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Iron Filmmaker

Location: Winchell Auditorium
Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Watch the entries for this year's Iron Filmmaker Contest! This event showcases short films created in 24 hours using the secret ingredients given at the Iron Filmmaker kick-off on Saturday, January 22nd.

Do you have what it takes to be a Filmmaker? Well, here is your chance to show off your filmmaking skills! This high energy, zany competition is open to everyone from industry veterans to video prodigies. The entire contest is free. Click here for more information about the contest!

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Cast Me If You Can
Tokyo, Japan, 2010
1h 37min

Location: Winchell Auditorium
Time: 3:45PM – 5:45PM

A perpetual supporting actor, living in the shadow of his famous playwright father, gets his break when cast in a Woody Allen remake, but a chance encounter with his muse turns his world upside down. A sweet, subtle romantic comedy for all generations.

Director: Atsushi Ogata

Past Screenings: Shanghai International Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, International Film Festival of India in Goa, Heartland Film Festival, Big Bear Lake Film Festival, Kawasaki Shinyuri Film Festival, Action On Film International Film Festival, Feel Good Film Festival, Friars Club Comedy Film Festival

Location: Winchell Auditorium
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Five years ago David’s (Lou Diamond Phillips) life came undone when his young daughter fell victim to a brutal attack. The subsequent emotional fallout cost him his marriage and his job. Handicapped by guilt and anguish David abandoned his past and alienated himself. He took a second-rate job as a security guard and plodded on – his wounds concealed but unhealed. All it would take is a scratch for them to open wide and consume him….

During a routine security inspection, David discovers a young Serbian girl stowed in the cab of a truck. Her sister and other girls have been murdered – all victims of an abhorrent human trafficking racket. She pleads for his help. This is his chance at redemption. Fighting his way through Russian Mob-run brothels and smashing apart this sexual slave trade with his fist and his gun, this time he will save the young girl that places her trust in him.

But David is taking on Goliath (Deborah Kara Unger) and he has his back against the wall and a gun at his head. Enlisting the help of a counselor at women’s shelter (Estella Warren), David embarks on a do-or-die mission to save the girl.

Director: Raul Inglis

Past Screenings: Dallas International Film Festival, Oldenburg International Film Festival

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Language of a Broken Heart
Dallas, TX
1h 38min

Location: Zemrak Theatre
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM

A best selling, neurotic love novelist re-tells the story of his failed relationships and all the women that left him, only to return home to the one person he ever left, his mother. At home, he meets a quirky antiquarian bookseller who shows him what love really means. A charmingly funny account of love, hate, and everything in between.

Director: Rocky Powell

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The Yankles
Los Angeles, CA, 2010
1h 55min

Location: Winchell Auditorium
Time: 8:15PM – 10:15PM

Charlie Jones, a professional baseball player who was released from the Los Angeles Spirits because of a drinking problem. Upon being paroled from prison after serving time for his third drunk driving conviction, Charlie endeavors to serve 192 hours mandatory community service by coaching baseball. To Charlie’s dismay, however, he is shunned by mainstream society because of the controversy surrounding his early parole and prior convictions. Charlie soon discovers that the only people willing to give him a second chance are a group of Jewish, orthodox, yeshiva students who formed an upstart baseball team called The Yankles.

Director: David R. Brooks

Past Screenings: Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, International Family Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival

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Risen
United Kingdom
2hrs

Location: Zemrak Theatre
Time: 8:00PM – 10:00PM

Howard Winstone lost three fingers on his right hand at the age of 16, meaning his impressive amateur boxing career would come to an end. But through sheer determination, despite only being able to make a fist with one hand, he went on to defy the world and win every boxing title in his division and eventually be crowned the champion of the world.

Set in 1960's Britain, this true story is inspirational, powerful and full of drama. For as Howard reaches the heights of his success, his marriage suffers and his wife struggles with the pressures of his fame.

Featuring more world champions than any other film in history and with explosive boxing, this is a story that deserves to be seen.

Director: Neil Jones

WORLD PREMIERE

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Vento
Brazil
15min

Location: Zemrak Theatre

A small isolated town in Brazil is becoming windless. The local population is beginning to act strange, with no hope and no optimism. And in the middle of all of this, a boy wants to change his life and pursue his dreams.

Director: Salem Produções

Past Screenings: Brisbane International Film Festival, Oaxaca International Film Festival, Costa Rica International Film Festival, Foyle Film Festival, Bahamas International Film Festival, Aguilar de Campoo Short Film Festival, Anchorage International Film Festival

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Gayby
New York, NY
11min 55sec

Location: Zemrak Theatre

Jenn (Jenn Harris) and Matt (Matthew Wilkas) are best friends from college who are now in their 30s. Lately, their relationship has dwindled to the occasional social-networking exchange. In an effort to "reconnect," they decide to have a baby together, taking the easiest, cheapest route of just having sex—even though Matt is gay and Jenn is straight.

Director: Jonathan Lisecki

Past Screenings: Palm Springs Shorfest, Slamdance Film Festival

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The Short Case of Record 12
Mannheim, Germany
20min

Location: Zemrak Theatre

A woman is being monitored in her house by observation cameras. She becomes aware that she has become a captive in her home. Suddenly, the roller blinds shut and the house is bolted completely.

Director: Simone Wendell, Mario A. Conte

Past Screenings: Rutger Hauers "I've Seen Films" International Film Festival, Milan, Italy, Miami Shortfilm Festival, Zum goldenen Hirsch

WEST COAST PREMIERE

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Portland Cello Project "Denmark"
Portland, OR
6min 15sec

Location: Zemrak Theatre

Portland Cello Project's new music video features Pily, a lovable crustacean of mixed origin, who struggles to escape his underwater home when it becomes threatened by pollution.

Director: Daniel Fickle

WORLD PREMIERE

The Predator's Return
Aventura, FL
14min

Location: Zemrak Theatre

What if the newest resident of your nursing home was the same Nazi officer that murdered your entire family 60 years earlier

Director: Jerald Fine

WORLD PREMIERE

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Northcote (So Hungover)
Ultimo, Australia
3min 12sec

Location: Zemrak Theatre

Northcote (So Hungover) is a music video that pokes fun at the Melbourne hipster scene. It's performed by Melbourne comedian The Bedroom Philosopher (AKA Justin Heazlewood). 

Since it's release a few months ago it's won a number of awards including a Silver Award for cinematography at the Australian Cinematographers Society and a Gold Award for direction at the Australian Directors Guild Awards. 

Director: Craig Melville

Past Screenings: Australia

US PREMIERE

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All Birds Whistle
Lebanon
13min 50sec

Location: Zemrak Theatre

All Birds Whistle is a 14 min short film that tells the story of an old couple that lives an annoying, almost numbing routine until the day their neighbor puts his canary bird in their care. Little by little the woman starts communicating with the bird, which tickles the husband's jealousy.

Director: Roy Khalil

Past Screenings: Washington DC Independent Film Festival, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Palm Springs International Shortfest, Phoenix Film Festival, Indianapolis International Film Festival, International Film Festival South Africa, Ismailiya Film Festival (Egypt), Lebanese Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, Dawn Breakers International Film Festival

Allt Jag Vill
Sweden
14min

Location: Zemrak Theatre

Elsa is an elderly woman that leads a lonely life. She has few friends left and a bad relationship with her only daughter. On a restless day she leaves her house and wanders around aimlessly. Walking into a convenient store she witnesses a young kid stealing candy. This awakens a new urge in her...

Director: Maciej Kalymon

WEST COAST PREMIERE

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Inka Bola
France, 2009
2min 40sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

An irresponsible guard in charge of an unruly Maya child prince has his hands full as he encounters an unexpected danger.

Directors: Ms. Melody Cisinski, Mr. Jacques Jarczyk, Mr. Vincent Garcia, Ms. Floriane Marchix, Ms. Gwenole Oul'chen

Past Screenings: Sapporo Short Fest

Bob
Germany, 2009
3min 10sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

A hamster is chasing his love around the globe. Will he get her in the end?

Directors: Mr. Jacob Frey

Past Screenings: Sapporo Short Fest

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Margarita
Spain, 2009
13min 30sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

Music, poetry and color fuse together to make alive a story of a young princess, inspired by Rubén Dario's poem.

Director: Alex Cervantes

Past Screenings: Sapporo Short Fest

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Cloudy Day
France, 2009
7min 31sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

In a dry village, people try to produce water out of clouds with machines and they are eager to find some clouds.

Directors: Mr. Adrien Flanquart, Mr. Emeric Malvat, Ms. Kamelia Chabane, Mr. Benjamin Tussiot

Past Screenings: Sapporo Short Fest

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Alex and the Ghosts
Montreal, Canada
6min 38sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

Alex and the Ghosts is a story of childhood magic and wonderment around a legendary hockey team, uniting the past and present, reaching out to the youthful hearts of sport fans of all ages.

Director: Éric Warin

Past Screenings: Cannes Independent Film Festival, Montreal International Children's Film Festival, Danville International Children’s Film Festival

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On The Rise
San Jose, CA
4min 23sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

Zeke is a rancher who has a solution for global warming, at least the part made by his sheep. Bullet is the loyal sheep dog who ends up saving Zeke from his own uplifting brilliance.

The result is spectacular.

Director: John Tupper

Past Screenings: Danville International Children’s Film Festival

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Toothnapped
Windsor, CA
4min 49sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

For a six year old a loose tooth is a painful reminder that growing up can hurt. Lucky a tooth under a pillow produces a fiscal boon that can ease that pain.

Director: George Dondero

Past Screenings: Danville International Children’s Film Festival

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The Lighthouse
Taiwan
7min 30sec

Location: Winchell Auditorium

This film is a story which is about parents support their children to make their dreams come true.

Director: Po Chou Chi

WORLD PREMIERE

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Nominated
1h 51min

Location: Theatre #2

Former childhood TV star Mickey Monroe "stumbles" upon a chance at career redemption when he's nominated as Best Actor for a role in a small independent film. Looking to cash in on the Oscar Buzz, Mickey's agent whisks him to a small cabin for a week to avoid the bad press Mickey so naturally attracts. But our volatile Hollywood has-been ventures into town and insults the locals, offends vacationers, and gets attacked by a pastor. Only six days to go. Now what?

Director: Dan Pavlik

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The dragon spirit is reincarnated in a doll's body trapped in a box for 35 years. With insurance, rubber toy sets out to discover the oversize world outside.

Director: Mr. Bruno Collet

Sapporo Short Fest 2009 winner Best Mini Short

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An agent visits Ivan Bulkin saying he should tick the box to prove that he was satisfied with his life as he is about to die.

Director: Mr. Alexey Andrianov

Sapporo Short Fest 2009 winner Best Production Design

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A loner's bicycle is mysteriously stolen piece by piece. He receives an envelope containing a list of addresses where he can retrieve the pieces.

Director: Mr. Dean Yamada

Sapporo Short Fest 2009 winner Best Cinematography / Best Actor / Best Original Score

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Since Haro's Dad left home his mother has completely changed. She cannot get over it and turns into a real beast.

Directors: Mr. Uwe Heidschotter, Mr. Johannes Weiland

Sapporo Short Fest 2009 winner Best Children Short

A hostile environment is difficult to overcome for two misfits, a cycle of abuse and exploitation in the midst of desolation.

Director: Mr. Juan Jose Medina

Sapporo Short Fest 2009 winner Best Non Dialogue

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Just A Pitch
France, 2009
23min

Location: Winchell Auditorium

An Indian screenwriter flies to Paris to sign their biggest contract with his expiring passport, but the immigration doesn't buy his "story".

Director: Mr. Eric Raynaud

Sapporo Short Fest 2009 winner Best Director / Best Screenplay / Best Actor (Special Mention)

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Come Together ... A Beatles Tribute
Indianapolis, IN
53min

Location: Zemrak Theatre
Time: 12:15PM – 1:15PM

If music is the universal language, then the songs of the Beatles are its Rosetta Stone. The Fab Four no longer exist, but their musical legacy lives on through an estimated 8,000 ‘look-alike-sound-alike’ tribute bands worldwide, who interpret and perform their music. Moderated by John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird, and shot almost entirely in Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, during International Beatle Week, ‘Come Together’ is a tribute to that legacy...a phenomena that shows no signs of stopping.

Directors: John Scofield and Steve Ison

Past Screenings: Heartland Film Festival, Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, International Beatle Week Festival

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Lunch
New York, NY, 2010
26min

Location: Theatre #2

For the first time, the life expectancy of children in America is lower than that of their parents. This short documentary produced by Birds Nest Productions takes a close look at the nation’s school-food programs through the meals off red by the Baltimore, Md. public schools. The filmmaker, Avis Richards, not only highlights the links between food and academics and between the current food system and political decisions, but also focuses on initiatives aimed at giving our children healthier lunches in school.

Directors: Avis Richards and Israel Bonequi

Past Screenings: Orlando Film Festival, Cincinnati Film Festival, Poppy Jasper Film Festival

Mozambique
Universal City, AL
14min

Location: Theatre #2

Alcides Soares is a sixteen-year-old AIDS orphan, one of half a million living in Mozambique today. An American television writer (Neal Baer) and movie director (Chris Zalla) gave Alcides a movie camera and taught him how to shoot. The result is a moving chronicle directed by Alcides himself.

Director: Alcides Soares

WORLD PREMIERE

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Adult Beginner Ballet
San Francisco, CA
21min 41sec

Location: Theatre #2

'Adult Beginner Ballet,' is about adults of various ages, shapes and sizes who take a beginning ballet class at the San Francisco Dance Center. This short documentary features a dedicated teacher who is determined to teach adults the beautiful and technically challenging art of ballet and prepare them to perform on the stage.

Director: Michelle Ortega

Past Screenings:Bay Area Women in Film Shorts Screening, Heart of Gold International Film Festival

What Makes a Great Short Film
By Jana Sue Memel, 3 time Academy Award Recipient

Location: Theatre #4

Jana has produced three films that have won Academy Awards and an additional eight that have received Oscar nominations. Other films she has produced, have been nominated and won an Emmy, Writer’s and Director’s Guild Awards, a Humanitas Prize, two CableAce Awards and have received an additional 18 CableAce nominations, including nominations in the Best Series category three years in a row. She has launched the directing careers of America Ferrera, Margaret Cho, Griffin Dunne, Eric McCormack, Rob Lowe, Danny Glover, and Helen Mirren along with over sixty other directors.

How To Get Music In Film & Television
By Ken Parks, Senior Vice President MTV Networks and Matt Kierscht, Music Supervisor

Location: Theatre #4

Have you ever wondered how musicians get their music placed in movies and television shows? Now you will learn the ins and outs of the Hollywood music scene from music executives Ken Parks, Senior Vice President MTV Networks and Matt Kierscht, Music Supervisor from which televisions shows as “America’s Next Top Model”, “Last Comedic Standing” and “Changing Lanes” and film credits including “That’s What I Am”, starring Ed Harris, Molly Parker and Amy Madigan, and “Bonneville”, starring Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen. If you are an aspiring musician this is the seminar for you. A representative from a music publisher will be present to sign talent as well, and these three panel members will evaluate your CDs.