2009
Festival Shorts
ADULT
SHORTS: PROGRAM ONE
Featuring shorts from around the world, and from our
own backyard!
AT BUOYANCY
EXPERIMENTAL, US, 2008, 3:44 MINUTES
Director: Sara McKenna
LOCAL LINK!
An eerily contemplative and experimental work.
Sara McKenna is a MFA Student at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY.
World Premiere!
GILLES
NARRATIVE, CANADA, 2008, 13:28 MINUTES
Director/Co-Writer: Constant Mentzas
Production Designer: Valerie-Jeanne Mathieu
A dying elderly mother tries to encourage her mentally challenged grown son to
move in with others who can help him survive after she is gone. When he cannot
handle the transition, she sees she has but one choice.
Constant Mentzas is a producer/director who has produced six short films and
directed two: ASPIRATION and SUSPENDED SENTENCE. Both films played in over 30
festivals worldwide, ASPIRATION won best short film at the Toronto
International Film festival.
After her studies in film production at Concordia University, Valérie-Jeanne
Mathieu started immediately to work as a production designer. She has worked on
numerous well-received video clips, advertisements and short films as well as
feature films.
World Premiere!
HABITS
EXPERIMENTAL, US, 2008, 2:47 MINUTES
Director: Hyejin Kwon
Anxiety, compulsion and obsession are at the core of this experimental
exploration of people's habitual behaviors and fantasies.
THE MESOPOTAMIANS
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 3:06 MINUTES
Director: David Cowles
Animated by: Chris Timmons
Produced by: They Might Be Giants
LOCAL LINK!
Commissioned by the band They Might Be Giants, this intensely creative
animation is based on TMBG's memories of the Mesopotamian kings they had
learned about in their youth, which they formed into an imaginary rock band!
The style is meant to be reminiscent of Mad Magazine in the 60's and 70's; the
tone smacks of a healthy dose of The Monkees and a HARD DAYS NIGHT.
David Cowles was born on November 3, 1961 in Rochester, NY. He has worked for
25 years as an illustrator (for such publications as Entertainment Weekly) and
began animating in 2000. He's worked on videos for Playhouse Disney and They
Might Be Giants.
New York State Premiere!
THE OTHER
NARRATIVE, US, 2008, 4:15 MINUTES
Director/Writer: Dwight Craver
Producer: Katie DeTar Craver
LOCAL LINK!
A young, eccentric art collector is pursued by his own reflection- a likeness
that has a mind and scheme of its own.
Dwight Craver is a Brooklyn-based writer/director originally from the Rochester
area. THE OTHER is Dwight's independent short film debut. Katie DeTar Craver is
originally from the Rochester area and now resides in Brooklyn, NY. Katie is a
writer and television host making her film producing debut with The OTHER.
New York State Premiere!
PENANCE
NARRATIVE, US, 2008, 20:00 MINUTES
Director/Co-Producer: Ryan Gould
Production Designer: Kat Sweeney
LOCAL LINK!
A story about a middle-aged, reclusive widower/owner of lawn company who's
second chance at life turns tragic when he over exerts control in the budding
relationship with his Autistic employee.
Kat Sweeney, a Rochester native, has been in the film industry for 25 years,
first on the production end of things but her love of design eventually tugged
her into the art department. And she is very proud to call many years working
with this festival one of her best gigs ever!
New York State Premiere!
TEMPORARY SERVICES
Animation, 2008, US, 3:40 MINUTES
Director/Writer/Voice Talent: Dina Noto
A portrait of a life in static hold, and the eruption of memory that overflows
into daily life. The protagonist is caught in a world of artificial
preservation, where conception happens in sterilized containers and potential
life is stored in deep freeze. The heart is held fast and tight in order to
navigate the day, but the fragments of longing still quietly surface.
Rochester native Dina Noto studied drawing and painting at the School of Art
and Design at Alfred University, receiving her BFA in 2000, and in 2008 she
graduated from the Experimental Animation MFA program at the California
Institute of the Arts. She currently lives in Los Angeles and her films can be
found online at www.dinanoto.com.
New York State Premiere!
UH-OH
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 4:36 MINUTES
Director: George Fearns
A little girl loses her princess status when her brother is born… and is
willing to do anything to gain it back again.
WAITING FOR YVETTE
NARRATIVE, US, 2007, 14 MINUTES
Director: Justin Ross Producer: Deborah Pearl
A heartfelt comedy about friendship, denial and finding the deeper truth of
ourselves. Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me) stars as a pre-op transsexual,
attending her final session of the 'Gay Men's Stag Tuesday Night A.A. Meeting'
prior to her operation, and who just might be having second and third thoughts
about parting with her… parts.
World Premiere!
WILL YOU BE HOME TONIGHT?
NARRATIVE, CANADA, 2008, 26 MINUTES
Director/Writer: Genevieve Albert
Producer: Nancy Grant
Susan has endured solitary life for a long time. Now approaching her fifties,
she hopes to find love once again, but her withering body and soul do not
easily allow that. However, she seems to have found her own way to solve the
problem...a solution that worries her daughter.
ADULT
SHORTS: PROGRAM TWO
Featuring
shorts from around the world, and with ties to home!
Upstate
Premiere!
7 DAYS A WEEK
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 2 MINUTES
Directors: David Cowles, Sean McBride
Animated by Sean McBride, Steve Conner, Andy Kennedy, Phil Lockerby, Joe
Mollitor, Max Porter, Adam Sacks, Chris Siemasko, Chris Timmons
Designed by David Cowles, Jen May, Aram Song, Teejay Wallace
Produced by: They Might Be Giants
LOCAL LINK!
They Might Be Giants, when commissioning this work, requested a collage look to
avoid the standard suburban kid's cartoon setting. David Cowles said he shot
several expressions from of his niece's son, his dog, put them on suited bodies
and then, with Sean McBride, tried to come up with as many fun things for them
to do that didn't involve work. While there was some initial concern that it
was encouraging kids not to work, it was pointed out that it's a kid's job not
to work, and the Child Labor Laws are still very much in place!
See David Cowles bio under THE MESOPOTAMIANS, Program One.
New York State Premiere!
ART IN DARKNESS
DOCUMENTARY, 2008, Canada/US, 13:23 MINUTES
Director: Naomi Wise
LOCAL LINK!
Art in Darkness reveals the world of visual art for the blind. This short
documentary follows three blind individuals on a descriptive art tour at the
world- renowned Albright-Knox Gallery. Through verbal, tactile and other
instructional techniques, art comes alive for these three patrons, and we
discover how they are able to 'see' a painting.
Naomi Wise is an award-winning director/cinematographer – her work includes
dramas, documentaries and documentary TV series, and has appeared on Discovery,
the W Network, TLC, CBC, TVO, Oxygen and the Life Channel. She is presently
teaching at York University.
Upstate Premiere!
FEET
DOCUMENTARY, US, 2008, 12:55 MINUTES
Director: Natalie Milbrodt
Co-producer/Editor: Charlene Dwyer
Meet several people with little in common besides an unusual interest in feet.
A shoe fetishist, a reflexology expert, a podophobic, a yoga instructor, a
cultural historian, a pedicurist and a neuro-psychologist, join with others in
a lively conversation about the very bottom of our bodies.
Natalie Milbrodt is a writer and filmmaker living in New York City. She works
on a wide range of projects including stage plays, documentaries and narrative
feature films. To learn more about Natalie and her work, please visit
www.nataliemilbrodt.com.
World premiere!
FIREHOUSE
EXPERIMENTAL, US, 2008, 5:30 MINUTES
Director: Margot Starr Kernan Composer: Allen Shawn
Light and water as they play in and around an ancient Vermont firehouse. A
memorial for a Buddhist daughter.
Margot Starr Kernan has been making video films since 1984. Selected
Exhibitions include: Museum of Modern Art, NYC; National Gallery of Art, DC; Museum
of Modern Art, Barcelona. Her work has also been shown on Australian
Television.
Upstate Premiere!
THE GLITCH
Director: Joe Fordham
Starring: Scott Charles
LOCAL LINK!
Harry Owen (Scott Charles), a heavily-fatigued man who aspires to better
living, has once again fallen asleep on his sofa and woken up at 3 a.m. A
painful headache sends Harry stumbling to his bathroom where he is unsettled to
see his cooler, hipper alter ego viewing him critically from the mirror. Harry
#2 attempts to calm Harry's nerves and tries to prevent the evening from
escalating into a nightmare beyond their control.
Joe Fordham was born in England and has been a filmmaker since 1980; his short
BOARD GAME won a BBC Award and landed him a gig at Channel Four TV in London.
After a move to LA, Fordham spent 10 years in visual effect, creature effects
and post-production on such films as TERMINATOR 2, MEN IN BLACK, VIRUS and two
SPECIES films. He is currently a writer and associate editor at Cinefex
Magazine. THE GLITCH is his first HD short; he now lives in Burbank with a
psychotic dog.
Scott Charles Blamphin, originally from Caledonia, NY, started his acting
career showing off for the hundreds of little girls who attended his mother's
school of gymnastics, Bonnie's Gym. After many school and church plays and
choruses, he traveled with the internationally-renowned group "Up With
People" as a principle singer. Film credits include parts in THE SIEGE,
THE CRADLE WILL ROCK, a principle role in the 2003 blockbuster BAD BOYS 2, a
featured role in SHUT UP AND KISS ME! and the lead role in a TV pilot called
"E-Venture Kids." Since moving to Los Angeles, Scott has found new
success in commercials, most notably as the "backseat guy" in a very
popular Avis/SM Radio spot, a soon to be released Miller Lite
"Commish" ad, and on stage as the lead in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to
rave reviews. More information at www.scottcharles.com
Rochester Premiere!
IO PARLO!
NARRATIVE, ITALY, 2008, 13 minutes
Director: Marco Gianfreda Casting Director: Cristina Raffaeli
Twelve-year-old Bruno would like to be friends with his sister's handsome and
athletic boyfriend Luca, but is constantly ignored. When Bruno catches Luca
chatting up another girl, he realizes his big chance to finally be seen and
heard.
Marco Gianfreda, a Theoretical Philosophy major from Rome, has been a writer
for many years. His first short TANA LIBERA TUTTI won over 40 awards at
international festivals. IO PARLO! is his directorial debut.
Cristina Raffaeli has worked on many feature films including ANCHE LIBERO VA
BENE directed by Kim Rossi Stuart, DON'T THINK ABOUT directed by Gianni Zanasi,
and MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA, directed by Spike Lee.
New York State Premiere!
JULIE, JULIE
NARRATIVE, US, 2008, 21 MINUTES
Director/Producer: Liam Creighton
Producer: Courtney Hopf
LOCAL LINK!
You've heard the adage: they just don't speak the same language. Charles and
Julie Tannen are about to find out what happens when this metaphor is made
literal. Born in the UK, Liam Creighton has lived on both coasts of the USA, in
Israel, and is currently resident in France. He holds a BA in Film Studies from
the University of Kent in the UK, and has produced, shot and edited
documentary, corporate and training videos on both sides of the Atlantic.
JULIE, JULIE is his first serious foray into writing and directing fiction.
A Geneseo, New York native, Courtney is currently living and teaching in
Bordeaux, France. JULIE, JULIE is her first trip into the wilds of independent
film production, but certainly not her last. When not dreaming up new projects
with her husband and filmmaking partner Liam Creighton, Courtney is a doctoral
student studying literature at the University of California, Davis.
LUCKY NUMBERS
Narrative, UK, 2008, 12 minutes
Directed/Produced by; Garrick Hamm, Pete Seaward
Some people hear voices.
Some see the dead.
Derrick counts numbers and today's his Lucky day.
Garrick Hamm is Creative Partner at award-winning London-based design
consultancy Williams Murray Hamm. After writing for years on his lunch hour, he
took a film course at Raindance, hooked up with photographer Pete Seaward, and
decided to start making films. LUCKY NUMBERS is his debut short film.
World Premiere!
WE ARE ONE
EXPERIMENTAL, US, 2008, 5 MINUTES
Director: Drew Larman
Editor: John David Vincent
LOCAL LINK!
A fluid journey through the vibrant streets of NYC where it becomes clear that,
despite all our differences, we are at heart all the same.
Drew Larman was born in Buffalo and is in his fourth season of playing hockey
with the Rochester Amerks. He has collected 34 goals and 31 assists and notched
22 points (10+12) and 44 PIM while with the team. He was elected team captain
on the road and will serve as an alternate at home. Drew is the recipient of
the 2008 Amerks' McCulloch Community Service Trophy; in 2003-04, he was awarded
a Humanitarian Award.
Children's
Shorts From Around the World
FROM
OUR OWN BACKYARD... TO AROUND THE WORLD!
with an introduction and book reading by LESLEY STAHL
THE BALLAD OF DAVY CROCKETT (IN OUTER SPACE)
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 3 MINUTES
Directors: David Cowles, Max Porter, Ru Kuwahata
Animators: Tiny Inventions (Max Porter, Ru Kuwahata)
Music: They Might Be Giants
Local Link!
Davy Crockett comes alive on a classroom chalkboard, and zooms around the
universe to the music of They Might Be Giants.
CAMP BEAN: ALL THINGS WOODSY
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 6:11 MINUTES
Director: Michelle Banta Tessier
Experienced campers help a new friend learn about life in the woods.
COCKABOODY
ANIMATION, US, 1974
Directors: John and Faith Hubley
Pioneering animators John Hubley (1914–1977) and wife Faith Hubley (1924–2001;
RHFIFF '01)) were known for their experimental styles and tendency to evoke
genuine human emotions. The Hubleys frequently cast their own children as voice
actors for their films, as in this delightful short featuring two of their
daughters, one of whom -- Emily Hubley (RHFIFF '06) -- became a celebrated
animator and filmmaker herself.
FOR A FISTFUL OF SNOW
ANIMATION, SWITZERLAND, 2008, 5:42 MINUTES
Director: Julien Ezri
Two crazed snowmen don't realize until it's too late that a snowball fight can
lead to dire consequences.
FREEDOM SCHOOL PS 01
MUSIC VIDEO, US, 2008, 4:00 MINUTES
Director: Timothy M. Brown
Producer: Michelle Cardulla
Local Link!
Thirty children at the new Freedom School in Rochester, NY produced a music
video of a 1974 Stevie Wonder song called "You Haven't Done Nothin'"
The lyrics of the song address a population feeling left out and forgotten, the
feelings these students often express.
I CAN ADD
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 2:12 MINUTES
Directors: David Cowles, Adam Sacks
Animators: Adam Sacks, Joe Apel, Pedro Delgado, Nelson Diaz, Jeff Fletcher, Aya
Fukuda, Casey Leonard, Jonathan Renoni, Thomas Sebastian Smolenski, Joe Stucky,
Joe Quinones Local Link!
With the help of a dancing chipmunk, kids learn adding and Spanish while having
fun.
LOCKAPALOOZA RODEO
CLAYMATION, US, 2007
Director: Ben Doran
Local Link!
The adventures of a young boy who, after being teased by his brother for being
a "wuss," decides he's going to challenge himself. Along the way he
meets kayaking kind Steve Fisher, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Made by local 12-year-old filmmaker Ben Doran, who taught himself the art of stop
motion at age 9, and has been making films ever since!
ROCHESTER ROOTS: LET'S DIG IN
DOCUMENTARY, US, 2008, 9 MINUTES
Directors/Writers: Dave Puls, Jan McDonald
Producer: Jan McDonald
Local Link!
Enjoy a playful romp through the community gardens of Rochester Roots as told
and animated by students. An exciting look at one of Rochester's finest
educational programs for kids.
WOMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR CHANGE
ANIMATION, US, 2008, 4 MINUTES
Local Link!
In the summer of 2008, the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival
partnered with the City of Rochester's Recreation Bureau to co-produce an
Animation Workshop for Youth. Working with long-time collaborators Animatus
Studio, nine teens were taught to create a short animated piece about three famous
women who fought for change: Sojourner Truth, Joan Baez and Helen Keller.
Teen animators: Brendan Elam, Mercedes McCutchen, Jalesa Osborne, Jasmine
Osborne, Destiny Parkes, Dante Poyser, Dymani Poyser, Brian Pride, Queen Swank.
LOST AND FOUND
ANIMATION, UNITED KINGDOM, 2008, 27 MINUTES
Adapted and directed by Philip Hunt
Inspired by the best-selling book by Oliver Jeffers
Narrated by Jim Broadbent
One day a boy finds a penguin on his doorstep. Deciding it must be lost, the
boy decides to take it home, even if that means rowing all the way to the South
Pole! Brilliant in its simplicity and artistic beauty, this is a must-see not
only for kids but for adults as well.
WOMEN
OF SoFA!
The
School of Film and Animation's curriculum, developed by our faculty, students
and successful alumni, is rooted in a shared passion for filmmaking. For over
thirty years, we have been preparing writers, producers, directors, animators,
riggers, colorists, cinematographers and other creative specialists for
successful careers in the feature film, network/regional television,
independent film and non-broadcast industries.
Students of SOFA are encouraged to develop their own personal vision and
independent work while they hone the skills needed to fulfill any creative or
technical role in a variety of media-related professions. We are a creative
community where students discover their unique potential, explore their
talents, experiment with ideas, and express their message to the world.
Faculty Jury for Women of SOFA:
Stephanie Maxwell
Nancy Ghertner
Stephanie Benvenuto
Malcolm Spaull
Paradigmatic Integration
By Melissa Fuss
(3:00, 2009)
An experimental visualization that combines alternative perspectives.
Jamie and Andy
By Noelle Brandmier
(1:59, 2009)
Two boys sitting on a couch, just talking -- you'd be surprised at the story
power behind a simple conversation.
Time Will Tell
By Surbhi Dewan
(14:25, 2008)
When we leave our home, we tread into the unknown. What happens after, only
time will tell. This work is an experimental documentary with creative
contributions by SoFA students Vanessa Ward (cinematography) and Gayane Bagdasaryan
(animation).
Wish
By Mei-Yu Chen
(4:52, 2009)
A photo on a postcard inspires the creative imagination of some creatures in a
small town.
All About Me(l)
By Melisande Fritzche
(3:10, 2009)
"All About Me(l) is an abstract visual journey through a traumatic event
that occurred in my life two years ago."
A Bond for Life
By Kayla Gennrich
(22:00, 2009)
A story about the unique relationship that ensues between a kidney recipient
and the family of a deceased young man who decided to be an organ donor. The
relationship grows as they attend the U.S. Transplant Games together, an
Olympic-style event where transplant recipients compete in sports to
demonstrate their second chance at life, and where donor families are honored
for giving this precious gift.
Cucucachoo
By Molly Agnew
(5:14, 2009)
A hand-drawn, pencil-on-paper animation about a little girl trying to overcome
heredity.
Memory Collect
By Elizabeth Phillips
(14:05, 2009)
Memory Collect is an experimental documentary on the exploration of personal
mythology and our ties to memory. How do you judge the events that made you,
you?
The Lantern
By Ting Liu
(6:53, 2008)
The Lantern is an impressionistic computer animated work that reveals the
relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter, and a promise she has
made. This work is based on the filmmaker's own childhood memories of her
grandfather and the Chinese lanterns.
The Inbetweener
By Erica P. Hardy
(4:44, 2009)
The Inbetweener is an animated tale of a drawn-out evening.
The Piano
By Caicai Liu
(17:00, 2008)
The dream is always combined with a lot of things in Chinese culture.
This is a story of a Chinese girl and her mother. Music, love and oppression,
and kind of hard to explain by words...
It
By Melissa Tierney and Adam Du Shole
(2:48, 2009)
An imaginative young girl and her friend take a game of tag to new heights.
This work is a collaboration with RIT graduate student, Adam Dushole.
Young
Filmmakers Competition
An
exciting opportunity for young people in the greater Rochester region - urban
and suburban -- to share their ideas and visions with the community through the
medium of film, video and new media. Fourteen finalists from AMP'D PROGRAM/UR,
ANIMATUS ANIMATION WORKSHOP, BRIGHTON HS, CHARLOTTE HS, COMMUNITY PLACE, JOHN
MARSHALL HS, PITTSFORD BARKER ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, SCHOOL OF THE ARTS and
SPENCERPORT HS will compete for prizes including a day at RIT, a free Animation
Workshop at Animatus Studio, and other prizes.
YOUNG MEN SPEAK OUT ON FATHERHOOD
by Vonderick Knight, age 18
CHARLOTTE HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Maurice Haskins, Community Place
Interviews with young teenage men on their feelings about fatherhood.
WITHOUT A FATHER
by Atiah Anglin, age 16
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Teacher: Maurice Haskins, Community Place
THE MACHINE
by Khari Johnson, age 15
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Teachers: Jemeul Thompson, Maurice Haskins, Community Place
An exploration of political propaganda.
THE ABSENTS
by Remy McClary, age 15
SPENCERPORT HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Mr. Sheen
Suddenly one day...people go missing from school.
JOLLY GLOSS
by Jazmine Lidge, age 16
JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL
A :30 second spot for lip gloss.
IS THE CURFEW HELPING TO STOP VIOLENCE?
by Marvin Williams, age 17
JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Mrs. Barstow
90 SECONDS AFTERWARDS
by Kanard Gaines, age 18
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Teacher: Elisa Bond
A bank robbery goes south.
MOVING TIME
by Raina Spencer, age 17
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Teacher: Elisa Bond
A self-portrait.
DWS
by Elliott Powless, age 17
Amp'd Program at the University of Rochester
Teachers: Joanne Larson, Stephanie Webster, Burke Scarbrough
LOCKAPALOOZA RODEO
by Ben Doran, age 11
PITTSFORD BARKER ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Teacher: Green Team
A claymation about kayaking.
SURVIVOR OF CHILD ABUSE
by Farah St. Cloud, age 17
JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Mrs. Barstow
A look at surviving child abuse from an adult mom's perspective.
CLIQUES
by Thomas Macias, age 17
BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Richard Tschorke
A glimpse into the thoughts of BHS students about cliques.
STANDOFF
by Peter Fitts, age 16
BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Richard Tschorke
A detective tries to hold together a city after a new mob boss brings on chaos.
HOW THE WHEEL WAS INVENTED
by Adam Markajaru, age 15
THE ANIMATION WORKSHOP
Teacher: Mike Boas
Flappy Rabbit sees a brief vision of how the wheel came to be.
