10AM - U.S. NARRATIVE SHORTS - BLOC 2

 

JUST A GUN (5 min, Los Angeles)

A woman stranded in the desert commandeers a jeep, but must outwit the driver to get to the next location. Director Güstavo Stebner.

 

TÍO (7 min, Colorado)

13-year old Alex receives a crash course on the human condition when left in the care of his well-meaning, but emotionally damaged uncle. Director David J Porras.

 

FUEL (12 min, Hollywood)

Wayne, a recovering bulimic, navigates the minefield of triggers while returning home for Thanksgiving. Director Marc Cleary.

 

BURIED (8 min, South Carolina)

Searching for answers, a struggling musician finds solace in nature and discovers he is not as alone as he thinks. Directors Blake Ellis and 19 Pictures.

 

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE (9 min, Chicago)

In a world where men bottle their emotions and toxic masculinity reigns supreme, a young man's repressed feelings manifest as lightning in a bottle. Director Carlos Lerma.

 

THOSE WHO DON’T (11 min, NYC)

A Hispanic student, Ignacio, seeks acceptance and connection outside his comfort zone while navigating life in a predominantly white institution. This leads to a clash with his best friend Marissa and a journey of self-discovery on the field. Directors Ryan Rivera & Yasmine Tohme.

 

RABIES (15 min, North Carolina)

Marcy has become embroiled in the drug business under her mentor Alvino, drawing her into contact with the Bakers, a drama-filled family of assassins who possess a dangerous substance warping one's reality. Director Matthew Botnick.

 

Total runtime: 1 hour 7 minutes

NOON - U.S. SHORT DOC BLOC

 

ALL FOR MONEY: A PAINTING BY MARY PERRY (9 min, Oregon)

The filmmaker analyzes a painting by her mother – a social-protest artist in NYC in the 1930s – revealing concerns with the rise of fascism in Europe, racism, and the disparity between the lives of the rich and poor. Director Ramie Streng. Texas Premiere!

 

ANCIENT LANDS & LIVES: ABOVE THE GRAND CANYON RIMS (9 min, Connecticut)

An embrace of Arizona’s Grand Canyon wildlife experience through versatile animal habitats and its resilient pinyon-juniper evergreen trees on the Canyon's Rims. Director Carol J. Amore.

 

CHICKEN KILLER (14 min, Brooklyn)

A group of elderly amateur astronomers come together to celebrate their passion for each other and the stars, as well as the solar eclipse of their lifetimes. Director Christina Sancho-Spore.

 

GARDEN STATE (12 min, New Jersey)

Filmed in various locations throughout New Jersey, Garden State explores the diverse landscapes in which wildlife, development, farming, and industry coexist in the most densely packed state in the union. Director Julie Langsam.

 

DEAR JOHN OLVEY (20 min, Corpus Christi)

A woman copes with grief after her husband's sudden death, finding strength and purpose in rebuilding her life. Director Scott Thurman.

 

Total runtime: 1hour 4 minutes

1:30 PM - INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORTS

 

DRAGON OF THE EAST EARTH (4 min, Katy)

Tribal fusion dance film that intertwines the traditional and the modern, the physical and the digital, the real and the mythical. Director Hanna Z.

 

NIGHT MARKET (5 min, New York)

Shot in frame-to-frame 2D animation, a little girl suffering from cancer, guided by butterflies, escapes the hospital, embracing freedom in the city streets at night. Directors Yingyu Zhu, Chenyi Zhu & Xinyu Sun.

 

BOOGEYMAN (10 min, Spain/France)

A young black man walking back home stepping on the line of what is normal and what is suspicious. A special individual being misunderstood. A scared neighbor, a 911 call and its consequences. Director Samuel Gonzalez.

 

1800-SIN-MIEDO (Mexico, 9 min)

Manuel faithfully works at 1800-SIN-MIEDO, a hotline that promises to resolve your sinister and sometimes stupid fears. One day he receives a call that confronts his darkest thoughts and beliefs. Director Max Yaffe.

 

2x1 (39 min, Ecuador)

Upon impending foreclosure of their precious pirated movies store, two desperate employees: Jorge, a purist cinephile, and Wachi, a popcorn-flick lover, will do whatever they can to save it. Directors Michael A Rodriguez and José Alfredo Carrera. National Premiere!

 

Followed by Q&A with co-Director Michael A Rodriguez (2x1)

 

Total runtime: 1 hour 7 minutes

3 PM - ENVIRONMENTAL BLOC

 

OUR MOVEMENT STARTS HERE (1hr 22min, Mississippi)

The story of a rural community that inspired an international environmental justice movement by fighting the state of North Carolina's toxic landfill. Directors John Rash & Melanie Dang Ho.

 

Preceded by:

 

VORTEX (3 min, Australia)

Driven by relentless heat, these desert wanderers hurl whatever gets in their way high into the sky. Dirt, sand, ash ... and even fire! Director Chris Tangey. U.S. Premiere!

 

TAKE CARE, TAR CREEK (7 min, Oklahoma)

Located in far northeast Oklahoma, the area generally known as Tar Creek is considered one of the most toxic places in the US. Texas Premiere!

 

TRASHY WATERS (13 min, Alabama)

Litter washing into our waterways is a problem not only affecting our pocketbooks and well-being, but it also spoils our enjoyment of Alabama’s great outdoors. Directors Randal Crow & Ingrid Pfau. Texas Premiere!

 

Total runtime: 1hr 45 min

5:30 PM - WHAM RE-BOP-BOOM-BAM: THE SWING JAZZ OF EDDIE DURHAM (57 min, Pennsylvania)

Through testimonials of family, friends & devoted fellow musicians of all ages, we follow the musical journey of this often overlooked, but totally unique, musical genius. A trombonist, guitarist, writer & arranger, this San Marcos hometown hero helped author the signature sounds of Count Basie, Glenn Miller & many others. Director Kris Hendrickson.

 

Followed by Q&A with Topsy M. Durham, daughter of the legendary artist & inspiration for his hit of the same name.

 

Free screening – made possible by The Summerlee Foundation, the Calaboose African-American History Museum, Ryan Patrick Perkins, McNabb & Co as well as The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University!