our program - College Town Film Festival

SAVEINDIEFILM.COM
PRESENTS
FREE ADMISSION WITH ANY STUDENT I.D.
COLLEGETOWNFILMFESTIVAL.COM
Our Sponsors
College Town
Film Festival
2016
PSU Student Affairs
College of Communications
From The Executive Director
Welcome to the 2016 College Town Film Festival. Thank you for joining
us.
We are glad to be back at Penn State and grateful for the support of the
PSU Office of Student Affairs and the Borough of State College.
As we continue to define our film-sharing experiment, we find that the
cities we visit have a profound influence on the festival. Over the years,
PSU and the State College community have become crucial partners
in our search for movies that matter. This year’s rich and wide-ranging slate of films is
the result of the widespread support we receive from the University, the borough and the
community.
We have films from all over the globe… some have an unusual approach to filmmaking,
many provide thoughtful well-researched social commentary, a few are politically charged
and a several are just downright fun. But they all share several discernible traits: they are
personal to the filmmakers; they have a one-of-a-kind point-of-view… and they are all
driven by a desire to generate informed discussion.
The Borough of State College
So join us for a stroll outside your comfort zone. If we have done our job, you will be affected by something you see. Maybe you’ll be angry; maybe you’ll be called-to-action;
maybe you’ll be impressed with someone you previously feared; maybe you’ll just be a
little happier.
Center for Global Studies
So yes, I am proud to say that this festival is an experiment… and that we retain the boldness of our initial ideas… I see no reason to change that. So once again, welcome to our
mobile laboratory. Enjoy the ride.
Paterno Fellows Program
Eric Zudak - Executive Director, College Town Film Festival
Social Thought Program
Insititute for Arts and
Humanities
Center for Women Students
The State Theatre
3
Films & Events - Wednesday, March 16th
Feature: El Salvador: Lost Archives of the Conflict
3/16 • 2:00 PM • State Theatre
90 minutes
Q & A with Executive Producer Sergio Rodriquez
Avila (PSU `11) and Director Gerardo Muyshondt
Moderated by Catherine Wanner, Prof. of History
El Salvador: Lost Archives tells the story of the armed
conflict in El Salvador during the 1980s. Thirty years
later, several key protagonists share their memories
and testimonies.
The Center for Global Studies at Penn State
crossing boundaries, building bridges
To learn more, visit:http://cgs.la.psu.edu
Documentary: Gospel According to Charlie
Documentary: Gospel According to Charlie
3/16 • 4:30 PM • State Theatre
57 minutes - Q & A to be announced
Chronicles artist Charlie Van Ness’s journey from
creating whimsical sculptures to creating installation
art and carving mythical stories into hundreds of stone
tablets. It is the story of Charlie’s personal transformation as he grapples with the intent of his artistic expressions and the demons that drive him to destroy over
thirty years worth of his artistic output?
Cafe Series: Short Films from U.S. Students
3/16 • 5:00 PM • Café 210 West
97 minutes
Q & A with Eric Zudak and filmmakers Kenneth
Caleb, James Hanesack and John Kerfoot
A collection of short films (animation, drama, comedy,
documentary) shot by students and submitted for class
credit at several universities, including Penn State.
Detailed short film listing on page 13 of program.
Feature: Driving While Black Opening Film: The Right to Remain Silent
Proud Supporters of
College Town Film Festival 2016
4
3/16 • 7:30 PM • State Theatre • 104 minutes
Q & A moderated by Sociology Professor Sam
Richards
A dark comedy based on the police experiences of a
black kid from L.A. who can’t catch a break. Dimitri
delivers pizzas for a living – but as a young black man he faces constant scrutiny and drama from the cops as
he navigates the city.
5
Films & Events - Wednesday, March 16th
Films & Events - Thursday, March 17th
Feature: The Key - Opening Film: Killing Art
Documentary: You See Me
3/16 • 10:00 PM • State Theatre
143 minutes
Q & A Moderated by Kevin Guzowski with
filmmaker and actor Gedeon Burkhard
3/17 • 2:00 PM • State Theatre
72 minutes
Q & A with filmmaker Linda Brown
Moderated by Matt Jordan
A gang of bikers torture and brutally slaughter a family
of pagans. When the demons return, hell-bent on fulfilling their bloody destiny, the stage is set for a tale of
horror and revenge.
Filmmaker Linda Brown’s father embodied 1960s masculinity. But when a devastating stroke leaves him vulnerable and dependent, Linda decides to confront the
silence surrounding his troubled and violent past. 
Films & Events - Thursday, March 17th
Program: International Student Short Films
Documentary: Two Blue Lines
3/17 • 4:30 PM • State Theatre
98 minutes
Q & A with filmmaker Tom Hayes and Lior Sternfeld,
Asst. Professor of History and Jewish Studies
Moderated by Pearl Gluck, Asst. Professor Film/Video
3/17 • 10:00 AM • State Theatre
90 minutes
Q & A with filmmakers Jasia Kaulbach, Tim
Verhaegen
“Two Blue Lines” examines the human and political
rights situation of Palestinian people from the 1930s to
the present day. By primarily featuring Israelis whose
positions run counter to their country’s official policy, the
film provides a portrait of the ongoing conflict not often
depicted in our mainstream media.
Short films from international student directors:
animation, comedy and drama.
Detailed short film listing on page 13 of program.
Program: Two Documentary Shorts - Topic: Iran
Feature: Where Do We Go From Here? Opening Film: Graceface
3/17 • 7:00 PM • State Theatre • 90 minutes
Q & A with filmmakers John McPhail
and Jonathon Pickett
3/17 • 12:00 PM • State Theatre – Attic Space
120 minutes
Q & A to be announced
“Where Do We Go From Here” tells the story of 25 year
old James, who lives in an old folks home, where he
plans an escape with and his three, elderly best friends.
“Graceface” a short film about Phil, a college freshman
trying to make it through his first semester when life gets
in the way.
2 short documentary films from Iran. “74” is the story of
Nasrin, who has just escaped the terrorist group Daesh.
“No one Cares About Jungles” is a plea to protect the
living fossil old tree Hyrcanian forest of Northern Iran.
Program: Two Shorts: Sin Frontera and Crossing Waters
3/17 • 12:30 PM • State Theatre
68 minutes
Q & A with filmmaker Isreal Gutierrez
“Sin Frontera” explores a couple’s struggle to survive a
decaying relationship and a broken immigration system.
Crossing Waters is a short film that examines America’s
attitude toward immigrants, by looking at one immigrant
neighborhood in upstate New York whose Irish residents
suffered grave misfortune when the country’s first nativist leader Samuel Morse, moved in to the community.
6
Feature: Ashes
3/17 • 9:00 PM • State Theatre
100 minutes
Q & A with filmmaker John Coulson
A man travels to a small coastal town to confront his
wife’s killer. “Ashes” explores themes of forgiveness,
revenge and the tragedy of an existence locked in the
past.
7
Films & Events - Friday, March 18th
Workshop: Everyone’s a Filmmaker
Films & Events - Friday, March 18th
Documentary: Miners Shot Down
3/18 • 12:00 PM • The Attic at the State Theatre
120 minutes
Q & A moderated by Eric Zudak with Tech
Entrepreneur Dave Young
3/18 • 7:00 PM • Freeman Auditorium (The Hub)
86 minutes
Learn how the immediacy of film and film production is
transforming a new generation of leaders. No longer the
province of film majors and media students, the art of
film is reshaping the rules of business, art, academia,
politics, science and tech.
Winner of the International Emmy for Best Documentary, “Miners Shot Down” tells the story of the August
2012 strike at Marikana through the eyes of the miners, which left 44 people dead and scores more injured
when police opened fire.
Program: Two Documentary Shorts: Art/Dance
3/18 • 2:00 PM • The Attic at the State Theatre
58 minutes
Q and A with filmmaker David Kirckey
“Bookin” introduces the audience to a famous Memphis
juke joint where cultures mix when two ballet dancers
and two legendary jookers fuse their distinct dance
styles to form an urban ballet. “A Solitary Mann” explores the art and life of Jeremy Mann and his pursuit of
passion without compromise or hesitation.
Documentary: The Duck Diaries: A Cold War Quest for Friendship Across the Americas
3/18 • 2:30 PM • 113 Carnegie Building
90 minutes
Q and A to be announced
In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, seven college
grads embark on a self-styled goodwill mission through
Latin America aboard a surplus military amphibian
vehicle they call ‘El Pato Valiente: The Valiant Duck.
They launch on NBC’s “Today Show” and shoot 16mm
film until they become marooned in the jungle and have
to rescued by JFK.
Feature: Dirty Beautiful - Opening Film: When the River Stops Whispering
3/18 • 5:00 PM • 113 Carnegie Building
101 minutes
David and Kat decide to become an instant couple and
immediately move into Kat’s tiny apartment, which they
turn into a cave-like safe-haven. But can their love
survive when the real world invades?
8
Q & A to be announced
Moderated by Matt Jordan, Professor of Communications
Program: Fun and Creepy Horror Shorts
3/18 • 9:00 PM • 113 Carnegie Building
112 minutes
Q & A with filmmakers Daniel Russell,
David Wittkower and Emeline Castaneda
The popular zombie apocalypse web series, “Bad Timing” with a collection of fun and creepy short films.
Detailed short film listing on page 13 of program.
Films & Events - Saturday, March 19th
Workshop: Original Script Reading
3/19 • 10:00 AM • The Attic at the State Theatre
150 minutes
Moderated by Kevin Guzowski w/ writers
and producers
Penn State actors join working-actors and writers to
perform and discuss an original screenplay in a tableread setting.
Program: International/Domestic Mix of Student Films
3/19 • 10:30 AM • State Theatre
96 minutes
Q and A with filmmakers
A mix of international and U.S. student short films, plus
a secret surprise.
Detailed short film listing on page 13 of program.
9
Films & Events - Saturday, March 19th
Program: Documentary Shorts: Outreach and Activism
3/19 • 1:30 PM • State Theatre
100 minutes
Q and A with filmmakers Laura Faltorta, Maya
Flippen and Frederick Taylor
Six short documentaries that focus on community
outreach, attitude adjustments and the power of
information to promote change and raise awareness.
Detailed short film listing on page 13 of program.
Program: Right Here Right Now: 10 Short Films
SaveIndieFilm.com and
The College Town Film Festival
would like to extend
special thanks to
3/19 • 4:30 PM • State Theatre
100 minutes
Q and A with filmmakers Dorethee Pontheaux, Eli
Ayers, Robert Thrower and filmmaker Cameron Fife
10 Short Films: drama, animation, fantasy and a few
that are just plain odd. Don’t miss this collection of short
films from ten on-topic filmmakers from around the
globe. Detailed short film listing on page 13 of program.
Feature: Her Story - Opening Films: Matchgirl and Wedlocked
3/19 • 7:00 PM • State Theatre
70 minutes
Q and A with filmmakers Katherine Fisher and
Rick Hamilton
Her Story is about two trans women in Los Angeles who
have given up on love, when suddenly chance encounters give them hope. Will they risk letting what they are
stand in the way of being loved for who they are?
Feature: Origins of Wit and Humor - Opening Film: Fish
3/19 • 9:00 PM • State Theatre
102 minutes
for their invaluable assistance in
presenting this festival.
A comedy writer’s need for approval leads him to a
wonder elixir that bends his world into a surreal landscape of comedy tropes, eventually forcing him to explore his own worth outside the writer’s room. “Fish” is
the story of a young boy who puts his father in a difficult
position when he attempts to smuggle his pet Beta fish
past airport security.
10
11
Official Selections 2016: SHORT FILMS
CAFE SERIES:
INTERNATIONAL AND
SHORT FILMS
DOMESTIC MIX OF
FROM U.S. STUDENTS
STUDENT FILMS
Embarked
(PLUS A SECRET)
The Home
The Letter
Reversed
Catboat
Based On A Photo
One Too Many
30 Minute Break
Saving Yourself
Year For Silk The Present
Saving Yourself
Hush
Byroad Tyger Tyger
A Skeleton Named Oliver
Strictly Casual
Nocturnal Butterfly
Unprincipled
Hush
Reckless
One Too Many
#23
HORROR SHORTS
Daddy’s Girls Embarked
Bad Timing (Chapters 1-5)
Jewish Blind Date
Pareidolia
Killing Art
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Bad Timing (Chapters 6-10)
PROGRAM - THEME:
Cantata In C Major OUTREACH and ACTIVISM
Wolfmother
Vision: Healing The Blind In Ethiopia
God Particle Water Women
Awakenings Dear Emily
Bad Timing (Chapters 11-14)
They Need Us
Kaddish
Urban Harvest
Counter Histories: Rock Hill
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
SHORT FILMS
RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW:
Nocturnal Butterfly (Finland)
10 SHORT FILMS
Based On A Photo (Iran) My Luchador
My Queen (Belgium)
Sleeping Wonder
Tyger Tyger (UK)
Douai (1962)
Bionic (UK)
The Good Boy
The Present (Germany)
Embarked
Pretty Boy
One Too Many (UK)
The Well (Turkey)
Error Beneath
The Home (Australia)
One Too Many
Jewish Blind Date (Switzerland)
Buckeye
Last Base (Norway)
Shadow Forrest
12
13
College Town Film Festival | Board of Directors
Matthew Jordan, President Dr. Jordan is Associate Professor of
Film/Video and Media Studies at Penn State University. He writes
books and articles about the importance of film, music and popular
culture for helping people understand the issues of their times. He
is co-director of the Social Thought Program and serves on the
Board of the Association for Cultural Studies.
Carrie Preston is an Emmy award winning actress for her
role as Elsbeth Tosconi on CBS’s hit series The Good Wife.
Previously Preston starred in HBO’s “True Blood”. Preston received
her BFA from the University of Evansville followed with an acting
diploma from the Juilliard School.
James Denton is best known as Mike Delfino on the blockbuster
series Desperate Housewives currently stars in two series, ABCs
Devious Maids and Hallmark’s highest rated program The Good
Witch. Denton grew up in Goodlettsville, Tennessee and graduated
with honors from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, earning
a degree in advertising as a television/journalism major.
Michelle Keiser - Shelly Keiser lives in New York City where she
works as a 1st AD in Motion Pictures and Television. Credits include: “Sex and the City,” The “Law and Order” programs, “Zero
Hour”, “The Sopranos”, School of Rock and The Royal Tennenbaums, among many others. Shelly earned a BFA in Theatre from
The University of Evansville.
College Town Film Festival | Creative Team
Eric Zudak, Executive Director grew up in the college town of
Athens Ohio and is the son a former Ohio U Economics Professor, the
late Lawrence Zudak. Eric earned a BFA in Acting from the University of
Evansville in 1990. He is currently the Director of Business Development for Trifecta Clinical, an IT service provider serving the Pharmaceutical Industry, which
has provided the opportunity to visit more than 20 countries. Prior to Trifecta Eric
worked at Walt Disney Imagineering and ABC Television.
Kevin Guzowski, Screenwriter - was born in Chicago, IL., he received his
Bachelors Degree from Indiana University in Writing, taught Advanced Screenwriting for The Screenwriters Group, and completed “almost all the work” toward an MFA from Columbia College Chicago. In 2003, Kevin co-wrote
the TV Pilot “Whirlybird” (based on the play, “Locked-up Down Shorty’s”)
for Showtime Productions. Since then, Kevin has co-written several features and TV pilots… including the 6 hour mini-series “Twentysixmiles” for
which Kevin also served as Creator, Executive Producer and Head Writer.
Emersen Riley, Director of Talent Relations - hails from Silver Creek Township,
MN and is passionate about supporting artists. She studied Modern Dance at
Perpich Center for Arts Education, and received a certificate from American Musical and Dramatic Academy. After moving to Los Angeles, Emersen appeared
as Rumpleteazer in Cats and in the film Knocked Up. She also worked as a
Photography assistant, Production Designer, and in Hair & Make Up for film and
television. Emersen spent 3 years as a QA specialist for motion pictures with
Deluxe Laboratories.
Special Thanks
Damon Sims
Tom Fountaine
Kevin Hagopian
Sam Richards
Meredith Doran
Pearl Gluck
Alex Fatal
Cathy Wanner
Lior Sternfeld
Michael Berube
John Christman
Jennifer Pencek
Darcy Rameker
Mary Edgington
Joe Davies
Ryan Miller
George Arnold
Richie Sherman
Maura Shea
Rod Bingaman
Rani Poague
Anthony Olorunnisola
Jane Agnelly
14
Kelly Chernin
Michael Chavez
Lenny Garner
Julian Doyle
James Denton
Carrie Preston
Michelle Kaiser
Gary Marsh
Sara Petty
Monica Kaiser
Sophia McClennen
Marie Hardin
15