NFFTY 2014 Festival Guide by NFFTY Film Festival

N F F T Y. O R G

2014

GUIDE S I F F U P TOW N + S E AT T L E C I N E R A M A

APRIL 24-27 PRESENTING SPONSORS

PREMIER SPONSORS

NATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR TALENTED YOUTH

FESTIVAL

The Best Of Both Worlds All at once giving you the versatility of added space and a zest for driving, the V60 Sportswagon is truly a jack-of-all-trades. And after finding love in Europe, the V60 wagon is making its U.S. debut.

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All New Powerful & Efficient Powertrains Class Leading 37 MPG Highway 0-60 MPH In 6 Seconds 10% Fewer Emissions 8 Speed Automatic Gearbox

Volvo Cars Of North America Is A Proud Sponsor Of NFFTY

www.volvocars.com/us

THURSDAY APRIL 24

O P E N I N G N I G H T GA L A P R E S E N T E D BY VO LVO C A R S O F N O R T H A M E R I C A CINERAMA 7:30PM - 9:00PM

S I F F C I N E M A / / U P TOW N 1

S I F F C I N E M A / / U P TOW N 2 PA N E L T B A 12:00PM - 1:30PM

NOON 1 2 3

FRIDAY

A F T E R N O O N E C L E CT I C 3:30PM - 5:00PM

4 5

APRIL 25

6 H A P PY H O U R S H O R T S 6:30PM - 8:00PM

S I F F C I N E M A / / U P TOW N 1

S I F F C I N E M A / / U P TOW N 2 11 BRING THE KIDS 11:30AM - 1:00PM

4 8 H O U R F I L M O F F P R E S E N T E D BY S E A FA I R 1:30PM - 2:30PM

NOON

R E E L A N I M AT I O N 3:30PM - 5:00PM

SATURDAY

PA N E L : A N I M AT I O N A S K I N G 5:00PM - 6:30PM

5 6

10P

LIGHTEN UP! 9:00PM - 10:30PM

S I F F C I N E M A / / U P TOW N 1

S I F F C I N E M A / / U P TOW N 2 NORTHWEST LIFE 12:00PM - 1:30PM

I N F O C U S : D R A M AT I C D O C S 2:00PM - 3:30PM

SUNDAY APRIL 27

R E A L W O R L D : D O C U M E N TA R I E S 6:00PM - 7:30PM

8 9

E D G E O F Y O U R S E AT 10:00PM - 11:30PM

DOUBLE EXPOSURE 2:30PM - 4:00PM

7 C E N T E R P I E C E S C R E E N I N G & PA R T Y 7:30PM - 9:00PM

#kindawesome 12:30PM - 2:00PM

2 3

IDENTIFY YOURSELF 9:30PM - 11:00PM

11P

APRIL 26

CINERAMIC JOUNREY 7:30PM - 9:00PM

9 10

T H E L A S T L AU G H 10:30PM - 12:00AM

A G U I D E TO G R O W I N G U P 5:00PM - 6:30PM

7 8

F R I DAY N I G H T S H O R T S 8:30PM - 10:00PM

M A S T E R C L A S S : Y O U R S TO RY, Y O U R WAY 2:00PM - 3:30PM

H U S T L E P R E S E N T E D BY v i t a m i n w a t e r 速 4:00PM - 5:30PM

NOON 1 2 3 4 5 6

C LO S I N G N I G H T - A S U P P O R T I N G R O L E 6:30P - 8:00PM

E X P E R I M E N TA L V I S I O N S 1:00PM - 2:30PM

MUSICAL MASTERPIECE 3:00PM - 4:30PM

POWERFUL GRIT 5:00PM - 6:30PM

WELCOME TO NFFTY 2014! CELEBRATING 8 YEARS OF NFFTY! STEFA N IE MA LON E / Managing Director

This year we celebrate eight years of showcasing the best new directors from around the world, a history that spans 1,500 filmmakers from dozens of countries. NFFTY filmmakers continue to bring their amazing talent, with NFFTY 2014 featuring a lineup of 214 films that delight, provoke and inspire. The 2014 festival brings on some new firsts for NFFTY. This year, we begin to focus efforts to address gender inequality in film. NFFTY is kicking off this new initiative with a Best New Female Filmmaker Award and with an eye on partnership and program development beyond the festival.

JESSE H ARRI S / Founder

This year’s festival will premiere the first originally produced documentary by NFFTY, A Supporting Role, screening at the Closing Night event. This documentary features the work of three NFFTY alumni – Alex Bohs, Joel McCarthy and Caleb Slain – who traveled the world to document the story of Vitamin Angels, an organization that seeks to combat malnutrition. NFFTY has not only helped foster the next generation of talented young filmmakers and bring their stories to the word, but it has created an alumni support network. This network has enabled collaboration and mentorship and has led to business and job opportunities for many filmmakers. Our alumni have gone on to emerge as some of the strongest industry professionals – moving onto Pixar, The Weinstein Company and Trigger Street Productions. On Oscar night this year, the whole NFFTY team was cheering on 20 Feet from Stardom, which took home Best Documentary and was edited by NFFTY alumnus Kevin Klauber. We hope you use this festival to connect with filmmakers, to be inspired, and to learn from industry professionals.

KA LEIGH WA RD / Festival Manager

TODD KAUMA N S / Program Manager

Thanks for coming to NFFTY 2014! Enjoy the show! Stefanie Malone Managing Director KYLE SEAGO / Lead Programmer

PASSING THE TORCH NFFTY WAS REALLY ONE BIG MAGICAL ACCIDENT VI C KI F E RG U SO N / Com. Coordinator

C E C I LI A AN G / Intern

LO RE NZO RO SS I / Intern

I thought it could just be a fun side project to do while I continued to pursue my own filmmaking. However, to pull this thing off, I had to drop what I was doing and focus all my attention on NFFTY for nearly 7 straight years. We grew NFFTY into the largest youth film festival in the world, giving young filmmakers the opportunity to have their stories seen and heard. We brought the voice of this generation to the big screen and inspired so many to follow their dreams and to do what they love. What we’ve been able to accomplish has far exceeded my wildest dreams. NFFTY will forever be the most important thing I’ve ever been apart of. And it wasn’t done alone. Jocelyn R.C., Kyle Seago, P. Scott Cummins, Bud Harrington and Lindsey LeDuc have all been major players over the years, along with countless others. And the secret weapon of NFFTY for many years was my mom, Kathy Reichgerdt, who not only helped keep NFFTY financially grounded as board treasurer, but also provided so much wisdom and guidance over the years. And of course we wouldn’t be anywhere without you, the festivalgoer. Your ongoing support is critical to the success of an organization like NFFTY. As my own filmmaking career has taken off again in the form of directing commercials, I’ve slowly transitioned out of running NFFTY. This festival marks the official handoff to our new Managing Director, Stefanie Malone. Already Stefanie is making big impacts and I have no doubt that she will help take NFFTY to even greater heights in the years to come. I’m so excited when I think about the new initiatives currently underway and the huge potential the organization still holds. I look forward to staying involved and watching it grow. Of course NFFTY wasn’t just an accident. It took years of hard work and hundreds of people to make it a reality. But it does show how one small idea or how an unplanned circumstance can take off and become something magical. But only if you allow it to. So get out there. Go make your movie, go follow your dreams and go change the world! Jesse Harris NFFTY Founder Executive Director 2007-2012 / Artistic Director 2012-2013

KARLE Y B R U M D E R / Outreach Coordinator

To hear the story, we have to go back to 2005. A feature film I directed two years earlier at the age of 17 was being released in theaters. I had convinced my parents to let me use my college savings to fund the film, along with other donations I raised from friends and family. Somehow I had hit the jackpot and secured a distributor willing to release my film, which brought a good amount of press and attention my way. It also brought countless emails from other young filmmakers who had heard of my story and were asking for advice. At the time, there was no support network for young filmmakers, there was no premier youth film festival, there was no NFFTY. So the idea was born: why not just create one if no one else was going to?

©2014 glacéau, glacéau®, vitaminwater®, bottle design and label are registered trademarks and vitaminwater zero™ is a trademark of glacéau. ©2014 glacéau, glacéau®, vitaminwater®, bottle design and label are registered trademarks and vitaminwater zero™ is a trademark of glacéau.

HELP SUPPORT NFFTY

SUPPORT NFFTY AND GET COOL STUFF! NFFTY 2014 FUND DRIVE As a non-profit, NFFTY relies on your support and donations in order to keep our operations running. Help us support the future of film by making a donation at one of our kiosks during the festival or online when you get home.

$5 DO N AT IO N NFFTY Sunglasses

N F F T Y. O R G

FILM

HERE S IF F C IN E M A + S E AT T L E C IN E R A M A

APRIL 24-27 2014

Become a NFFTY supporter! Please consider making a dontation today!

P RE S E N TI N G S P O N S O RS

N ATI ON AL F IL M F ESTI VAL F OR TA LE N TED YO UTH

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$15 DO N ATION NFFTY Large Festival Poster 27"x 39"

$20 DO N AT IO N NFFTY 2014 T-Shirt

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fridays | 9p beginning apr 4 KCTS9.org/reel-nw

2014 SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSORS

PREMIER SPONSORS

OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSORS

PA R T N E R S P O N S O R S

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS

EMONT FR BREWING

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FUNDERS

D I G I TA L E X H I B I T O R S

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FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

HAPPY HOUR SHORTS FRIDAY APRIL 25TH SIFF UPTOWN 1 5:30PM Beer Tasting / 6:30PM Screening Wind down the work week and sample some tasty beers, complements of Fremont Brewing, before watching this great group of short films. Tasting starts at 5:30pm, films start at 6:30pm. Screening is all ages. Tasting is included with film ticket and ID.

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P.56

REEL A N I M AT I O N & A N I M AT I O N AS KING

IN FOCUS: D R A M AT I C DOCS

SATURDAY APRIL 26TH SIFF UPTOWN 1

SUNDAY APRIL 27TH SIFF UPTOWN 1

3:30PM / 5:00PM

2:00PM

Join us for two events on Saturday afternoon. We start with a selection of colorful animated shorts that could make a rainbow look monochromatic. From stop-motion pictures to claymation, all of these films push the boundaries of artistic possibility! Stick around at 5:00 pm to join animators from Oscar-winning Frozen, Despicable Me 2 and Frankenweenie as they talk about these incredible films.

Film has the power to inspire, inform, and even enact change. These three remarkable stories illuminate prevalent and current social justice and human rights issues happening in our world. Come for the films, stay for a discussion with the talented filmmakers.

P.32

P.38

IDENTIFY YOURSELF

#kindawesome

FRIDAY APRIL 25TH SIFF UPTOWN 2

SATURDAY APRIL 26TH SIFF UPTOWN 2

9:30PM

12:30PM

With a camera in hand and a message in mind, these brave filmmakers have approached issues of individuality, self-expression, and acceptance with the full power of cinema behind them. This inspiring screening explores the struggles and triumphs that we all encounter when establishing our own identities in today’s world. Tissues are welcome.

Be kind. Be awesome. Be kind AND awesome by supporting NFFTY and coming to this amazing screening! The true power of cinema lies in how it affects your feelings and this incredible lineup of films will make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

P.60 HUSTLE PRESENTED BY vitaminwater® SUNDAY APRIL 27TH SIFF UPTOWN 1

Remember when a coach or gym teacher coach used to tell you to hustle? Well these filmmakers took that mandate to heart and rose to the challenge of creating films centered around that message. The prize: $5,000 for the best film that explores the relentless pursuit of a passion or dream.

4:00PM

PANELS & SPECIAL GUESTS

SPECIAL GUEST: ADI SHANKAR

MASTERCLASS: YOUR STORY, YOUR WAY

FRIDAY APRIL 25TH | 12:00 PM SIFF UPTOWN 1

FRIDAY APRIL 25TH | 2:00 PM SIFF UPTOWN 2

How did rebel filmmaker Adi Shankar (Killing Them Softly, The Grey, Dredd, Lone Survivor) break through the Old Hollywood model and maintain an indie spirit? At the age of 29, Adi has made a brand for himself by producing a string of critically acclaimed action and crime feature films with A-list actors such as Brad Pitt, Liam Neeson, Mark Wahlberg and more.

Danish director Kræsten Kusk has always used his own personal stories as a creative motor in his filmmaking. Since 1998, he has directed 15 short films. His newest collaborative film ”Sundays” will be screening at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Join Adi as he discusses his career, his Marvel comic project and breaking into Hollywood.

SATURDAY APRIL 26TH | 5:00 PM SIFF UPTOWN 1 Talented industry professionals Dan Lund (Frozen, Princess and the Frog), Wilbert Plijnaar (Despicable Me 2, Ice Age), Connie Nartonis Thompson (Frankenweenie, Beauty & The Beast), and NFFTY alumnus Amos Sussigan (Swan Cake) talk about the field of animation. Animated films continue to top the lists each year as some of the highest grossing films, with Frozen recently surpassing $1 billion. What is the process of creating an animated film? How do you break into this field?

This workshop will focus on Kræsten’s very personal take on filmmaking combined with the collaborative approach. Kræsten will show clips from his latest film ”Where the Light Gets In“ and from the unfinished ”Sundays.”

PANEL HOST AND MODERATOR: WARREN ETHEREDGE Warren Etheredge has conducted over 2,500 interviews. He hosts The High Bar, his Emmy®nominated television series devoted to “raising the bar,” and Reel NW on KCTS. He is the founder of The Warren Report and one of the founding faculty members of TheFilmSchool and The Red Badge Project.

Equally as interesting are Adi’s short “bootleg” films featuring Marvel characters. While these films aren’t intended to be major money makers, they are elevating Adi to rockstar status with fanboys and girls. Adi’s “The Punisher” was released last summer and now has nearly 5,000,000 views.

As a filmmaker, Kræsten constantly balances retaining his creative integrity while still allowing room for collaboration with other creatives. How do you manage to put your own private story into a film and harness the input of an entire crew of colleagues? Is it possible to use collaboration as a creative drive?

PANEL: ANIMATION AS KING

AUDIENCE AWARDS SPONSORED BY VIMEO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FILM BY TEXT TO: 22333 / MESSAGE: KEYWORD Help determine who takes home the Audience Awards by voting for your favorite film. Text to vote for your favorite film. KEYWORDS will be displayed at the end of each screening. Voting will stay open for ONE HOUR after each event. One vote per phone. No surcharge for text to vote, standard carrier message rates may apply. The film receiving the most votes at each screening wins an AUDIENCE AWARD.

TEXT KEYWORD TO 22333

fueling young talent #kindawesome

48 HOUR FILM OFF

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETE FOR CASH TO SUPPORT THEIR FILM PROGRAMS! SATURDAY APRIL 26TH 1:30 PM SIFF UPTOWN 1 511 QUEEN ANNE AVENUE NORTH

THE CHALLENGE Make a 3-minute movie in two days! Come and watch these short films and cast your vote to help determine the winner!

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Anacortes High School Ballard High School Cascade High School The Center School Franklin High School Mount Si High School Seattle Academy Skyline High School

PRESENTED BY SEAFAIR

Seattle’s Midtown Movie Palace Visit cinerama.com for current show times, news and upcoming events. 2100 4th Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 206.448.6680 Box Office Hours: Noon – Midnight

It’s a theater and an experience – gorgeously restored mid-century gem outfitted with state-of-the-art audio and visual technology. It’s the best place to see blockbuster first-run movies, cult classics, original Cinerama and wide-screen 70mm films, and the newest 3-D offerings. We also have the plushest seats in town and superb concessions.

DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW AT NFFTY!

I WA N T TO… LAUGH

W/ BEER

LEARN

W/OUT BEER

ABOUT FILMMAKING

FEEL

SEE

INSPIRED & AMPED

INTENSE EMOTION & DRAMA

ABOUT IMPORTANT THINGS

GET INTO

SCARED & THRILLED

MUSIC VIDEOS

LIKE A MODERN YOUTH

TRIPY & UNUSUAL

W/ A STRONG STORY

FILM PANELS

LIGHTEN UP

A GUIDE TO GROWING UP

EDGE OF YOUR SEAT

SEE PAGE 13

SATURDAY 9P

FRIDAY 5P

SATURDAY 10P

HAPPY HOUR SHORTS

POWERFUL GRIT

EXPERIMENTAL VISIONS

MUSICAL MASTERPIECE

FRIDAY 5:30P

SUNDAY 5P

SUNDAY 1P

SUNDAY 3P

IN FOCUS: DRAMATIC DOCS

CINEMATIC JOURNEY

DOUBLE EXPOSURE

SUNDAY 2P

FRIDAY 7:30P

SATURDAY 2P

# kindawesome

HUSTLE

SATURDAY 12:30P

SUNDAY 4P

OPENING NIGHT GALA T HU R S DAY APR I L 2 4 T H 7 : 3 0 PM C I N ER AM A Arrive in style and walk the red carpet at Seattle’s iconic CINERAMA THEATER to kick off NFFTY 2014! Enjoy an outstanding lineup of short films made by some of the best young directors from around the world. After the screening, jump on our free shuttle bus and head to MOHAI on the shores of Lake Union for an unforgettable after party. Mingle with Hollywood industry, Seattle’s finest, and the young filmmakers of NFFTY 2014. After party is an all-ages event with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. 20

PRESENTED BY VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA

DAVEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WILD LIFE

Sean Drummond Age 20 | California

Samuel de Ceccatty Age 22 | United Kingdom

A woman comes across a lost VHS tape that brings back the nostalgic memories of her youth.

Dave is a lonely and socially awkward retail assistant who leads a seemingly uneventful life. He dreams of having his own wildlife show, and transforms his otherwise mundane life in an adventure by imagining undiscovered urban creatures.

D RE SSE S - PA IN T IN G RO SE S

MOONBOUNCE

Tim Hendrix Age 21 | California

Michael Kefeyalew Age 21 | Florida

An experimental music video featuring the band Dresses as they perform in a mystical, miniature land full of skeletons.

On their car ride home from a birthday party in the park, a mother and her young son encounter a horrific sight.

LOST DOG

MUM

Vanessa Pantley Age 22 | California

Alex Bohs Age 22 | Illinois

Faced with the loss of his friend and the urges of withdrawal, a heroin addict embarks on an unexpected journey with a young boy to find a lost dog.

An LGBT short film about silencing insecurities, embracing oneself and the importance of human connection.

SHADOW DANCING

AFTER

ONE WHEELER Jason Segal Age 20 | California Unicycling for truth, justice and the American Way.

NOON ECLECTIC A SLEEPING GIANT Leo Pfeifer Age 15 | Washington An exploration of the personal side of gun control and the recent efforts to make progress on the issue.

F RI DAY A P R IL 2 5 T H 3:30P M S IFF U P TOWN 1 Do you like dramatic films? Comedies? Documentaries? All of the above? Then this screening is for you! Diversify your NFFTY experience with this mixed bag of delicious cinematic treats.

WONDERLUST Danielle Payne Age 19 | Australia A young, inquisitive man living in a rigid, unimaginative society is taken on a journey of love, bravery, wonder and self-discovery.

CADENCE

THE CANVAS

Joey Skeele Age 18 | Oregon

Nicolas Lopez Age 16 | Florida

As their childhood comes to a close, four young men come to terms with how finite life is.

An encounter between two men at a restaurant leads to a mysterious recollection.

IC E CREAM WITH EINSTEIN

LION

BREE

Vienna Mumm Age 14 | Washington

Noah Cohen Age 20 | Canada

Wes Chew Age 22 | Canada

A girl wants to travel into the past to meet Einstein for ice cream.

A political revolutionary is to be executed by none other than his former mentor and friend.

A mourning character who has been bedridden for days demonstrates the hardships of dealing with death and faith.

THANKS FOR NOT KILLING MY SON

COFFEE

A mother reflects after her son is brutally beaten. Based on a true-life letter written by Rita Schindler.

Justinian Age 19 | Washington A young actress and her drama teacher prepare for her big audition together by studying the complex art of walking through a door.

Willem van den Heever & Vaughan Coetzee Age 20 | South Africa A young man from a small town is forced into his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family business. Until he meets an eccentric looking girl at the nearby train station. 23

Chris Smith, Thomas Kelly, Jeremy Levine, Dustin Titcomb Age 18 | Canada

HOW TO WALK THROUGH A DOOR

A THE CHAMPION

GUIDE TO

Ben Tan, Age 17 Luka Joncich, Age 17 Jacob “Kuba” Bojsza, Age 18 California A young boy with a father who is a martial arts expert learns to defend himself.

GROWING UP

BET TER DAYS Matt Hoff Age 19 | New York A man tries to get his ex-girlfriend back through an intense phone conversation.

F RI DAY A P R IL 2 5 T H 5:00P M S IFF U P TOWN 2 Life is hard. Luckily, we’ve compiled a guidebook to help you navigate your own way. Travel through the disappointment and delight of growing up in the modern world with this relatable slate of films

GOLDTOOTH Lauren Brinkman Age 22 | Florida

Eight-year-old Debbie hates cleaning for her Nana. What she needs is a fairy godmother, but what she gets is a pimp.

NINA Rheanna Toy Age 20 | Canada

MERMAIDS JASMINE TAVISS Dominic Chan Age 20 | Canada

BYE HYUNGJIK Hyungjik Lee Age 22 | Florida

Eight-year-old Nina is becoming increasingly self-conscious. When a boy at school kisses every girl but her, Nina takes actions into her own hands and starts a dangerous habit that could ruin her.

The trials and tribulations of growing up as a girl make it difficult to face peer pressure and meet the constant demands of society.

INTERNET FRIENDS

CHANGE

APART

Tyler Gillis Age 20 | Canada

Grace Newton-Wordsworth, Mia EgertonWarburton, Natasha Thompson Age 17 | Australia

Raul Alcantar & Jesse Eagle Age 20 | California

A girl has a new pen pal that helps open her eyes to everything that is important in life.

An exploration of a teenage girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fragmented mindset. She assesses herself against the universal pressures of appearance, education and judgment.

A homesick, South Korean student filmmaker named Hyungjik goes to film school in America.

A young immigrant must provide for his family after tragically losing his father in the deserts of the Mexican-American border.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING

A down-on-his-luck boy finds love in the most unexpected way.

Cameron Covell Age 18 | California

HAPPY

HARLEY Tom Teller Age 19 | Oregon A man enters his local fish store with the intention of returning a recently purchased, odd-looking fish. The fish’s oddities quickly turn endearing and the man is left with a difficult decision to make.

HOUR SHORTS A WARMER SOUND Daniel Morris, Age 22 Carolina Nunes, Age 20 United Kingdom Music stores are a dying breed in the UK. The Diskery is one of the few remaining vinyl record stores. The owner explains why customers keep coming back.

F RI DAY A P R IL 2 5 T H 5:30PM/6:3 0 P M S IFF U P TOWN 1 Wind down the work week and hop on over to sample some tasty beers, compliments of Fremont Brewing, before watching this compelling batch of short films. Tasting starts at 5:30pm, films start at 6:30pm. Tasting included with Film Ticket and ID. This screening is doctor-approved to kick your weekend off on the right foot.

PORTRAITURE Judy Suh Age 22 | Illinois Christoph visits his late friend Anthony’s apartment, where he comes across a mysterious box full of undeveloped 35mm film rolls. Curious, he begins to develop these film rolls one-by-one, and learns that they are years’ worth of Anthony’s self-portraits.

Chelsea Bo Age 21 | California Two Miracle Scouts battle to sell cookies to the biggest house on the cul-de-sac.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THE TIME TRAVELER Alex Greenlee Age 16 | California Abraham Lincoln goes to the future to see the results of all his hard work in enacting the Emancipation Proclamationâ&#x20AC;Śor is he really an Abe impersonator from the future going into the past?

THE PAPER ACTOR William Hoinoski Age 16 | Texas An actor explains the obstacles involved in starring in a high school musical.

THE COLLATZ CONJECTURE

JOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUPER-DE-DUPER SONG

PRISON BRICK OUT

Kelsey Taylor Age 21 | California

Adam McArthur Age 17 | Washington

Kris Theorin, Age 16 Kurtis Theorin, Age 20 Pennsylvania

Ben is a boy who sees the world in numbers. He has recently become obsessed with a mathematical phenomenon called the Collatz Conjecture, unaware that the obsession is preventing him from noticing the proximity of his soulmate.

A happy-go-lucky boy realizes the world is not all good in this brief, whimsical song.

TALES OF THE WEST

ICEBERG

Tarjei Tandstad Age 22 | Norway

Rachel Lin Age 15 | California

The journey of a young man wanting to avenge the death of his father.

A drama queen playing the iceberg that struck the Titanic takes his role to the brink. Fellow students and the drama teacher are not impressed.

There is a breakout at the Metropolis Prison and a horde of Supervillains have escaped. Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman take fight to save the city.

THERE WILL B E CRUMBS

CINEMATIC JOURNEY

FR IDAY APR I L 2 5 T H 7 : 3 0 P M S I F F U PTOW N 2 Lighting. Framing. Movement. Those techniques are all masterfully executed in these 7 visual masterpieces directed by young Malicks from around the world. Hold your jaw in place because it might hurt when it hits the floor!

DRIFTING BLUES

A RIEHL BLACKSMITH

RETREAT

Garrett Kennell Age 21 | Pennsylvania

Brennan Robideaux Age 18 | Louisiana

Kris Theorin, Age 16 Kurtis Theorin, Age 20 Pennsylvania

Struggling to abandon his old lifestyle, a recovering drug addict named Travis seeks shelter and reassurance from a small-town waitress.

Sam Riehl, the youngest professionally operating blacksmith in Louisiana, breathes new life into an old profession, infusing form and function through metal arts.

SOLITUDE

MATCHBOX

LUFTSCHLOSS

Adam McArthur, Age 17 James Schilling, Age 16 Washington

Ali Kareem Age 22 | California

Benedikt Groß, Age 20 Josua Stäbler, Age 20 Hagen Wagner, Age 20 Lucas Meyer, Age 21 Germany

A man wakes up to find every human on earth suddenly gone. His emotional struggles and his morals are put to the test as he tries to find where, and why, everyone left.

A man on the run finds shelter in a nearby barn, only to face a truth from which he cannot run or hide.

It is the middle of the American Civil War. Soldiers on both sides have seen things that will haunt them for the rest of their days. However, two Union soldiers are more concerned with what is waiting for them back home.

Florian is thrilling his younger brother Marian with his passion for flying. For the prospective pilot Florian, flying is within his reach. But for Marian it will remain a dream…

COUNTRY OF CHILDREN

An emotional look into the lives of youth in three different areas of Uganda.

Kurtis David Harder Age 21 | Canada

FRIDAY NIGHT SHORTS FR IDAY APR I L 2 5 T H 8 : 3 0 P M S I F F U PTOW N 1 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Friday. Friday. You have to get down...to NFFTY for this awe-inspiring set of excellent films! With a South African rugby mockumentary and a music video played entirely in reverse, there will be no shortage of excitement on your Friday night!

RUN SCRUM SCORE

QUICKSAND

Tyler Michael James Age 20 | Washington

Vaughan Coetzee Age 21 | South Africa

Lance Oppenheim Age 17 | Florida

The official music video for Manatee Commune’s track “Brush” mixes underwater cinematography with contemporary dance, showing the subtle beauty found in the human form.

Derrick is a “part-time professional rugby player” who wants to play for his local club. His views on life are as interesting as his game tactics.

An elderly gentleman attempts to retrieve forgotten memories while battling the progression and regression of the cycles of life.

HANA

RÖKT LAX

FLASH POINT

Bunee Tomlinson Age 21 | Oklahoma

Lukas Dong Age 16 | New York

Colin Campbell Age 18 | Michigan

A dying man reflects on a single moment with a lost love in his past.

A short documentary based on Jan Hartman’s salmon farming business at GRINDÖ, his remote island in Southern Sweden.

Can you hold on to your past as you are pulled into your future? A young man grapples with letting go as he faces leaving home for the first time.

ESPERO? (HOPE?)

PARADIGM

RENMINBI TIPS

Yifan Hu Age 22 | United Kingdom

Stephen Boyer Age 17 | California

Cole Jackson & Tommy Lee Age 19 | Canada

Gaia, our planet Earth, met humankind years and years ago, and then problems ensued.

Two children use their combined memories to rationalize the actions of their parents.

A music video exploring the direction of time for the Surrey band Good For Grapes.

BRUSH - MANATEE COMMUNE

IDENTIFY YOURSELF FR IDAY APR I L 2 5 T H 9 : 3 0 P M S I F F U PTOW N 2

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA

OVERFLOW

LEZ BE HONEST

TIDES

Ruby Drake Age 17 | California

Haley Manrique Age 22 | Florida

Amelia Burnatowski Age 19 | Washington

Two girls try to work through an unexpected crisis in their friendship.

Shy, flannel-clad Gina must decide whether to keep up a lesbian facade for the advancement of equality or proclaim her feelings for her crush Jeff.

An exploration of the strength of human will and the power of love.

IN FICTION

A COMMON CHANGE

SAM’S STORY

Andrew Robbin Age 15 | California

Tashaila Garrett, Takai Ginwright, Age 16 | California

Mae Catt Age 22 | California

A writer finds himself in a bind with his girlfriend when a character he’s created begins to take over his life.

Four individuals struggle with a significant problem, but they discover one solution to a range of issues.

Sam Compson, a Vietnam veteran, returns home with nothing but a broken heart and an insatiable blood lust. Sam starts to wonder if these urges are new, or if they were always buried inside him.

WHERE THE BOATS GO

OUT

CHERRY BOMBS

Jack Flynn, Age 19 Sam Wolff, Age 19 Emma Von Der Linn, Age 18 Arizona

Richard Moon Age 18 | Canada

Tone Ottilie Frederiksen Age 18 | Denmark

All David wants is to be accepted and loved by his conservative parents, but there’s something that he needs to tell them. David comes out of the closet… how will his parents respond?

Eva and Ida are best friends, and Eva is secretly in love with Ida, but doesn’t know it. At a party, however, when Ida kisses a boy, she realizes that Ida might be more than a friend.

A queer girl finds she doesn’t quite fit into the traditional prom narrative.

THE

GRMLN - TEENAGE RHYTHM Tim Hendrix Age 21 | California A bunch of old folks in their senior year of high school deal with the potential hardships of splitting up for college.

LAST LAUGH TIMELESS SOLUTIONS Mark Breedlove Age 18 | Illinois After failing their first attempt at robbing a local gas station, Mickey and Chuck come across Timeless Solutions: a time traveling service that offers a quick fix for poorly executed crime.

F RI DAY A P R IL 2 5 T H 10:30P M S IFF U P TOWN 1

Who will have the final laugh? Will it be a boy who sends a sext to his girlfriendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother? Robbers who go back in time to correct a botched crime? Or a guy who buys his girlfriend a wooden horse (spoiler: she is not amused)? Bring your friends, your enemies, and that one guy with the laugh that sounds like a horse with a mouth full of Cheetos.

THE BEREAVEMENT OF JOHN TOLLY Rob Potter Age 21 | United Kingdom A quasi-Shakespearian psychopath steals away a victim from his day job at a department store and brings him to the Moors. Morals are questioned and we bear witness to the consequences of improper research.

APPLESAUCE

WORKING TITLE

YOU’RE STILL HERE?

Nathan Hansen, Cory Soukup, Drake Tucker Age 22 | Nebraska

Favienne Howsepian Age 22 | California

Matthew Hartman Age 22 | California

Two naive screenwriters struggle with a last chance to sell their script.

The Williams Family thinks the worst is over after they survive the Apocalypse. They’re wrong.

T HE CON VERSATIO N

NOT THE ONE

WHO SHOT JESUS CHRIST ?

Griffin Stoddard Age 18 | Washington

Laura Holliday Age 20 | California

Jeff Burgett, Age 22 Gorby Mu Fan Shih, Age 21 California

A troubled couple addresses a rift in their relationship.

That moment when two strangers lock eyes across a room – and instantly just know.

A man thinks he has found true happiness. But he quickly learns that this comes with a price.

Moments after the Second Coming of Christ, a team of U.S. Special Forces shoot him by mistake. Three officers face trial to determine who fired the first shot.

ACCIDENTAL SEXT Samantha Jensen Age 17 | Washington

Sexting…It’s all the rage these days.

BRING THE

QUEEN OF THE RINK Imana Bruner, Age 14 & Hana Bobrow-Strain, Age 12 Washington One woman transformed a skating class into a junior roller derby team. Follow this group of girls as they strive to become a team and the story of how it all started.

KIDS 65 YEARS OF LOVE Tyler Colvin Age 13 | California The love between two 90 year-olds who have been married for 65 years demonstrates emotion without dialogue.

SAT UR DAY A P R IL 2 6 T H 11:30AM S IFF U P TOWN 1 Fun for the whole family! Skip the Saturday morning cartoons and explore the magical world of all-ages cinema. Inspire your kids with these films made by talented young filmmakers from near and far.

Spoiler alert: these films are awesome!

SHAME Makenna Cannon Age 11 | California When a family dog named Freckles finds a piece of ham left on the kitchen counter, all he wants is to taste its sweet smokiness. But when the ham is discarded into the trash, Freckles must face the shame of defeat, and the taste of revenge.

STAR-CROSSED

VACATION

THE TOOTHFAIRY

Katie Aldworth Age 22 | Florida

Matt Hoff Age 19 | New York

Rachael Sonnenberg Age 17 | New Jersey

Young love isn’t bound by gravity, but for Scout and Gideon, finding each other will be harder than crossing the galaxies between them.

Two homeless siblings win $20 off a lost scratch ticket and go on a vacation they’ll never forget.

8-year-old Conner believes in the toothfairy….do you?

A N OT E TO SELF

A SOCK’S LIFE

CONFRONTING #8

Zac Wilkinson & Jonas Maetani Age 10 | Utah

Xander Lawson, Age 13 Tom Gaberman, Age 12 Riley Siegler, Age 12 California

Teddy Nissen Age 12 | California

A young boy, Larry, is having trouble with his best friend: a sock puppet named Bob. Larry sets off to discover the limits of his friendship with Bob and realizes the meaning of true friendship.

Students at a school for magic are harassed by a powerful level-8 student until a mediocre level-5 student takes a stand.

SWEET DREAMS

THE BEAR

CLOUDS

Celia Jensen Age 7 | Washington

Rachael Sonnenberg Age 17 | New Jersey

Nikita Deshpande Age 21 | India

In 1812, the President’s daughter is bored of living in Washington D.C. But does she have the courage to follow her dream?

The story of a little boy named Elain and his favorite stuffed bear..

A young girl imagines where the clouds come from.

Jonas gets a special note from a girl. Unfortunately the note is a trap from some bullies. To prove his love he must first learn to love and accept himself.

#kindawesome

SAT U R DAY APR I L 2 6 T H 1 2 : 3 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 2 Be kind. Be awesome. Be kind AND awesome by supporting NFFTY and coming to this amazing screening! The true power of cinema lies in how it affects your feelings and this incredible lineup of films will make you feel like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on top of the world.

PRESENTED BY KIND Healthy Snacks

PRECISION

FORTISSIMO

A N OB LE FISH E R M A N

Justin Kauffman Age 20 | Washington

Noah Wagner Age 22 | New York

Maxwell Geoffrey Age 16 | New York

Balancing on two-inch polyester webbing requires many hours of practice, dedication, concentration, and precision. Using this combination of elements, Justin Wagers performs the technical tricks he has learned over the years.

A world-renowned mime in his prime, Stanley Farkas competes for attention alongside noisy street performers. He’s ready to throw away the only thing he’s ever loved until he meets Daisy – a girl who can magically produce sound with her every touch.

A young boy fishes for carp in New York City’s Central Park.

SOULESS

FOR YOU, I DANCE

BLESSED IS THE PEACEMAKER

Sarah Riad Age 22 | Egypt

Charmaine Yap Age 22 | Singapore

A 23-year-old woman who lives in one of the largest cities in the world tries to find meaning in the details of her day-to-day, routinized life.

A short romantic drama stemming from a true account of falling in love against all odds. Set in Singapore.

Taqi Juba, Age 17 Ghani Muhammad, Age 17 Evodie Ngoy, Age 16 Tyson Sandford-Griffin, Age 16 Joshua White, Age 17 Maryland Many youth in Baltimore City experience gun violence. See how the organization Safe Streets fights to prevent gun violence and homicides throughout Baltimore.

FLIGHT

A young boy, fascinated by flying, grows older and older but never loses the aspirations and creativity of his youth.

Alex Fortmann Age 18 | Oregon

DOUBLE EXPOSURE SAT U R DAY APR I L 2 6 T H 2 : 3 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 2 These two longer exposures will immerse you in enthralling, diverse and fantastical worlds. The first brings you deep into the forest where a monster befriends a little girl; the second into a satirical mirage of right vs. wrong, as one man struggles with lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moral choices.

THE WHISTLER Peter Rosati Age 21 | Pennsylvania Shelly Prince and her Grandfather have kept a magical creature safely secluded in the backwoods of their small town, but when a thrill-seeking bounty hunter shows up in search of the beast, Shelly has to find a way to keep the animal safe.

THE DIVINE RIGHT OF MALCOLM QUINN Strack Azar Age 18 | Mississippi

A satirical, dramatic comedy that examines the circular nature of two ideological extremes: excessive political correctness and unbridled bigotry.

CANDY FLOSS Linnea Ritland Age 17 | Canada

REEL

A music video for the song “Candy Floss” by the recording artist Alex Day.

COUNT CRANKEPANSE AND THE CURIOUS CUBE Melanie Gillam Age 20 | Canada In a monochromatic world, Count Crankepanse encounters a curious conundrum.

ANIMATION

SAT U RDAY AP RI L 2 6 TH 3:30PM SIF F U P TOWN 1

These colorful shorts could make a rainbow look

INANIMATE INSANITY

YATRA

Adam Katz Age 16 | New York

Kartik Dutta & Anirudha Hanamantache Age 22 | India

Yin and Yang have been connected their entire lives. When Yin and Yang stumble upon Test Tube’s secret laboratory, the two beg her for an experiment to finally split them into two different beings.

The journey of a package: after a long trip, the package reaches the intended destination, but not without unintended consequences.

FAKIR

COLORS

Varun Nair Age 21 | India

Jacob Hood Age 18 | Kansas

A hungry homeless man comes across something that gives him an idea of a new way to earn food.

Blue is beginning to feel frustrated with his boss and tired of his lifetime career: giving color to things that should be blue. His life changes when he accidentally befriends a completely new color.

monochromatic. Enter the creative minds of some incredible young artists as they experiment with different artistic techniques. From stop-motion pictures to claymation, all of these films push the boundaries of artistic possibility!

FADE

NAP

HARMONY

Josh Lopata Age 22 | Pennsylvania

Mark Wincek Age 17 | Maryland

Margaret Orr Age 22 | Indiana

After his father’s death, a young boy uses his imagination to deal with the inevitable.

A man falls asleep and his consciousness takes new form. In this infinite strip of a dimension, bodies are taken from one side to the other – reality to dream. It’s usually a one-way trip, but this time, our hero has a little run-in with “customs”.

Two women navigate the trials and wonders of long-term friendship. The film follows them throughout an abstract dance of their lives.

ANYTHING IN THE WORLD

NO SY, TH E C UR IOUS BO OGE R

LUMIN

Veronica Buhagiar Age 21 | Australia

What would it be like to have anything in the world? Bobby is about to answer that question with the help of a mysterious figure who appears at his doorstep.

Nosy is an adorable booger whose world is turned upside-down when he is blown out of the nose of a young boy.

YAMASHITA

RAPTOR BLUES

Hayley Foster Age 21 | California

Ian Timothy Age 19 | Kentucky

A young Japanese-American girl struggles with identity, the breakdown of her family, imprisonment, and the rediscovery of her ancestry as she and her family are forced into internment camps during World War II.

The story of how rat poison leads to secondary poisoning of raptors, expressed in a manner anyone can understand.

Mark Wincek Age 20 | Maryland A lone hunter is making ends meet in a world without a sun. He uses light to catch his prey, but – unfortunately – so do the other creatures.

Joe Carter Age 17 | California

REAL WORLD DOCU MENTARIES SAT U R DAY APR I L 2 6 T H 6 : 0 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 2

See humanity through a clearer lens as these global stories are brought to life on the big screen. From an international whistling competition to an exploration of Ebonics as a dialect, these films contribute inspiration and education to our shared social consciousness. Turn off the news and let these stories take you on a journey of universal enlightenment!

IN THE LIFE OF MANILAL KATARIA Meera Darji Age 19 | United Kingdom Manilal Kataria lives in Ahmedabad, India. His daily routine includes washing 30-40 cars, cleaning houses, washing utensils and working in a provision store. Despite the ease of machinery, he believes in completing work with his bare hands.

TURNING THE TIDE Nikki Loke, Cara Chiang, Grace Chew Age 22 | Singapore Two years after Japan’s 2011 Tohoku tsunami and earthquake, the outlook for some employers remains uncertain. Reconstruction, debt, and deep-seated radiation fears remain prominent.

PA P PA OG DE FOR LAT TE SM Å Audun Selsjord Bratlie Age 22 | Norway Eivind, a confident man in his late 50s, adores his Volvo and the stuffed animals that travel with him. Come take a ride with him, learn the secrets of his contentment and the stories behind his tiny companions.

NOTINRWILDESTDREMZ

BROKEN ENGLISH

INSIDE THE RING

Catherine Cabano Age 17 | Connecticut

Robin Turnage Age 18 | Illinois

Darian Henry, Age 21 Imani Peterkin, Age 18 New York

A heartwarming story of a horse that captures the attention of a nation by surviving one of America’s worst thoroughbred racehorse abuse cases, and against all odds makes it to the races.

African-Americans experience prejudice because of their way of speaking. However, Ebonics is a dialect that has southern origins, cultural value and constitutes part of an identity.

SILENT KID

DEFENDING DIGNITY

Nastasia Humphries Age 20 | Florida

Maura Coursey, Age 18 Grace Haley, Age 19 Utah

In the “submarine capital of the world” WWII veteran Lt. Ernest “The Kid” Plantz resides with his wife Caroline. 70 years after the war, he gives a brief portrait of life as affected by the silent service and teaches a valuable lesson about the meaning of forgiveness.

This short film talks about the issue of rape and the stigmas that follow victims. This film was made in partnership with KUED as part of their Women & Girls Initiative.

The sights and sounds of a gym, the words of longtime coach Jerrick Jones, and aspiring young boxers tell the story of Albany’s city youth boxing program.

DITCHING SCHOOL TO WHISTLE Ien Chi Age 22 | Georgia Filmmaker Ien Chi set out to compete in the International Whistling Competition – and make a documentary about it. Follow the unexpected and touching stories of people who discover healing and therapy through whistling.

CENTER PIECE

SAT U R DAY APR I L 2 6 T H 7 : 3 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 1 Explore the rich, visceral environments created by these fantastic films. Revisit the gold rush in the West, walk a mile in the rugged shoes of the homeless, and see what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like for an astronaut to return to life on Earth. If NFFTY is The Last Supper, then this screening is Jesus!

Following the screening, join NFFTY filmmakers, industry members and film fans in a lively after-party starting at 9pm. Please note attendance is admitted up to capacity on a first-come-first served basis, so make sure to arrive in a timely fashion!

CRACKS

R UN W ITH M E

Trevor Mack Age 21 | Canada

Tim Hendrix Age 21 | California

Cameron Covell Age 18 | California

A death is avenged by a nation in this powerful tribute to the ancestors who fought for survival from extinction.

Music video for the song “Cracks” that’s about a girl with purple hair who is sword-fighting a bunch of demons.

A young man is determined to compete in track and field, yet he struggles with overcoming a difficult physical obstacle that may keep him from achieving his goal.

THE ADVOCATE

JOU RNEY HOME

CALLBACK

Kyla Martin, Nathan Pfaff Age 21 | Indiana

Alex J. Campbell Age 20 | United Kingdom

David Findlay Age 21 | Canada

An educated and successful man named Maurice Young gives up everything to live on the streets and serve the homeless community in Indianapolis.

Returning from the moon, an astronaut falls into a deep depression having made the shattering realization of how insignificant life is.

A young university student goes to the clinic to get tested for STDs and HIV/AIDS.

MARTYR

COWBOYS OF CHINCOTEAGUE

Andrew De Zen Age 19 | Canada

Ethan Stupp Age 18 | New Jersey

Fadiyah is forced to choose between being loyal to her father and her faith or being loyal to what she believes is right.

Every year within the small town of Chincoteague, a group of horseback riders known as the Salt Water Cowboys set out to the barrier island of Assateague. The riders corral the herd of over 160 wild horses and bring them along an unforgettable journey.

THE BLANKETING

BLOCKBUSTED George Kabbaz Age 15 | California

LIGHTEN

A comedy in which indie and commercial impulses collide around a film studio conference table.

UP! INVISIBLE Danielle Stolz Age 16 | California A girl feels completely ignored being the sidekick of the most popular girl in school. She makes a bold move in order to cause her friend to see what it feels like to be invisible.

SAT UR DAY A P R IL 2 6 T H 9:00P M S IFF U P TOWN 2 Why so serious? Take a load off and laugh yourself silly as hipsters face off in a duel, girl scouts fight for supremacy, and contestants navigate the horrors of a singing competition. Leave your doctor at home, because this screening will leave you in stitches!

THE FLY Natasha Lasky Age 17 | California

A comedy about a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prim and proper tea party that gets derailed, revealing her true nature.

THE REUNION

CONTESTANTS

COOTIE CONTAGION

Peter Zachwieja Age 18 | Colorado

Laura Holliday Age 20 | California

Joshua Smooha Age 22 | Florida

Upon receiving a letter from his long-lost love, Nick embarks on an emotional journey to find her where they first met, so long ago.

A mockumentary about the vapid and misguided host and his contestants on a poorly ranked reality singing show.

Warning: Code Red! It’s a cootie outbreak! The disease is spreading and Matt’s at risk. Matt likes Becca, his infected science partner. Matt has to stay away from Becca’s birthday party, or it could be the end of boy-kind as we know it!

T HE B USI N ES O F DY ING

THE COBBLER’S TALE

DYKES & FAIRIES

Emma Holyfield Age 21 | Tennessee

Sunny Mohajer Age 20 | Canada

Kyle Brawley, Age 22 Chad Corhan, Age 20 California

A mother and son plan a funeral together, which takes them on a quirky journey.

A cobbler in Medieval times is given the task of repairing the Queen’s shoes. When he fails to do so, he seeks the aid of the town’s evil witch.

COOKIE WARS

CLARENCE

Natasha Lasky Age 17 | California

Adam MacArthur Age 17 | Washington

Girl Scout Alert! A gung-ho mom has hired a “perfect scout” daughter while her real daughter has plans of her own. The battle is on!

A washed-up angel named Clarence is God’s worst helper. Pathetic and lonely, he sits at home alone until a call from God changes his life forever.

Chuck Fin and Russel Quail have both been led to the Thirsty Isle Bar by a mysterious kidnapping of each one’s lady love. They are in in search of redemption and revenge.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE HIPSTER

A comedy about a wannabe hipster who will stop at nothing to win over the girl of his dreams: the barista at a local coffee shop. But he’s got one problem: her boyfriend. In a duel between two hipsters, who will come out victorious?

Natasha Lasky Age 17 | California

EDGE OF YOUR SEAT SAT U R DAY APR I L 2 6 T H 1 0 : 0 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 1

Oh, the horror! The most gory, bloody, squeamishly-awesome screening that NFFTY has to offer - this white-knuckle ride will get your heart racing up the walls. Bring your girlfriends, boyfriends, and that one friend whose scream sounds like a chipmunk getting electrocuted.

DOUBLE BIND

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

TH E A BA N DON E D

Mark Lammerding Age 22 | California

Gigi Saul Guerrero Age 22 | Canada

Carmen Emmi Age 22 | California

When David Kelly’s employment is terminated, his life begins to spiral out of control. One fateful night, a violent act of desperation leaves David with blood on his hands and the company of a beautiful yet mysterious hostage named Abigail.

In a seedy strip club off the beaten path of Northern Mexico, a group of abused women find themselves bound together under the command of Madam Dona Luz. However, the sinful men who enter her club face much more than just a show.

Pressured by her friend, Elle reluctantly sneaks into an abandoned house with a guy she used to have a crush on.

DELUGE

DRAIN

GIFTS

Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou Age 21 | Australia

Robert Crisp Age 18 | Arkansas

Morgana McKenzie Age 14 | Canada

The world is flooding, it’s been raining for weeks on-end and 12-year-old Briggs is the last in line of children to be sacrificed in a ritualistic drowning.

Life-long friends come across a mysterious drain which tests their friendship and their lives.

At age six, Jan was miraculously revived after her body was retrieved from the frozen river that consumed her parents. Now, after a lifetime experiencing visions of people in peril, 13-year-old Jan intends to use her latest premonition to intervene on a murder.

THE TELL TALE HEART

The tale of one man’s guilt. Based on the story by Edgar Allen Poe.

Jason Grinde Age 21 | MIchigan

NORTH WEST

STOP PRETENDING Marlene Anderson, Age 18 Khasbold Bataa, Age 16 Gabe Fabens, Age 16 Zachary Green, Age 16 Lorenzo Rossi, Age 16 Washington What happens when a relationship is held together by the expectations and preconceived notions of the outside world? Based on the song “Stop Pretending” by Yellow Peril.

LIFE MUFFINS Hadley Hillel Age 18 | Washington A cook working at a small mountain inn must deal with unexpected consequences when his plot to poison one of the guests for money does not go as planned.

S UNDAY A P R IL 2 7 T H 12:00PM S IFF U P TOWN 1 The Northwest is home to outlandish facial hair, the Super Bowl Champion team the Seattle Seahawks (boom!), and most importantly, extremely talented young filmmakers! Come see the freshest of the North-fresh and get a taste for life in NFFTY’s neck of the woods!

REMEMBER OUR LEGACIES Baylee Sinner Age 20 | Washington

A documentary following the group Legacies Larp during their monthly Live Action Role Play battles. While their characters may not be real, good luck convincing them of that.

G OTHIN GH A M

PEST CONTROL

Adam McArthur & Joe Nissell Age 17 | Washington

Robert Bojorquez Age 22 | Washington

Evelyn Bellew Age 17 | Washington

As Adam and Joe get lost in the forest on their camping trip, they decide splitting up is the best option. However, as both go on their new adventures, neither could have predicted who, or what, they would find.

Batman and Spiderman are residing in Bellingham, WA, and they may have bitten off less than they can chew…

We may think we are at the top of the food chain, but are we? This tale of revenge challenges our assumptions using hand-drawn and cut-out animation techniques.

CH AN GE OF HEART

THEN AND NOW

HUCKLEBERRY DELIGHT

Ana Krafchick, Dayan Flynn Walsh, Enjuli Chhaniara Age 17 | Washington

Ethan Seneker Age 17 | Washington

Eloise and her parents share their stories of battling cancer.

A man travels back through time to stop his younger self from ending his own life. Will he be able to halt the inevitable creation of a machine that has fallen into the wrong hands?

Owen Craft Age 19 | Washington A teenager begrudgingly goes to the supermarket to get groceries for his mother when he stumbles upon a crossroads between his own desires and someone else’s needs.

THE DONUT CAT

MIND LOST

Isaiah Corey Age 21 | Washington

Emily Krisky, Ethan Newcomb, Edwin Zamora Age 17 | Oregon

A short documentary about a creative couple working hard to achieve their goal of starting a successful plush toy company.

Alexander always runs. Every time, he escapes from his mom and his house and into the forest. Eventually, he’s going to get lost – this he knows – but when it finally happens, it isn’t the familiar forest he gets lost in. It’s his mind.

FOREST OF FRIENDS

EXPERI MENTAL

ALCHEMY

WARM RUSH

Pranay Patwardhan Age 22 | India

Kira Bursky Age 17 | North Carolina

A look at modern-day India: the lives of a billion people, their stories, their hopes, aspirations and transformations, and the fine balance that exists between inherent spirituality and India’s giant leap towards progress.

Miss Whimsy’s song “Warm Rush” brings us on a journey to discover how Miss Whimsy turned into a volcano.

DHARMA

LUNCH

Akreta Saim Age 21 | Canada

Tyler Mitchell Age 18 | Georgia

An Indian woman is bound by her dharma: virtue, righteousness, and duty towards her husband and family after marriage.

A kitchen is disturbed by its inhabitants.

SOAP BAR BUT TERFLIES

THIS IS POINTLESS

VISIONS S UN DAY APRI L 2 7 T H 1:00 P M S I F F UPTOWN 2

What do Kathryn Bigelow, Henry Ford and Daft Punk have in common? They all got their start experimenting with their vision and pushing the boundaries of traditional innovation. As the definition of experimental cinema reads: the goal is to place the viewer in a more active and more thoughtful relationship to the film. Enter the mind-bending visual vortex of alternative filmmaking...

Ben Kadie Age 18 | Washington A puppet’s interpretation of a poem.

Peter Zachwieja Age 19 | Colorado A story without an ending. A question without an answer. Red versus blue. Right versus left.

DESOLATE

Wes Chew Age 22 | Canada

Nathaniel Regier Age 18 | New Mexico

Do you know everything about your partner? Should you? A man and a woman struggle in a collapsing relationship.

A man, haunted by guilt, is tortured by memories of his past.

WA K E U P

ADDICT

Brian Ferenchik Age 18 | Ohio

A boy wakes up everyday into a world that is over-saturated with technology and media, when he comes to the realization that he must escape from the vicious cycle.

A boy is an addict. Addicted to technology.

METHOD.

HYPERSOMNIA

Devon Manney Age 18 | Minnesota

Malcolm Duncan Age 20 | Texas

An up-and-coming actor begins to piece together the unraveling of his psyche, and the madness of his method.

Taylor and Allie, two 20-somethings, don’t know each other in real life. One is addicted to sleeping pills and the other is a hypersomniac. They only know each other in fantasy world created by their dreams.

NOT A SUITABLE PERSON FOR THIS CITY Tommy Lee Age 19 | Canada In a dystopic future, crime has been eliminated along with free will. Citizens live out their lives according to scripts.

SILENT FILMS TRILOGY - THE APPLE, SHU…UT TER, BURNING Lixing Chu Age 18 | MIchigan “The Apple” An apple is passed on from one to another. “Shu…utter!” Hidden in a box, a girl finds a way to perceive the world around her. “Burning” A girl looks for matches in order to save the illumination before the sunset.

R/B/G Alejandro Peña Age 20 | Massachusetts An experimental short about the negative effects of television.

THE HAND POEM Faith Christensen, Age 14 Liza Unger, Age 19 Minnesota Life can be summed up by a hand. Each finger is defined by a key aspect of life.

AWAKE (HOW TO DREAM) Lindsay Sunada Age 18 | California What is it like to dream? 55

T H E B LI N D DANCE

IN FOCUS: DRAMATIC DOCS 56

PAPER STATE: UNDOCUMENTED, UNAFRAID, UNDETERRED Elena Gaby Age 21 | New York

S UNDAY A P R IL 2 7 T H 2:00P M S IFF U P TOWN 1

A look into the lives of four undocumented teenagers in the Hudson Valley, NY area who are struggling to rise above their legal status and make the transition from high school to college.

BEYOND THE WALL Leah Galant, Age 21 Caroline Podraza, Age 21 Rachel Woolf, Age 20 New York Former prisoners face negative public perception as they are reintroduced to society. Since his release from prison in 2008, Raymond Roe has overcome stigmas and has acted as an agent of social change.

ONCE UPON A CHILDHOOD Sarah McAllister, Age 16 Marcella Park, Age 15 California A war that ended decades ago continues to impact children and families in Laos. Young people have been maimed by coming across unexploded bombs and parents that have lost limbs struggle to provide for their families.

ERIC’S BASEMENT & SECRET TUNNELS

MUSICAL

Jake Oleson Age 19 | New Jersey A lone teen finds love for the first time. Afraid of what the future holds, he searches for a way to capture these fleeting moments of beauty.

THIS LIFE Joanna Roy Age 22 | California A forlorn man looks back on the events of his life that lead to his demise.

MASTER PIECE

S UN DAY A PRI L 27T H 3:00PM SIFF UPTOWN 2

YC THE CY N IC - GOD C O MPLEX

“KUBLAKAI - CLAP YO HANDS” FEAT. SYMMETRY

Oliver Eid Age 21 | New York

Isaiah Corey Age 21 | Washington

The official music video for up-and-coming NYC rapper YC The Cynic. Made for the single “God Complex” from his debut album GNK.

Step into the upbeat, dancer-filled, classy world of Kublakai as they take you through the steps to “Clap Yo Hands.”

A DREAM OF BET TER DAYS

LEFT ON THE TRACKS

Austin Keeling, Aaron Keeling Age 22 | California

Kris Theorin Age 16 | Pennsylvania

A music video for the Towers song “A Dream of Better Days.”

Follow Emma Cullen as she sings you down the railroad with her emotional song “Left on the Tracks.”

Do you have the music in you? These filmmakers do. If you’re ready to rock out, tap your feet, and nod your head for an hour straight, this is the place to be!

N OT A T RACE

IMPATIENT

SONG FOR ANNA

Matt Thompson Age 19 | California

Edwin Salgado, Age 17 & Omari Gordon, Age 16 New York

Lucinda Harstrick, Age 17 Isiah Hoban-Halvorsen, Age 17 Josh Vredevoogd, Age 16 Kiana Wyld, Age 17 Washington

Kyle Maloy’s debut music video to the original song, “Not A Trace.” A happy yet tragic couple is lost in the woods, and their journey says something about the depth of love.

A music video showcasing the realities and struggles faced by inner-city youth.

INSAN_HUMAN

HO P E

GHOSTS (REVISITED)

Karim Shaaban Abd El Megid Age 22 | Egypt

Adam McArthur Age 17 | Washington

Mike Holland Age 19 | Maryland

A music video about a real human that carries his heart in his hand. A poetic vision of a society full of compassionate individuals.

A day in the life of singer Daniel Halligan as he performs the song “Hope.”

Music video for New York hip hop artist, Dylan Owen. Featuring Kia Victoria.

“LEVIATHAN” BANDOLIER

MAD MOISELLE FT. DIZZEE

Ian Ferguson Age 16 | Canada

Eno Freedman Brodmann, Matt Morgan Age 21 | New York A muse singing over techno music manages to hypnotize and gather an entourage from the working class.

A young Canadian rock band known as “Bandolier” awakes the Leviathan with thundering drums, heavy bass and electrifying guitar in their self-shot music video.

An open-ended narrative that explores the nature of relationships. Are they trying to get together or split up?

HUSTLE

S U NDAY APR I L 2 7 T H 4 : 0 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 1

PRESENTED BY vitaminwater速

FLUX

LIFE

Phillip Schoen Age 18 | Idaho

Max Retik Age 16 | New Jersey

Mariana Preda Age 19 | The Netherlands

A young championship athlete shares his story about overcoming his life-long battle with asthma.

In the decrepit halls of a long-forgotten high school, a young boy explores his passion for the performance art known as “poi.”

The life of a painter takes us on a journey through different emotions and into real passion, teaching us that life is about all the people that keep their dreams alive, no matter what.

HAPPINESS

STILL LIFE

75 PIANOS

Max Magerkurth & Alex Hardison Age 19 | Washington

Jake Oleson & Charles Frank Age 19 | New Jersey

Jackson C. Davis & Grant Olans Age 18 | Massachusetts

Amidst the stress and high expectations of society, one individual seeks to spread a very simple – yet easily forgotten – message. It’s within us.

An exploration of what it means to be creative, set against the eclectic, bustling backdrop of New York City.

One weekend in early October, James Kennedy set out to play a song on each of the 75 public pianos scattered throughout the city of Boston.

MR. BROCKLEHURST

RUN TO LIVE

Jordan Shelby Age 17 Evan Bernstein, Age 17 Porschia Adler, Age 15 Josh Ogner, Age 17 Zach Oschin, Age 15 California

Nic Weinfeld, Nick Damien, Connor Hall, Austin Kilgore Age 19 | Maryland

Mr. Brocklehurst, a college admissions officer tasked with reading thousands of seemingly identical essays, sees life as mundane. Until he interviews Alex, a straight-A student who doesn’t want to go to college.

Shane James isn’t like most ultra-marathoners. When diagnosed four years ago with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare disease affecting as little as one-in-a-million, he figured out running was his only chance at survival.

THE RUNNER

POWERFUL GRIT

S U NDAY APR I L 2 7 T H 5 : 0 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 2 Buckle up and prepare for an intense trip to the grittier edge of the cinema landscape. These films take drama to new heights as they create compelling characters that navigate the gripping paths through the darker side of life.

WRITER’S PARADISE

Asta Emilie Stuhr Andersen Age 19 | Denmark

Ian Sproul Age 21 | California

Mathias lives in a harsh gang environment. When he learns that his best friend Assad has refused a shot at a promising carrier in classical music, Mathias must make a difficult choice between his friendship and Assad’s future.

Daniel Reader is a screenwriter trapped in the ploys of the studio system. He is stuck in a paradise, conflicted by guilt and grappling with ghosts of the past.

EYE-CATCHER

TRAPPED

Emilie K. Beck & Christine Stronegger Age 22 | Norway

Omar A. Rashed & Hatem Tag Age 22 | Egypt

Summer break is here and it’s time for the annual trip to the island. Ida is feeling great but innocent flirting leads to a big misunderstanding with huge consequences.

An old man who’s living his normal life in Cairo is struck by breaking news from the corrupt media that terrorists are destroying his country. He believes it, until he discovers who the terrorists are.

BIG SILVER NIGHTS

JUSTICE INC.

Ben Kadie Age 18 | Washington

Scott Craig Age 21 | United Kingdom

The story follows a pair of unlikely friends on one reckless night. Walter is a 60 year-old part-time drug dealer and P.B. is a literalminded, truth-obsessed kid.

A man’s mind begins to unravel after he receives a mysterious summons from the organization known as “Justice Inc.”

OFF BEAT

CLOSING NIGHT S U NDAY APR I L 2 7 T H 6 : 3 0 PM S I F F U PTOW N 1

DIRE CTE D BY Joel Ashton McCarthy | Age 22 | Canada Alex Bohs | Age 22 | Illinois Caleb Slain | Age 22 | Michigan

Film Starts Here at NFFTY and ends with this amazing Closing Night showcase of the first ever NFFTY-produced documentary. Sponsored by Vitamin Angels, this project took three NFFTY alumni to the far reaches of the world to document the distribution of vitamins to malnourished populations. 64

Then head over to the Closing Night After-Party at The Cornish Playhouse sponsored by Vitamin Angels beginning at 9pm.

SPECIAL THANKS TO

NFFTY SCREENING COMMITTEE

NFFTY WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SPECIAL HELP AND SUPPORT OF THESE PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS:

NFFTY IS A PROGRAM OF THE TALENTED YOUTH, A 501C3 NON-PROFIT

Carolyn Adams

Stefanie Malone & Shannon

Ben Andrews

Shannon Snider

Karin Baer

Snider

Sarah Berns

Chris Swenson

Brianna Barrett

Joel McCarthy

Virginia Bogert

Melissa Tay

Peter Barnes

Vangie McCarthy

Katie Campbell

Amy Theorin

David Brewster

Jeannie Morris

Maggie Ching

Kris Theorin

Donna Brown

Christopher Newell

Stephanie Crockett

Nanci Vaeth

Lang Craighill

Robin Olson

Diane Dickens

David Wulzen

Jennifer Daves

Leslie Pfeifer

Emma Dively

Sharon Zweiback

Owen Davies

Nick Pezzillo

Jhene Erwin

Nicholas de Wolff

Kathy Reichgerdt

Tomas Feidhake

Audrey Fan

Byran Roth

David Galassi

Kristin Freeland

Rob Sands

Flora Goldthwaite

David Galassi

Cathy Sarkowsky

Laura Hammarlund

Susan Gevirtz

Jennifer Schorr

Mindy Herbert

Jesse Harris

Lori Seago

Stacey Jenkins

Elizabeth Heile

Brigette Senkler

Matt Jensen

Anne Hopkins

Jennifer Senkler

Troy Kaumans

Lindsey LeDuc

Dave Siegfried

Laila Kazmi

Nancy & Carl Kadie

Mandi Tealdi

Suzy Kellett

Todd Kaumans

Marty Thacker

Ashton Kennedy

Troy Kaumans

Amy Theorin

Kristin Lesko

Wistar Kay

Suzanne Tidwell

Ti Locke

James Kicklighter

Donna Vanderlip

Brian Oh

John Kim

Emily Walsworth & Cindy Gist

Lesley Pfeifer

Carol Knox

Sofia Zubiria

Anthony Reyes Dominic Reyes

Suzy Krohn

All our Sponsors

Line Sandsmark

Matt Lawrence

All our Donors

Kimi Schroeder

Umberto Lenzi

All our Volunteers

Layne Schroeder

Johan Liedgren

You!

Mandesia Imani Sibiya

Jeffrey Konen

AJA congratulates all entrants to the NFFTY Film Festival.

Based in Grass Valley, CA, AJA provides filmmakers worldwide with innovative technologies for video acquisition, editing and conversion. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to sponsor the pursuit of passion and creative expression of visual storytellers.

Find out more information at www.aja.com

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NFFTY 2014 STAFF NFFTY TEAM

NFFTY BOARD

Managing Director / Stefanie Malone

Board of Directors / Seattle

Founder / Jesse Harris

Bryan Roth / President & Co-Founder, Groundspeak Inc.

Festival Manager / Kaleigh Ward

Dave Siegfried / Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer, Audiosocket

Program Manager / Todd Kaumans

Bud Harrington / Secretary & Principal, Harrington Video Productions

Lead Programmer / Kyle Seago

Donna Brown / Architect

Communication Coordinator / Vicki Ferguson

Jesse Harris / Co-Founder NFFTY & Commercial Director

Outreach Coordinator / Karley Brumder

Audrey R. Fan / Executive Producer

Publicist / Michael Nank

John Kim / Senior Vice President of Global Products, Expedia

Our Wonderful Interns /

Johan Liedgren / Founder, Tale & Company. Writer and Director.

Cecilia Ang, Justin Berry & Lorenzo Rossi

Rob Sands / World Wide Business Development, Amazon

Print and Web Design /Pilot

Jennifer Senkler / Independent Producer

Website Development /

Board Emeritus:

Amit Ashkenazi & Contextive.com

Jim Wilgus / Past President

Event Management / Tokita Bethune Inc

Jocelyn R.C. / Co-Founder

Venue Managers / Beth Varner & David Turnbull

Kyle Seago / Co-Founder P. Scott Cummins / Founding Board Member

pilot is proud to support the makers + creators of NFFTY.

Pilot is a group of designers and engineers unified by a passion for generating impact through smart design. hello@pilotlab.com | pilotlab.com

N F F T Y. O R G

#NFFTY #FilmStartsHere

S H A R E YO UR F E ST I VA L E X P E R I E N C E S

@ NFFTY

@NFFTYFILM

/NFFTY

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SU PPO RT N FFTY

Make a donation today in the lobby or at NFFTY.org and help keep NFFTY going!