A Place to See the World

 For 14 days next month, October 1 –14, Rio de Janeiro will once again transform into the capital of cinema. Festival doRio, the Rio Film Festival, will illuminate screens throughout the city with over 250 films from more than 60 countries to be shown in 20 locations across the city. At the same time Rio will play host to audiovisual professionals from all over the world for a series of seminars and workshops under the RioMarket banner, and at the same time encourage public engagement through a series of free screenings and Q & A sessions in its Cine Encontro (Cinema Encounters) programme.

This year Festival do Rio has the honour of opening its 17th edition with a première screening of the highly anticipated Chico: Artista Brasileiro from director Miguel Faria Jr. Faria’s documentary follows the legendary Brazilian singer and composer Chico Buarque through mounting a show with some very special guests, his daily life, his method of working and creative process, while laying out his extraordinary career trajectory. The film will screen at the festival flagship Cine Odeon - Centro Cultural Luiz Severiano Ribeiro.

From October 2 the public will be able to view some the year’s most talked about new films, discover cinema rarities, vote for the best of the Première Brazil section, and participate in discussions and special presentations from filmmakers attending from the world over.

From the more than 250 selected films that will be spread across 15 festival sections, this year’s highlights include: Mia Madre ,Nanni Moretti’s recent Cannes competition entry, Every Thing Will Be Fine by Wim Wenders, Francophonia, from Aleksandr Sokurov, 11 minutes, by Jerzy Skolimowski, L’Ombre des Femmes, from Phillippe Garrel, In Jackson Heights, by Frederick Wiseman, South Korean director Hong Sang-soo with two films: his 2015 Locarno winner, Right Now, Wrong Then and Hill of Freedom from 2014, Rabin: The Last Day, from Amos Gitai, No Home Movie, by Chantal Akerman, Yakuza Apocalypse, by Takashi Miike, Afternoon, by Tsai Ming-liang, Maraviglioso Boccaccio, by Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani, Bleak Street, by Arturo Ripstein, In Transit and Iris by  documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, Office, by Johnnie To, and Argentina by Carlos Saura. 

(Further titles in full listing below)

In looking to present the best of 2015 cinema, the festival brings together a rich harvest of award winning and selected films from the major festivals across the world and will introduce to Rio such hailed new works and directors such as Sicario from Denis Villeneuve, Microbe & Gasoline from Michel Gondry, Tale of Tales, by Matteo Garrone, The Walk, by Robert Zemeckis, Peace to Us in Our Dreams, by Sharunas Bartas, The Lobster, by Yorgos Lanthimos, L’Accademia delle Muse, by José Luis Guerín, Queen of Earth, by Alex Ross Perry, French director Maiwenn’s Cannes prize winner Mon Roi, Nasty Baby, by Sebastian Silva, One Floor Below, by Radu Muntean, Far from the Madding Crowd,  from director Thomas Vintenberg, Crimson Peak by Guilherme Del Toro, Stop from Kim Ki-Duk, Miss You Already, by Catherine Hardwicke,  La Belle Saison from Catherine Corsini, Rabo de Peixe by Joaquim Pinto and Nuno Leonel, The End of Tour from director James Ponsoldt, Les Chevaliers Blancs, from Joachim Lafosse, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution by Stanley Nelson, Truman, from director Cesc Gay with Ricardo Darin, The 33 from Patricia Riggen featuring Rodrigo Santoro and Antonio Banderas , El Aula Vacia, the collective project from Gael Garcia Bernal with episodes also directed by Lucrecia Martel, Flavia Castro and Eryk Rochaamong others, Janis: little Girl Blue by Amy Berg, Ned Rifle by Hal Hartley, 600 Millas, by Gabriel Ripstein, He Named Me Malala from Davis Guggenheim, and The Diary of a Teenage Girl, from director Marielle Heller.

Along with the firmly established sections Panorama, Expectations, Première Brasil, Première Latina, Frontiers, Midnight, Midnight Docs, Film Doc, Generation, Unique Itineraries and Environment, the festival will this year dedicate special sections to rarities from Mexican Cinema's Golden Age in Noir Mexicano, the genius of Orson Wells in a sidebar devoted to his work, the world famous animations of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, plus a section given over to Grand Masters of Cinema. For the second year, the Felix Award will elect the best LGBTQ themed film from the overall festival programme, chosen by an official jury.

US director Hal Hartley, considered one of the most creative filmmakers of American independent cinema of the 90s comes to Rio especially to take part in a special section Lessons in Cinema with Hal Hartley in which he will present a special public open class and present three of his films:

Simple Men (1992), Flirt (1995), and his most recent film, Ned Rifle (2014).

For Festival do Rio, the increasingly programmed discussions and public sessions with filmmaker guests have become an essential part of its programming:  “One of our principal goals is to bring about an ever-closer relationship between the public and our guests. Therefore, along with the now traditional Cine Encontro, we will be promoting lectures, Q & A’s and presentations at the CineOdeon – Centro Cultural Severiano RIbeiro,CCBB, CCJF, Instituto Moreira Salles and other cinemas on the circuit', says Ilda Santiago, Executive Director of Festival programming

RioMarket, the business heart of the Rio Festival, will again offer professionals the always much anticipated RioSeminars,Workshops & Master Classes staged with the participation of leading industry figures and Roundtable meetings bringing together producers, distributors and both local and international sales agents from the worlds of cinema, television and digital media.

Within its nine day programme, producers, scriptwriters, directors, lawyers, industry experts and technicians from the world over will meet to exchange information and discuss the audiovisual market also with the public - offering more than 45 panels and 15 workshops and Master Classes - both paid and free, in a programming designed to focus on the most relevant and important recent developments in cinema and television.

This year sees a new  home for Festival do Rio and RioMarket which, for this 17th edition, moves  from its previous downtown dockland location to Colégio Brasileiro de Altos Estudos - UFRJ, situated in Avenida Rui Barbosa, 762, in the Flamengo district in close proximity to Copacabana.

A new look at rare and historic films, screenings of classic masters, special sections, retrospectives, seminars, discussions and meetings with international directors and actors make Festival doRio and  RioMarket without doubt one of the most important annual meetings of cinema and industry in Latin America.

 
Festival do Rio, the Rio Film Festival, is made possible with the patronage of Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro  (the Mayor of Rio’s office) - RioFilme, Petrobras and  BNDES; with the support of Globo Filmes and Oi;  Ministério da Cultura (Lei Rouanet), Lei de Incentivo à Cultura do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (ICMS) as well as further partners and supporters.

FESTIVAL DO RIO 2015

Some titles and sections:

Opening Film – Thursday October 1
-  Chico – Brazilian Artist, by Miguel Faria Jr., (Brazil)

Panorama: Masters of Cinema

- Every Thing Will Be Fine, by Wim Wenders, (Germany, Canada, France, Sweden, Norway)
- Mia Madre, by Nanni Moretti, (Italy, France)

- Francofonia, by Aleksandr Sokurov, (France, Germany, Netherlands)

- 11 Minutes, by Jerzy Skolimowski, (Ireland, Poland)

- L’Ombre des Femmes, by Philippe Garrel, (France)
- Maraviglioso Boccaccio, by Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani, (Italy, France)

- Rabin, the Last Day, by Amos Gitai, (Israel, France)

- In Jackson Heights, by Frederick Wiseman, (USA)
- No Home Movie, by Chantal Akerman, (Belgium, France)
- Right Now, Wrong Then, by Hong Sang-soo, (South Korea)
- Hill of Freedom, by Hong Sang-soo, (South Korea)

- Afternoon, by Tsai Ming-liang, (China)
- Bleak Street, by Arturo Ripstein, (Mexico, Spain)
- She’s Funny That Way, by Peter Bogdanovich, (USA, Germany)
- Argentina, by Carlos Saura, (Argentina, Spain, France)
- In Transit, by Albert Maysles, Lynn True, Nelson Walker, David Usui, Ben Wu, (USA)

 Panorama Section

- Sicario, by Denis Villeneuve, (USA)

- Tale of Tales, by Matteo Garrone, (Italy, Françe)

- The End of the Tour, by James Ponsoldt, (USA)

 - The Lobster, by Yorgos Lanthimos, (Ireland, UK, France, Greece, Netherlands)

- Mon Roi, by Maiween, (France)

- Microbe & Gasoline, by Michel Gondry, (France)

- Malala (He Named Me Malala), by Davis Guggenheim, (USA)

- Queen of Earth, by Alex Ross Perry, (USA)

- Ned Rifle, by Hal Hartley, (USA)

- Miss You Already, by Catherine Hardwicke (UK)

- Mr. Holmes, by Bill Condon, (UK)

- La Belle Saison, by Catherine Corsini, (France)

- Truman, By Cesc Gay, (Spain, Argentina)

- Je Suis Charlie, by Daniel Leconte, Emmanuel Leconte, (France)
- Love & Mercy, by Bill Pohlad, (USA)

- Per amor vostro, by Giuseppe M. Gaudino, (Italy, France)
- Les Chevaliers Blancs, by Joachim Lafosse, (Belgium, France)

- Rabo de Peixe, by Joaquim Pinto, Nuno Leonel, (Portugal)

- Results, by Andrew Bujalski, (USA)
- Nasty Baby, by Sebastian Silva, (USA)

- Grandma, by Paul Weitz, (USA)
- Brasil vs Brasil, by Marcos Prado, (Brazil)
- I Am Michael, by Justin Kelly, (USA)
- Far from the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Vinterberg, (USA, UK)
- The 33, by Patricia Riggen, (Chile)
- The Other Side, by Roberto Minervini, (France, Italy, USA)
- One Floor Below, by Radu Muntean, (Romania)
- Madonna, by Su-Won Shin, (South Korea)

- Fatima, by Philippe Faucon, (France)

- Peace to Us in Our Dreams, by Sharunas Bartas, (Lithuania, France, Russia)
- Stop, by Kim Ki-Duk, (South Korea, Japan)
- Bombay Velvet, by Anurag Kashyap, (India)

- The Walk, by Robert Zemeckis, (USA) 
- Aqui em Lisboa, by Denis Côté, Dominga Sotomayor, Gabriel Abrantes, Marie Losier, (Portugal, Canada,

  France, Chile)
- La Isla Mínima, by Alberto Rodríguez, (Spain)
- L’Accademia delle Muse, by José Luis Guerín, (Spain)
- 5 Flights Up, by Richard Loncraine, (USA)
- Marie's Story, by Jean-Pierre Améris, (France)
- Through It All, by João Araújo, (Brazil)

Expectations 2015
 - Mustang, by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, (France, Germany, Turkey)

- Tangerine, by Sean Baker, (USA)

-  Necktie Youth, by Sibs Shongwe-La Mer, (South Africa)

- Dope, by Rick Famuyiwa, (USA)

 - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, (USA)

- The Diary of a Teenage Girl, by Marielle Heller, (USA)
 - Chorus, by François Delisle, (Canada)

- Tikkun, by Avishai Sivan, (Israel)

- Bella e Perduta, by Pietro Marcello, (Italy)

- H., by  Rania Attieh, Daniel Garcia, (US, Argentina)
- Court, by Chaitanya Tamhane, (India)
 - Counting, by Jem Cohen, (USA)

- Nahid, by Ida Panahandeh, (Iran)
 - The Fourth Direction, by Gurvinder Singh, (India, France)
 - Disorder, by Alice Winocour, (France)
- Mediterranea, by Jonas Carpignano, (Italy, France, US, Germany, Qatar)

-  Stinking Heaven, by Nathan Silver,(USA)
-  I am a Soldier, by Laurent Larivière, (France, Belgium)
-  The Dark Horse , by James Napier Robertson (New Zealand)
-  Undulant Fever, by Ando Hiroshi (Japan)
-  Out of Nature, by Ole Giæver, Marte Vold (Norway)
-  I Am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced, by Khadija Al-Salami (Yemen) 
- Dégradé, by Arab Nasser, Tarzan Nasser, (France, Palestine) 
-  Stories of Our Lives, by Jim Chuchu, (Kenya)
- Short Skin, by Duccio Chiarini, (Italy)

- Un Français, by Diastème, (France)
- Zoom, by Pedro Morelli, (Brazil, Canada)
-  Dora or The Sexual Neuroses of Our Parents, by Stina Werenfels, (Switzerland,  

   Germany)
-  Being 14, by Helene Zimmer (France)
- Koza, by Ivan Ostrochovský, (Slovakia, Czech Republic) 
-  The High Sun, by Dalibor Matanic, (Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia)
-  Sleeping Giant, by Andrew Cividino, (Canada)
-  Learn by Heart, by Mathieu Vadepied, (France)  
-  Tiempo sin Aire, by Samuel Martín Mateos, Andrés Luque Pérez, (Spain)
-  Borderless, by Amirhossein Asgari, (Iran)
-  Los Exiliados Románticos, by Jonás Trueba, (Spain)
-  Streetkids United II, The Girls From Rio, by Maria Clara Costa, (Brazil, Netherlands, UK)
- Filhos de Bach, by Ansgar Ahlers, (Germany, Brazil)
- No One Loves Anyone... For More Than Two Years, by Clovis Mello, (Brazil)
- Transtime, by Adriana L. Dutra, (Brazil)
-  Stories of Samba, by Pedro Serrano, (Brazil)
-  Pears, by Karen Sztajnberg, (USA)
-  Riot, by Nathan Silver, (USA)

Première Latina
- Un Monstruo de Mil Cabezas, by Rodrigo Plá, (Mexico)

- 600 Millas, by Gabriel Ripstein, (Mexico)

- El Incendio, by Juan Schnitman, (Argentina)

- Las Elegidas, by David Pablos, (Mexico) 

- Paulina, by Santiago Mitre, (Argentina, Brazil, France)
- Allende Mi Abuelo, by Allende Marcia Tambutti Allende, (Chile, Mexico)
- Te Prometo Anarquía, by Julio Hernández Cordón, (Mexico, Germany)
- La Obra del Siglo, by Carlos Machado Quintela, (Cuba, Argentina, Switzerland, Germany) 
- Lucifer , by Gust Van den Berghe, (Mexico, Belgium)
- El Aula Vacía, by Gael García Bernal, Flavia Castro, Mariana Chenillo, Pablo Fendrik, Carlos Gaviria,   

  Tatiana Huezo, Lucrecia Martel, Nicolás Pereda, Eryk Rocha, Pablo Stoll, Daniel and Diego Vega, (Mexico,

   Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador) 
-  Viaje, by Paz Fabrega, (Costa Rica)

-  El Hombre Nuevo, by Aldo Garay, (Uruguay, Chile)
- Hilda, by Andrés Clariond Rangel, (Mexico)
- Solos, by Joanna Lombardi, (Peru)
- Aurora, by Rodrigo Sepúlveda, (Chile)
-  El Silencio del Río, by Carlos Tribiño Mamby, (Colombia, Uruguay, France)
-  Rastreador de Estatuas, by Jeronimo Rodriguez, (Chile)
- Semana santa, by Alejandra Márquez Abella, (Mexico)
-  La Tierra Roja, by Diego Martínez Vignatti, (Belgium, Argentina, Brazil)

Midnight

- Yakuza Apocalypse, by Takashi Miike, (Japan)

- Crimson Peak, by Guillermo Del Toro, (USA)
- Office, by Johnnie To, (Hong Kong, China)
- Green Room, by Jeremy Saulnier, (USA)
- Entertainment by Rick Alverson, (USA)
- The Nightmare, by Rodney Ascher, (USA)

- Love & Peace, by Sion Sono, (Japan)
- Endorphine, by Andre Turpin, (Canada)
- Der Nachtmahr, by Akiz, (Germany)
- As fábulas negras (The Black Fables), by Rodrigo Aragão, Joel Caetano, Petter Baiestorf, José Mojica

  Marins, (Brazil)
- Schneider vs. Bax, by Alex van Warmerdam, (Netherlands, Belgium)
- Straight Outta Compton – The Story of N.W.A, by F. Gary Gray, (USA)
- Kiri - Profession: Assassin, by Koichi Sakamoto, (Japan, USA)

- Tribute to Wes Craven: Scream, by Wes Craven, (USA)
- 25 Years of Lua de Cristal, by Tizuka Yamasaki, (Brazil)

Midnight Docs 

Midnight Docs Music: 

- The Reflektor Tapes, by Kahlil Joseph, (UK)
- Janis: Little Girl Blue, by Amy Berg, (USA)
- Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown, by Alex Gibney, (USA)
 

Midnight Docs:
- Cartel Land, by Matthew Heineman, (USA, Mexico)

- The Wolfpack, by Crystal Moselle, (USA)
- Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, by Alex Gibney, (USA)

- Daniel’s World, by Veronika Lišková, (Czech Republic)

- Thank You For Playing, by David Osit, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, (USA)
- Best of Enemies, by Morgan Neville, Robert Gordon, (USA)
- The Russian Woodpecker, by Chad Gracia, (UK, Ukraine, USA)
- Battles, by Isabelle Tollenaere, (Belgium, Holland)
- Prison System 4614, by Jan Soldat, (Germany)
- The Cockpit, by Sho Miyake, (Japan)
- Standby for Tape Back-Up, by Ross Sutherland, (UK)
- Copycat, by Charlie Lyne, (UK)
 
Frontiers

- Dreamcatcher, by Kim Longinotto, (UK, USA)

- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, by Stanley Nelson, (USA)

- The Look of Silence, by Joshua Oppenheimer, (Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Norway, UK)
- New Girls 24 Hours, by Mabel Lozano, (Spain, Paraguay, Argentina, Columbia, Peru)

- India’s Daughter, by Leslee Udwin, (UK, India)
- Homeland (Iraq Year Zero) Part I - Before the Fall by Abbas Fahdel, (Iraq, France)

- Speed Sisters, by Amber Fares, (Palestine, US, Qatar, UK, Denmark)
- They Will Have to Kill Us First, by Johanna Schwartz, (UK)

- Among the Believers, by Mohammed Naqvi, Hemal Trivedi (Pakistan, USA)

- The Man Who Mends Women, by Thierry Michel, (Belgium)
-  K2 and the Invisible Footmen, by  Lara Lee, (USA)
- Chronicle of a Revolt: One year Istanbul, by Biene Pilavci, Ayla Gottschlich, (Germany)
- The March of the White Elephants, by Craig Tanner (Brazil, South Africa)
- Levante! (Uprising!), by Susanna Lira, Barney Lankester-Owen, (Brazil)

Unique Itineraries

- Peggy Guggenheim -- Art Addict Lisa Immordino, by Vreelan,  (USA, UK, Italy)
-  Welcome to This House, by Barbara Hammer,  (USA, Canada, Brazil)
-  Station to Station, by Doug Aitken, (USA)
- Troublemakers, The Story of Land Art, by James Crump, (USA)
- Cooking Up a Tribute, by Luis González, Andrea Gómez, (Spain)
- Iris, by Albert Maysles, (USA)
- The Cult of J.T. LeRoy, by Marjorie Sturm, (USA)

- Feelings Are Facts: The Life of Yvonne Rainer, by Jack Walsh, (USA)
- A Ballerina’s Tale, by Nelson George, (USA)
- Hockney, by Randall Wright, (UK)

- Paco de Lucía, La Búsqueda, by Francisco Sánchez Varela, (Spain)
- Black dandy, une beauté politique, by Laurent Lunetta, (France)
- Jeff, Embrace Your Past, by Roger Teich,  (USA)
- Lygia Clark em Nova York (Lygia Clark in New York), by Daniela Thomas, (Brazil)
- Carmen – Life is a Celebration, by Mauricio Branco, (Brazil)
- Xampy, by Paulo Menezes, Daniel Wierman, (Brazil)

Filme Doc
- By Sidney Lumet, by Nancy Buirski, (USA)

- Sembene!, by Samba Gadjigo, Jason Silverman, (USA, Senegal)

- Fassbinder - To Love Without Demands, by Christian Braad Thomsen, (Denmark)
- Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans, by Gabriel Clarke, John McKenna, (UK, USA)
- A Flickering Truth, by Pietra Brettkelly, (New Zealand, Afghanistan)
 

Environment
- This Changes Everything, by Avi Lewis, (Canada, US)
- Human by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, (France)
- The Yes Men Are Revolting, by  Laura Nix, Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno, (USA)
- Ten Billion, by Peter Webber, (UK)
- Indian Point, by Ivy Meeropol, (USA)
- That Sugar Film, by Damon Gameau, (Australia)
- Containment, by Peter Galison, Robb Moss, (USA)
- White Coal, by Georg Tiller,(Austria) 
- Racing Extinction, by Louie Psihoyos, (USA)
 
Geração (Youth)
- Happy End?!, by Petra Clever,(Germany) 
- 14+, by Andrey Zaytsev, (Russia)
- Celestial Camel, by Yuriy Feting, (Russia)
- Jack’s Wish, by Anne de Clercq, (Netherlands)
- Paper Planes), by Robert Connolly, (Australia )  
 

Orson Welles Retrospective

- Too Much Johnson by Orson Welles, (USA) 
- The Magnificent Ambersons by Orson Welles, (USA)

- Chimes at Midnight by Orson Welles, (France, Spain, Switzerland)  

- Wellesiana: Rare Welles’ Footage, by Orson Welles  

- Around the World with Orson Welles, by Orson Welles (UK)

- Othello, by Orson Welles, (USA, Italy, Morocco, France)

- DOCUMENTARY SECTION: ORSON WELLES

- Orson Welles, Shadows and Light by Elisabeth Kapnist, (France)

- This Is Orson Welles, by Clara Kuperberg, Julia Kuperberg, (UK)
- Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles by Chuck Workman, (USA)

Studio GHIBLI   
- When Marnie Was There ,by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, (Japan) 

- My Neighbor Totoro, by Hayao Miyazaki, (Japan) 
- Porco Rosso, by Hayao Miyazaki, (Japan)   
- My Neighbors the Yamadas ,by Isao Takahata, (Japan) 
- The Cat Returns, by Hiroyuki Morita, (Japan) 
- Tales from Earthsea, by Goro Miyazaki, (Japan) 

- The Secret World of Arrietty, by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, (Japan)
- Grave of the Fireflies, by Isao Takahata,  (Japan) 
- The Castle of Cagliostro, by Hayao Miyazaki, (Japan) 
      
 Lessons in Cinema with Hal Hartley
- Ned Rifle, by Hal Hartley, (USA)
- Flirt, by Hal Hartley, (USA, Germany, Japan)
- Simple Men, by Hal Hartley, (Italy, UK, USA)
 
Tesouros da Cinemateca  (Cinema Treasures)
- Menino de engenho (Plantation Boy), by Walter Lima Jr, (Brazil)
 
Cinema Noir Mexicano
- Outro amanhecer  (Distinto Amanecer), by Julio Bracho, (Mexico)
- A outra (La Outra), by Roberto Gavaldón, (Mexico)
- A deusa ajoelhada (La diosa arrodillada), by Roberto Gavaldón, (Mexico)
- Los dineros del diablo, by Alejandro Galindo, (Mexico) 
- Na palma de tua mão (En la palma de tu mano), de Roberto Gavaldón, (Mexico)
- La noche avanza, by Roberto Gavaldón, México
 

Other selections can be found on the official festival site:

www.festivaldorio.com.br

Festival Screen Circuit

After two years of absence from the Rio Festival circuit, the Cine Odeon - Centro Cultural Luiz Severiano Ribeiro  will return this year to host public screenings of Première Braziland Cine Encontro– one of the most anticipated events for the public at large.  In Cine Encontro the public has the opportunity of being in direct contact with those involved in creating films through a series of debates and discussions with directors, and actors and actresses of the Première Brazilfilms as well as international guests whose work features in other festival sections.

Cinépolis Lagoon will be the official cinema for Première Brasil gala screenings as well as special screenings given in the presence of directors and screen talent.

Also, Kinoplex São Luiz  Roxy, the Circuito NET Estação screens, Jóia, Museu da República, CCBB, CCJF and Ponto Cine at the Cinemateca do MAM return to the festival circuit with special programming.

globalEAST< Travels to the Netherlands

Facts:

- Programme Section >globalEAST< concentrating on the Netherlands

- famous Dutch director Ineke Smits in the International Jury

- Dutch ambassador attending the film festival opening

The global cinema discovery tour continues: After last year´s trip to Italy, the 25th FilmFestival Cottbus now sets off to the Netherlands. Five film contributions in the >globalEAST< section present the diverse results of co-operations between our north-western neighbour and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The Netherlands are capturing European cinema - and not only with big, established names like cult director Alex Van Warmerdam, doyen Paul Verhoeven or award-winning filmmaker Jos Stelling, who has a lot of experience with Eastern Europe and has been a frequent guest in Cottbus.

This is something that cannot be overlooked, especially in view of the country´s participation in international co-productions, the partners of which are often from a country beyond the Oder - for example, Loznitsa´s documentary film MAIDAN recently released in Germany or Sokurov´s award- winning World War Two drama FRANCOFONIA. This development has prompted the East-West co-production market connecting cottbus, taking place simultaneously with the festival, to also take a closer look at the Netherlands. It will provide an additional pitch for a yet to be announced Dutch project.

The >globalEAST< section of the anniversary edition of FilmFestival Cottbus will present several examples of this intensive cinematic connection between the Netherlands and Eastern Europe. Five productions give insights into the diverse results of international co-operation and reveal the broad range of European cinematography:

The documentary film STAND BY YOUR PRESIDENT (Netherlands 2014) portrays Dutch-born Sandra Roelofs, wife of the former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who as "First Lady" played clearly more than just a representational role. The film´s director, Ineke Smits, who works in both the Netherlands and Georgia, will not only present her own film during the festival week but also act as a member of the International Jury awarding the coveted prizes.

In KURAI KURAI (Netherlands 2014), the director and photographer Marjoleine Boonstra uses breath-taking pictures to convey myths of the Kirghiz steppe and tell the story of a young man searching for answers to the big questions in life. Marinus Groothof looks back at more recent historical

events: With THE SKY ABOVE US (Netherlands, Belgium, Serbia, Greece 2015), the Netherlander stages a Serbian project that grants a view into the inner life of three people during the NATO bombardment of Belgrade in 1999. In MEET ME IN VENICE (Netherlands 2015) by Eddy Terstall, a father and daughter, who had been alienated for years, set off on a (rail)road trip through the Balkans. A game of attraction and seduction is played by the two young female protagonists in NUDE AREA (Poland, Netherlands 2014). This arthouse film by the Polish director Urszula Antoniak, who lives in the Netherlands, negotiates the hierarchies between rich and poor as well as conceptions of Islam - entirely without dialogues.

This year´s >globalEAST< programme series was compiled with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Nederlands Filmfonds and the EYE film institute Netherlands. The ambassador Monique van Daalen has announced that she will attend the opening and address the audience with words of welcome.

The festival is substantially supported by the State of Brandenburg, the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, the City of Cottbus as well as the MEDIA - Creative Europe programme of the European Union.

Dutch feature film Silent Ones by Ricky Rijneke has been selected in competition for the Cyprus International Film Festival.
Silent Ones is nominated for The Golden Aphrodite for Best First Feature Film.

The Cyprus International Film Festival held from 23 to 27 september is the biggest of artistic high value independent cinema event of the whole region, spilling over Cyprus boundaries and spreading over the whole region with repercussions reaching worldwide. Films produced the last 36 months, by emerging directors are selected for the screening program.

Silent Ones tells the story of a young Hungarian woman (Orsi Tóth) whose little brother Isti has disappeared without a trace. She leaves aboard a cargo ship heading to Western Europe to keep her promise to him. The journey turns into a surreal trip on the fragile edge of life and death.

Silent Ones was selected for competition for many major international film festivals such as Rotterdam, Sarajevo Moscow, Mostra de Sao Paulo, T Mobile New Horizons, Festival International du Films des Femmes in Créteil, Pune and many others…
Silent Ones won eight awards out of twelve nominations, among others in New York (Winner Best Feature Film), Toronto (Winner Best Female Director), Berlin (Winner Best Feature Film), Los Angeles (Winner Best Cinematography and Winner Honorable Mention Narrative Feature), Sao Paulo (Nomination International Jury Award Best Film), Wroclaw (Nomination New Horizons Grand Prix), Rotterdam (Nomination Tiger Award), Dutch Golden Stone for Best Film, Lecce European Film Festival (Winner Best Cinematography and Winner Best Supporting Actor).

Silent Ones was released in Dutch film theatres for eight weeks in December 2014. It received great critical acclaim. A film critic of 'De Volkskrant', leading Dutch daily newspaper ranked Silent Ones as Best Film 2014.

Ricky's new project The Hunters Son is invited for Script&Pitch of the Torino FilmLab 2015.
She was also invited to present The Hunters Son at the emerging Talent Lab of the Toronto International Film Festival 2015 (TIFF).

Silent Ones produced by Rotterdam Films (Rijneke & van Leeuwaarden) has been supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and the Mondrian Fund. French sales agent Wide Management handles international sales.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=4&v=hD2NAIAV6W4

The 2015 Hollywood Film Festival, which runs September 23-27th, promises a fresh and exciting global direction under its new team:  CEO & Executive Producer Brad Parks and Executive Director Rod Beaudoin.  

After funding the acquisition of the festival last year, Brad Parks guided the transition of the festival theme to socially relevant films anchored in causes and calls-to-action.  Now, with the help of Rod Beaudoin, the festival takes its message global with international partnerships, new media programming and cutting edge entertainment which all complement its “See Good / Do Good / Feel Good” mission. This year, the festival received an unprecedented 3,019 submissions; and from that number, programmed 20 Narrative Features, 27 Documentaries and 38 Shorts, along with Social Impact TV and Social Impact Streaming projects incorporating social Vine and social YouTube content.

With over 15 years of experience in community engagement and social commerce software, Brad Parks also served over a decade as V.P. of The Hanleigh Companies, America’s first-ever direct underwriter for Lloyds of London, specializing in entertainment, professional sports and high net worth corporate risk management. He also served 10 years as a Sergeant with the United States Army. Rod Beaudoin, with over 20 years of festival programming and entertainment experience, helped to form the Beloit International Film Festival in 2005 and a few years later, he was instrumental in launching the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Iowa with Brad Parks. Last year he reunited with Parks in the production of the Hollywood Film Festival.   

Brad Parks and Rod Beaudoin plan to grow the Hollywood Film Festival to a top tier global festival without the help of typical glitz and glamour, by celebrating the creative artists, activists and industry leaders who have supported causes around the world. “Our goal is to demonstrate the power of cinematic storytelling as a tool to fuel positive social change,” says Parks. “The Hollywood Film Festival is connecting the dots,” adds Beaudoin. “Many of Hollywood’s celebrities are heavily involved in important global causes, so overlapping is eminent.  But with digital technology, our cultures are colliding more now than ever and audiences globally are responding to the inspiration of social content.”

The 2015 Hollywood Film Festival begins Wednesday September 23rd with a “Welcome Wednesday: Welcome to Hollywood” night of events designed to get to know the vast number of filmmakers who traveled from around the world to attend the festival, and to introduce them to a pool of industry professionals and distribution partners.

Thursday September 24th , promises stars and emerging filmmakers on the Red Carpet as they join the four Showcase Opening Night Films anchored in the social impact See Good / Do Good / Feel Good theme along with an additional “Be Good” film.  PEARLY GATES, directed by Scott Ehrlich, features an all-star cast including Uzo Aduba, Illeana Douglas, Bonnie Sommerville, Peter Bogdonavich and Lainie Kazan in a comedic musical about wanting to be remembered and learning that the only way to truly live on is in the hearts and minds of the people around you; WAFFLE STREET, directed by Eshom and Ian Nelms stars James Lafferty and Danny Glover in the true story of Jimmy Adams, a V.P. of a $30 billion hedge fund, who loses his job and winds up working as a waiter at a waffle shop; OUTLIVING EMILY, directed by Eric Weber stars includes Olympia Dukakis, Louis Zorick, Andre Braugher, Zosia Mamet and Alexis Bledel in a look at the marriage of Tim and Emily over the course of 50 years with numerous actors playing both characters; and GHOST TOWN TO HAVANA, directed by Eugene Corr and Roberto Chile is the story of two youth baseball coaches who strike up a friendship in an online gaming room but, when they decide to meet in person, fun and baseball quickly turns to murder and poverty.

The evening continues with a tier of four risk taking films.  The World Premiere of F FOR FRANCO, is a multi-layered exploration into the mind of James Franco the Actor, Director, Author, and Visual Artist.  Directed by Dr. Francisco J. Ricardo, the film will incorporate a live art exhibition with discussions of Franco’s art process.  THE KEY, directed by Jefery Levy, is an erotic look at marriage and lust and stars David Arquette and Bai Ling. GLORY DAZE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MICHAEL ALIG is directed by Ramon Fernandez and takes place in NYC in 1987 when a new group of individuals arises to fill the artistic power vacuum created by Andy Warhol's untimely death and the demise of his 'Factory', in the form of The Club Kids. THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES, directed by Phil Allocco, tells the story of a man who finds himself in a tangled web of lies when the truth proves to be too much to admit and even harder to accept.

“Female Friday” taking place on September 25th is dedicated to showcasing films produced and/or directed by an exceptional female filmmaker with curated conversations about issues facing women in Hollywood today.  

Each day, the festival will honor one of its six Jury Prize winners at a special 6pm event at the Arclight for Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short and Emerging Filmmaker.  On Sunday, top honors for Best Social Impact Film will be awarded to the film that best exemplifies the festival’s See Good / Do Good / Feel Good mission.  

The Hollywood Film Festival seeks to promote phenomenal films about causes that count while inspiring audiences to act.  The festival connects some of our generation’s best independent filmmakers, cultural content creators, and social impact storytellers with Hollywood, the "Entertainment Capital of the World."

NARRATIVE FEATURES

12 Citizens

Synopsis: A Chinese remake of the Classic American Film 12 Angry Men.

Director: Ang Xu

Producer: Luna Wang

Country: China

Stars: Bing He, Tongsheng Han, Tiezeng Mi, guangfu Li, Chunyang Zhao, Gang Wang, Dongping Gao, Yongqiang Zhang, Zan Ban, Bo Qian, Hui Liu, Jia Lei

Trailer: https://youtu.be/n8HHV4HIYYc

Astraea

Synopsis: When disease nearly wipes out the human race, a telepathic teenage girl believes her visions confirm that survivors are living in Northern Canada.

Director: Kristjan Thor

Producers: Jessica Cummings, Ashlin Halfnight, Scotty Crowe, Kristjan Thor

Country: United States

Stars: Nerea Duhart, Dan O'Brien, Scotty Crowe, Jessica Cummings

Trailer:

Backgammon

Synopsis: Thirty-something Erik makes a living playing Backgammon in the local park. He is about to get thrown out of his residence, when a young girl approaches him in the park. She changes his life, while he tries to fight the demons from his past.

Director: Danny Thykaer

Producers: Kenneth Skouboelling, Danny Thykaer

Premiere Status: West Coast Premiere

Country: Denmark

Stars: Danny Thykaer, Sofia Lever, Maja Muhlack, Dan Zahle, Thomas Chaanhing, Laura Kamis Vrang, Adam Fischer, Carl Emil Lohmann

Trailer:

Booze Boys & Brownies

Synopsis: An aspiring actress navigates the musically comedic underbelly of Hollywood in search of fame, fortune, boys and herself.

Director: Veronica Mannion

Producer: Veronica Mannion

Country: USA

Stars: Deborah Geffner, Brent Weinbach, Brandon Denton

Trailer:

Don't Worry Baby

Synopsis: A father and son unknowingly sleep with the same woman, then four years later compete over the paternity of a child either of them could be the father of.

Director: Julian Branciforte

Producers: Nick Shore, Thomas Kaier, Brendan McHugh

Premiere Status: West Coast Premier

Country: United States

Stars: Christopher McDonald, Dreama Walker, John Magaro, Tom Lipinski, Talia Balsam

East Side Sushi

Synopsis: Juana, a Latina single-mother strives to become a sushi chef.

Director: Anthony Lucero

Producers: Julie Rubio, Vicki Wong, Heather Haggarty, Nanou Matteson

Country: United States

Stars: Diana Elizabeth Torres, Yutaka Takeuchi, Rodrigo Duarte Clark, Roji Oyama, Kaya Jade Aguirre, Lane Nishikawa

Trailer:

Website: www.eastsidesushifilm.com

Forward. Side. Close!

Synopsis: A neurotic cynic who suffers from obsessive compulsive behaviors lives in a remote castle with his two servants. His life undergoes a dramatic restructuring when his excitable friend surprises him on his 70th birthday weekend with the intention of turning his life upside down.

Director: Alexander Peter Lercher

Producers: Alexander Peter Lercher, Elsa Hartlieb

Premiere Status: World Premier

Country: Austria

Stars: Heinz Trixner, Christian Futterknecht, Uschi Glas, Sandra Lipp, Julius Kuhn, Herman van Ulzen, Vivien Wulf, Otto Retzer, Helmut Nagele, Bruno Thost and Mark Jaeger.

Trailer:

Hells Heart

Synopsis: A lonely ten-year-old boy becomes enamored with a woman who lives across the hall and her seemingly perfect family. One evening, he witnesses her brutal murder, and his life changes forever. Decades later, he believes her spirit has come back to haunt him.

Director: Ryan Denmark

Producers: Ryan Denmark, Carol Matthews-Nicoli

Premiere Status: World Premier

Country: United States

Stars: Michael Kirby, Adrienne LaValley, Kersti Bryan, Christine Cartell, Alexander McCarty, Diane Perell, Kenneth Tigar

January 1st

Synopsis: In the midst of his parents’ divorce, a twelve year old boy tries to find his family's stolen piano.

Director: Erika Bagnarello

Producers: José Miguel Bonetti, Eduardo Najri

Premiere Status: US Premier

Country: Dominican Republic

Stars: Víctor Pintor, Paula Sánchez-Ferry, Carlos Báez

Oblivion Season

Synopsis: An ex-prostitute tries to start a new life by marrying the man she has fallen for, but leaving behind the shadow of her dark past is not as easy as she thought it would be.

Director: Abbas Rafei

Producer: Abbas Rafei

Premiere Status: US Premier

Country: Iran, Islamic Republic of

Stars: Sareh Bayat, Amin Zendegani

Outliving Emily

Synopsis: A look at the tumultuous marriage of Tim and Emily Hanratty over half a century, with numerous actors playing both characters throughout the 50 years.

Director: Eric Weber

Producers: Josh Sugarman, Eric Weber

Country: USA

Stars: Thomas Mann, Zosia Mamet, Kal Penn, Alexis Bledel, Dominic Fumusa, Cara Buono, David Pittu, Malcom Gets, Andre Braugher, Phylicia Rashad, Louis Zorich, Olympia Dukakis,

Trailer:

Pearly Gates

Synopsis: A comedic musical about wanting to be remembered and learning that the only way to truly live on is in the hearts and minds of the people around you.

Director: Scott Ehrlich

Producer: Scott Ehrlich

Country: USA

Stars: Scott Grimes, Uzo Aduba, Illeana Douglas, Bonnie Sommerville, Sam Mcmurray, Nolan Gross, Madison Grimes, Peter Bogdonavich, Lainie Kazan, Jack Noseworthy, Hill Harper, Jordyn Belle, Vincent Soano Jason Stanford

Trailer:

Silent Sea

Synopsis: Two families clash in a lonely house by the sea and are faced with the disturbing reality of a somber truth.

Director: Juliane Fezer

Producers: Alexandra Krampe, Juliane Fezer

Premiere Status: US Premiere

Country: Germany

Stars: Charlotte Munck, Christoph Grunert, Christoph Gawenda, Nadja Bobyleva, Alexander Beyer, Daan Lennard Liebrenz, Henny Reents, Nico Holonics, Elias Kassner, Bella Bading, Natalia Belitski

Surviving Me

Synopsis: When fear and insecurity get the best of college sophomore Sophie, she loses her moral compass, and must journey through her own experience of Dante's Inferno to find redemption.

Director: Leah Yananton

Producer: Mary Prendergast

Premiere Status: World Premier

Country: United States

Stars: Mira Furlan, Vincent Piazza, Fredric Lehne, Dennis Hill, Leah Yananton, Christine Ryndak

The Key

Synopsis: An erotic exploration of marriage and lust.

Director: Jefery Levy

Producer: Jefery Levy

Country: USA

Stars: David Arquette, Bai Ling

Trailer: https://youtu.be/TxuMFVvz6gQ

The Truth About Lies

Synopsis: Gilby finds himself in a tangled web of lies when the truth proves to be too much to admit and even harder to accept.

Director: Phil Alocco

Producers: Steve Carr, Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof, Phil Allocco, Coleen Camp, Kim Jackson

Country: USA

Stars: Fran Kranz, Odette Annable, Chris Diamantopolous, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Miles Fisher, Colleen Camp, Arthur J. Nascarella

Trailer:

Website: http://thetruthaboutliesmovie.com

Two 4 One

Synopsis: A bittersweet comedic drama with a transgender hero in an unimaginable predicament. Oddball couple Adam and Miriam have a pivotal and ill-advised one night stand that sees them both wind up pregnant.

Director: Maureen Bradley

Producer: Daniel Hogg

Country: Canada

Stars: Gavin Crawford, Naomi Snieckus, Gabrielle Rose, Andrea Menard, Matt Baram

Trailer:

W.A.K.A.

Synopsis: Matilda, a 30-something-year-old single woman abandoned by her family, works as a waitress in a bar. Her life is shaken up after her boss finds out that she's pregnant, and opts to fire her.

Director: Françoise Ellong

Producers: Jonathan Taieb, Adam D. Lablack

Premiere Status: US Premiere

Country: France

Stars: Patricia Bakalack, Bruno Henry, Alain Bomo Bomo

Trailer:

Waffle Street

Synopsis: The true story of Jimmy Adams, a V.P. of a $30 billion hedge fund, who loses his job and winds up working as a waiter at a waffle shop. Amidst the greasy madness of the 24-hour diner, Jimmy befriends Edward, an ex-con grill master who serves up hard lessons about life, finance, and grits.

Director: Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms

Producers: Autumn McAlpin, John J. Kelly, Brad Johnson

Premiere Status: West Coast Premier

Country: USA

Stars: James Lafferty, Danny Glover, Julie Gonzalo

Trailer: https://youtu.be/E4A1LWWGkaA

Well Wishes

Synopsis: After losing his job on a coin toss, Miles gets rich harvesting coins out of wishing fountains across the country; until his prosperity is questioned by best friend Jack, Durwood the homeless man, and a kind-hearted fugitive who ultimately teach him the real meaning of wealth and happiness.

Director: Anderson Boyd

Producers: Anderson Boyd, Juan Cruz Pochat

Premiere Status: World Premier

Country: USA

Stars: Shane Callahan, Cullen Moss, Don Baker, Anna Stromberg

Trailer:

Website: http://www.wellwishesmovie.com

DOCUMENTARY

Among the Believers

Synopsis: An unsettling and eye opening exploration into the spread of the radical Islamic school Red Mosque in Pakistan, which trains legions of children to devote their lives to jihad, or holy war, from a very young age.

Director: Hemal Trivedi, Mohammed Ali Naqvi

Producers: Hemal Trivedi, Jonathan Goodman Levitt

Premiere Status: West Coast Premiere

Country: Pakistan/United States

Trailer:

Angel of Nanjing

Synopsis: The Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing is one of the most famous bridges in China. It is also the most popular place in the world to commit suicide. For the past 11 years Chen Si has been patrolling this bridge, looking to provide aid for those who have gone there to end their lives. Incredibly, he has saved over 300 people since he began - nearly one every two weeks.

Director: Jordan Horowitz, Frank L. Ferendo

Producers: Jordan Horowitz, Frank L. Ferendo

Premiere Status: West Coast

Country: USA

Trailer: https://youtu.be/QA93svbHgok

Cold Nights Hot Salsa

Synopsis: Cold Nights Hot Salsa takes you inside the international Latin dance world of Victor and Katia, aspiring young salsa dancers from Montreal, Canada who seek to win a World Salsa Championship.

Director: Edwin Gailits

Producer: Edwin Gailits

Premiere Status: World Premiere

Country: Canada

Trailer:

East LA Interchange

Synopsis: East LA Interchange follows the evolution of working-class, immigrant neighborhood, Boyle Heights and how it managed to survive the construction of the largest and busiest freeway interchange in the nation. The film explores the shifting face of community in the United States today and argues why it should matter to us all.

Director: Betsy Kalin

Producers: Betsy Kalin, Christine Louise Mills, Vanessa Luna Bishop, Gretchen Warthen, Eric Waterman

Country: United States

Stars: will.i.am, Danny Trejo, Father Greg Boyle, Josefina Lopez, Momo Yashima, Xavi Moreno

Trailer: https://youtu.be/9Z2FYuL0Zgg

F_For_Franco

Synopsis: Filmmaker and art theorist Dr. Francisco J. Ricardo delves into the creative mind of the multi-faceted James Franco in this innovative documentary or film essay. As the two converse on Franco's thoughts and process in executing some of his early experimental art and film work, the viewer is privy to these art pieces, some of which were rarely seen outside of a film festival or art show.

Director: Francisco J. Ricardo

Producer: Adrienne Chamberlin

Premiere Status: World Premiere

Country: USA

Stars: James Franco, Seth Rogan, Evan Goldberg

Frame By Frame

Synopsis: After decades of war and an oppressive Taliban regime, four Afghan photojournalists face the realities of building a free press in a country left to stand on its own – reframing Afghanistan for the world and for themselves.

Director: Alexandria Bombach, Mo Scarpelli

Producers: Alexandria Bombach, Mo Scarpelli, Jeff Orlowksi

Country: United States

Trailer:

Website: http://www.framebyframethefilm.com

Ghost Town to Havana

Synopsis: The story of two youth baseball coaches who strike up a friendship in an online gaming room but, when they decide to meet in person, fun and baseball quickly turns to murder and poverty.

Director: Eugene Corr, Roberto Chile

Producer: Ruth Shapiro

Premiere Status: World Premier

Country: Cuba

Trailer:

Website: http://www.ghosttowntohavana.com

Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig

Synopsis: New York City. 1987. A new group of individuals arises to fill the artistic power vacuum created by Andy Warhol's untimely death and the demise of his 'Factory', in the form of The Club Kids.

Director: Ramon Fernandez

Producers: Lisa Brubaker, Ramon Fernandez

Premiere Status: West Coast

Country: USA

Trailer:

Great White Lies

Synopsis: Focusing on the Western Australian Government’s decision in January of 2014 to hunt and kill the white shark, a protected species in Australia, filmmaker Skyler Thomas visits Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand to learn more about the shark culling practices in each of those locations.

Director: Skyler Thomas

Producer: Skyler Thomas

Country: United States

Homme Less

Synopsis: From all outside appearances, Mark seems to have the glamorous New York City life that many would envy. Handsome and always impeccably dressed, the charismatic former male model works as a fashion photographer, appears in movies and attends the best parties. When he leaves those events, however, he heads to the East Village— not to an overpriced loft, but to a hidden corner of a rooftop to sleep each night. Thomas Wirthensohn exposes the dark underbelly of the American Dream in an often-merciless city.

Director: Thomas Wirthensohn

Producers: Karol Martesko-Fenster, Wolfgang Ramml

Premiere Status: West Coast

Country: USA

Trailer:

Website: http://www.homme-less.com

In The Game

Synopsis: A warm and intimate look at sisterhood and hope in the face of adversity over four years in the life of a Latino inner-city girls’ soccer team

Director: Maria Finitzo

Producers: Kartemquin Films

Trailer:

Inside Fur

Synopsis: A group of highly motivated activists work for years with the goal of exposing the true face of the Nordic fur industry.

Director: Ola Waagen

Producers: Nadja Nørgaard Kristensen, Peter Engel

Premiere Status: US

Country: Norway

Trailer:

Inside Peace

Synopsis: Three criminal offenders marked by generations of violence, addiction and poor social conditions attend the Peace Class in a Texas prison, where they struggle to discover their humanity, improve their outlook on life, and rebuild their lives from the inside out.

Director: Cynthia Fitzpatrick

Producer: Cynthia Fitzpatrick

Country: USA

Stars: Trinidad Silva, Jake Alvarado, David Sigee, Julian Castro, Michael Gilbert

Trailer:

Website: http://insidepeacemovie.com

Lighter than Orange – The Legacy of Dioxin in Vietnam

Synopsis: Ten North Vietnamese veterans tell about their memories of the war and Agent Orange as well as the struggles they have faced as a consequence of both. There are an estimated more than 3 million victims of Agent Orange living today.

Director: Matthias Leupold

Producer: Matthias Leupold

Country: Germany

Trailer:

Website: lighterthanorange.com

Magda

Synopsis: Magda is the courageous story of a young Jewish woman who was a spy during WWII for the Polish Underground Army and at 93, recounts the tales of her incredible family and life.

Director: Jason Rem

Producer: Linda Taylor

Premiere Status: World Premier

Country: USA

Trailer: https://youtu.be/ll3qrEcIttw

Milk

Synopsis:  Through an intimate and artistic lens, Milk brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe.

Director: Noemi Weis

Producers: Noemi Weis, Carolyn Allain

Premiere Status: US Premier

Country: Canada

Website: http://www.milkhood.com

One Rock Three Religions

Synopsis: This documentary starts from Jerusalem's most politically sensitive site, the Temple Mount or Haram Al Sharif, and examines the effect the three Abrahamic faiths have on the Israeli Palestinian conflict and world peace.

Director: Isaac Hertz

Producers: Isaac Hertz, Sam Grundwerg, Valentina Castellani Quinn

Country: USA/Israel/Palestine/UK

Website: http://onerockthreereligions.com

Personal Gold: An Underdog Story

Synopsis: Four underdog women become America's medal hope at the London Olympics when the men's team is banned during the Lance Armstrong drug scandal.

Director: Tamara Christopherson

Producer: Sky Christopherson

Country: United States

Stars: Dotsie Bausch, Jennie Reed, Sarah Hammer

Website: http://www.personal-gold.com

Right Footed

Synopsis: Jessica Cox was born without arms as a result of a birth defect, but managed to overcome many physical and emotional challenges to become fully independent. She learned to type with her toes, drive a car with her feet, and amazingly -- fly an airplane with her feet. Right Footed follows Jessica as she transforms from a motivational speaker to a mentor, and eventually into a leading advocate for people with disability.

Director: Nick Spark

Producers: Nick Spark, Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Country: USA

Trailer: https://youtu.be/xh9xGavDZ9M

Rooted In Peace

Synopsis: Greg Reitman shares his past experiences of living in the Gulf War and witnessing the aftermath of Hiroshima, Japan and later the grievances of 9/11. Greg challenges the viewer; on what will it take for humanity to wake up and to stop the cycle of war & violence.

Director: Greg Reitman

Producers: Greg Reitman, Britta Reitman

Country: USA

She’s The Best Thing In It

Synopsis: Oscar-nominated writer/producer Ron Nyswaner’s first documentary feature is an examination of the actor's craft and the sacrifices demanded by a lifelong career. Veteran character actor and Tony Award winner, Mary Louise Wilson, age 79, teaches her first acting class to skeptical members of the YouTube generation, smashing their red carpet illusions and challenging them to bring emotional honesty into their acting.

Director: Ron Nyswaner

Producers: Neda Armian, Jeffrey Schwarz, Ron Nyswaner

Country: United States

Stars: Mary Louise Wilson, Frances McDormand, Melissa Leo, Valerie Harper, Estelle Parsons, Tyne Daly, Charlotte Rae, Doug Wright

Trailer:

Something Better to Come

Synopsis: 10-year-old Yula is growing up in Putin's Russia in the Svalka, the largest junkyard in Europe, just 13 miles from the Kremlin. She has one dream-to escape the Svalka and have a normal life. For 14 years, we follow Yula as she grows up.

Director: Hanna Polak

Producers: Sigrid Dyekjær and Hanna Polak

Website: http://somethingbettertocomethemovie.com

The Rainforests Are Under Threat

Synopsis: A new documentary underscoring the threats facing the rainforest in Peru, the perpetuation of climate change, and the people who are fighting to protect it.

Director: Jerome Dolbert

Producers: Jerome Dolbert, Daniel Dolbert, Arlette Gritti

Country: Peru, USA

Website: http://www.jeromedolbert.com/rainforests_are_under_threat/

The Russian Woodpecker

Synopsis: As his country is gripped by revolution and war, a Ukrainian victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster discovers a dark secret and must decide whether to risk his life and play his part in the revolution by revealing it.

Director: Chad Gracia

Producer: Chad Gracia

Country: Ukraine/UK/USA

Trailer: https://youtu.be/9rd4ARsbg_0

The Search for Freedom

Synopsis: The story of a cultural revolution grounded in embracing the moment and doing what makes us feel the most alive. Through the eyes of the pioneers and top practitioners of surfing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, and more, we experience an uprising that has changed the face of recreation. We discover how an electrifying new world came about through pure energy and imagination and the infinite possibilities of self-expression available to anyone willing to drop in.

Director: Jon Long

Producer: Jon Long

Country: Canada

Stars: Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater, Nyjah Huston,  Kelia Moniz, Robbie Maddison, Annie Boulanger

Website: http://thesearchforfreedom.com

Warriors

Synopsis:On the plains of Kenya, Maasai Warriors form a cricket team to fight harmful traditions such as FGM and gender inequality. The team embark on a journey to play a tournament in London, before returning home to confront their elders in an attempt to change their community.

Director: Barney Douglas

Producers: Barney Douglas, Michael Elson, James Anderson

Country: United Kingdom

Trailer:

Website: http://www.warriorsfilm.co.uk

Who Is Billy Bones?

Synopsis: Billy Bones hitchhiked his way to Hollywood in 1973 in pursuit of his dream to become a musician. After securing a spot as lead singer of The Skulls -- arguably the first punk band in LA -- Bones became a figure at the forefront of the punk movement. Over 40 years later, he’s still in pursuit of that dream.

Director: Kathy Kolla

Producers: Drew Milford, Kathy Kolla, Rick Watson

Country: USA

Trailer: https://youtu.be/7iqN7uqxWHA

TELEVISION

Myrna - "You're Not Done Yet" (TV Pilot)

Synopsis: After a successful career, an actor sacrifices everything when she transitions from male-to-female.

Director: Ted Campbell

Producer: Jennifer Fontaine, Marci Liroff, Heather Marie Piper, Kristin Beck, Christine D. Beatty, Ted Campbell, Marlo Bernier

Premiere Status: World Premiere

Country: United States

Stars: Marlo Bernier, Jennifer Fontaine, Julie Carmen, Mark Atteberry, Candis Cayne, Paul McKinney, David Mattey, Deacon Ledges, Cristina Van Valkenberg Mattey, Marci Liroff, Geralyn Flood, Jeremy Gordon

Syd

Synopsis: About a black female soccer player from Canada who gets recruited to UCLA and then ends up being on the USA women’s soccer team. (She also scored the winning goal this year in the world cup)

Director: Rena Mundo Croshere and Nadine Mundo

Country: United States

The Find: Season 2 Nicaragua

Synopsis: In 2007 Dave and Morgan Hansow took a risk by moving their family to Uganda, where they adopted their daughter and started an organization that created sustainable jobs for over 100 African Families. Through their experiences, they have realized that it is normal people like them that are changing the world through risk and creativity.  Join the Hansow’s as they find and share the amazing stories of other individuals who are changing the world around them.

Director: Jesse Schluntz

Producer: Dave & Morgan Hansow

Country: Nicaragua

SHORT FILMS

A Passion Of Gold And Fire

Synopsis: A beekeeper shares his worries about the future of his apiary school.

Director: Pins Sébastien

Across Time I Cry

Synopsis: A young, solitary woman receives a series of anonymous gifts and an invitation to attend a social gathering, which leads her into a dark, mysterious world.

Director: Robertino Fonseca

ʻĀINA: That Which Feeds Us

Synopsis: ʻĀINA (pronounced "eye-nah") means, “that which feeds us” in the Hawaiian language. The film highlights a way to address some of the most pressing environmental and health crises facing the island of Kauai - and of island Earth.

Director: Josh Thome, Dave Mossop

Blame

Synopsis: Haunted by a dead rape victim, a young father must decide to either delete the only evidence of the attack or turn in his only son to the police.

Director: Kellee Terrell

Blitz

Synopsis: A father and son agree to a 'winner take all' blitz chess game in order to settle a bet.

Director: Faraday Okoro

Catching Fireflies

Synopsis: A young Latina girl attempts to escape the rigors and misfortunes of living on skid row Los Angeles through the power of her mystical imagination while simultaneously trying to protect the bond with her addict mother.

Director: Lee Whittaker

Charlie's Supersonic Glider

Synopsis: A look at the dynamic contrast between the very real, very brutal realities of hidden abuse, and the wondrous and beautiful world that exists within a little boy's imagination.

Director: Kate Maberly

Cold War

Synopsis: A deserting USSR soldier fleeing to Alaska encounters who he believes is a Native American woman. Befriending her seems like his best option.

Director: Richard Gray

Crayons

Synopsis: Two year old Jimmy, persists in drawing despite his father's restrictions. (partially animated)

Director: Giovanna Sarquis

The Dynamic Double Standard

Synopsis: Zoey's first night as a superhero is nearly ruined when she's given a sexy and impractical uniform.

Director: Luke Patton

Family Unit

Synopsis: A female inmate receives her husband for a three day conjugal visit on prison grounds.

Director: Zach Marion

Fragile Storm

Synopsis: A scared young woman goes to extreme measures to escape the clutches of a terrifying older man only to realize the shocking truth about why she's there.

Director: Dawn Fields

Golden Shot

Synopsis: Rusty machines living in their small houses imagine that the sun will come and take them to the sky someday. A small light keeps them alive and dreaming. But one of the machines wants to see the sun itself and he has a plan.  (animated)

Director: Gokalp Gonen

Goran

Synopsis: The documentary, which began as an audio recording, soon became a chronicle of how Goran has overcome the stereotypes and obstacles associated with his condition while inspiring the same society that often considers his disease to carry the taint of inferiority and derangement. (BAD SYNOPSIS BUT FILM NOT ON IMDB)

Director: Roberto Santaguida

Hasta La Vista

Synopsis: Andy, socially awkward and single, is sent into an emotional spiral after mistakenly offending a woman at a party.

Directors: Matt Porter, Matt Kazman

In His Shoes

Synopsis: Chiddy Boy doesn’t speak. He doesn’t know what you are saying to him. When you don’t understand him he will throw himself on the floor and cry. He doesn’t play with toys. He doesn't understand them. His favorite thing in the world is shoes.

Director: Agnieszka Rudnicka

Indigo Grey: The Passage

Synopsis: A young boy's discovery of a mysterious gas mask provides a glimpse into an alternate reality.

Director: Sean Robinson

Latiner

Synopsis: Malena, a young woman form Argentina comes to New York to work as an actress, but she quickly realizes she is not "Latin" enough to play these roles -and that she has too much of an accent to play the "white" roles.

Director: Ines Gowland

Moto Borgatoro (on grid -- not on IMDB is this synopsis ok?)   

Synopsis: "Moto Borgatoro" follows curmudgeon / savant mechanic Peter Boggia and the birth of his custom 1979 Moto Guzzi Le Mans.

Director: Roberto Serrini

My Pilot, My Whale

Synopsis: After spending several months at sea with free-living dolphins, international expedition came up with the unique result; direct contact between two forms of intelligence is possible.

Director: Alexander Gratovsky, Nicole Gratovsky

Plastic

Synopsis: Trapped in her own body, August's true self finally comes out and confronts her perfect yet plastic skin.

Director: Stella Deng

Pony

Synopsis: Claudia, a hardworking single mom, has to go out of town on an important last minute business trip, forcing her to leave her 5 year old daughter, Miko with uncle Jeff, a rock musician in his 50's who is still running on fumes of his glory days.

Director: Candice Carella

Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball

Synopsis: The story of an 11-year major League pitcher, who after winning two world championships with the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals and the 1969 Miracle Mets, embarked on a USO tour through Vietnam that would change his life.

Director: Drew Taylor

Scraps

Synopsis: One man's admission to doing something that generally draws a chuckle from others: Scrapbooking.

Director: Dave Kamens

Sketch

Synopsis: A 12 year-old boy on the Autistic spectrum uses his special talents to survive on his own in an impoverished and dangerous neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.

Director: Stephen T. Barton

Still A Rose

Synopsis: Through the modern lens of equality, Romeo and Juliet change on screen. Illustrating equal love in unequaled prose; because Love, by any other name, is still Love.

Director: Hazart

The Art House

Synopsis: Ginger Westray, a retired school teacher, uses her entire house as a canvas for her painting and sculpture.

Director: Laura P. Valtorta

The Birth of an Artist

Synopsis: A short documentary about a disabled Ukrainian girl who, despite all the odds, lives the life of a prolific artist.

Director: Natasha Babenko

The Emissary

Synopsis: An obsession with a young man who resembles her son leads Natalie Ray (Margo Martindale) to a surprise encounter with the stranger when he suddenly shows up at her New York City apartment.

Director: Rudy Dobrev

The Fallen Phoenix

Synopsis: An established composer struggles to write a masterpiece that pleases both himself and his sponsor. (animated)

Director: Gwen Barriac, Heather Larkin

The Record Parlour

Synopsis: In his mid-thirties and wrestling with what's really important in life, a man risks everything by quitting a job he's successful at to pursue something he's passionate about...owning a record store. But, bringing this childhood dream to life was never going to be easy.

Director: Ryan Goble

The Red Thunder

Synopsis: A nerdy teenager steals her Mom’s car so that she can go out on a date with the boy she’s in love with.

Director: Alvaro Ron

The Song Of The Seashore

Synopsis: A young Japanese soldier saves a Chinese woman from peril in wartime.

Director: Long Yang

Title

Synopsis: A dinner date gone awry where the couple says what they mean, and mean what they say, literally.

Director: Hazart

Tomgirl

Synopsis: Girls play with dolls and boys love sports, right? This film takes a look at what happens when those stereotypes are called into question.

Director: Jeremy Asher Lynch

Vanity

Synopsis: A girl's preparation for a first date gets a bit... weird.

Director: Arturo Perez Jr.

Welcome

Synopsis: The day her boyfriend plans to propose to her, Anna, a young New York-based Czech doctor is held at U.S. immigration after a humanitarian trip to Uganda.

Directors: Diane Hodson, Jasmine Luoma

Whispers Among Wolves

Synopsis: Every Thursday, an alcoholic CEO and her long suffering PA sit down to business.

Director: Kevin Lim

From September 23rd to 27th 2015 the Filmfestival Münster takes place for the 16th time and comes up with several German premieres and one European premiere at Cineplex. Three competitions in the feature and short film sections, carefully selected side programs, media art and photo exhibitions, a program for children and youngadolescents as well as a symposium addressing alternative ways of filmmaking and Films from the Countryside are part of the program.

The oldest competitive festival in Westphalia, presented by the Filmwerkstatt Münster since 1981, has become firmly established within the festival scene over the last 34 years. Because of the warm and personal atmosphere and the closeness between filmmakers and the enthusiastic audience, it is held in high esteem. Special attention is turned to young talents – numerous filmmakers presented their early works at the Filmfestival Münster or won awards for the first time in their career here.

In the European Feature Film Competition, eight feature films compete for the award for best directing (endowed with 5,000 Euro) which is awarded by an international jury. On September 23rd at07:00 pm the festival opens with the Norwegian competition entry “Out of Nature” by Ole Giæver, a preposterously melancholic tragicomedy, which has already caused a sensation at the Berlinale and won the Preis der Europa Cinemas.

The British entry “Winter” by director Heidi Greensmith is the festival’s European premiere. This intense character study stars “Sons of Anarchy” actor Tommy Flanagan, Tom Payne (“The Physician”) and Stacy Martin (“Nymphomaniac”). The German premiere within the European Feature Film Competition has a similarly top-class cast: The ensemble drama “Ladygrey” is set in front of the majestically beautiful Drakensberg in South Africa and unites an international cast around Peter Sarsgaard, Jérémie Renier, Emily Mortimer and “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham.

Furthermore, five of the eight entries in this section are debut films, among them the first feature films by Nikias Chryssos and Micah Magee, whose short films caused a sensation at past festivals in Münster.

The traditional Short Film Competition has ever since the first festival addressed filmmakers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A selecting committee chose the 37 most creative, unconventional and convincing works out of nearly 500 submissions, among them this year’s winner of the Students’ Oscar™, “Everything will be okay” by Patrick Vollrath, which is only one of several highlights.

The section Focus NL, featuring contemporary films from the Netherlands, is unique in all of Germany and comes up with two further German premieres. One of them is the equally warmhearted and intriguing documentary “Hollywood Banker” about a seemingly inconspicuous financier from the Netherlands, without whose support international hits such as “Platoon” or “Dances with Wolves” could never have come into existence. The other German premiere is the psychological thriller “Sunny Side Up” starring the former jury member Egbert-Jan Weeber.

Also, the Filmfestival Münster pays tribute to one of the most significant cinematographers in Europe: The Dutchman Robby Müller, who shot numerous films with Wim Wenders (“Paris, Texas”), Jim Jarmusch (“Dead Man”) or Lars von Trier (“Breaking the Waves”), is the guest of honor at the festival. Over the course of the festival, three films are screened exemplarily for Robby Müller’s complex career: Peter Lilienthal’s “Calm Prevails over the Country” (1975) as an example for Müller’s cooperation with directors of the New German Cinema, William Friedkin’s “To Live and Die in L.A.” (1985), which provides an insight into his US works from the ‘80s, and Michael Winterbottom’s “24 Hour Party People” (2002) as an example for his later European films. Furthermore, there will be a photo exhibition at the Foyer der Bezirksregierung at Domplatz Münster with polaroids of Robby Müller.

The former section “Münster Connection” with films from the region has been expanded to the whole of Westphalia this year. Two music videos, shot and edited by Münsteran adolescents between 10 and 14 years over the course of two summer workshops as part of the Kulturrucksack program, are screened in this section as well. The Filmfestival Münster also shows two feature films for this young audience. The Brazilian animated movie “The Boy and the World” and the British coming-of-age drama “X + Y” are two award-winning films which provide the kids and teens with access to international film art.

The new label “Nightwatch” comprises spectacular genre films such as Quentin Dupieux’s (“Rubber”, “Wrong”) newest cinematic trip “Reality” – an ironic title, that is for sure. Another film in this section is Dario Argento’s occult masterpiece “Suspiria” from 1977, screened for the first time as freshly restored HD-version.

In the exhibition “and in the meantime a latte macchiato” at Kunsthalle Münster, young artists from North Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands present their latest positions on video and media art. The third international symposium “filmLab” concentrates on the connection between independent organizations film studios, which produce films on a low budget, host screenings, and impart film knowledge as well as DIY-culture. And finally, “Films from the Countryside”, presented by Filmservice Münster.Land and Cinema, take a documentary look at people and their stories far from the cultural centers, along the lines of “See, that’s what you look like – The countryside portrayed”.

Background

The Filmfestival Münster 2015 is presented by the Filmwerkstatt Münster. Sponsors are the Stadt Münster, the Ministerium für Familie, Kinder, Jugend, Kultur und Sport des Landes Nordrhein-Westphalen, the Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, the Kulturstiftung der Sparkasse Münster, and the Botschaft des Königsreichs der Niederlande. Media partners are the WDR Studio Münster and the Münstersche Zeitung. Cooperation partners are the Kuturrucksack NRW, the Kulturamt der Stadt Münster, the Münsterschen Filmtheater-Betriebe, the Kunsthalle Münster, the Filmservice Münster.Land, the Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the hotel Kaiserhof Münster, the Audi Zentrum Münster – Auto Krause and GUCC grafik & film.

More information: www.filmfestival-muenster.de

The Sacramento French Film festival
Presents its
2nd MINI FALL FRENCH FILM FEST

Saturday, november 14, 2015 – CREST THEATRE

PROGRAM

§  Join the SFFF for a Fun Fall Day of French Films!

§  Our 2nd Mini Fall French Film Fest will include four feature films.

§  Complete program TBA.

WHEN

§  Saturday, November 14, 2015.

§  All Day! We’ll start around Noon - Showtimes TBA.

WHERE

§  Crest Theatre – 1013 K Street - Downtown Sacramento

WEBSITE & PHONE

§  www.SacramentoFrenchFilmFestival.org

§  (916) 455-9390 (SFFF) / (916) 476-3356 (Crest Theatre)

TICKET PRICES

§  Day Pass: $37  (includes $2 Crest Facility Fee)

§  Single Ticket: $12/$11 (includes $0.75 Crest Facility Fee)

§  Advance single tickets and day passes will be available for sale online on ticketfly.com (additional fees apply) and at the Crest Theatre Box Office. Single tickets and day passes will be for sale at the door.

OTHER DETAILS

§  Films are presented in French with English subtitles.

§  No Host Bar!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHOTOS & SCREENERS                                                       

Cécile Mouette Downs (916) 455-9390 / Cell: (916) 396-9147

littlececile@gmail.com

filmfestivals.com remains the key online partner of the Festival, showing the support to a festival doing a fantastic job for the genre and industry at large says Bruno Chatelin COO of filmfestivals.com

The city of Porto is such a gem that filmmakers want to return each year with a new film, visitors want to return watch new films or decide to stay and enjoy the beauties of the city.

Come Help Us Set The American Riviera Afire!

Plaza del Sol, Fess Parker Resort, Santa Barbara

​5:00 - 7:00 PM​ Wine Tasting/Beer Tasting/Cocktail Reception & more…

6:00 - 7:00 PM Pasta & Salad Stations
 

7:00 - 8:00 PM Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam Comes To A Rockin’ Halt at FestForward!

​​

8:00 - 10:00 PM FireChat After Party 

Monday Track 1

Main Session: Grand Ballroom

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM

Advances in Festival Technology & Safety
Mobile Apps, wireless technology, “wearable” technology, RFID, and other festival technology impacts the safety of the event, experience of the fan, the crew, vendors and the artist. Our goal is to bring you the latest and greatest to make your festival a “techcess.”

Hosted by Ted Cohen, TAG Strategic &
FestForward Technology Chairman
Gillian Zettler, Charleston Wine + Food Festival
Christophe Daligault, FireChat
Steve Lemon, Event Safety Alliance
Jeff Kreinik, Ticketfly

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

SXSW's Past, Present and Future
2016 will mark 30 years of SXSW. In 1994 they broadened their focus from a strictly music industry event to include interactive technology and film. Other events have adopted various elements of that same convergence approach to conferences and festivals, probably due in part to what they experienced at SXSW.

Mike Shea, Executive Director of SXSW

Interviewed by Phil Gallo

10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Convergence and Collaboration 2.0: Food, Wine, Film and Music
What happens when the arts come together?
​How do festivals create an identity and an experience that can encompass the best of these disciplines? And how do they leverage their perceived value to maximize revenue? Where do we go from here?

Robert Richards, Glastonbury Festival
Gary Meyer, Eat Drink Films
Devonie Nicholas, South Beach Wine & Food Fest
Melissa Dickson, Fashion Meets Music Festival
SuperFly Presents (Invited)

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Social Media: Who’s Listening?

The goal of social media is to engage, listen, and convert with increased attendance, ticket sales and great fan experiences. Different tools serve different functions. Are you using them to their greatest advantage? Listen & learn!

Shana Fong, Eventbrite
Mike Wald, Storywall
Erika Williams, Life Is Beautiful
Hannah Houser, AC Entertainment

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM LUNCH

1:30 PM – 2:20 PM

That’s The Ticket – The Art & Science of Ticketing Your Festival

Ticketing can make or break your festival’s success. Pricing, delivery, authentication, access control and analytics are just a few of the considerations when selecting and working with a ticketing partner. Hear the latest in ticketing technology and preview the next generation of tools that will improve social chatter, increase revenues and streamline your event.

Keith Goldberg, Vendini
David Silbaugh, Summerfest
Ben Raffi, Universe
Jesse Lawrence, TiqIQ
SFX (Invited)

2:30 PM – 3:20 PM

Sustainability - It’s an Authentic Problem

​Sustainability is the ability to sustain a behavior indefinitely. Our environment depends upon us to protect and preserve it for future generations. Let’s face it, festivals wreak environmental chaos. But it doesn’t need to be the case. Hear some case studies to prove just that.

Hosted by Eric Stevens, OTW Safety – Official FestForward Safety Sponsor
Kathleen Gasperini, Label Networks
Patrice Williams, Going Green Film Festival

3:30 PM – 4:20 PM

Working with Charities: The Festival As Change Agent

​Organizers of film, music, food and wine festivals generally incorporate charities into their events in a variety of ways. The events are an organic environment to message audience with calls to action that effect change. Find out how these
leaders are creating a lasting impression beyond the festival walls.

Hosted by Andy Bernstein of HeadCount
Margaret Martin of Harmony Project
Justine Lucas, Global Citizen Festival

Monday track 2

Salon Series – Reagan Room

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM

Film Festival Technology
Festival technology for film festivals includes not only distribution and exhibition but methods for engaging new audiences. Our panel explores how to message in the digital world the ‘analogue” messaging that film festivals traditionally represent.

Benjamin Oberman, Mousetrap Films
Luke Archer, Cool Hand Look
Ralph Echemendia, Red-E Digital
Kimberley Browning, Hollywood Shorts Film Fest

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Issues Facing Food and Wine Festivals
With so many food and wine festivals exploding on the scene, the stakes are higher. Ticket pricing, the cost of celebrity chefs, staffing, logistics, audience development & creating a unique experience are top of mind for organizers. We will converge those that have created high profile festivals to understand their view of the industry.

Hosted By Philip Dobard, SoFab Institute
David Alan Bernahl, II, CLM, Pebble Beach and Los
Angeles Food & Wine Festivals
Devonie Nicholas, South Beach Wine & Food Fest
Austin Food & Wine (Invited)

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Issues Facing Film Festivals
Programming, sponsorship, staffing, audience and community awareness and festival logistics make the work of running a film festival an incredible, but rewarding challenge. Maintaining relevancy in a world where films are discovered in a multitude of ways and on many devices, as well as managing and planning for a long-term future in the ever changing landscape will be the focus of this panel.

Hosted by Gary Rubin, Cohen Media Group
Noah Cowan, San Francisco Film Society
Liana Bender, California Film Institute
Michal Wiesbrock, Santa Barbara Int’l FIlm Fest

12:00 Noon – 12:45 PM

Issues Facing Music Festivals

With massive rollups, media attention on drug use, overpriced talent & recent high profile festival failures, the challenges for festival promoters has never been greater. However, the discovery of music and fan experiences make festivals the most coveted and memorable way for audiences to consume music. These experts have experienced the ups and downs of
the industry and will share where we are headed.

David Silbaugh, Summerfest
Elliott Lefko, Goldenvoice,
Dave Norman, Tour Manager
Maureen Ford, Live Nation
Disco Donnie Estopinal, Disco Donnie Presents

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM LUNCH

1:30 PM – 2:20 PM

Marketing to Millennials
The conventional wisdom is that the holy grail is millennials, with buying power and influence for the next few decades. They are looking for authentic relationships with properties and brands. But what exactly does that mean?

Amanda Slavin, CatalystCreativ
Erika Williams, Life Is Beautiful
Jacob Tell, Oniracom

2:30 PM – 3:20 PM

Activating Sponsorships at a Festival
When negotiating a sponsorship, all brands recognize the value of activation across many platforms. Festivals need to remain authentic while brands want to be heard. A marriage of convenience must exist for the success of the relationship. What steps must the festival take to ensure success? Our experts will provide some key takeaways.
Hosted by David Hazan, DLH Consulting

Sam Elkin, C3 Presents
Elana Leaf, Insomniac
Robert Richards, Glastonbury Festival
Midori Connolly, AVGirl Productions

3:30 PM – 4:20 PM

Maintaining Your Food & Wine Festival’s Identity

With the rise of VIP ticket prices, celebrity chefs and the epicurean experience, food and wine festivals are feeling the pressure to succeed in a fiercely competitive space. That said, these leaders understand their market and work hard to provide the experience that keeps their loyal fans coming back
while they build a new group of attendees to sustain their festivals.

Gillian Zettler, Charleston Wine + Food Festival
Rebecca Robinson, Zinfandel Experience 

Main Session Room – Grand Ballroom

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Wine, Women & Song – Stepping out from Behind the Camera
From icons as the beauty in The Woman in Red, the hilarious Sweeney Sister on SNL, and Fame’s talented triple threat Nicole Chapman, these women have worked in front of the camera for most of their lives. They are now focused on owning their careers on what matters most to them. Hear why Kelly wants us back in the kitchen, Nia has developed a holistic approach to life and Nora can’t stop making us laugh. Also hear from Academy Award Nominated Director Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil, West of Memphis, Every Secret Thing with Diane Lane) whose latest film project shines a light on the legendary Janis Joplin.

Hosted by Jennice Fuentes, CEO Fuentes Strategies
Kelly LeBrock, Actor
Nia Peeples, Actor
Nora Dunn, Actor
Amy Berg, Filmmaker

5:30 -6:30 PM
Cocktail Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Last chance to visit the Exhibit Hall and experience the latest and greatest.

Evening on your own! Discover Santa Barbara – The American Riviera​​

DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA

Film Fest Gent released the entire programme of the 42nd Film Fest Gent today. From 13 until 24 October the festival will screen over 111 international and Belgium feature films. There's a focus on UK cinema, two film music concerts, panels and talks. Attending international guests include Colin Farrell, Hirokazu Koreeda, Pablo Larraín, Thomas Bidegain and Alan Silvestri.

Info and tickets at www.filmfestival.be

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
This year, thirteen films will compete in the Official Competition, which will be opened on Wednesday 14 October by 'The Lobster' in the presence of actor Colin Farell and director Yorgos Lanthimos. That same night, the festival also welcomes the Japanese grandmaster Hirokazu Koreeda ('Our Little Sister'). Furthermore directors Pablo Larraín ('El Club'), Thomas Bidegan ('Les Cowboys'), László Nemes ('Son of Saul') and John Maclean ('Slow West') will also present their films at the festival. The international jury members are Sir Alan Parker, Marjane Satrapi, Caroline Strubbe, Boyd Van Hoeij and Franco Lolli.

FOCUS ON UK CINEMA
After the focus on French cinema last year, the 42nd Film Fest Gent puts its spotlight on British films. The section UK Cinema includes a selection of 11 films that display the diversity of the current British cinema. Within this theme the classic 'Midnight Express' will be screened followed by a talk with director and jury president Sir Alan Parker. The concert Great British Film Music will be held on 22 October and will guide us through the rich heritage of British Cinema. Composers Craig Armstrong, Stephen Warbeck, Michael Nyman and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner George Fenton, will be attending.

BELGIAN CINEMA TODAY
Film Fest Gent presents the best and the strongest of Belgian cinema. The section includes the official opening film 'The Ardennes' by Robin Pront, 'Brak' by Laurent Van Lancker, the documentary 'Bobbejaan' by Benny Vandendriessche and Manu Riche's long-feature debut 'Problemski Hotel'. In the section Serial Madness, the last 4 episodes of the brand new series 'The Natives' (Bevergem) will be premiered at the festival. The second feature by Adil El Arbi en Bilall Fallah 'Black' is also included in the programma as well as two Belgian co-productions: 'Phantom Boy' and 'Les Cowboys' by Thomas Bidegain. 

WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS
The festival will close on 24 October with the 15th World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert. Central guests are Alan Sivestri, Patrick Doyle and Daniel Pemberton. After the prestigious award ceremony, Brussels Philharmonic & Flemish Radio Choir, conducted by Dirk Brossé, will perform a selection of the oeuvre of these great composers. 

WILLiFEST Kicks Off Tomorrow  and will  be celebrating the 7th year with a kick-off invitation only networking event this Thursday in Williamsburg which will be followed by the Opening Night Premiere at the Williamsburg Cinemas.

This year WILLiFEST presents the premiere of director Maggie Surovell's drama The Last Pickup.

Friday brings a full day and night of  screenings at two venues, Williamsburg Cinemas and new partner Videology, where our evening Filmmakers' Networking event will also take place at 8:30 pm.

Saturday kicks off with a block of family films at Williamsburg Cinemas at 1:00 pm. Our annual Industry Panels, Writers' Lounge, presented by Center for Active Learning, will take place at Videology at 2:00 pm and a Filmmaker Panel will take place at WILLiFEST Central/Sandbox between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. At 8:30 pm is our annual Networking After-Party, our highly anticipated bash that will be held once again at Barber Bart with vodka tastings provided by Balls Vodka. Saturday screenings at Williamsburg Cinemas also include our popular Student Film Competition featuring the best collegiate works from across the globe.

Sunday brings our Closing Day event at 1:00 pm at Videology. This year we present a block of music-themed shorts. A live musical performance will follow the screenings. At 5:00 pm is our annual Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to all our 2015 Screenplay and Soundtrack Competition Winners.

Tickets and passes for WILLiFEST 2015 are still available at willifest.com/2015/tickets. Directions to all venues can be found on our website at willifest.com/2015/venues. We also have an interactive map available. The complete schedule can be seen at willifest.com/2015/schedule. This year’s film line-up is at willifest.com/2015/films.

8th annual Minneapolis Underground Film Festival will feature over 110 short films, and 14 feature length films to choose from.
 
The official opening on Wednesday, October 7, will featuring three different MN Made short film selections, one at 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 7:15 pm featuring a Q&A after each screening. Our late night screening of “SNUFF” at 9:30 pm is celebrating the eight year local filmmakers Paul Von Stoetzel has screened with the M.U.F.F. Along with featuring over 30 MN Short Films on our opening day we will be featuring MN Made films throughout the festival. Some Short Film Selection highlights include:
 
Irons in the Fire is a documentary about five under-privileged youth who changed their life through the help of creative organizations and mentors, starring George the Poet and narrated by Idris Elba. It screens before the American Premiere of The Sound Before the Fury by Martin Sarrazac a documentary about Archie Shepp revisiting his album Attica Blues while intervening the narrative of the Attica Prison Rebellion.
 
Surreal B&W Shorts on Sunday, October 11 at 5:10pm  is a selection of like minded short films featuring Ferdinand Knapp by Andrea Baldini starring Dominique Pinon (Delicatessen & City of Lost Children) who blurs the lines between the films character and his own.
 
Relationship Remix is a selection of short films that deal with various aspects of relationships and MN Made films that deal with love and loss. Screening Friday, October 9 at 6:00 pm. For those that question reality of love sci-fi films we recommend Reality Remix screening on the same day at 4pm.
 
This years GLBT Short films feature a local documentary, Tom of Finland dolls that trigger buried desires, teens, handjobs, Cousin Wonderletter and world-renowned icon Buck Angel! GLBT Shorts screens Thursday, October 8 at 5:00 pm.
 
For more information on the 2015 Minneapolis Underground Film Festival and to keep up to date on the upcoming festival or our year-round activities, visit us online at: Minneapolisundergroundfilmfestival.com
Facebook: Mpls Underground Film Festival
Twitter: @Mplsuff
 

complete programme as well as the films in competition, jury members and events highlights of the 8th edition of CinEast (Central and Eastern European Film Festival in Luxembourg, 8-25 October 2015) have been published today on the festival’s website www.cineast.lu and can be downloaded via this link.

The seven films in theofficial competition of CinEast 2015 are: Babai by Visar Morina, Body by Malgorzata Szumowska, Family Film by Olmo Omerzu, In the Crosswind by Martti Helde, Self-Portrait of a Dutiful Daughter by Ana Lungu, Son of Saul by László Nemes and The Cleaner by Peter Bebjak (more info here).

The International Jury is composed of: Andrzej Zulawski (Polish film director, president), Ina Ivanceanu (Austrian film director), Alexandra Hoesdorff (Luxembourgish producer), Yann Tonnar (Luxembourgish director and producer) and Vicky Krieps (Luxembourgish actor). The newly introduced Press Jury, awarding the Critics’ Prize, is composed of film critics Thibaut Demeyer, Brigitte Lepage and Antonio Raul Reis. The Awards Ceremony will be held on 23 October.

The CinEast 2015 festival will be held in a dozen venues across Luxembourg and will present 57 features and more than 40 short film from 18 CEE countries, about 20 guests, 4 concerts (including a live soundtrack), 2 DJ events, a large photography exhibition (“Urban Stories”), 2 debates (on immigration and urbanism), screenings for children, an evening dedicated to Andrzej Zulawski, a co-production workshop for film professionals and more.

Among the special guests attending CinEast 2015: Želimir Žilnik (Serbian film director, Logbook Serbistan), Andrzej Zulawski (Cosmos, Possession), Ivaylo Hristov (Bulgarian director and actor, Losers), Andrea Sedláčková (Czech director, Fair Play), Andrzej Chyra (Polish actor, Carte Blanche, The Collector), Danijel Hočevar (Slovenian producer, Home), Julija Steponaityte (Lithuanian actor, The Summer of Sangaile), Martti Helde (Estonian director, In the Crosswind), Gábor Hörcher (Hungarian director and producer, Drifter) etc. 

 Fantasporto 2016 36th edition February 26th - March 5th

Submissions close December 5th 

The selection for shorts is only for fantasy ones, like always. Submissions are open and we are accepting online submissions.

Since we are making a new site that will be ready only later in October we propose you to send us the screener(s) for the selection commitee to see and, if the film(s) is(are) chosen, we will ask you all the materials needed. SUBMIIT

Fantasporto's blog IWebsite  I Submit I  Facebook I Twitter I Contact Mario Dorminsky

New York Festival's World's Best Television & Films April 16, 2016

Deadline October 15, 2015

New York Festival's World's Best TV & Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. Dedicated to both the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today's global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers and talent: Animation, Comedy, Corporate, Drama, Documentary, Feature Films, Movie Trailers, Music Videos, News, Promos, Reality TV Drama, Sports, Telenovelas, Webisodes, Best Performance by an Actor/Actress, Special Event, Innovation, Technical Production Team, CSR, Best Screenplay, Video Art, and Best Host.

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THE 2015 SPOOKY MOVIE INTERNATIONAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

October 8-17, 2015

Since 2006, October has belonged to the Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival. 

The festival that brought the DC area such films as THE BABADOOK, EXISTS, TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL, A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT, HOUSEBOUND, and EXCISION–-holds its 10th annual event in Washington, D.C. from October 8-17 at the AFI Silver Theatre.  The Opening Night film is Sony Pictures’ THE FINAL GIRLS.

As in past years, the Spooky Movie Festival showcases the best in new horror cinema from around the world, and again, the entire festival (more than 40 shorts and features) unspools at AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Also featured in this year’s festival is a special closing night event – the 40th anniversary screening of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW presented by drag performer, emcee, filmmaker, and actor, “Peaches Christ.” Expect two completely different screenings! The first will include a hysterical and passionate pre-show filled with songs and surprises, and a second will include an once-in-a-lifetime “shadowcast” performed by all-star performers from the Washington, D.C. area.

Additional highlights of the festival include Henry Rollins in HE NEVER DIED, the Sundance hit “creature feature” THE HALLOW, the bloody and crazy NINA FOREVER, the best horror anthology of the year GERMAN ANGST, the award winning CRUSH THE SKULL, the unnervingly brilliant THE INVITATION, and the North American premiere of the horror comedy NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEB.

Tickets are sold exclusively by the AFI Silver Theatre at the box office and online at AFI.com/Silver or through www.spookyfest.com.

Founded in 2006, the Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival is Washington, D.C's only genre-based film festival. Recognized as one of D.C.'s premiere festival events, as well as "the world's premiere horror film festival" (BadLit.com; Fangoria Magazine), Spooky Fest works closely with our partners to offer year round screenings of feature and short films, in addition to our signature festival event every October.

All Fest Pass

The Spooky Movie All Fest Pass grants the bearer access to all screenings in the 2015 Spooky Movie Film Festival.  All Fest Passes can be purchased at AFI Silver online for just $80 (a savings of $136). After purchase, passes can be picked up at AFI Silver Theatre beginning Oct.8.

Additional information on the Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival can be found at www.spookyfest.com.

Spooky Movie 2015 – Full Schedule

Thursday, October 8 - Opening Night

7:30 p.m.

The Final Girls

Max Cartwright (Taissa Farmiga), a high school senior, is mysteriously transported with her friends into a 1980s horror film that starred Max's mother, Amanda (Malin Akerman), a celebrated scream queen. Trapped inside the movie, Max finds herself reunited with her mom, who she lost in real life. Together with Max's friends, they must fend off the camp counselors' raging hormones, battle a deranged machete-wielding killer, and find a way to escape the movie and make it back home. For everyone who loved Tucker and Dale! "Genre enthusiasts will get a kick out of Todd Strauss-Schulson's creative homage to classic slasher movies, which respects familiar horror conventions while introducing a sly contemporary perspective." – Hollywood Reporter.

DIR Todd Strauss-Schulson; SCR M.A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller. US, 2015, color, 88 min. RATED PG-13

Preceded by:

Knock Knock… On a dark, stormy night, a brave little boy decides to find out who is knocking on his door... his closet door, that is.  DIR Anthony Lund. US, 2015, 3 min.

And

Mr. Dentonn On a cold winter night, Laura reads his brother David the story of a strange creature that attacks children  DIR Ivan Villamel Sanchez. Spain, 2014, 9 min.

9:45 p.m.

North American Premiere

Night of the Living Deb

Deb Clarington is a hardworking 30-year-old gal, not a stickler for hygiene and holding a terrible track record with men. That all changes when she wakes up on the Fourth of July in the apartment of the most attractive man she’s ever seen. An awkward walk of shame turns even uglier when they discover that most of the town has contracted a zombie virus overnight. In their fight for survival, they are forced back into each other’s arms! “There are some films that, upon viewing, you just can’t help but fall in love with…the most fun I’ve have with a zombie comedy since the first time I watched ‘Shaun of the Dead.’ 5 Stars!” – Nerdly.com

DIR/SCR Kyle Rankin. US, 2015, color, 85 min. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

Copycat In the summer of 1990, a teenage filmmaker successfully raises $100,000 to shoot a pioneering horror film. Twenty-five years later, he tells the story of a cult classic that never was.

DIR Charlie Lyne. US, 2014, 8 min.

Friday, October 9

7:30 p.m.

Crush the Skull

Winner of the Nightfall Award at this year's Los Angeles Film Festival, Viet Nguyen's debut feature shows an adept, comic blend of old fashion slasher movie and home invasion flick themes, with a nice slather of slapstick. Two robbers (Katie Savoy and co-writer Chris Dinh), on their "last" job, end up involved in a caper beyond their limited misfit resources. Toss in a serial killer, a nasty gangster or two, a deserted estate (or is it?), the requisite gore, and a few nice twists, and you have a nice genre b(l)ending effort. "A wildly original and completely hilarious film, on par with TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL and SHAUN OF THE DEAD." — Icons of Fright

DIR Viet Nguyen; SCR Chris Dinh, Viet Nguyen; PROD Aya Tanimura, Jimmy Tsai. US, 2015, color, 83 min. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

A Way Out For aging gangster Vic, a ride with his upstart protégé becomes a twisted game of cat and mouse when both killers discover the other has been keeping a deadly secret.

DIR Jason Tostevin. US, 2015, 14 min.

9:30 p.m.

Nina Forever

The Blaine Brothers, known for their award winning short films and sketches, have crafted a breakthrough debut feature which gives new meaning to the phrase "sexually aroused." What begins as a roll in the hay between wannabe paramedic Holly (Abigail Hardingham) and the depressed Rob (Cian Barry), a lost and angry soul since the death of his girlfriend Nina, evolves into an emotionally-driven bloody ménage-a-trois with a crazy WTF attitude. "… smart, sobering … darkly erotic … memorably disturbing moments of visceral creepiness." — The Horror Show

DIR/SCR The Blaine Brothers (Ben Blaine, Chris Blaine); PROD Cassandra Sigsgaard. UK, 2015, color, 98 min. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

Glasshole In early 2015 Google announced it would be canceling its Google Glass wearable device, but did the true reason behind the products failure have more sinister undertones? This short horror comedy asks what REALLY killed Google Glass and addresses the potential supernatural dangers of wearable tech.

DIR Jonathan Brooks. UK, 2015, 4 min.

Saturday, October 10

4:30 pm

The Invitation

Director Karyn Kusama trades in the demonic blood-splatter of JENNIFER'S BODY for a singularly creepy and uneasy night's tale centering on a tension-filled reunion between Will (Logan Marshall-Green) and his ex-wife Eden (Tammy Blanchard), at the Hollywood Hills home she shares with her new husband. The tragedy that split them apart is just the starting point for an insidious agenda that wreaks havoc on the guests. Prepare to have your nerves rattled. "The trip is compelling from frame one and proceeds with unerring unease right down to its perfectly judged, powerfully suggestive final shot." — Fangoria

DIR Karyn Kusama; SCR Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi; PROD Martha Griffin, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Nick Spicer. US, 2015, color, 97 min. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

The Witching Hour When the clock strikes midnight... The Witching Hour begins.

DIR Carl Firth. Australia, 2015, 9 min.

7:00 p.m.

He Never Died

DC area native son Henry Rollins gives a career-topping performance here as Jack, a loner haunted by a violent past. Insulated from society, his refrigerator may be bare, but there's a hunger burning in him for a nice chunk of human meat. There's nothing like a grumpy cannibal served on wry to brighten up your day. This darkly comic effort from writer-director Jason Krawczyk is a well-polished, blood-soaked gem, blending a crime noir design, some fine on- and off-screen gore-feasting moments, and an unexpected family reunion. "Krawczyk has unquestionably struck the jackpot…an inspired, gruesome, violently funny and, at times, truly touching take on the subgenre." — Scream

DIR/SCR Jason Krawczyk; PROD Zach Hagen, Adrienne Stern. US/Canada, 2015, color, 97 min. RATED R

Preceded by:

Night of the Slasher A 'shot-in-one-take' slasher film about a teenage girl who must commit horror movie sins by drinking alcohol, doing drugs, and having sex in order to lure a masked killer and defeat him.

DIR Shant Hamassian. US, 2015, 11 min.

9:30 pm

The Hallow

A sensation from this year’s Sundance film festival: deep within the darkness of secluded forest land in rural Ireland dwells an ancient evil. Feared by the nearby superstitious villagers as cursed creatures who prey upon the lost, their secrets have been kept from civilization and remain on their hallowed ground. But when a conservationist from London moves in with his wife and infant child in order to survey the land for future construction, his actions unwittingly disturb the horde of demonic forces. Alone in a remote wilderness, he must now ensure his family’s survival from their relentless attacks. “Visual artist Corin Hardy's arresting first film is an unabashed creature feature!” – Variety

DIR/SRC Corin Hardy.US, 2015, color, 97 min.

Preceded by:

In Extremis is a short in the mold of classic British horror films of the 1960s and 70s. A night watchman is sent to guard the cellar of a museum by its mysterious curator. But once alone in these vaults he starts to hear something... 

DIR Gregory Crosbie. UK, 2015, 14 min.

Sunday, October 11

4:00 pm

Spooky Shorts Block 1

·               Knob Goblins - On his last day of being institutionalized, a young man is allowed to return to his childhood home in hopes of proving that there's no such thing as a demonic creature that bites your penis off. From Spooky Movie alum Christopher Moore. DIR Christopher G. Moore. US, 2015, 11 min.

·               Point of View - A tired coroner is stalked by the living dead - but only when she isn't looking! DIR Justin Harding. Canada, 2015, 8 min.

·               Lifeline -  When an enigmatic traveler with an unusual lifeline pays a visit to Madame Golorio's psychic parlor, the ailing palm reader is compelled to take the future into her own hands. DIR Jeffery Wang. US, 2015, 18 min.

·               Shi - An ordinary day starts horribly for the character when he receives some bad news. It changes his life right away. Everything would go wrong from that moment on. DIR Pablo Absento. Japan, 2015, 8 min.

·               Medium Rare -  A paranoid woman who has traumatic childhood experience, meets her sister, the source of her misery, which causes a brutal family murder. DIR Xuanyi Solax Zhu. US, 2015, 6 min.

·               Don't Let Them In - Dan Metzger, a struggling author, consumed with the urban legend of the Black Eyed Kids, fears his obsession has led their evil to his door. DIR David Lawrence. US, 2015, 13 min.

·               Son - A sheltered kid cons his way into a sick day. Left alone for the first time, he stumbles upon a sinister family secret. DIR Judd Myers. US, 2014, 14 min.

·               Demon Garden - An ambitious gangster calls upon supernatural forces to advance his career. But in the Demon Garden nothing is what it seems. DIR Michael Granberry. US, 2015, 12 min.

6:00 pm

Spooky Shorts Block 2

·               Hipster Cannibal - Some cannibals have discerning tastes. DIR C.J. Arellano. US, 2015, 4 min.

·               The Peripheral - When a patient, Kenny, shows up at her home unexpectedly, Dr. Joanna Redding attempts to help him overcome his 'irrational' phobia of the creatures that he sees in his peripheral vision. From J.T. Seaton, who first blew us away in 2009 with his wonderful feature GEORGE'S INTERVENTION. DIR J.T. Seaton. US, 2015, 11 min.

·               Bump in the Night -  The story of the boy who cried wolf meets invasion of the body snatchers. DIR Maru Buendia-Senties. US, 2015, 3min.

·               Pyramids Hostel - A group of Egyptian and French tourists is stopping by a hostel. Although the host is present, the place seems inhabited. In his walls, he's hiding a terrible secret. When the night comes, the houses rises. The nightmare can finally start... DIR Thierry Iledo. Egypt, 2015, 19 min.

·               The Blue Rhino vs. The Dragonfish – We’ve lost track on the number of films Adam Bradley has had in the festival since the first fest in 2006. You would think we would have learned our lesson. DIR Adam Bradley. US, 2015, 3 min.

·               The Watcher - A troubled young man searches for peace of mind as a naked, armed, masked man searches for him. DIR Nicholas Bartlett. US, 2015, 27 min.

·               Telephone - Lucy gives her eight-year-old daughter Dani a toy telephone made from two tin cans and a string. However, when they move into a new house and Dani goes missing, a much more sinister voice begins to echo out of the telephone. DIR Nathan Hoffman. US, 2015, 9 min.

·               What’s Eating Dad? - When Chloe meets her boyfriend's parents for the first time, what's really for dinner is something she never imagined. In the vein of 'Meet the Parents' meets 'Shaun of the Dead,' DIR Michael Goldburg. US, 2015, 11 min.

·               El Aura Azul - A strange day at the pool in the mountains of Medellin, Colombia turns horrifying when something unexpected follows Sasha home. DIR Andy Harbeck. US, 2015, 8 min.

8:00 pm

Bite

The film so shocking, ambulances and paramedics were called during its world premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival this summer! While on her bachelorette party getaway, Casey, the bride to be, gets a seemingly harmless bite from an unknown insect. After returning home with cold feet, Casey tries to call off her wedding but before she’s able to, she starts exhibiting insect-like traits. Between her physical transformation and her wedding anxiety, Casey succumbs to her new instincts and begins creating a hive that not only houses her translucent eggs, but feeds on the flesh of others. As her transformation becomes complete, Casey discovers that everything can change in a single bite. “Fun, gory visuals and an increasingly affecting lead performance leave us craving more!” – Film School Rejects

DIR/SCR Chad Archibald; Canada, 2015, color, 90 min. NOT RATED - NO ONE UNDER 17 WILL BE ADMITTED.

Preceded by:

Neighbors - Hidden within the closed doors of a normal apartment building is a horrific secret. DIR Brandon Boudreaux. US, 2015, 11 min. and

The Head Collector - Those who sin must be saved from their sins. DIR Joseph D'Urso. US, 2015, 18 min

Monday, October 12

7:10 p.m.

Valley of the Sasquatch

After losing their home following a devastating tragedy, a father (Jason Vail) and son (Michael Joris-Peyrafitte) are forced to move to an old family cabin out in the woods. Their fractured relationship is complicated when two old friends arrive for a weekend of hunting. This trip into the forest will unearth not only buried feelings of guilt and betrayal, but also a tribe of Sasquatch that are determined to protect their land. John Portanova's feature directorial debut sports a great indie cast (including Bill Oberst, Jr.!), excellent Bigfoot action, and horrors from all directions. "… a riveting, top-notch creature feature that hits the bull's-eye in nearly every category." — Horror Society

DIR/SCR John Portanova; PROD Matt Medisch, Brent Stiefel. US, 2015, color, 92 min. NOT RATED

Tuesday, October 13

7:10 p.m.

Luciferous

Post Screening Q&A with filmmakers Mahsa Ghorbankarimi, Alexander Gorelick

Picture

For a while, everything's fine for Mahsa and Alexander, young working parents living with their 7-year-old daughter, Mina, in a high rise apartment. Snippets of their lives whiz by. But their normal-looking veneer peels away, slowly, then violently. An unexplained house guest arrives, accompanied by ghostly, ominous events. What exhausting nightmares are lurking in the darkness and disrupting this family's crumbling sanity? This slow boil scream fest features an actual family—Mahsa and Alexander (yes, Mina's their daughter) put this whole thing together: producing, directing, writing, editing. Home grown invasive horror with more than a few unsettling didn't-see-that-coming surprises.

DIR/SCR/PROD Mahsa Ghorbankarimi, Alexander Gorelick. Canada, 2015, color, 89 min. NOT RATED

Wednesday, October 14

7:10 p.m.

Killer Rack

Post screening Q&A with Gregory Lamberson and Paul McGinnis

Blaming her physique for her unhappiness, Betty Downer (Jessica Zwolak) seeks breast enhancement surgery from Dr. Cate Thulu (Debbie Rochon). The operation is a success, but the patient discovers her new assets are man-eating monsters hell bent on global domination - and only she can stop them. So, direct from Buffalo, New York comes this screwball romp! Chock full of nuts and lunatics and a special appearance by Troma Entertainment's Lloyd Kaufman (just in case you couldn't figure out the film's Z-movie attitude).

DIR Gregory Lamberson; SCR Paul McGinnis; PROD Rod Durick, Michael Gesel, Gregory Lamberson, John Maclay, Marc Makowski, Paul McGinnis. US, 2015, color, 98 min. NOT RATED - NO ONE UNDER 17 WILL BE ADMITTED

Thursday, October 15

7:10 p.m.

Circus of the Dead

Bill Oberst, Jr.'s Papa Corn is one of the most sadistic clowns you'll ever see on the big screen. When his circus comes to a small West Texas town, poor Donald Johnson (Parrish Randall) finds his family under attack from Papa and his gang of nihilistic clowns. From Spooky Fest alum Billy Pon (DOLL BOY, MISTER FISTER), CIRCUS OF THE DEAD does for clowns what JAWS did for sharks. You'll never walk into the big top (without adequate protection) again! "(Director Billy) Pon has gifted genre fans with a masterfully crafted exemplary work of independent horror cinema, successfully gaping open that fine line between morality and the basest animalistic instinct inside each of us." — Fangoria

DIR Billy Pon; SCR Lee Ankrum, Billy Pon; PROD Aaron Ray Ballard, Melissa Land. US, 2014, color, 105 min. NOT RATED

Friday, October 16

7:10 p.m.

They Look Like People

Winner of a slew of awards at Slamdance and other fests, here's a genre-bending psychological tale of love, loyalty, and living nightmares. Suspecting that those around him are actually malevolent shape-shifters, Wyatt (MacLeod Andrews) flees to New York City to seek out his estranged childhood friend Christian (Evan Dumouchel). As the mysterious horrors close in on Wyatt, he questions whether to protect his only friend from an impending war, or from himself. An incredibly well scripted and directed first feature from Perry Blackshear, who also co-produced, edited, and shot it. "It boggles my mind that the slight movement of someone’s jaw, a bottle of sulfuric acid and a nail gun combine for the most terrifying film I’ve seen this decade." — Slug Magazine

DIR/SCR Perry Blackshear; PROD Kimberly Parker, Perry Blackshear. US, 2015, color, 80 min. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

Invaders A pair of home invaders consider their potential character choices just prior to their planned invasion.

DIR Jason Kupfer. US, 2015, 6 min

.

9:00 p.m.

German Angst

Introduced by producer Eli Savada

Partnering with Jörg Buttgereit (NEKROMANTIK) and Andreas Marschall, Spooky Movie alum Michal Kosakowski (ZERO KILLED, from the 2012 Fest) is back with a disturbing collection of three tales of love, sex, and death in Berlin. A calculated slashing is the centerpiece of FINAL GIRL, about a young girl victimized by years of abuse. MAKE A WISH explores xenophobia via torture-laden role reversals between victim and perpetrator. ALRAUNE harkens back to the early days of German expressionism, showcasing a too-adventurous photographer caught up in erotic nightmare over-stimulated by the pleasure-inducing mandrake root. Fresh of its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest."A striking horror statement that proves that Germany horror is alive and kicking." — Horror Movie Diary

DIR Jörg Buttgereit, Michal Kosakowski, Andreas Marschall; SCR Jörg Buttgereit, Goran Mimica, Andreas Marschall; PROD Michal Kosakowski. Germany, 2015, color, 112 min. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

Iris A hitman uses his smart phone to aid in burying a dead body. DIR Richard Karpala. UK, 2015, 10 min.

Saturday, October 17 - Closing Night

Peaches Christ presents the 40th Anniversary Screening of

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Underground drag performer, emcee, filmmaker, and actor, Peaches Christ (who was last seen at the AFI Silver with her wonderful horror comedy, ALL ABOUT EVIL) returns to the AFI Silver Theatre to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary cult musical THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with two very different shows that will close out the 10th annual Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival.

9:00 pm – TRHPS with special Peach Christ produced pre-show.

Midnight – TRHPS with DC All Star Shadowcast, introduced by Peaches Christ.

Recently engaged Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) stumble upon a castle in the middle of the night that is definitely not a hunting lodge for “rich weirdos.” A jump to the left and a step to the right later, and before they know it Brad and Janet find themselves as guests of Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry). The sweetest of sweet transvestites, Frank N. Furter does his best to make them shiver with anticipation at what he has in store for everyone at the Annual Transylvanian Convention. A satirical tribute to classic science fiction and horror B movies, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is the longest-running theatrical release in film history. Starring Curry, Sarandon, Bostwick, Meatloaf, Patricia Quinn, “Little” Nell Campbell, and filmmaker Richard O’Brien, ROCKY HORROR has become more than just a movie. For generations of fans young and old, the weekly experience has been a beacon and a touchstone, and for many, a way of life.

Expect two completely different screenings! The first will include a hysterical and passionate pre-show filled with songs and surprises, and a second will include a once-in-a-lifetime “shadowcast” performed by all-star performers from the Washington, D.C. area. Come for one, or come for both! Virgins are always welcome!

DIR/SCR Jim Sharman; SCR Jim Sharman, Richard O'Brien. UK/US, 1975, color, 100 min. RATED R