene Boll Theatre Address: 1401 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 Time 10:00 am – 11:00 am
FILM TITLE Heavenkid Seon -Ye Revelation -The City of Haze Fear Binds
DIRECTOR Derrick Wu Dabin Baek Mao Qichao Natalie Lauer
LENGTH 11 mins. 22 mins. 14 mins. 14 mins.
COUNTRY Taiwan Korea China USA
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Guilt List Kachach, above Zaatari Silent Encounter
Tereza Hirsch Bruno Pieretti Emanuel Luca Fusillo
17 mins. 14 mins. 28 mins.
USA France Germany
12:00 pm – 1:25 pm
Desperate Cowboys
Nick Felice
85 mins.
USA
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Short Distance
Nic Barker
60 mins.
Australia
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
A State of Emergency Still Devout As My Heart Beats Losing Claire Crossroads
Tarek Roehlinger Melissa Perez Cristine Aubry ParryMajmudar Xavier Garcia
19 mins. 18 mins. 6 mins. 14 mins.
Germany USA France India USA
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
BAKEMONO Whoever Was Using This Bed
Hideki Oshima Andrew Kotatko
49 mins. 20 mins.
Japan Australia
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Hashtagwill After Marco Polo The Towns We Lived In
Per Sundstrom Qingge Gao Robbie Fatt
22 mins. 10 mins. 28 mins.
Sweden USA Australia
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
The Pineville Heist
Lee Chambers
80 mins.
Canada
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Leftovers Goner
Peter Howie Nick Stomphauzer
12 mins. 9 mins.
Canada USA
AKOMA Tormento Girl On The Mat
Lunar Flame Gregory Dockery Joseph Butler
12 mins. 4 mins. 20 mins.
USA USA USA
20 mins. 7 mins. 20 mins. 14 mins.
USA USA USA USA
12 mins.
Filmmakers Q&A 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm You Better Run One More Standing Eight Charlie’s Gift
Zachery Cunningham Nate Hapke Kazy Tauginas LaTeace Towns-Cuellar
Filmmakers Q&A
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Saturday, August 26, 2017 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Location: The Marlene Boll Theatre Address: 1401 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 Time
FILM TITLE The Activists: War, Peace, and Politics in the Streets From the Mass to the Mountain – Screening at The Carr Center Gallery, 1505 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226
DIRECTOR
LENGTH
COUNTRY
Melody Shemtov Kurt Sensenbrenner
60 mins 66 mins.
USA USA
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Change for Ten Film’s Cool You Infidelity Natasha Witness
Tonya Core Jim Gleason Noora Albright Christian Davis Chad Berkobien Michael Mizzion Smith
5 mins. 11 mins. 5 mins. 16 mins. 13 mins. 10 mins.
USA USA USA USA USA USA
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm
Holy Hustle Walk All Night: A Drum Beat Journey Screening at The Carr Center Gallery, 1505 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226
Mark A. Cummings Mallory Sohmer
89 mins. 85 mins.
USA USA
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Technical Difficulties Brooklyn In July A Continuing Series of Small Indignities
Jessie McAnally Bob Celli
19 mins. 21 mins.
USA USA
Michael Pfaender
29 mins.
USA
Urban Envy ULUVA YOGIYA NODALLI (Look at Plowing Yogi) Screening at The Carr Center Gallery, 1505 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226 Chi Nu Legacy
Desmond Weems Sivanandam N.
90 mins. 90 mins.
USA India
C. Nathaniel Brown
85 mins.
USA
LENGTH 13 mins 5 mins. 8 mins. 1 mins.
COUNTRY Canada USA Poland Netherlands
10:00 am – 11:00 am
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
4:45 pm – 6:15 pm
Saturday, August 26, 2017 Red Carpet Awards Ceremony 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Location: The Carr Center Gallery Address: 1505 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226 Time 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm
RED CARPET RECEPTION FILM SCREENINGS FILM TITLE DIRECTOR Tuesday 10:08 Jane Tattersall Michael + Jack Morse Bickneil All the Nightmares Pawel Cichonski Unseen Justin Krul
Conversation with Director, Nate Hapke 8:45 pm– 10:00 pm
AWARDS CEREMONY & AFTERGLOW
Special Performance by Musician, VERZELL
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Sunday, August 27, 2017 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Location: The Marlene Boll Theatre Address: 1401 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 Time 10:00 am – 11:10 am
FILM TITLE I See Jesus Fueling Fierce: The Shannon Heil Story Armor of GOD
DIRECTOR Marcus Siler Christian de Rezendes
LENGTH 36 mins. 13 mins.
COUNTRY USA USA
Xavier Garcia
19 mins.
USA
11:10 am -12:10 pm
Before Christmas Yesterday is Tomorrow Life Journey
He Chuyao James C. Shahanshah Solax Xuanyi Zhu
15 mins. 9 mins. 33 mins.
USA USA China
12:10 pm – 1:15 pm
Bird Without A Homeland Coddington Trail The Buzzing of a Bumble Bee
Louiza Kadri Hannah Basciano Vladimir Beldian
7 mins. 26 mins. 29 mins.
Algeria USA Russia
1:15 pm – 2:25 pm
Oh, Brother Who is Jade TWOFOLD
Vee Shi Destry Edwards Ludëk Wellart
23 mins. 12 mins. 35 mins.
Australia USA Czech Republic
2:25 pm – 3:15 pm
Tangerine Crossandra IZAHAQ –Smoke on the Altar
Kathryn McIntosh Charles Kollannoor Chakkunny
9 mins. 37 mins.
Canada India
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2017 FILMS A Bird Without A Homeland Algeria Director, Louiza Kadri 7 mins.
A Continuing Series of Small Indignities USA Director, Michael Pfaendtner 30 mins.
A State of Emergency Germany Director, Tarek Roehlinger 12 mins.
The film talks about a War Child. His story tells of a child in the 14 years he lived the beginning of the war in Syria. Where bombing destroyed his home and his whole family died. The child of a youngster loves drawing, but it keeps track of the memories of the house his pen and blue hat.
Beginning with the fifth grade, 59-year-old Rodney Harris recounts his personal history dealing with a lifetime of racism.
This is a movie about a society in fear. It is the story of two soldiers in the everyday life of Paris guarding an official building. An abandoned bag, curious passants and a crazy tramp move the situation into its climax. The lines between normality and real danger disappear.
After Marco Polo USA Director, Qingge Gao 11 mins.
AKOMA USA Director, Alex Gasparetto 12 mins.
All the Nightmares Poland Director, Pawel Cichonski 8 mins.
The world should be a big family. Everyone should not be nervous to explore new culture and civilization. I hope my film could inspire people and let people willing to reach out.
“Akoma” is a post Civil War Era drama surrounding two courageous young women in a fight for love and freedom that could cost them their lives.
On January 10th a young girl finds a little wooden box and a mysterious map in her closet. The following morning she embarks on the sentimental journey of the special significance. The film and its music have been released on the 1st anniversary of David Bowie's death, to whom they have been dedicated.
Armor of God USA Director, Xavier Garcia 19 mins.
As My Heart Beats France Director, Christine Aubry 18 mins.
BAKEMONO Japan Director, Hideki Oshima 48 mins.
Detective David Martinez (Jonathan Garcia) and Sargent Steven Hye (Thomas Grower) argue why, in today’s America, there is such turmoil between citizens and the police-force when suddenly they’re interrupted by a dispatch call that takes them to the home of a demon possessed John Ropes (Sean Hanlon).
A man, a woman. Two existences escaping one another, and getting lost in the dissension of bodies, hearts, voices.
During the peaceful time, Haru returns to his hometown after an art of war journey, where he runs into a group of low-rank Samurais. His best friend from childhood Roku was among them. The Samurais laugh at Haru saying that the art of war is already outdated.
Before Christmas USA & China Director, He Chuyao 15 mins.
Brooklyn In July USA Director, Bob Celli 21 mins.
A lower class Chinese family moves to a big city for a living. The father and his son Xiao Lee, an 18 year-old teenager who dreams of becoming a singer, begin working hard labor in a Christmas decoration factory.
BROOKLYN IN JULY is the story of Frank Walker, an African-American WWII veteran working as a chauffeur. It is the summer of 1945. The War is all but won. The U.S. is riding a wave of triumph even as the undertow of unresolved issues roils beneath.
Charlie's Gift USA Director, Duane Journey 14 mins.
Chi Nu Legacy USA Director, C. Nathaniel Brown 85 mins.
A woman on her first flight receives a gift from her late husband. Love Never Forgets a Promise
After a young co-ed accuses the school's star athlete of sexual assault, everything about this normal semester that was filled with promise and optimism quickly turns gloomy with a plethora of uncertainties. Follow this drama into the lives of these college students and the legacy of Chi Nu Sorority Inc. What will happen to the victim? Will people believe her? What will it mean to the foundation of this sorority? What will happen to the star football player's professional plans
Change For 10 USA Director, Tonya Core 5 mins.
A young man makes decisions that may lead to him losing his job
Coddington Trail USA Director, Hannah Basciano 26 mins.
Local affiliates of the national "Rails to Trails" campaign push a recreational bike trail that would steal land from organic farmers.
CrossRoad USA Director, Xavier Garcia 15 mins.
Desperate Cowboys Director, Nick Felice USA 85 mins.
Fear Binds Director, Natalie Lauer USA 13 mins.
This short film highlights the events that take place on the road to Emmaus in 33AD between two disciples and “the man,” revealed as the resurrected Yeshua of Nazareth, the Christ. The narrative follows two of Yeshua’s students, who have since given up hope of their teacher’s promised resurrection.
Felix, a terminally ill attorney, is in need of a heart transplant. When an opportunity arises that could pay for the operation he calls on his wayward son Ferris, who is out on bail, to help him perform the simple task. Things go south quickly when Ferris botches the task requested of him and he and his father end up with a large amount of cocaine by mistake.
A sick writer Dales is accused of an assault. To clear his name he prods conflicted Detective Blanka on to remember her blocked past and the attacker she thought she killed - her husband.
Film's Cool Director, Jim Gleason USA 11 mins.
From Mass to the Mountain Director, Kurt Sensenbrenner USA 67 mins.
A comedy about four students with very different personalities put on the same team charged with the task of making a short film in 10 weeks. "From Mass to the Mountain" takes you to eastern Panama, where decades of government corruption and neglect have impoverished the region. But thanks to the tireless efforts of one priest to build infrastructure, protect watersheds, and conserve the rainforest, life is looking up for the locals. GONER Director, Nick Staumphauzer USA 9 mins.
Heavenkid Director, Derrick Yung-Ti Wu Taiwan 11 mins.
Dallas Goner must use his ability to teleport to protect his little sister, Lily, from two men who will stop at nothing to capture her. ToTo by accident opened a device that transformed a chessboard into a Space Door. So, he and Ahya could become anything they wanted, going anywhere they wished. They fought with each other while playing out many different roles. This means they would be locked within, unable to escape. HeavenKid used his magic to awaken them teaching them the book Di-Zi-Gui. I See Jesus Director, Marcus Siler USA 36 mins.
A film that reminds us that to walk in faith means to be a light, not someone's darkness. Faith, do you have the courage to see?
Fueling Fierce: The Shannon Heil Story Director, Christian de Rezndes USA 13 mins.
In July 2013, Shannon Heil was killed in a car accident in Burrillville, RI. She was 18. "Fueling Fierce" is about how people chose to honor her tragic death by inspiring and investing in humanity.
Holy Hustle Director, Mark A. Cummings USA 90 mins.
A quick-witted con artist, Jacob McGee (Jack Shepherd BET's Comic View, HBO's Def Comedy Jam), and his straight-laced brother, Cain (Micah Robinson Jacked Up, Profiled), on the run from gangsters, scheme their way into pastoring a down-trodden rural church to hideaway.
Infidelity Director, Christian Davis USA 16 mins.
IZAHAQ - Smoke on the altar Director, Charles K. Chakkunny India 37 mins.
"Infidelity" is a Suspenseful Thriller Written, Directed, and Edited By Christian Davis about Jean Pierre (Guillaume Manolis) a Successful Businessman who finds out his Girlfriend Alex (Tiara Fullilove) is cheating on him and sets out to punish her and her new man.
This is the story of Abe who was forced to return home to Kerala because of war. After crossing the desert and reaching Lebanon, he flew back home leaving all his savings there.
Kachach, above Zaatari Director, Brono Pieretti India 14 mins.
Inside the Zaatari Refugee camp, the Syrians keep waiting for an outcome to the endless war. Among the refugees, a community started to grow: the Kachach. Inside this camp that no one is supposed to leave, these traditional bird raisers made a strong come-back. Their birds brought a share of dream and freedom. Losing Claire Director, Perry Majmudar India 6 mins.
A story about psychological anguish from a male's perspective on having a stillborn child. The main characters are Emily and Perry who are finding it difficult to cope with the devastating loss of their stillborn daughter - Claire and this is having a detrimental impact on their relationship, which is becoming strained. Oh, Brother Director, Vee Shi Australia 23 mins.
Leftovers Director, Peter Howie Canada 11 mins.
When Eve is let out of prison for the day, she's forced to release the stark difference between making a plan and acting on it.
A juvenile delinquent named Bing attends a educational program with his peers in the prison. After three sets of games, Bing finds his best friend Yao and other boys are gradually twisted by the games and become strange.
Michael + Jack Director, Morse Bicknell USA 5 mins.
Natasha Director, Chad Berkobien USA 13 mins.
Now and forever.
A coming of age story exploring the themes of reality versus distorted reality.
One More Director, Nate Hapke USA 8 mins.
Revelation - The City of Haze Director, Mao Qichao China 14 mins.
Moving into college is a big step for both a single mother and her only child. Oh Brother is a psychological thriller that follows two reclusive brothers through their dysfunctional relationship. Their lives are changed forever. When they confront an intruder in the night.
Life Journey Director, Solax Xuanyi Zhu China 33 mins.
This film, Revelation - the City of Haze, is the third animation short film written and directed by Mao Qichao.
Seon-ye Director, Dabin Baek Republic Of Korea 22 mins.
Short Distance Director, Nic Barker Australia 67 mins.
Yong-jin, who cannot not get his daughter's national identity number issued at the community service center goes to his ex-wife In-young, but faces a surprising situation.
Over the course of a weekend, three couples experience the complications of long distance relationships and modern love.
Standing Eight Director, Brian Kazmarck USA 21 mins.
Still Devout (New) Director, Melissa Perez USA 19 mins.
An anxious 22 year old must choose between romantic love and the needs of her family. A professional boxer is forced to contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with Systemic Lupus.
Technical Difficulties Director, Jesse McAnally USA 19 mins.
Jesse has written and directed "Technical Difficulties", as well as "Sunny Days", "The Urn", he also acted as director of "Orpheus & Eurydice".
The Activists: War, Peace, and Politics in the Streets Director, Melody Shemtov USA 60 mins.
This documentary film is the story of activists who opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including their lives, the tactics they used, and the historical context.
Silent Encounter Director, Emanuel Luca Fusillo Germany 28 mins.
The boundaries between reality and imagination seem to dissolve, as Justus awakes in the deserted backyard of a discotheque after having been partying excessively. There he encounters an apparently speechless child, a little boy, in the dead of night. Initially irritated, Justus’ mood alters, as it becomes obvious that the boy follows his path through the streets of the city. Tangerine Crossandra Director, Katherine Mcintosh Canada 9 mins.
On the day of her most important college exam, Anna receives a letter from her estranged father, Dmitry. Anna hasn't seen her father in 6 years, but refuses to read the letter until after the exam. She had no reason to assume it was urgent. It's everything she's ever wanted to hear, but it might be a day too late for apologies. The Buzzing of a Bumblebee Director, Vladimir Beidian Russia 29 mins.
Once an old woman in a nursing home made three wishes in case of her death: to eat pudding, to listen a little chorus and ... bumblebee buzzing outside the window. It will be difficult to arrange all this but she wants it so much...
The Girl on the Mat Director, Robert J. Butler USA 21 mins.
The Guilt List Director, Tereza Horak USA 17 mins.
The Pineville Heist Director, Lee Chambers Canada 80 mins.
Hayden has been wrestling since childhood. As the daughter of a recently deceased NCAA wrestling champion, and a failed cello player named Rachel, Hayden's passion to the sport is severely tested once her mom shows a lack of support as she approaches the Michigan Individual regional tournament. With competition getting more fierce, and the relationship with her mother growing more complex and complicated. Can Hayden find the endurance to advance to the state championship?
California 1953: A young girl lives with her parents, who believe in the Red Scare, when she meets an immigrant from communist Czechoslovakia. Realizing that her parents disapprove of the relationship, she has to make an important decision.
A high school teen stumbles into the aftermath of a bank robbery gone wrong and finds himself locked inside his school trying to keep himself and his teacher alive as one of the psychotic robbers hunts them down.
The Towns We Lived In Director, Robbie Fatt Australia 28 mins.
Tormento Director, Gregory Dockery USA 4 mins.
Tuesday 10:08AM Director, Jane Tattersall Canada 13 mins.
wo childhood friends who grew up together in a small church in the blue mountains of Australia run into each other by chance a few years later. Upon meeting, they decide to go back to visit the town they grew up in. On the way, they talk about the reasons why one of them left the church and why one of them stayed.
A creative visual of an individual tormenting his mind with insecurities.
TWOFOLD Director, Luděk Wellart Chech Republic 35 mins.
ULUVA YOGIYA NODALLI (LOOK AT PLOWING YOGI) Director, SIVANANDAM N India 90 mins.
Anton - Lola - Frank. One, two, one, two one? Everything seems real but what if it's not? One affects the other. How do you tell reality and dream apart and vice versa?
It is an extraordinary story of an ordinary girl. This girl does no adventure, does not show immense wisdom but she reacts to her parents plight. This schoolgirl Kamali immensely loves her village, people & the land.
A homeless man is shot dead by police and a junior inspector with the Special Investigation Unit is caught up in the incident. Unsure of the validity of the official police report, the junior inspector decides to do her own analysis of the many different video recording of the shooting. She pieces the story together but it’s not until she deciphers the audio that the full depth of the tragedy comes clear. Unseen Director, Justin Krul Netherlands 1 min.
A young ballet dancer is struggling with here choices about her future as a dancer.
URBAN ENVY Director, Desmond Weems USA 90 mins.
Winning can sometimes become losing, when the prize you’ve won belongs to someone else. Marcus Drapier is a regular guy with a regular life, until he wins a local dance competition. Beating out the 5 time reigning champion Harvey Jackson, wasn’t such a hard task to do. Harvey happened to get himself disqualified from the competition. Whoever Was Using This Bed Director, Andrew Kotatko Australia 20 mins.
A married couple is woken in the dead of night by a mysterious phone call. Unable to sleep, they are drawn into an unsettling examination of their fears and desires. Based on a story by Raymond Carver (Birdman), WHOEVER WAS USING THIS BED is a multi-award winning short psychological drama starring Jean-Marc Barr (The Big Blue), Radha Mitchell (Man on Fire) and Jane Birkin (Blow Up). You Director, Noora Albright USA 5 mins.
Noora had a re-occurring role in a morning show for children that was broadcasted on YLE (Finnish National Television). She was also one of the lead singers on an album named "Tutti", She acted in school plays as The Princess in “The Sleeping Beauty” and Pippi in “Pippi Longstockings”
Walk All Night: A Drum Beat Journey Director, Mallory Sohmer, Kate Benzschawel USA 85 mins.
Who is Jade Director, Destry Edwards USA 13 mins.
An idealistic social worker initiates an ambitious project to take a group of street musicians to West Africa. Fascinated by the sounds of bucket drummers she meets on Chicago's south side, Elilta Tewelde aspires to connect the young men to their African heritage through music.
When presented an opportunity for advancement, a young up-and-coming journalist determines that the only way to achieve her goals is to sacrifice the principles she once held.
Witness Director, Michael Mizzion Smith USA 10 mins.
Yesterday Is Tomorrow Director, James C. Shaha nshah USA 10mins.
The story of Charlotte Thomas who wants to help her grandfather who is faced with a foreclosure on his home. However she contemplates going down the wrong path to do so. An unlikely source gives her some advice that she will never forget.
You Better Run Director, Zachary Cunningham USA 20 mins.
A young man pays for the sins of the leaders around him. He is forces to harbor both pain and resentment while making a decision that will change the reality of everything he knows
While undergoing psychiatric treatment, a mourning widow must confront and figure out the meaning of her recurring nightmares while experiencing a distorted illusion of what may or may not be her reality.
THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S SPONSORS
Special Thanks To Photographer Glenn Kujansuu