net - Tupelo Film Festival

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SPONSORS
Asurion
B&B Concrete Co., Inc.
BancorpSouth
BBQ by Jim
Benjamin Moore Paints
Buffalo Wild Wings
Celebrity Fastwrap
Chick-fil-A
City of New Albany
CREATE Foundation, Inc.
Eat With Us Group
(DBA Harvey’s, Fairpark Grill, Sweet Peppers Deli)
Elaine Dundy and Roy Turner
Endowment for the Arts
Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation
Greatest Hits Music & Books
Itawamba Community College
Janet Martin Harry Martin Select
Properties, PLLC
Kermit’s Outlaw Kitchen
Malco Theatre – Tupelo Commons
Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Film Office
Mitchell Distributing, Inc.
Mont’s Paper Company
Nautical Whimsey Italian Bistro &
Wine Bar
North Mississippi Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Clinic, PLLC
Phelps Dunbar, LLP
Quality of Life
Reed’s Department Store
Renasant Center for IDEAS
Romie’s Grocery
Snelling Personnel Services
South Restaurant
Steele’s Dive
Synder Media
The Stables
Thornton Dental Clinic
Todd’s Big Star
Tupelo Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tupelo Consignment Music
Tupelo Flea Market
Tupelo High School Class of 1972
Tupelo Restaurant Association
VIP Cinema Seating
Watkins College of Art, Design and Film
Weatherall’s Printing
SCREENERS
Valerie Angeloro
Louis Armour
Ken Calloway
Chris Cockrell
Mary Couldrovich
Morgan Cutturini
Melanie Deas
Thom Eason
Celia Fleishhacker
Bob Franks
Jimmy Grisham
Williams Heard
Sonya Keith
Mieako Kikuchi
James Hull
John & Katie McCustion
Art Pinkerton
Jim Palmer
Carolyn Parson
Stephen Polley
Nikhat Powell
Tim Prewitt
Meredith Tollison
Jeff Tomlinson
Roy Turner
Teri Ward
Peggy Webb
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF
OUR VOLUNTEERS
We strive for accuracy. Pardon any mistakes.
ABOUT THE COVER
A special thanks to our festival committee
member Louis Armour, who serves as a
screener and designed the art for this year’s
festival which is on the cover. Louis brings
to the festival his artistic touch and talents,
coordinating and assisting with many
elements of the festival.
MR. REELY DESIGNED BY LOCAL
ARTIST RICHARD MCGEHEE
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
1
W E LC OM E TO T H E 2015 TUP E LO F IL M F E STIVAL!
The Tupelo Film Festival Society
welcomes you to the 12th Annual
Tupelo Film Festival. The festival
this year brings a variety of film
opportunities from workshops, to
panels to independent films, special
events, children’s activities, a high
school competition and nights of
awesome music.
We salute our filmmakers and the
efforts they make as they bring their
scripts to screen, and we are delighted
to be a stepping stone along their path
to success. Film is everyday life from
the most extreme to the bare bones
through the greatest of technology
to the smallest in equipment. Film
is the a story told, a cartoon enjoyed,
a drama that keeps you on the edge
of your seat, a comedy that brings
laughter, an emotional tale that brings
tears, a historic adventure, a fight for
justice…it is entertainment! Come
and lose yourself in the story and find
yourself at the 12th Annual Tupelo
Film Festival!
TOMMY IVY
President - Lee County Board of Supervisors
The Lee County Board of Supervisors proudly supports the
12th Annual Tupelo Film Festival. We are happy to assist in
any logistic that opens a door for a film project in our area
and invite all who are looking at producing film to take a look
at what we have to offer. On behalf of the Lee County Board
of Supervisors we welcome filmmakers, special events taking
place this year at the Malco Theatre.
MAYOR JASON L. SHELTON
City of Tupelo
Welcome to our city and the 12th Annual Tupelo Film Festival
held at the Malco Theatre at Tupelo Commons. The City of
Tupelo invites you to join us for a wonderful weekend filled
with great independent films, special events, and more.
Please take a moment to slow down from the hectic pace of
everyday activities and enjoy the art of the filmmakers and the
hospitality of Tupelo.
NEAL MCCOY
Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau
On behalf of the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau, we
welcome you the 12th Annual Tupelo Film Festival. Cited as
one of America’s Top 10 Small Film Festivals in the country by
Livability.com, the festival is a celebration of great films and
a gathering for film fans from across the globe. We invite you
to experience Tupelo while you are here by visiting our many
attractions, enjoying our eclectic culinary scene, and shopping
our unique retail shops. Thank you for being here and we hope
to see you back real soon shooting your next project.
WARD ELMING
Mississippi State Film Office
The Mississippi Film Office welcomes you to the 12th Annual
Tupelo Film Festival. From the beginning, we have been a very
proud supporter of this outstanding festival and always look
forward to seeing the films and meeting the filmmakers. Now
comfortably in a new venue, the Malco Cinemas, and under the
umbrella of CREATE Foundation for the second year, we know
the festival will continue to flourish and thrill both audience
and filmmaker. To the audience, we thank you for your support
and hope you enjoy the films. To the filmmaker, we thank you
for your vision and commitment. And to the community we
thank you for embracing the power and wonder of the cinema.
Mississippi is committed to film and dedicated to expanding
its reach. We have created a strong and competitive incentive
program: a 25% - 35% cash rebate on your spend and all of
your payroll with a low $50,000 minimum spend that applies
to features, shorts, documentaries, and more. All across
Mississippi we have communities that serve our mission to
build and support the industry, filled with hospitable people
that embrace and understand the challenges of filmmaking,
and diverse locations that will inspire and enthrall you.
We hope you enjoy your time in Tupelo and in our great state.
Tupelo, Mississippi
MR . R EELY P R ES ENT S T HE AWA R D S
FEATURE
SHORT
STUDENT
Sponsored by
B&B CONCRETE CO. INC.
Sponsored by
VIP CINEMA SEATING
Sponsored by
CREATE FOUNDATION, INC.
1st Place
1st Place
2nd Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
3rd Place
Sponsored by
BENJAMIN MOORE PAINTS
Sponsored by
GREATEST HITS MUSIC
BOOK
DOCUMENTARY
1st Place
2nd Place
Sponsored by
SNYDER MEDIA
Sponsored by
NORTH MISSISSIPPI SPORTS
MEDICINE & ORTHOPEDIC
CLINIC, PLLC
Sponsored by
TODD’S BIG STAR
3rd Place
Sponsored by
MONT’S PAPER COMPANY
MUSIC VIDEO
1st Place
Sponsored by
BANCORPSOUTH
Sponsored by
ELVIS PRESLEY BIRTHPLACE
FOUNDATION
2nd Place
Honorable Mention
1st Place
Sponsored by
THORNTON DENTAL CLINIC
Sponsored by
TUPELO CONSIGNMENT
MUSIC
Screen Three & Four:
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
April 16 - 18
Day Pass: $15
Student: $7.50 (with ID)
Senior: $7.50 (with ID)
Screening Pass: $35
(includes all three days of films)
*Tickets Available Day of Event
For details visit: tupelofilmfestival.net
The Ron Tibbett Award is presented
each year in memory of Ron Tibbett
who helped launch the Tupelo Film
Festival in 2004.
The Elvin Whitesides
Director’s Award
Sponsored by his fellow classmates of Tupelo High School
Class of ‘72
The Casey Spradling
Award Best Mississippi
High School Film
Sponsored by
Casey Spradling Endowment
Sponsored by
Reed’s Department Store
Sponsored by
PERSONNEL SERVICES
ADMISSION
Sponsored by
ASURION
The Robert Reed Award
Best Documentary
3rd Place
TICKETS
The Ron Tibbett Award
Best of Show
Take Advantage of
Our Complimentary
Panel & Workshops on
Saturday!
Filmmakers
Attending Will Offer
Q&A’s after Their
Screenings.
MR. LAWRENCE STANLEY
The Tupelo Film Festival committee was deeply saddened by
the passing of Mr. Lawrence Stanley this past year. He and his
lovely wife Mae exemplified the true hospitality of Tupelo by
greeting and making all guests feel welcome at the festival. He
will be greatly missed but his smile and spirit will live on.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
3
S P E CIA L AWAR D S
THE RON TIBBETT AWARD (BEST OF SHOW)
Ron Tibbett was born in Chicago in 1941. He graduated from the University of Illinois with
a degree in English. He served in the US Marines. He met his wife Charlotte Magnussen in
Montreal and was married in 1978. He and his family (Charlotte and daughter Christine)
moved to West Point, MS, in 1994. He always had an active interest in film and shot his first
film “Swept Off My Feet” in West Point. Because there were no festivals in Mississippi to
screen the film, he started the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, the first of its kind in
MS. He loved sharing his craft, enthusiasm, and love of film with all but especially young
minds. He encouraged many to follow their dreams in film. We miss him dearly. This award
is presented each year in memory of Ron Tibbett who helped launch the Tupelo Film
Festival in 2004.
THE ELVIN WHITESIDES DIRECTOR’S AWARD
Elvin Whitesides, a native of Tupelo, came to his love of film as a boy, sitting beside his
father in the projection booth of the Lyric Theatre, screening years of first-run Hollywood
features. That formative experience led to a BFA in Theatre from the University of Southern
Mississippi, professional training in both New York and Los Angeles, and managing the
Bing Theatre at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for over twenty years. Throughout his career, Elvin continued to make films, write, perform, produce, and direct until his
untimely death in May 2010. A two-time judge at the Tupelo Film Festival, 2011 marks the
inaugural Elvin Whitesides Director’s Award, a tribute to his talent for guiding and inspiring countless cast and crews toward a common creative goal through the magic of movies.
This award is present in memory of Elvin Whitesides who served as a mentor to the festival,
as well as a judge.
Casey Spradling
The Tupelo Film Festival joined with the Oxford Film Festival this past year to honor a
great friend, Casey Spradling. Casey’s love and enthusiasm to learn all about the different techniques of filmmaking exceeded far beyond his expectations and he was mentored
under some of the best in the art of filmmaking. He was eager to be versed in all aspects of
filmmaking and he did just that. Casey passed away unexpectedly on set leaving a void in
so many lives. Casey reached a height he probably never dreamed he could reach and left
this world doing what he loved the most…making movies. This year Casey will be honored
with the Casey Spradling Memorial Award going to Best Mississippi High School Film. An
Endowment Fund has been set up in his memory – to learn more go to www.facebook.
com/Cwspradlingfund.
ROBERT REED
The Tupelo Film Festival lost one of its valued committee members in 2014. Robert Reed
served on the festival board, was a screener of documentary films, and gave tirelessly to the
many activities of the festival. His dedication and love for film was evident as he served
from the inception of the festival to his untimely passing. Robert’s humor, commitment
and friendship will never be replaced. In memory of Robert’s love for documentaries, he
will be honored with the Robert Reed Best Documentary Award. The award is given in his
memory by Reed’s Department Store.
Tupelo, Mississippi
S C H E DUL E O F E VENT S
THURSDAY, APRIL 16th – Screen 3
Foreign Block (Shorts)
1:00 Welcome
1:05 Nell & Nugget
1:15 Gwen MaGee: Threads of History
1:49 Extreme Pinocchio
Q&A
Foreign Block (Documentary)
2:20 The Other F Word
3:25 Q & A
Foreign Block (Shorts)
3:35 No Love Lost
3:53 Flowers
4:03 The Treehouse
4:20 I Know You
U.S. Shorts
4:40 Hypothetically
4:48 Shotgun
5:02 Nobody
5:20 Night of the Living Twinkies
5:30 Avarice
Q&A
Music Video Block
5:40 Can’t Give Up On You
5:44 Allen Mann – Visions
5:49 Don’t Be Judging Me
5:54 Francesca
5:58 Broncho – What
6:00 From Tribulation To Triumph
6:05 Q&A
THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH Screen 4
Foreign Block (Students)
1:00 Welcome
1:05 Robbing Blind
1:15 The Lightguard
1:46 The Cutting Room
Foreign Block (Documentary)
2:00 Where is Elle – Kari and what happened to
Noriko-san?
2:50 Break
Foreign Block (Shorts)
3:00 The Stomach
3:16 Newborn
3:30 Carry On
U.S. Block (Students)
3:40 Deliver US From Evil
4:00 Like Father, Like Son
U.S. Shorts
4:20 The Watch
4:45 September Sketch Book
4:55 Once Upon A Time On The Border
5:15 Around The Next Corner
5:45 Q&A
THURSDAY NIGHT, APRIL 16th
Kick Off Party – Romie’s Grocery
Featuring Sam Mosley and the Sam
Mosley Band – 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17th Screen 3
U.S. Block (Documentary)
1:00 The Sum Total of Our Memory
Break
U.S. Block (Feature)
2:15 Spray Paint Atlas
3:30 Q&A
U.S. Block (Students)
3:40 Irresistible
3:46 I Need My Monster
3:58 Spirit of Negation
4:13 Broken Jam
4:28 Q & A
5:00 Break
U.S. Block (Shorts)
6:00 Garage Sale
6:15 Elvis – the Guitar
6:26 Rudy’s Old Hat
Q&A
U.S. Block (Feature)
7:00 Ozland
9:00 Q & A
FRIDAY, APRIL 17th Screen 4
U.S. Block (Documentaries)
1:30 Wildflower
2:00 Because No one Else Would
Q&A
U.S. Block (Feature)
2:30 Route 30 Three
U.S. Block (Documentaries)
4:10 Locked Out
4:40 Mississippi Milk
Q&A
5:00 Break
U.S. Block (Shorts)
6:00 Pizza Man vs. the Tornado
6:08 A Horror Movie
6:20 Got No Fetish
6:36 Self Offense
6:51 The Last Foreclosure
7:15 Q&A
FRIDAY NIGHT, APRIL 17th
Join Us at Steele’s Dive – with
music by Wes Sheffield and the
Slow Burners
SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH Screen 3
MS High School Film Competition
10:00 MS High School Event
Special Screening
12:30 Japan–America Society of
Mississippi Film – Departures
Workshop/Lecture
3:00 Gena Ellis
Workshop/Lecture
4:30 Rob Underhill
Feature
5:45 Away
5:50 Fever Dreams
6:55 Q&A
8:00 Awards Presentation
SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH Screen 4
Panel Discussion
10:00 Darkness to Light: Horror to
Sci-Fi – Aspects of Production
11:30 Break
Casting Workshop
1:00 Lisa Lax/Sharon Ward
Break
Workshop/Lecture
3:00 Kat Phillips
U.S. Block (Feature)
4:15 Earthrise
5:55 Q&A
Break
U.S. Student/Shorts
6:20 Take the Mountain
6:30 Witness Monitor
6:40 Colorless
7:10 Q&A
Tupelo Premier
7:20 The Gift
7:35 Q&A
Celebrate the wrap in Downtown
Tupelo starting at Nautical Whimsey
and tour the trail of music venues!
U.S. Block (Feature)
7:25 Ghosting
8:55 Q & A
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
5
JUDGE S
F EAT U R E
WE S BE NTON
RIDGE LA ND, M S
Wes Benton started Red Planet Entertainment, LLC in 1980 and GhostRider Entertainment in 2007.
He is the founder of the Sun & Sand Film & Music Festival. Benton produced his first film, Rites of Spring,
in 2010. Benton worked as Motion Capture Producer or Motion Capture Supervisor on such feature films as
I Am Legend, The Incredible Hulk, Mummy III, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Chronicles of
Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Polar Express, and The Day After Tomorrow. He is currently working on several films to be produced in Mississippi.
JER E MY NOCON
LOS A NGE LE S , CA
Jeremy Nocon, a seasoned producer from Los Angeles, develops and produces film & TV projects.
Jeremy credits his formal legal training and his love of the creative collaboration process for his flourishing
career in the entertainment industry. He currently works as Vice President of Business Development for the
world-famous Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, a division of The Jim Henson Company, developing projects with
some of the top names in the entertainment industry.
Welcome Filmmakers and Special Guests!
www.tupelomarket.com
Tupelo, Mississippi
J U D GES
D O CU M EN TA RY
BILL K AVANAGH
N EW YORK , NE W YO RK
Bill Kavanagh is an independent producer/director based in New York. Currently, he is in production on
The Divide: One City’s Story. More information is at http://www.der.org/donate/#divide. His documentary
film, A Matter of Place, highlights three stories of people who faced housing discrimination in present-day
New York City, as well as their resolve to fight for justice. The film shines a bright light on housing discrimination, one of America’s most shrouded civil rights issues. His other work includes the award-winning
documentary Brick by Brick: A Civil Rights Story (2007 Tupelo Film Festival premiere) and Enemies of War
(Independent Lens-PBS), as well as collaborations on other documentaries and independent films. He has a
special place in his heart for Tupelo and the filmmaker-friendly nature of Tupelo Film Festival.
MICHAEL SWA NS ON
LOS A NGE LE S , CA
Michael Swanson is an Emmy Award winning film producer and the studio production executive for
Universal Television’s Parks and Recreation, Community, Maury Povich, Food Fighters and Brooklyn NineNine. Mr. Swanson has produced features, documentaries, shorts and commercials to critical and audience
acclaim through his film company, Faith Filmworks. Some of Mr. Swanson’s productions include the following:
All About Us, filmed in Clarksdale, Mississippi; All About You; Two Seasons; Andraé Crouch: Making of The
Journey; To Hell and Back and documentary film, The Wayman Tisdale Story, for which he won the Emmy.
Mr. Swanson did graduate work at Princeton Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity program and earned
his Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Television from the University of Notre Dame. A Chicago native, Mr.
Swanson resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Christine, and their four children.
World’s Largest Manufacturer
of Luxury Cinema Seating
101 Industrial Drive
New Albany, MS 38652
(662) 539-7017
www.vipcinemaseating.com
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
B & B Concrete Co., Inc.
130 North Industrial Road
Tupelo, Mississippi
662.842.6312
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
7
JUDGE S
S H O RT
LAUR A BE R NIER I
BOSTON , MA/LOS AN GELES, CA/CLA RKS DA LE , M S
Laura Bernieri is a partner in MS Fried Alligator Entertainment whose first film, Mother of George,
was selected for Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2013 and won Best Cinematography. She co-executive
produced Sunny Side Up (Parker Posey, Jacksonville Film Fest ’11 Audience Award,) co-directed & produced
Delta Rising: A Blues Documentary (Morgan Freeman, Willie Nelson; Best Producer Award Beverly Hills FF
’09.) At NBA All Stars 2010, a short she directed with Satch Sanders, Kareem, Jerry West received a standing
ovation. Executive producer of Kettle of Fish (Mathew Modine, Gina Gershon Tribeca ’06), Could Be Worse!
(Sundance ‘00), Passage to Paradise starring Julie Harris with Cristaldi Films (Cinema Paradiso), Bernieri
co-produced Next Stop Wonderland (Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman) Sundance ‘98; Squeeze (Spirit
Award Nominee ‘96), The Darien Gap (Sundance ‘96) and Death: A Love Story (Sundance ‘99), Laura founded
the Harvard Square Scriptwriters collaborative and has moderated panels with Norman Mailer, Michael
Cunningham, Russell Banks, Dennis Lehane, James Schamus, and Pamela Gray.
K ATHILYNN PH ILLIP S
AT LA NTA , GA
Kathilynn Phillips, born in Mississippi, and now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, is a filmmaker whose
award-winning works, including her feature film, Chasing the White Dragon, have screened to thousands in
the U.S., Europe and Asian Pacific. A former President and Board member of Women in Film and Television
Atlanta, Kat is also Entertainment Industry Group Leader for the Ritz Group/Capital Community located in
Atlanta. Interested in the growth of our young filmmakers, in 2014 at the Tupelo Film Festival, Kat and her
husband Eric made a generous donation of camera equipment to the Itawamba Community College’s Film
Club in Fulton, MS which led to the development of film courses. Kat is truly a leader and mentor in the film
industry.
M U S IC V I D EO
STE V E AZAR
GR E E NV ILLE , M S
Steve Azar is a modern day Renaissance man, hit songwriter, recording artist, music producer, golfer and
philanthropist. Steve calls his own breed of music “Delta Soul,” a mixture of country, rock and blues. His
debut album “Waitin’ On Joe” was released in 2001. The title track went to #1 on CMT and featured Academy award winning actor Morgan Freeman. From the same album, the hit single “I Don’t Have To Be Me
Til Monday” received three Million-Air awards from BMI and is one of the top five most played songs of
the past decade on country radio. Turn on the radio today and you’ll likely hear it. Taylor Swift told People
Magazine in 2010 that her favorite song of the year was Steve Azar’s “Sunshine, Slide On Over Here,” which
was spotlighted in Oprah’s O Magazine in her Top Things to Buy at Christmas in 2011. “Sunshine” was also
featured in US Weekly Magazine in June 2012 as one of the most popular celebrity wedding songs and was #1
video on Great American Country TV! Steve has written and recorded songs for film and worked in the role
of music supervisor. “Doin’ It Right” (Delta Mix) from the latest release “Delta Soul: Volume One,” was the
feature track for Sony Pictures 2013 movie Here Comes The Boom starring Kevin James and Selma Hayek.
Reba McEntire ,among many others, has cut his songs. In 2007, Azar was personally chosen by Bob Seger to
perform 46 shows on what was rated the #1 Tour in America by Pollstar Magazine. Steve currently wrote and
recorded the official song for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships “Fly” and “Fly” is the feature track in
the upcoming Sony Pictures Paul Blart Mall Cop 2. He co-founded Ride Records.
JER RY PH ILLI P S
IU K A , M S
Jerry Phillips, son of legendary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and VP of Sam Phillips Recording studios in Memphis, is a record producer, recording engineer, songwriter and musician. He is president and coowner of Big River Broadcasting in Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL, and president and co-owner of Gold Coast
Broadcasting in Clifton,TN, as well as vice president of numerous music publishing companies. Jerry has
worked with such notable talents as Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Prine, Billy Lee Riley and many more.
Jerry is also Executive Producer of the world wide radio and internet program ” Muscle Shoals To Music Row
Live” heard on WXFL 96.1 and watched at MS2MR.Com.
Tupelo, Mississippi
J U D GES
ST U D EN T
GENA ELLIS
C H ICAGO , IL
For Gena, it all begins with the written word. She wrote and co-produced Tupelo’s 2007 Ron Tibbett Best of
Show winner, Angela’s Decision, which also won Australia’s Gold ACE Award for cinematography, Houston’s
Gold Remi for adaptation, and other awards, and studied at universities. Gena’s given workshops on adaptation, writing, Indie films, and taught at universities, prompting her to publish an eBook in 2015- with an AD
early draft, the short story, TV pilot pages, and the story of becoming an Australian film. While Gena has
even been on screen in TV shows Shameless and Chicago Fire, plus films Transformers 3 and the Bollywood
hit, Dhoom 3, her favorite sets are those of her daughter, Ursula, who’s in the MFA directing program at
Columbia in NYC. Gena was recently in Mermaids, a Northwestern University NUWFA grant film by Nina
Rogers. Gena really understands the ‘magic’ that film students create with hard work and a low budget. She’
is, of course, working on a script and a another book. Visit Genaingeneral.com or Browndotproductions.com
for more info.
BANNER GWIN
RIDGE LA ND, M S
Banner Gwin, a native Memphian, is a director and feature film editor currently based in Los Angeles. As
director, his work has been acquired by the permanent collection of The Museum Of Modern Art in NY, and
the LACMA has honored him as one of seven Best Young Directors in Los Angeles. As editor, he recently
completed the Boston-based crime drama God Only Knows starring Harvey Keitel, and he has functioned as
assistant editor on many films such as Zero Dark Thirty, Lawless, and the soon to be released Child 44 produced by Ridley Scott and Triple Nine directed by John Hillcoat.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
9
THURSDAY, APR IL 1 6 | S CR E EN 3
FOREIGN BLOCK (SHORTS)
NELL AND NUGGET | 1:05 PM | G
Director: Nicola Tyndale-Biscoe Ripe - Mohamed Ali’s Happy Day Feast
Writer: Nicola Tyndale-Biscoe Ripe - Mohamed Ali’s Happy Day Feast
Producer: Nicola Tyndale-Biscoe Ripe - Mohamed Ali’s Happy Day Feast
Australia, 1890. The gold-fields of NSW are almost abandoned, apart
from families of ‘gleaners’ who scavenge for gold in the exhausted
diggings. Nell, 13 & Nugget, 9 , sister and brother – live with their
father Frank in the bush on the old chase. Frank spends his days
foraging through tailings or ‘nickel-backing; deepening the old mine
shafts. Nell & Nugget tend the veggies and chooks, collect the firewood
& water. Frank is usually home by sunset – to wash and eat tea with the
kids. One night he doesn’t come home.
GWEN MAGEE: THREADS OF HISTORY
| 1:15 PM | G
Director: Anne Cremieux
Mississippi quilt artist Gwendolyn Magee’s art poignantly features
the history of the South and its horrific violence towards African
Americans, from slavery to the present. American folk art specialists,
local artists, and museum goers comment on her work.
FOREIGN BLOCK (DOCUMENTARY)
EXTREME PINOCCHIO | 1:49 PM | R
THE OTHER F WORD | 2:20 PM | G
Director: Pascal Chind - Short Cut
Writer: Pascal Chind - Short Cut
Producer: Olivier Lamy
Director: Isabel Bleim
Writer: Isabel Bleim
Producers: Isabel Bleim, Andre Bleim
A dwarf junkie dresses up as Pinocchio to steal money from a
schizophrenic psychopath who thinks he’s Geppetto…
What does forgiveness really mean? Is it always essential or is it
sometimes impossible to attain? This feature-length documentary
explores the meaning of forgiveness and examines its impact on our
relationships and our sense of justice.
Tupelo, Mississippi
T HU R S DAY, A P R IL 1 6 | S C R E E N 3
FOREIGN BLOCK (SHORTS)
NO LOVE LOST | 3:35 PM | G
FLOWERS | 3:35 PM | G
Director: Shekhar Bassi
Writers: Shekhar Bass, Shalinder Bassi
Producers: Shalinder Bassi, Shekhar Bassi, Gemma Lloyd, Helen Silver
Director: Sabina Sattar - SWOOSH!
Writer: Sabina Sattar - SWOOSH!
Producers: Sabina Sattar - SWOOSH!,, Monika Kocian - SWOOSH!
A Jewish boy nurturing a secret romance with a Muslim girl, despite
the realities of their backgrounds, is unaware he is being stalked.
While the young lovers struggle to be open about their relationship, the
stalker’s obsession reveals a thought provoking turn culminating in the
trio coming face to face.
A boy falls in love with a deaf and mute girl and has to find a way to
communicate his feelings for her.
THE TREEHOUSE | 4:03 PM | G
Director: Amy Coop - Epitaph, A Little Bit Country, The Fairweather Girl,
Boy Soldiers, Out of Darkness
Writer: Amy Coop
Producers: Amy Coop, Benedict Turnbull
In the shadow of a family funeral, a young boy retreats to the
treehouse he built with his father and shuts himself in and the rest of
the world out. Whilst there he is befriended by an enigmatic young girl
from next door who helps him to come to terms with his loss and face
up to the future.
I KNOW YOU | 4:20 PM | G
Director: Colin Gerrard
Writer: Colin Gerrard
Producer: Colin Gerrard
This short film does not push the envelope of cult personality
and distortion of media; neither does it break the bonds of false
exaggeration. Rather it enfolds it. It’s a game of confidence. What if you
couldn’t tell the difference between what was real and what was not?
What if you could get away with something and everyone seemingly
believed you? Sometimes it doesn’t matter who you are; it’s who they
think you are.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
11
THURSDAY, APR IL 1 6 | S CR E EN 3
U.S. SHORTS
HYPOTHETICALLY | 4:40 PM | G
SHOTGUN | 4:48 PM | R
Director: Peter Zinn - *first film
Writer: Geoffrey Pomeroy - Over the Hedge
Producers: Stephanie Dawson Scout & Maggie - Death’s Door
Director: Maverick Moore
Writers: Maverick Moore , Zachary Korpi, Steven Trebus
Producers: Steven Trebus , Zachary Korpi
Two “could be” mob-types go to a restaurant to discuss “business.”
But they do so in such non-committal terms it becomes a verbal joust
with many comedic turns and rhyme schemes that keep the audience
guessing: “Are these guys for real?”
Three girls burn rubber and leave no survivors on an inexplicably
wild ride.
NOBODY | 5:02 PM | G
Director: William Bryan
Writer: William Bryan
Producers: William Bryan, Tom Radovich
A biographical story of Elvis Presley in high school in Memphis,
1953, featuring his tender relationship with his loving mother,
his devoted teacher, and the senior year talent show that changed
everything.
Tupelo, Mississippi
NIGHT OF THE LIVING TWINKIES
| 5:20 PM | G
Director: Rex Harsin – Chuck the Duck, The Good, the Bad & the Purdie,
Purdie Wars, Purdieliverance, Girl Trouble, Backstage
Writer: Rex Harsin – Chuck the Duck, The Good, the Bad & the Purdie,
Purdie Wars, Purdieliverance, Backstage, Girl Trouble
Producers: vOz Vanelli – Fish Story, A Hole in the Bucket, Purdie’s Trouble with
Pepper, Purdie and the Beefcake Burnout
Night of the Living Winkies is a cartoon poking fun at America’s
obsession with fast, sugary food. It follows Purdie and Spencer Penguin
as they travel in a truck containing the beloved Winkies, which have
recently gone out of business. Winkie lovers are after them in hot
pursuit.
T HU R S DAY, A P R IL 1 6 | S C R E E N 3
MUSIC VIDEO BLOCK
AVARICE | 5:30 PM | R
Director: Scott McEntire - TwinkleTown, Simple, Rent Party
Writers: Josh Carr – The Door, Scott McEntire – TwinkleTown, Anyone, Simple,
Christopher S. Thompson – The Gleaning, Jarrod Paul Beck – Perfect Machine
Producer: Kayla Esmond
CAN’T GIVE UP ON YOU | 5:40 PM
Director: Fiona Cochrane
Producer: Fiona Cochrane
A return to psychedelia, ’cause you just can’t give it up.
When Daddy died, he left Ronald with a diary that holds the combination to a locked chest full of treasure. The problem is that Daddy left
the map to the location of that chest with Ronald’s estranged brother,
Merle. Merle’s daughter has taken steps to bring the brothers back together, but the crooked roots of this dysfunctional family run deep, and
may prove too much to overcome.
ALLEN MANN – VISIONS | 5:44 PM
TUPELO CHAPTER
Director: Frank Ladner
Filmed in black-and-white with vintage lenses and low-fi optics, this
music video tells the story of a reclusive man obsessed with seeking and
documenting visions in the surrounding wilderness.
WELCOME
FILMMAKERS!
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
13
THURSDAY, APR IL 1 6 | S CR E EN 3
DON’T BE JUDGING ME | 5:49 PM
Director: Daniel Espeut
Producer: Daniel Espeut
The music video for Playground Hero’s debut single, “Don’t Be
Judgin’ Me”, is an uninterrupted long take featuring Lead Vocalist,
Estebon Watson, singing as he dances down the sidewalk. The video
was directed and produced by Daniel Espeut, who also appears in the
beginning sitting next to Estebon and fellow band members Davon, Ian
and Jonathan. To emphasize Estebon’s manic and drunken state as he
tells the story of what happened to him that day, Mr. Espeut uses the art
of quick-change to reappear as four separate characters.
BRONCHO - WHAT | 5:58 PM
Producer: Tim Ackelmire
I shot this on my iPhone 5 and Canon Vixia HF R300 and edited it
on Final Cut X. It is my Apple TV screensaver featuring some of my
paintings and trip screensavers. Featuring the song What by Broncho.
Tupelo, Mississippi
FRANCESCA | 5:54 PM
Director: Gaëna da Sylva
Writer: Bill Madden
Producers: Bill Madden, Gaëna da Sylva
‘Francesca’ was inspired by the art and life of American
photographer Francesca Woodman. Captivated by the mysterious
black and white photography of Woodman (which features herself),
Madden paid tribute to Woodman on his new album, “New Religion.”
Director and photographer Gaëna da Sylva portrays Woodman with
shadowy imagery, bringing to life Madden’s lyrics, “Ghostly images
appear like gossamer blurred apparitions.”
FROM TRIBULATION TO TRIUMPH | 6:00 PM
Director: Rex Harsin
Producer: Bran Simmons
This is the official music video for the song, “From Tribulation To
Triumph” by Jake Wood. Both the song and video convey a strong,
uplifting message of hope, love, and reconciliation.
T HU R S DAY, A P R IL 1 6 | S C R E E N 4
FOREIGN BLOCK (STUDENTS)
ROBBING BLIND | 1:05 PM | PG
THE LIGHTGUARD | 1:15 PM | R
Director: Mike Chantaj
Writer: Mike Chantaj
Producers: Jessieh Slezak, Mike Chantaj
Director: Bob Demper
Writer: Bob Demper
Producer: Bob Demper, Mischa Staupe
After a botched break-in, an amateur burglar, hoping to leave a life
of crime behind, must continue to break the law with his brother in an
attempt to eventually live a clean and guilt-free life.
Alone in his lookout, lighthouse keeper Chien Baak oversees the
shore of a small coastal village. One grey afternoon an unknown ship
looms up, which seems to be a harbinger of doom. The nights following
ship more questions than answers. One thing is for sure: the sea
awaits…
FOREIGN BLOCK (DOCUMENTARY)
THE CUTTING ROOM | 1:46 PM | R
Director: Marco Velez – Love Falls, A Lost Generation, Fear
Writer: Marco Velez – Love Falls, Fear, Will & Mary
Producer: Eugenia Lagorio – She Walks, Amontillado, Megamillion
François Gauthier is hired by the great film director Angel Rizzoli
to edit his upcoming film noir. He becomes completely obsessed with
Isabel , the lead actress and star of the film, and buries himself in
this editorial madness, performing horrific acts in the name of his
obsession.
WHERE IS ELLE – KARI & WHAT HAPPENED
TO NORIKO-SAN | 2:00 PM | G
Director: Dvorit Shargal
Writer: Dvorit Shargal
Producer: Kastina Communications LTD
A nostalgic, fascinating and heart-breaking journey into very
popular photographed children’s books in black & white from the
mid-20th century. An unbelievable detective story, which follows the
missing heroes of the books: Were they real children? Where are they
now? The books were created by the photographer Anna Riwkin-Brick.
Most of them were written by Astrid Lindgren.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
15
THURSDAY, APR IL 1 6 | S CR E EN 4
FOREIGN BLOCK (SHORTS)
THE STOMACH | 3:00 PM | R
NEWBORN | 3:16 PM | PG
Director: Ben Steiner – The Flea, Trannibal Fleash Feast, Insecticide
Writer: Ben Steiner
Producer: Dan Dixon
Director: Simret Cheema-Innis
Writer: Simret Cheema-Innis
Producer: Simret Cheema-Innis
Frank’s had enough. A spirit medium whose unique and grotesque
method of channeling the dead is putting his own life at risk; he wants
out. But others, in this world and the next, have plans of their own.
Part body-horror, part ghost-story, The Stomach is a unique tale of
Supernatural Noir.
Marris lives alone in a house left to her by her recently deceased
grandmother. One day a mysterious bowl arrives at her door. But the
bowl is more than it seems.
U.S. BLOCK (STUDENTS)
CARRY ON | 3:30 PM | G
DELIVER US FROM EVIL | 3:40 PM | G
Director: Yatao Li
Writer: Yatao Li
Producer: Yatao Li
Director: Robert McDermott
Writer: Robert McDermott
Producer, Chris Johnson
During the brutal withdrawal of Japanese forces at the end of WWII,
a Chinese father does whatever he can to save his family.
In this modern day thriller set in the open plains of the high
Midwest, three men begin to discover a man’s hidden identity when
they inadvertently welcome him into their home.
Tupelo, Mississippi
T HU R S DAY, A P R IL 1 6 | S C R E E N 4
U.S. SHORTS
LAKE FATHER, LIKE SON | 4:00 PM | PG13
THE WATCH | 4:20 PM | PG
Director: Ioannes Palomaria
Writer: Ioannes Palomaria
Producer: Ioannes Palomaria
Directors: Roger Franks – The Carrier
Writers: Roger Franks – The Carrier
Producers: Michael Devereaux – The Carrier, Mixed Assumptions
A film by Ioannes Palomaria, made for his final 7th grade project for
Thomas Starr King’s Film and Media Magnet. He also stars in his own
movie.
A chance meeting with Mason Hughes, who was involved in The
Civil Rights Movement, changes the life of Nathan Bishop in ways he
never expected.
SEPTEMBER SKETCH BOOK | 4:45 PM | G
ONCE UPON A TIME ON THE BORDER
| 4:55 PM | PG
Director: Ronnie Cramer – Pillow Girl, Cantata in C Major, Sixty in 60
Writer: Ronnie Cramer
Producers: Ronnie Cramer
Directors: Álvaro H. – Blanco Medrano’s Visit
Writers: Álvaro H. – Blanco Medrano’s Visit
Producers: Alejandro Pardo , Estefanía Lamas
“September Sketch Book” is an experimental film created using old
school animation; over 5,400 drawings are made with pen and paper.
The film is abstract in nature, with sequences based on flags from
around the world.
A weary border guard and a legendary bounty hunter meet in the
middle of the blazing desert in a bizarre and tense encounter.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
17
THURSDAY, APR IL 1 6 | S CR E EN 4
KICK OFF PARTY – ROMIES GROCERY
AROUND THE NEXT CORNER | 5:15 PM | R
Directors: Mike Gillis
Writer: Mike Gillis
Producers: Mike Gillis
Young angry woman changes after conversing with lonely older man.
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SAM MOSLEY & THE SAM MOSLEY BAND | 7:30 PM
New Albany resident and blues legend Sam Mosley
has over 40 years of writing award winning music
playing the blues to fans all over the world. Mosley
got his musical start in 1956 at the age of ten when he
had a group with his brothers called the ‘Starlighters’,
which they later changed to ‘Jamie Mosley and the
Dynamics.’ Jamie was Sam’s brother. In 1967, after
a tour in Vietnam, Sam met up again with friend,
schoolmate and musician Bob Johnson. They decided
to form a band and the name was changed numerous
times throughout the years. The first name of the
band was ‘Bobby Johnson and the Messengers’, before
it was changed to ‘Sam and Bob and The Soul Men’,
then it was changed to ‘Mojobo,’ before finally to the
‘Mosley and Johnson Band.’ In 1967 the duo started
recording tracks in Tupelo at John Mahalic studio. In
1968, they were playing at a Memphis nightclub and
were asked for some demos. Soon after, they recorded
at High Record Studios in Memphis and released two
45s with the songs “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “Is It
Over?” Over the years Sam has toured the world with
his music and has played with and/or written songs
for many of the great names R&B. Sam has had a blues
marker placed in the honor of Mosley Johnson Band
on Cleveland Street in New Albany.
After the kick off party, check out the music at
Gabriel’s on Gloster w/ Zechariah Tillotson – just a
couple of blocks away!
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Tupelo, Mississippi
FR IDAY, A P R IL 1 7 | S C R EE N 3
U.S. BLOCK (DOCUMENTARY)
THE SUM TOTAL OF OUR MEMORY…
| 1:00 PM | PG
Director: Barbara Klutinis – Severing the Soul, Stepping into the Stream,
Journey Swiftly Passing, Wind/Water/Wings, Still Life with Barbie, The IWWF
Rendezvous Connection, Trumpet Garden, Pools
Writers: Barbara Klutinis
Producers: Barbara Klutinis
An ode to memory: couples diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s come
to terms with their changing roles. Medical experts in Alzheimer’s
Disease offer their perspectives from the front lines.
U.S. BLOCK (FEATURE)
SPRAY PAINT ATLAS | 2:15 PM | PG
Director: Trevor Campbell
Writer: Trevor Campbell
Producer: Michelle Campbell
Six weeks after his fiancee disappears, a law student and his exgirlfriend go on a half-hearted crime spree across the Western US
trying to find her.
U.S. BLOCK (STUDENTS)
IRRESISTIBLE | 3:40 PM | G
Director: Maggie Bushway
Writers: Maggie Bushway, Rob Bushway, Kathi Bushway
Producer: Maggie Bushway
“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I
want, but I do the very thing I hate.” - Romans 7:15
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
19
FRI DAY, APR IL 1 7 | S CR E EN 3
I NEED MY MONSTER | 3:46 PM | G
Director: Richard Marrujo
Writer: Howard Cook – The Ninety Nines, Forever Mankind
Producers: Steven Baker, Howard Cook – A Complex Villanielle, 8 Second
Dance, Forever Mankind, The Ninety Nines,
When Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds a note
instead: “Gone fishing. Back in a week. –Gabe” What will Ethan do?
He needs a monster under his bed.
SPIRIT OF NEGATION | 3:58 PM | PG
Director: Alexander Kuribayashi
Writer: Adam Buffery
In this Gothic Western, a teenager attempts to escape the chaos of
Civil War renegades. Influenced by a mysterious stranger, the boy is
drawn back into the violence.
U.S. BLOCK (SHORTS)
BROKEN JAM | 4:13 PM | R
GARAGE SALE | 6:00 PM | PG
Director: Emanuele Michetti
Writer: Emanuele Michetti
Producer: Altreproduzioni
Director: Meaghin Burke – Killer Kudzu, Pusharatas, The Artifact
Writer: Meaghin Burke
Producer: Greg Earnest – The Artifact, Motorists v Cyclists, Pusharatas, Echoes
An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer
from a diagnosable mental disorder. Through a day, this story shows
the difficulty maintaining a romantic, cohabiting relationship, suffering
with mental disease.
Lydia and her father struggle to heal a fractured relationship while
preparing to sell his house. Packing and selling cherished childhood
objects conjures a host of memories for Lydia, who is still reeling
from the death of her sister. As she tries to accept her complicated
relationship with her father, she also celebrates the opportunity to make
amends across the generations.
Tupelo, Mississippi
FR IDAY, A P R IL 1 7 | S C R EE N 3
ELVIS - THE GUITAR | 6:15 PM | G
Directors: Ken Calloway
Writers: Rex Harsin, Leesha Faulkner
Producers: vOz Vanelli
The story of a gift to a young boy that forever changed the face of
American music. Adapted from the story as told by Elvis’s cousin, Sybil
Presley, in the book “We Remember Elvis.”
RUDY’S OLD HAT | 6:26 PM | G
Director: Herman Snell
Producer: Philip Scarborough
Abandoned at birth, Rudolph “Rudy” Boutwell spent the majority of
his life rescuing treasures that other people had abandoned.
U.S. BLOCK (FEATURE)
OZLAND | 7:00 PM | PG
Director: Michael Williams – Kane, Illumination, Lukos
Writer: Michael Williams – Kane, Illumination, Lukos
Producer: Michael Williams – Kane, Illumination, Lukos
In a post-apocalyptic world, two wayfarers wander aimlessly until
Leif finds a copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Interpreting the
book, Leif allows it to challenge the beliefs, friendships, and even the
very survival of these two divergent travelers.
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF
TUPELO FILM
FESTIVAL
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
21
FRI DAY, APR IL 1 7 | S CR E EN 4
U.S. BLOCK (DOCUMENTARIES)
WILDFLOWER | 1:30 PM | G
BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WOULD
| 2:00 PM | G
Director: Max Zoghbi
Writer: Max Zoghbi
Producer: Jarred Coates – God’s Not Dead
Directors: Tim Finkbiner, Dan Oliver
Writer: Hal Goodtree
Producer: Hal Goodtree
Broken up at the time, my now wife, Bonnie Kate, was shot and survived
the 2012 Batman Theatre Mass Shooting in Aurora, CO. Choosing to grow
and persevere even in the harshest of seasons and circumstances, Bonnie Kate
shines brightly through the darkness and chooses to accept joy every step of
the long, painful and seemingly endless way. We know that this long suffering,
chronic pain and present darkness is for an unfathomably greater good to come,
and this film is a small glimpse into wrestling with that reality as I craftily
propose in a movie theatre.
This is the story of the Durham Renaissance, from booming tobacco
town to abandoned 19th century relic and back again as the Silicon
Valley of the South. It’s the story of vision and risk, partnerships and
perseverance to rebuild a community.
U.S. BLOCK (FEATURE)
U.S. BLOCK (DOCUMENTARY)
ROUTE 30 THREE! | 2:30 PM | PG
LOCKED OUT | 4:10 PM | G
Director: John Putch
Writer: John Putch
Producer: John Putch
The final chapter of the trilogy focuses on the mysterious
disappearance of Rotten Egg, a camera that reveals the truth in every
photo, and a man’s quest to become ‘less’ boring. This stand-alone
comedy delivers a romantic and upbeat message about relationships
and the truth behind every story.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Directors: Sean W. Malone – No Vans Land
Producers: Sean W. Malone –No Vans Land
Locked Out chronicles the struggles and success of Melony
Armstrong, an entrepreneur who fought state restrictions to become
the first professional African hair braider in Mississippi.
FR IDAY, A P R IL 1 7 | S C R EE N 4
U.S. BLOCK (SHORTS)
MISSISSIPPI MILK | 4:40 PM | G
PIZZA MAN VS. THE TORNADO | 6:00 PM | G
Directors: David Rogers, Brittany Retherford
Writers: David Rogers, Brittany Retherford
Producers: Chandler Griffin, Lisa Biagiotti – Barefoot workshops
Director: Ken Calloway
Writer: Ken Calloway, Rex Harsin
Producer: vOz Vanelli
A family farm’s struggle to produce a local product and bring it to the communities of North Mississippi.
Pizza Man faces his greatest challenge yet as he goes up against the
Tupelo Tornado!
A HORROR MOVIE | 6:08 PM | R
GOT NO FETISH | 6:20 PM | R
Director: Glenn Payne – Earthrise
Writers: Casey Dillard – Genrevolt, The Fall of Henry, Glenn Payne (concept by)
Producer: Glenn Payne
Director: Rebecca Busch
Writers: Rebecca Busch, Monika Winters-Sanchez, Natalie Lentz
Producers: 3 Hats Productions, Obscura Films, Jeff Sanchez
Six “teens” are expecting a night of fun, but their cabin party quickly
turns into a night of terror, danger and cliches.
When a naïve student photographer attends a suburban fetish
party to shoot for a class assignment, she is surprised to learn that no
photos are allowed. Before she can make her exit, she is mistaken for a
reluctant partygoer and encounters some very unusual suburbanites.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
23
FRI DAY, APR IL 1 7 | S CR E EN 4
U.S. BLOCK (DOCUMENTARIES)
SELF OFFENSE | 6:36 PM | R
Director: Wendy Keeling – Key West Vet, Just Grate
Writers: Alex Hall, Robert Coles, Wendy Keeling
Producer: Wendy Keeling – Just Grate, Chloe, The Dooms Chapel Horror
This reality parody brings the viewer inside the daily life of a dysfunctional
family and their bounty hunting business. Twyla Sue Dollarhide, aka “Bounty
Mama” and her gun toting lamebrain family try to prove that “Momma” always
gets her man.
THE LAST FORECLOSURE | 2:00 PM | R
Director: John Wilson – Varmint 1 & II, Dead Man’s Hand, Varmint Reloaded,
Exodus, Elle Davis Woods, Help Wanted
Writer: John Wilson – Varmint 1 & II, Dead Man’s Hand, Varmint Reloaded,
Exodus, Elle Davis Woods, Help Wanted
Producers: Jason Koonce – Varmint 1 & II, Dead Man’s Hand, Varmint
Reloaded, Exodus, Elle Davis Woods, Help Wanted
666 R. Johnson Rd. is the last foreclosure of the day for Caleb
Graham, assistant manager at Muddy Waters Bank & Trust. Having
a hard time finding the property, Caleb gets help from a grizzled,
highway peddler who points him in the right direction. Or, is it the
wrong one?
FRIDAY NIGHT
U.S. BLOCK (FEATURE)
JOIN US AT STEELE’S DIVE WITH MUSIC BY
GHOSTING | 7:25 PM | PG
WES SHEFFIELD & THE SLOW BURNERS
Director: Kevin Alexander Boon – Two Days Back
Writer: Kevin Alexander – Boon Two Days Back
Producer: Robin Allaire McCarthy
The son of a schizophrenic mother and abusive father must unravel
the mystery of his frightening visions before he succumbs to madness.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Wes represents a new generation of artists reviving the
tradition of authentic Mississippi music. Inspired by the
powerhouse catalogue of bluesmen, folk artists, and pewswaying gospel musicians from the area, he combines the best
elements in a unique but familiar fashion to create a truly
enjoyable listening experience.
MS H I G H S CH O O L F I L M C O MP E T I T I O N
SAT U RDAY, AP R I L 1 8 | S C R E E N 3
The MS High School Film Competition will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will offer a full morning of activities
for the competing students. Come out and help support our future filmmakers and see the work they have
produced. Michael Williams will be present to present a workshop among other guests. Students from
around the state are competing for awards – who will win??? Check out the list of competing films and
the students who produced them. We want to especially thank our sponsors the Elaine Dundy and Roy
Turner Endowment for the Arts (Tupelo, MS), Rock River Foundation (Charleston, MS) and Watkins College of Art, Design and Film (Nashville, TN) for their support. Also, a special thanks to our judges Phillip
Gentile, University of Southern Mississippi, Max Shores, Univeristy of Alabama and Don Tingle, Alabama
Filmmakers Co-op – Huntsville, AL. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Awards and cash prizes will be awarded at the end of the event and students have an
opportunity to meet visiting filmmakers throughout the day and attend workshops
and events. Students competed this year in short, documentary, animation, and
commericial categories.
FI L M MA K IN G – P RE SENT ED BY M ICHAEL WIL L IAMS
“Filmmaking”. You can do it!” A workshop that focuses on getting your film made
from script to screen. You may think you need lots of money and equipment, but
really you need to know what story you’re trying to tell and get creative!
ABOUT MICHAEL
Michael Williams began creating short films in 2004 while in high school and
throughout college at the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied film.
Since then, he has been consistently creating short films and screening them at
film festivals and film screenings across North America. This year will be the 10th
anniversary of his first festival acceptance at the Tupelo Film Festival in 2005 with
his film Amazing Grace. Williams’ professional career in film began in 2007 and his
credits range from assistant camera to director of photography on many independent
short and feature length films. Currently, Michael owns Shendopen Productions
in downtown West Point, MS, continues to write and direct his own independent
films, produce films by other regional filmmakers, and works regionally in the film
industry primarily as a 1st AC, camera operator, and director of photography. After
writing, directing, and producing over 20 short films, Williams broke into the feature
length film territory with his debut feature, OzLand. His desire to tell complex stories
visually draws him to pursuing a career as a cinematographer, however, as an artist
and story teller, Williams writes and directs films like OzLand on the side so that he
can share his stories with whoever is interested in watching them.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
25
M S H IGH S C H O OL F IL M CO M P E TIT IO N JUDG ES
DON TINGLE
Workshop Director, Alabama
Filmmakers Co-Op
HUNTSVILLE, AL
P HILIP GENT ILE
Instructor of Film
Studies in Mass Communication/
Journalism
University of Southern Mississippi
HATTIESBURG, MS
MAX S HOR E S
Producer/Director, University of Alabama
Center for Public Television & Radio
TUSCALOOSA, AL
Tupelo, Mississippi
A N D T H E 2 0 15
C O MP E T I N G
F I L MMA K E R S A R E …
KOSSMAN’S, INC. CAR COMMERCIAL
presented by Rebecca Koehler
Mississippi School for Mathematics and
Science – A Kossman’s, Inc. car expresses
its reliability and versatility as it goes from
center stage to backstage. Cleveland, MS –
30 seconds (Commercial)
JASMINE MURRAY – MISS MISSISSIPPI (GRAND
MARSHALL OF THE 2015 STARKVILLE CHRISTMAS
PARADE) - presented by Preston Booth
Starkville High School - A feature package to
be inserted in the live broadcast of WOBV’s
presentation of the 2015 Starkville Christmas Parade introducing the Grand Marshall
of the parade, Miss Mississippi, Jasmine
Murray. – Starkville, MS – 4 minutes, 28
seconds. (Commercial)
DAMPED OSCILLATING MOTION
WORST CASE SCENARIO
A TASTE OF SHERRY
SERIOUS
SPEAKING THOUGHTS
CONSTITUTIONAL LITERACY PSA
ADULT-ISH
MHEA FILM FESTIVAL PROMO
ACCS FOOTBALL “HYPE” FILM
A KILL TO REMEMBER
presented by Rebecca Koehler
Mississippi School for Mathematics and
Science – An exploration of the various
types of damped oscillating motion in the
context of spring-mass systems through
different fluids. Cleveland, MS – 2 minutes,
56 seconds (Short)
presented by Isabella Kinder
Lion Heart Academy – Sherry has just
returned from a trip to France, only to find
that certain things have changed. When
she hears on the radio that a storm is
brewing, she goes to warn her boyfriend,
Claude, but gets a surprise instead. – Grenada, MS – 7 minutes, 40 seconds (Short)
presented by Hancock High School
Video Production Club
Hancock High School – A girl who can’t help
but speak her mind gets a taste of her own
medicine. She then decides she should be
herself, and finds another person who too
identifies with her hardships. – Diamondhead, MS – 6 minutes, 33 seconds. (Short)
presented by Alec Martin
Madison Central High - “It’s a long road
to independence.” – Madison, MS – 5
minutes, 20 seconds – (Short)
presented by ACCS Team
Adams County Christian School - Adam
County Christian School won the right to
play for the state championship after 31
years. The team lost in a tight battle, so
our film and photography team crafted a
short “pep” film to get the team and school
psyched up for the 2015 season. – Natchez,
MS – 1 minute, 22 seconds - (Short)
ACCS SALUTES VETERANS AND SOLDIERS
presented by ACCS Team
Adams County Christian School – hosts a
military appreciation football game night
every season. Our student film team wanted
to create a patriotic tribute to our men and
women who have served and are serving in
the military and use our new green screen
technology in the film’s production. – Natchez, MS – 1 minute, 45 seconds – (Short)
presented by Preston Booth
Starkville High School – A deal between
thieves goes down exactly as you would expect as you encounter these bandits worst
case scenario. – Starkville, MS – 5 minutes,
9 seconds (Short)
presented by Preston Booth
Starkville High School - Dialogue is key
but in-continuity is fun. – Starkville, MS
– 1 minute, 33 seconds – (Short)
presented by Laura Leigh Hicks
Salt Homeschool – A 60 second commercial/PSA promoting constitutional
literacy. – Steens, MS – 1 minute (Commercial)
presented by Laura Leigh Hicks
Salt Homeschool – 30 second commercial
spot for the Mississippi Home Educators
Association Film Festival (2014) – Steens,
MS – 30 seconds – (Commercial)
presented by Christian Bean
Tupelo High School – A man awakens to
find he has killed his friend. All may not be
as it seems. – Tupelo, MS – 2 minutes, 37
seconds – (Short)
A MAN AND HIS MACHINE
presented by Christian Bean
Tupelo High School – A man spends his
days on the computer. Could love save
him? – Tupelo, MS – 1 minute, 42 seconds
– (Short)
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
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SAT U RDAY, APR IL 1 8 | S CR E EN 3
CHOCOLATE MILK BY ICC STUDENTS
FREE JAPANESE SCREENINGS BEGIN AT 12:30 PM
CHOCOLATE MILK | 10:00 AM | G
DEPARTURES | 12:30 PM | G
This past year the ICC students wrote a script and produced
their first film: Chocolate Milk
Film Synopsis: Young people realize the truth to Carl Jung’s
philosophy: “Everything that irritates us about others can
lead to an understanding of ourselves.”
Jon Armstrong, Morgan Cutturini, and Keith Morris, ICC
Film Instructors, have been working with film students and
seeing buds begin to blossom much due to the needed film
equipment which was donated last year by Eric and Kat
Phillips (Producer, Director, Writer – TFF alumni filmmaker.) It has transformed the burgeoning film club into a bona
fide film program and ICC now has several film classes, a
designated film room on campus, and excited students who
feel that a whole new world has opened up to them. Morgan commented, “I can’t thank Eric, and Kathilynn Phillips
enough for their generous donation that has supported the
growth of ICC’s film program and the vision and encouragement from Pat Rasberry, Tupelo Film Commission/Tupelo Film Festival Society.”
Tupelo, Mississippi
Director: Yôjirô Takita
Writer: Kundô Koyama
Runtime – 130 minutes
Departures is a special screening presented by the Japan-America
Society of Mississippi.
For the second year in a row, the Japan-America Society of Mississippi (JASMIS) is partnering with the Tupelo Film Festival to
present the 2008 Japanese film “Departures” (“Okuribito”) to the
general public and festival attendees alike.
This film will be presented FREE OF CHARGE to anyone that
wishes to attend, as well as all attendees of the Tupelo Film Festival. The film will be presented with Japanese language audio and
English subtitles.
Departures tells the story of an unemployed cellist named Daigo
who moves back to his hometown after his symphony disbands.
As a newly unemployed cellist, he takes a job preparing the dead
for funerals. The film stars Motoki Masahiro, Hirosue Ryōko, Yo
Kimiko and Yamazaki Tsutomu.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
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PANE L D IS CU S S IO N – DA R K N E S S TO L I G HT:
HOR ROR TO S CI- FI – AS P E C T S O F P R O DUC TION
SCREEN 4 | 10:00 AM | THRILLER, DRAMA, SCI-FI, HORROR – HEAR WHAT OUR PANEL HAS TO SAY!
S EAN JOH NS ON
Sean Johnson, Director of Marketing and Tourism for the City of New Albany and a co-owner of
NewAlbany99, got his background in publishing and city planning. He started the first zombie run
in New Albany and is planning a mega haunted house for next year. Sean will lead the panel in discussing the aspects of producing the dark side of filmmaking with a panel that covers everything
from acting to horror festivals to the technical side of things and more.
HUDS ON HICK MA N
Hudson Hickman, a former Senior VP of Production for MGM Worldwide TV, has been involved in more then 25 movies at MGM as well as 700 hours of episodic TV, including Stargate
SB-1, TV’s longest running science-fiction series; Dead Like Me, The Outer Limits, Stargate Atlantis,
The Magnificent Seven, and Stargate Universe. Prior to his stint at MGM he worked on numerous
projects including MacGyver, The Love Boat, Get a Life and Phenom. Hudson has successfully collaborated on films from underwater suspense (Into the Blue 2) to high tech thriller (War Games;
The Dead Code) to romantic comedy (The Cutting Edge; Fire and Ice) and has credits on such films
as Mr. Holland’s Opus and The Mighty Ducks. Currently Hudson is in advance prep for his Indie
feature, Beulah. He is a member of both the Producers’ and the Directors’ Guilds and served on the
Advisory Board of the Association of Film Commissioners International for more than 10 years.
LIS A LAX
Lisa Lax has talent agencies in Memphis and New York and has earned the reputation of discovering and nurturing talent then finding roles for them in film and television. The former actress,
manager and casting director has placed clients in projects such as The Americans, Blue Bloods,
Nashville, Boardwalk Empire, The Blacklist, Sleepy Hollow, Law and Order, I Saw the Light, Resurrection, Chicago P.D., Animal Planet, America’s Most wanted, Dead Man Down, East Bound and
Down, Rock and Roll Pilot, South of Heaven West of Hell, Turn, Drop Dead Diva, American Hustle,
The Wolf of Wall Street. Thanks for Sharing and Nonstop. Lax is most noted for jump starting the
career of Memphis actress, Lucy Hale, of Pretty Little Liars.
WE S BE NTON
Wes Benton has been involved in all aspects of production as well as a wide range of budgets.
He has help set up motion capture stages for Polar Express, The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion,
the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Incredible Hulk, The
Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor, Avitar, on set capture for I am Legend.
Tupelo, Mississippi
S AT U R DAY, A P R IL 1 8 | S C RE E N 3
GLE NN PAYNE
Glenn Payne has directed and produced over 20 independent films. He organizes and runs the
Tupelo Halloween Horror Film Festival which is entering into its fourth year. He is currently producing a comedy pilot entitled Stagrassle Paranormal.
R OB UNDER H ILL
Rob Underhill is an Indie film director, producer, writer, editor of more than 50 short films and
6 feature films that have been in competition at over 200 film festivals worldwide, including ST.
LOUIS (Academy Award-qualifying) and CANNES (France), and have received over 90 international film festival awards. He has built films from concept to final cut with a range of budgets from
ultra-low to “just enough”. He loves to share his experiences and tips for successful filmmaking
and mounting a successful film festival campaign. More is at www.RobUnderhill.com
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662-844-2654 | www.robinson-advertising.com
201 South Spring Street, Suite 600, Tupelo, MS 38804
See, Feel and Touch where the King of Rock ‘N Roll began his musical journey.
A 15-acre park where you can enjoy the history of THE BOY, ELVIS.
Open daily for tours:
306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo MS 38801
662.841.1245 www.elvispresleybirthplace.com
l
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
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SAT U RDAY, APR IL 1 8 | S CR E EN 3
WORKSHOP/LECTURE
GENA ELLIS | 3:00 PM
WRITING THE ADAPTATION: CULLING NUGGE TS FROM THE SOURCE
AND WRITING THE GOLDEN SCRIPT
For Gena, it all begins with the written word. She wrote and co-produced
Tupelo’s 2007 Ron Tibbett Best of Show winner, Angela’s Decision, which also
won Australia’s Gold ACE Award for cinematography, Houston’s Gold Remi
for adaptation, and other awards, and studied at universities. Gena’s given
workshops on adaptation, writing, Indie films, and taught at universities,
prompting her to publish an eBook in 2015- with an AD early draft, the short
story, TV pilot pages, and the story of becoming an Australian film. While Gena
has even been on screen in TV shows Shameless and Chicago Fire, plus films
Transformers 3 and the Bollywood hit, DHOOM 3, her favorite sets are those of
her daughter, Ursula, who’s in the MFA directing program at Columbia in NYC.
Gena was recently in Mermaids, a Northwestern University NUWFA grant film
by Nina Rogers. Gena really understands the ‘magic’ that film students create
with hard work and a low budget. She is of course working on a script and a
another book. Visit Genaingeneral.com or Browndotproductions.com for more
info.
ROB UNDERHILL | 4:30 PM
LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR THE COMPLETED FILM
Rob Underhill is a film and TV director, producer, writer and editor. His
films have been in competition at over 200 film festivals worldwide, including
ST. LOUIS (Academy Award-qualifying), OAXACA (Mexico), SUNSCREEN
(Academy-sponsored) and CANNES (France), have received over 80 awards
including for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and have scored rave
reviews from top film critics like Mark Bell of Film Threat and Anne Brodie
of Criticize This! Featured on the National Public Radio shows, The State
Of Things with Frank Stasio and The Story with Dick Gordon, Rob’s work is
regularly subject in newspapers, radio, TV-news and more. Carolina STYLE
Magazine recognized Rob as one of 25 “Most Stylish People” influencing
positive change in the Carolinas. And he is a RAWards Indie Art Award
recipient for Best Regional Filmmaker. He is the featured Speaker at the
2015 graduation commencement exercises for the Department of English at
North Carolina State University. His work has aired on the ASPiRE network
and other national US and European TV outlets. Visit his website atwww.
RobUnderhill.com; *like* his Facebook for regular updates at www.facebook.
com/RobUnderhillProductions.
MUSIC VIDEO
FEATURE
AWAY | 5:45 PM
FEVER DREAMS | 5:50 PM | PG13
Director: Rodney Daughtrey
Producer: Rodney Daughtrey
Directors: Rob Underwood
Writers: Al Julian, Paul Julian
The first music video from a new band/recording project called
“Waves Through Windows”, “Away” was shot and edited by Rodney
Daughtrey, the drummer in the band, using a Canon 5DM3 camera
and Final Cut Pro X editing software, on location in Vancouver, Boston,
and San Francisco.
Fever Dreams, a new TV Series, is in development in the vein of Tales
from the Crypt and Twilight Zone with self-contained tales of suspense
and terror!
Tupelo, Mississippi
S AT U R DAY, A P R IL 1 8 | S C RE E N 4
WORKSHOP/LECTURE
set. She is still very busy in this aspect of the business. She recently became a licensed
esthetician and enjoys being on set behind the scenes.
Casting-the-net.com is Sharon newest venture. She has designed a website for
directors and producers to recruit talent that will work locally in Mississippi. The
website will pool all the talent together to make it easier to view and book talent
within the state.
Lisa Lax, Memphis, TN – Actors Tools
• How to prepare
• How to conquer the room
• Directors and Producers, Oh my!
LISA LAX/SHARON WARD | 1:00 PM
Sharon Ward, Jackson, MS – Actors Tools
• Headshots: What makes a good headshot?
• Resumes: Outline of what needs to be on an actors resume
• Reel: How do I get a reel?
• What does an actor need to bring to an audition?
• What do I expect at an audition and how do I prepare?
• I booked the job, now what?
• Being on set? What to expect when you are on set.
• Representation: How do I get an agent?
• How to tape yourself when you can’t make an audition in person?
• How do I promote myself as an actor?
Lax, who has spent 20 years working as an actress, manager and casting director, has
labored mostly below the radar in Memphis. But when she opened her own talent
agency, The Lisa Lax Agency, in January 0f 2008 it created a buzz. Lax has a knack
for discovering untapped talent, nurturing it and delivering it to the right door says
actor, “Chris Ellis” of Hollywood. In September of 2011, Lax opened a second office
in New York City. The expansion came as a result of Lax’s long time development
of relationships with national casting agents, producers and directors. Lisa is most
noted for jump starting the career of Memphis actress, Lucy Hale of Pretty Little
Liars.
A legit agency in NYC, she represents actors for Film, and Television. In Memphis,
she provides a full service agency. Already her clients are working on many projects
including The Americans, Blue Bloods, Nashville, Boardwalk Empire, The Blacklist,
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Nike, TN Lottery, AT & T, Sleepy Hollow, Forever, Law &
Order, I Saw The Light, Shaq, Inc, Vacationland, Resurrection, Chicago P.D., Animal
Planet, America’s Most Wanted, Dead Man Down,East Bound And Down, Rock And
Roll Pilot, South Of Heaven West Of Hell, Turn, Drop Dead Diva, American Hustle,
The Wolf Of Wall Street, Thanks For Sharing, and Non-Stop.
Sharon Ward is a native of Mississippi and has been in the film/ acting industry for
13 years. She began as a talent agency in Central Mississippi in 2002 and grew to be
the largest talent agency in the state representing models and actors throughout the
southeast.
Sharon created a model and talent showcase, Showcase of the South, to promote
Mississippi talent to larger markets. She was able to connect with large agencies in
New York and Los Angeles and as well as internatonally. She brought many agents
from large firms into the state of Mississippi to recruit and sign her talent.
Sharon sold the agency in 2012 to concentrate on different aspects of the film
industry. She began to do local casting, wardrobe, props, and hair and makeup on
KAT PHILLIPS | 3:00 PM
PREPARING YOUR FILM FOR DISTRIBUTION
Kathilynn Phillips, born in Mississippi and now residing in Atlanta, Georgia,
is a filmmaker whose award-winning works, including her feature film,
Chasing the White Dragon, have screened to thousands in the U.S., Europe and
Asian Pacific. A former President and Board member of “Women in Film and
Television” Atlanta, Kat is also Entertainment Industry Group Leader for the
Ritz Group/Capital Community located in Atlanta. Interested in the growth
of our young filmmakers, in 2014 at the Tupelo Film Festival, Kat and her
husband Eric, made a generous donation of camera equipment to the Itawamba
Community College’s Film Club in Fulton, MS which led to the development of
film courses. Kat is truly a leader and mentor in the film industry.
In her workshop she’ll discuss preparing your completed film for
distribution; from the creation of requisite deliverables, to driving an audience
to your product and to what you might expect to net from sales agents.
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
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SAT U RDAY, APR IL 1 8 | S CR E EN 4
U.S. BLOCK (FEATURE)
U.S. STUDENT/SHORTS
EARTHRISE | 4:15 PM | PG
TAKE THE MOUNTAIN | 6:20 PM | G
Director: Glenn Payne
Writer: Glenn Payne
Producers: Glenn Payne, Michael Williams, Josh Whites
Directors: Deborah J. Freeland – The Road To San Mateo
Writers: Katrina Sims
Producer: Division of Outreach – The Road To San Mateo
99% of the human race has colonized on Mars. The remaining few work to
rehabilitate our dying planet. Each year a small number are selected to return
home to aid in the process. For those few, it will be their first glimpse of Earth.
We follow them on their journey in this sci-fi psychological thriller.
No other American family legacy is quite like the Montgomery’s of
“Davis Bend,” Mississippi. Their story begins as slaves on the extensive
plantations established by Joseph E. Davis in the 1820s and is told
through rare period photographs, many of which have been hidden
away for over a century.
Go home. For the first time.
WITNESS MONITOR | 6:30 PM | R
COLORLESS | 3:48 PM | PG
Directors: Edward Worthy
Writers: Edward Worthy
Producers: Edward Worthy, Jordan Lewis
Director: L. Denise Heidelberg
Writer: L.Denise Heidelberg
Producers: Celeste Heidelberg, Shannon Lewis, Kendra Liddell
Following the witness of a murder from a surveillance room, a man
is locked in with the murderer on his way in. Will he make it out alive
or be found guilty of his own crime?
Dorian, a biracial teenager, raised by his African-American father
seeks out his estranged mother.
Tupelo, Mississippi
S AT U R DAY, A P R IL 1 8 | S C RE E N 4
TUPELO PREMIER
CELEBRATE “THE WRAP” IN DOWNTOWN TUPELO
THE GIFT | 7:20 PM | G
WES SHEFFIELD & THE SLOW BURNERS |
Directors: Gabriel Robertson
Writer: Gabriel Robertson
Producer: Ken Petrie
To celebrate his eleventh birthday, a young boy selects his gift – little
knowing that his choice will change the world.
We’ll gather at Nautical Whimsey and enjoy the unique
atmosphere, awesome music, fantastic food, and sweet,
southern hospitality from hostess “Amanda.” Go on the “walk
about” and search the music trail listening to great tunes.
Circle back to the hotel catching tunes at Gabriel’s on Gloster,
IDK and Blue Canoe. It’s a great way to end the night!
serve
give
These words describe what we do
as a community foundation. They
also issue a call for you to join us.
As we partner together, we can
strengthen our region and change
our world.
Whether it’s providing food for
the hungry, temporary shelter for
the homeless, college scholarships
for deserving students, playground
unite
elevate
honor
educate
equipment for an elementary
school, funding for local arts programs, or revitalizing communities
through our affiliate program, we
need your support and involvement. CREATE is your community
foundation. We are committed to
improving the quality of life for the
people of Northeast Mississippi. It’s
what we do together.
connect
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
35
Tupelo, Mississippi
Leo "Bud" Welch at Po' Monkey's Juke Joint — Merigold, MS
An itinerary is a good start. But the real trip begins when you leave it by the wayside.
Mississippi is alive. Let it grab you. The music. The food. The laughter. When you get
lost in the moment, you find much more. And you’ll take it with you forever.
Start your story at visitmississippi.org.
TUPELO FILM FEST FULL PAGE VISIT MS.indd 1
2015 Tupelo Film Festival
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4/3/15 9:34 AM
CONNEC T IN G P EO P L E T H R O UG H I N DI E F I L M.
WWW.TUP ELOFILMFEST IVA L . NET