Shorts program, 144min, Not rated
We received a lot of great student entries from the Great Lakes region and elsewhere. In this sampling, you’ll see the work of talented students from high school through graduate school. Following the student films is a film by Steven Wiig, a native of Negaunee and a member of our advisory board.
A Q&A with the filmmakers follows the screening, which runs about 114 minutes.
Director: Jacob Fisher
Documentary Short, United States, 2015, 6 mins, English, Student Project (Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, Michigan)
A documentary about Jackson, Michigan's very own crime fighter. (Filmed at Spring Arbor University by students in its video program.)
Audience Choice Award - Best Student Documentary
Director: Griffin Olis
Documentary Short, United States, 2016, 7 mins, English, Student Project (Troy Athens High School, Troy, Michigan)
The 1% explores the dangerous future (and present) of our nation's most precious natural resource: The Great Lakes. (From the filmmaker: “The film’s location, personnel, subjects, content, and interviews all have a Great Lakes connection.”)
Director: Sebastian Schnabel
Narrative Short, United States, 2016, 4 mins, English, Student Project (Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Two friends find a dead body in the trunk of their rented car. (The film was shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the cast and crew are from Minneapolis as well.)
Directors: Megan Escamilla, Jeremy Little
Narrative Short, United States, 2014, 12 mins, Student Project (Delta College, University Center, Michigan)
When Aaron goes to the park to talk to an old friend, he has a dark secret that's not so easy to share. (Filmed in Saginaw.)
Director: Sean Murphy
Narrative Short, United States, 2016, 13 mins, English, Student Project (College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan)
A busy college student named Sean is stopped one day by an old man named Ahmed asking for a ride. Reluctantly he agrees and later halfheartedly agrees to do it again. Over time the two become friends until one day Ahmed must move. Though Ahmed may be gone, Sean won’t forget him. (From the filmmaker: “The cast and crew all are from the Detroit area and the film was shot in the Detroit area as well.”)
Director: Kaela Green
Narrative Short, United States, 2016, 17 mins, English, Student Project (Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, Michigan)
A short musical that asks the question: Can love overcome a troubled relationship? (Filmed at Spring Arbor University by students in its video program.)
Director: Craig Erpelding
Narrative Short, United States, 2015, 11 mins, English, Student Project (DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois)
Nestor Talbot has his hands full when his future self travels back to the present using a time travel app. His goal: to save a relationship that present day Nestor has no interest in saving. Unfortunately, a clown and a quirky pet shop clerk get caught in the mix. This is an MFA Thesis Film for DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts. It was chosen as Best Short by the Audience at the FilmDayton festival (Dayton, OH) and won Best Student Film at the Alhambra Theatre Film Festival (Evansville, IN). Other screenings include: Los Angeles CineFest, Kansas City Film Festival, and TMFF. (Filmed in Chicago, IL.)
Director: Anders Gatten
Narrative Short, Canada, 2016, 4 mins, English, Student Project (Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario)
It's the early 1950s and the American Blacklist is in full swing. Writers are being divided between their politics and their paychecks, including a young newcomer commie by the name of Alton. When Alton is threatened to be put out of work for the rest of his days, he is given the chance to clear his name by finishing a pro capitalist B movie script. Which will he give up: the job he loves or the ideals he holds dear? This is a 2nd year film for Sheridan College's Bachelor of Film and Television program. (Shot in Oakville, Ontario on the shore of Lake Ontario.)
Audience Choice Award - Best Student Narrative
Director: Paul Dombrovskis
Narrative Short, Canada, 2015, 16 mins, English, Korean, Student Project (Vancouver Film School, Vancouver, BC)
Heon Soo (Eric), a Korean comic book artist, moves to Canada to pursue his dream, leaving family and friends behind. Facing isolation, language differences, and cultural differences is a price we often have to pay in order to achieve success. The character’s journey emphasizes that nothing in life is free, but if you love what you do, work hard, believe in yourself, and are persistent, then with time and a fair amount of luck, life will eventually take you where you want go.
Audience Choice Award - Best Narrative Short 15 Minutes and Over
Director: Steven Wiig
Narrative Short, United States, 2016, 25 mins, English
Destiny is the last thing on the mind of a group of unsuspecting strangers as they await the arrival of a small town film star, but Fate rarely plays by the rules. (Made in the U.P. by people from the U.P. Shot in Negaunee & Ishpeming in July 2016. Director, producer, and key cast member Steven Wiig is a native of Negaunee and a member of the Soo Film Festival Advisory Board. Steven currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area where he dedicates his life to film, art, music & family (not necessarily in that order)).
Sunday, September 18, 3pm
Soo Theatre
144min
Not rated
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