2016 Festival Schedule

Films are being screened:
Friday: 7:00pm – 10:15pm
Saturday: 12:00pm – 9:10pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:45pm

Schedule Updated Jan. 20, 2016

Friday
TimeFilm
6:00pm – 7:00pmDoors Open
7:00pm – 7:15pmStella Walsh
Directed by: Rob Lucas
Stella Walsh was one of the most celebrated female athletes on the planet. She had thousands of medals, ribbons, honors and fans from around the world. Almost fifty years after her stunning 1932 gold medal win in the women’s 100 meter dash, Stella was shot and killed in Cleveland, Ohio, which revealed that she had ambiguous gender. This documentary explores the life of Stella, her death and her gender controversy through interviews with friends, trainees, members of the media and a geneticist as well as photos and archival footage from years of in-depth research.
7:15pm – 7:20pmQ & A with Rob Lucas
7:20pm – 7:31pmThe Nehemiah Project
Directed by: Joddy Eric Matthews
A documentary short about an afterschool bullying prevention program that services at risk youth through education and community service, which culminates into a flash mob presentation at Tower City Center (Cleveland, OH).
7:31pm – 7:36pmQ & A with Obadiah Baker and Joddy Eric Matthews
7:36pm – 7:43pmHarvey Pekar’s Teo Macero
Directed by: Daragh McCarthy
Filmed in 2008 in a hotel room in the Lower East Side NYC and using original artwork by Joe Sacco, Harvey Pekar reads from his comic American Splendor telling the story of unknown jazz legend… Teo Macero, producer of Miles, Monk and Mingus. 
7:43pm – 7:48pmQ & A with Tara Seibel
7:48pm – 8:09pmThe History of Chase Brass
Directed by: Travis Pollert and Joseph Jurecki
Chase Brass is in instition, but it was not something that happened overnight.
8:09pm – 8:14pmQ & A with Travis Pollert and Joseph Jurecki
8:14pm – 8:34pmWelcome Home
Directed by: Justin Buckner
After years of estrangement, three devious siblings agree to reunite when one of them proposes a scheme that could help finally land the big score. ‘Welcome Home’ is a Comedic-Crime-Farce that’s all about family.
8:34pm – 8:39pmQ & A with Justin Buckner
8:39pm – 8:40pmDay of Lost Things
Directed by: Sean Farney
A poem
8:40pm – 8:45pmQ & A with John Gosslee
8:45pm – 8:55pmNothing To Do With Luck
Directed by: Kevin Naughton
The stakes of a friendly poker game escalate quickly and dangerously in this minimal-realist drama.
8:55pm – 9:00pmQ & A with Kevin Naughton
9:00pm – 9:07pmOpen Mic at the Fillmore
Directed by: D.J. Clement
A comedian finds out how truly powerful words are.
9:07pm – 9:12pmQ & A with B.J. Halsall
9:12pm – 9:16pmSound is Lov – Take Me With You
Directed by: Jon Mancinetti
Music Video
9:16pm – 9:17pmHow Fast Can You Make It Down Hollywood Blvd.
Directed by: Jon Mancinetti
9:17pm – 9:18pmPost Break-Up Interview
Directed by: Jon Mancinetti
9:18pm – 9:21pmTyler Perry’s A Movie for White People
Directed by: Jon Mancinetti
9:21pm – 9:38pmWhat Was Left
Directed by: Jake Nathanson
Eric, a 17-year-old boy who is faced with the sudden death of his estranged father, sets out to find the man’s last known possession.
9:38pm – 9:43pmQ & A with Jake Nathanson
9:43pm – 9:49pmCold Coffee
Directed by: Rebekah Camp
This film is loosely based on the events surrounding the abductions performed by Ariel Castro in Cleveland, OH. While the characters do not resemble the people who were involved in these incidents, the project stems from a writing assignment done based on the prompt of writing from a serial killer/rapists’ point of view.
9:49pm – 9:54pmQ & A with Rebekah Camp
9:54pm – 10:08pmHotwire
Directed by: Erin Brown
When the love of his life threatens to go overseas, Stan, a shy daydreamer, must become the hero of his action movie fantasies to win her heart.
10:08pm – 10:12pmQ & A
10:12pm – 10:30pmBreak
10:30pmLocal Filmmaker’s Networking/Social Night with music by Ladybird
Saturday
TimeFilm
11:00am – 12:00pmDoors Open
12:00pm – 12:15pmTotal Awesome Viking Power
Directed by: Morten Forland
When Viking role player Vidar is sidelined to the land of the dead he seeks help of the god Odin, who agrees to teach Vidar the ways of the Vikings if he takes him to a mystical Runestone. Together they embark on a journey that will test Vidar’s wits, bravery and his ability to go completely berserk.
12:15pm – 12:23pmTexting: A Love Story
Directed by: Rani Crowe
A short, awkward romantic comedy about love, intimacy, and connection in the digital age.
12:23pm – 12:27pmLions and Wolves
Directed by: Keith Collins II
A woman is kidnapped and doesn’t know why. The real question is Who is deadlier… the lions or the wolves?
12:27pm – 12:32pmQ & A with Keith Collins II
12:32pm – 12:41pmThere I Am
Directed by: Gabriel Simon & Alaa ‘Zak’ Noweihed
Teresa fights to free herself from her merciless captor. 
12:41pm – 12:44pmBy the Name of Boston
Directed by: Grant Kolton
William Boston lives in the desert and doesn’t care for many things though he does have one friend, a scorpion named Chester.
12:44pm – 12:51pmTeaming Up
Directed by: Thomas Rodinella
A couple struggles with living together and dealing with ‘business’.
12:51pm – 12:56pmQ & A with Thomas Rodinella
12:56pm – 12:58pmRemember
Directed by: Lindsay Glover
After many years, two old classmates have a chance meeting. One remembers everything, the other just wants to forget.
12:58pm – 1:05pmThe Amautalik
Directed by: Neil Christopher
Two young friends are spending a day away from their camp. Unfortunately for them, an ancient land spirit – an amautalik – is also in the area. Luckily for them both, one of the children’s difficult life has taught him to think quickly.
1:05pm – 1:24pmThe Florida Purse
Directed by: Millie DeBenedet
Midwestern values get put to the test when a local gift store owning couple find out that they are being routinely robbed, but cannot catch the thief. Exhausted by efforts to find a culprit, Ruth Timble starts to question her own sanity, while her skeptical husband Lloyd threatens to call the doctors on her. As the truth emerges 26 years later, Ruth and Lloyd rediscover what is ultimately important to hold on to.
1:24pm – 1:32pmMeeting Matt Damon
Directed by: Frieda de Lackner
A woman’s dream to have coffee with Matt Damon comes true, sort of.
1:32pm – 1:47pmA Ceremonial Melody
Directed by: Faiz Rai
A story of a Telugu boy who has fallen in love with a Tamil girl.
1:47pm – 2:03pm#3C
Directed by: Mischa Auzins
Living life through the memory of better times; better times that only prolong the pain.
2:03pm – 2:08pmTrick or Treat
Directed by: Debbie Stone
It’s Halloween night as usual for three trick-or-treaters until they come to a house with no lights on.
2:08pm – 2:20pmMalibu Living
Directed by: Kalyn Renee Harper
Hayley Scott has hit rock bottom when she enters rehab and makes an unusual friend while on the inside… their paths run parallel until an unexpected turn of events that simultaneously leaves Hayley heartbroken and inspired to conquer her demons. This remarkable film is based on a true story about a courageous young woman whose life was not lived in vain.
2:20pm – 2:25pmW
Directed by: Frencesca Draghetti
A mysterious creature falls in love in the Globe Theater of Shakespeare
2:25pm – 2:48pmCleveland State University Student Films
2:48pm – 2:53pmQ & A
2:53pm – 3:00pmBreak
3:00pm – 4:00pmBreak/Cleveland Camera Rental Presentation
4:00pm – 4:14pmA Way Out
Directed by: Jason Tostevin
When aging gangster Vick risks it all to quit the life, he discovers his young protege has been keeping a secret of his own — one that plunges them both into a deadly cat and mouse game over the course of one car ride.
4:14pm – 4:19pmQ & A with Jason Tostevin
4:19pm – 4:39pmHelio
Directed by: Teddy Cecil
One worker sparks an uprising when he attempts to break free of his dystopian underworld.
4:39pm – 4:54pmPrism
Directed by: Benjamin Brown
A mentally unstable man has kidnapped 3 people, believing one of them to be a god.
4:54pm – 5:05pmBasic Adventuring 101: Die Loudly or Die Permanently
Directed by: Kristin Brumley
Basic Adventuring 101 is a web series about Live Action Role Players that is realistic to the genre and created by people who have lived and loved the game.
5:05pm – 5:10pmQ & A
5:10pm – 5:22pmEmpty Space
Directed by: Rob Underhill
Every morning Mike wakes like this. Soon after, the voices in his mind wake too. Vivid recollections, situations, and each scene he acts out on a bare stage: an act of filling empty space with meaning.
5:22pm – 5:27pmQ & A with Rob Underhill
5:27pm – 5:39pmAmaqqut Nunaat
Directed by: Neil Christopher
A hunting excursion evolves into an otherworldly encounter, as two brothers navigate the spirit realm in this ethereal and haunting animation that celebrates the ancient art of Inuit storytelling.
5:39pm – 5:44pmHeavenly Peace
Directed by: Andreas Wessel-Therhorn
A Christmas Angel uses his manipulative ways to reunite a couple in time for Christmas
5:44pm – 5:57pmLast Call
Directed by: Brad Ashten
Two strangers meet at a bar just before it closes in one of the nastiest storms on record. They discover that love may actually exist, but then find out that one, or both of them may actually not.
5:57pm – 6:15pmMercy
Directed by: Mylissa Fitzsimmons
Mercy has decided it’s time to lose her virginity. There’s only one problem, she’s an agoraphobic who hasn’t left her house in 5 years.
6:15pm – 6:24pmA Worthy Fight
Directed by: Katie Hoffman
‘A Worthy Fight’ is a compelling documentary about a revolutionary new treatment for cancer and the hope it might bring to millions affected by the deadly disease.
6:24pm – 6:34pmInterpretations
Directed by: Cecillia Potenza
A concert director doesn’t realize her star player is right in front of her.
6:34pm – 7:00pmBreak
7:00pm – 7:14pmReparations
Directed by: Alex Lamb
Just released from prison, Dylan confronts his drug-dealing best friend Max for ruining his life, seeking recompense by orchestrating a robbery against him.
7:14pm – 7:25pmThe Entertainer
Directed by: Rob Underhill
Witness a prime-time TV interview with Bob about life, coping with loss, love, and the contents of his coffee table.
7:25pm – 7:30pmQ & A with Rob Underhill
7:30pm – 7:37pmGone
Directed by: Patrick Roberts
Where is she?
7:37pm – 7:42pmQ & A
Directed by: Gideon Hodge
7:42pm – 7:56pmAn Exercise in Style
Directed by: Anthony Arnone
A guy goes for a girl and gets thwarted by her boyfriend, shot in five different film styles.
7:56pm – 8:05pmTiny Town
Directed by: Howard Cook
When a small train town is besieged by cataclysmic events, it’s up to a simple ice-cream man to rise up against the challenges and defend his home.
8:05pm – 8:26pmFrom My Head to Hers
Directed by: Maria Alvarez
‘From My Head To Hers’ is a documentary about the modern hair donation process. The film tells the story of donating 14 inches of my hair to a 13 year old girl, Kenzie, who has lost of all her hair due to alopecia. I am connected with Wigs for Kids, a nonprofit that makes high quality wigs for children in need for free. After cutting off my hair, I travel to Italy to see the wig production process and bring the wig back to Kenzie. While getting a wig gives Kenzie confidence in her exterior, her true beauty from the inside is what makes her outside so beautiful and inspirational.
8:26pm – 8:31pmQ & A with Maria Alvarez
8:31pm – 8:42pmMarian
Directed by: Shom Ghosh
A young man struggles with deciphering his obsessions, dreams, memories, & differentiating them between actual reality.
8:42pm – 8:46pmHim
Directed by: Tony Burke
A lonely commuter fantasises about a man she sees everyday on the underground.
8:46pm – 8:50pmTwo Kinds of People
Directed by: Quincy Perkins
There are two kinds of people, those that read the logline and those that don’t. A love story.
8:50pm – 8:55pmQ & A with Quincy Perkins
8:55pm – 9:04pmSuperpimp
Directed by: Dustin Lee
The story of Cleveland’s infamous, Superpimp.
9:04pm – 9:09pmQ & A with Dustin Lee
9:09pmAwards
9:30pmFilmmaker’s Networking/Social Night with music by Nate Jones
Sunday
TimeFilm
11:00am – 12:00pmDoors Open
12:00pm – 12:09pmThe Orphan and the Polar Bear
Directed by: Neil Christopher
According to Inuit oral history, long ago animals had the power of speech, could shift their appearances, and could even assume human form. In The Orphan and the Polar Bear, a neglected orphan is adopted by a polar bear elder. Under the bear’s guidance, the little orphan learns the skills he will need to survive and provide for himself.
12:09pm – 12:16pmRight Person for the Job
Directed by: Wilfried Meance
Jean, a recent unemployed 55 year-old attempts to get a new job at a job center. What he does not know is Remi, his 30 year-old hot, tempered counselor, wants to end his work day early and does not care about Jean.
12:16pm – 12:24pmAnother Empty Space
Directed by: Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro
In the winter of Berlin two ex-lovers meet for the first time since parting ways.
12:24pm – 12:37pmWall
Directed by: Mark Sargent
Friday afternoon. Nine people before a wall. Waiting. Who has the right to see?
12:37pm – 12:39pmThe First Smile After
Directed by: Zahra Jafarialimolk
A child cheers-up her mother.
12:39pm – 12:42pmFailed
Directed by: Marina Bruno
A driver recklessly races to the finish line.
12:42pm – 12:56pmLima
Directed by: Afshin Roshanbakht and Vahid Jafari
Lima continues to reminisce about his lost father until he himself is old.
12:56pm – 1:13pmMother & Brother
Directed by: Dustin Cook
They were made for each other….
1:13pm – 1:19pmThe Lonelist Stoplight
Directed by: Bill Plympton
The life and times of a neglected stoplight.
1:19pm – 1:26pmMother’s Day
Directed by: Jeff Tan
Tragedy forces Mary and her son Jay to say goodbye forever.
1:26pm – 1:30pmFish
Directed by: Saman Hosseinpuor
An old couple are living in an apartment, the man is sleeping and the woman is doing housework. The lady wants to change the fishbowl’s water but it slips out of her hand and falls on the ground. They’ve ran out of water and there’s no water for the fish. But with the help of the man they find water. 
1:30pm – 1:41pmShabu-Shabu Spirit
Directed by: Yuki Saito
A father welcomes his son-in-law to dinner.
1:41pm – 1:55pmColors of Life
Directed by: Goro Ushijima
The exploration of color and weaving
1:55pm – 2:10pmThe Other Side
Directed by: Akiko Izumtani
What’s the point-of-view from the other side?
2:10pm – 2:26pmBarrier
Directed by: Keisuke Hakomori
The challenges of a new disability.
2:26pm – 2:48pmIt Cannot Move
Directed by: Yoshiaki Sajima
Or can it?
2:48pm – 3:10pmBlind Tasting
Directed by: Takato Hosoi
Can you taste it?
3:10pm – 3:20pmBreak
3:20pm – 4:20pmMusic by TriHearn
4:20pm – 4:37pmSomewhere the King
Directed by: Charles Mazery
June just went through a terrible break-up. So Claudine, her grandmother, decides to take her to an Elvis Presley impersonators contest.
4:37pm – 4:41pmSupporting Roles: Episode 1
Directed by: Travis Aitken
Supporting Roles is a short series about two struggling actresses whose personal lives play out against the absurdity of the casting process.
4:41pm – 4:52pmGoran
Directed by: Roberto Santaguida
Joy and frustration as constructed by Goran Gostoji of Novi Sad.
4:52pm – 4:56pmSupporting Roles: Episode 2
Directed by: Travis Aitken
Supporting Roles is a short series about two struggling actresses whose personal lives play out against the absurdity of the casting process.
4:56pm – 5:01pmGood Cop, Good Cop
Directed by: Keagan Karnes
Good Cop, Good Cop is about Officer Lane, a dedicated but no so bright police officer who just can’t seem to understand the concept of good cop bad cop.
5:01pm – 5:05pmSupporting Roles: Episode 3
Directed by: Travis Aitken
Supporting Roles is a short series about two struggling actresses whose personal lives play out against the absurdity of the casting process.
5:05pm – 5:18pmThe Edge
Directed by: Gabriel Simon & Alaa Zak Noweihed
You can only fall on one side of the blade.
5:18pm – 5:25pmTimed Romance
Directed by: Rob Underhill
Romance is all about the timing.
5:25pm – 5:30pmQ & A with Rob Underhill
5:30pm – 5:43pmDuality
Directed by: Daniel Ruczko
A young woman wakes up and finds a photo of herself sleeping on her phone, she lives alone.
5:43pm – 5:51pmOpal
Directed by: Aaron Alexander
Michelle has lost her memory from a tragedy and keeps waking from the same nightmare. For a moment, life is bliss. Time passes and her state of confusion alters after meeting a complete stranger. Memories of Opal rush her all at once.
5:51pm – 6:09pmThe Man Who Fed His Shadow
Directed by: Mario Garefo
A man intrudes into rich people’s dinners claiming that he can collect the food from their table and feed his shadow which, curiously enough, is a female figure.
6:09pm – 6:22pmMoving Day
Directed by: Zheng Wang
Set against the background of rapid city development, Moving Day tells the story of a longtime resident of Seattle’s Capitol Hill/First Hill neighborhood. After hearing that her apartment building is about to be sold, she decides to move out before she is forced to. As she packs up, she reminisces about the history of the neighborhood, and reflects on her latest life change.
6:22pm – 6:35pmStranger
Directed by: Vanessa Harris
A young woman recalls a blind date that didn’t quite go as planned…
6:35pm – 6:46pmDoes She?
Directed by: Eric Buisson
Julia and Amanda steal people in Los Angeles, and things turn bad.
6:46pmBest of the 5th Annual Short. Sweet. Film Fest