Shorts program, 135 min, 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 in all short categories. Most of our selections are from Michigan or Ontario, but several are from outside the region.
Director: John Shaw
Documentary Short, United States, 2017, 5 min, English, Color, Student Project (DePaul University)
By powering up their "time machine," a dated Hi8 camcorder, two friends explore and discuss the joy of creating movies as a kid.
Great Lakes Connection: I spent the first 25 years of my life living, learning, and traveling throughout Michigan. Even though I currently live in Chicago, Michigan is my home! And, I look forward to the opportunity to connect with fellow Michigan filmmakers and film enthusiasts
Director: Joshua DeFour
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 8 min, English, Color, Student Project (The University of Texas at Austin)
A disgruntled musical ghost escapes from a haunted turkey baster to terrorize a group of coworkers during their Friendsgiving...
This film was written, shot, and edited during the 2017 48 Hour Film Project for Austin, TX as part of team "UTʼs Finest." The filmmakers were given the genre of "musical," the prop of "turkey baster," and the character "Frank Ruark" from which to weave a narrative and produce a short within 48 hours.
Great Lakes Connection: The director is from Sterling Heights, MI.
Director: Michael Chan
Narrative Short, United States, 2016, 10 min, English, Color, Student Project (American Film Institute)
Marc Chung recounts a story to his friends Stan and Kyle about the events that led up to purchasing a pellet gun to protect his address. He suspects a man name Robert is committing fraud under his address.
Great Lakes Connection: None.
Trailer Website FacebookDirector: Nate Roels
Documentary Short, United States, 2016, 12 min, English, Color, Student Project (Calvin College)
A murderer finds redemption from an unexpected source.
Great Lakes Connection: Our crew is from Grand Rapids, and the film takes place in Detroit.
Audience Choice Award - Best Student Documentary
Director: Trevor Tarantowski
Documentary Short, United States, 2017, 9 min, English, Color, Student Project (Spring Arbor University)
A "Planet Earth"-style look into the life of a college student.
Great Lakes Connection: This was filmed by students from Spring Arbor University in the southern Michigan area.
Audience Choice Award - Best Student Music Video
Director: Claire Davis, Eleri Watkins
Music Video, United States, 2017, 3 min, English, Color, Student Project (Troy Athens High School)
Insomnia. A nightmare. An original music video using the music of the all-girl, Detroit-based band, Blood and Wine.
Great Lakes Connection: Students created this film as seniors at Troy Athens High School in Troy, MI.
Director: Jennifer Kenner
Animation, United States, 2017, 3 min, English, Color, Student Project (College for Creative Studies)
Are you lonely? Desperate? Got energy to burn...? Then have no fear, Fridge and Bear will help you! They are the best self-help gurus on the market and they will help you find love at all costs!
Fridge and Bear is my senior thesis that I made during my last year at College for Creative Studies. Itʼs a standalone short film, but it also serves as a pilot to a series that I want to develop in the future.
Great Lakes Connection: I live in Michigan and I also worked on my film at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit! Also, all of the talent (excluding the musician) was born and raised in Michigan as well.
Director: Sarah Schmidt
Animation, United States, 2017, 2 min, English, Color, Student Project (Ringling College of Art and Design)
Starry Skies is about a little girl who loves stars and astronomy. Unfortunately, she lives in the city, where tall buildings and light pollution block her view of the night sky. Just as she loses hope of ever seeing the stars, a constellation comes to life and whisks her away on a magical journey through the stars.
Great Lakes Connection: I was born and raised in Saline, MI. My film, Starry Skies, is heavily influenced by my childhood memories, especially the opportunity to travel to Northern Michigan and see clear skies full of stars.
Director: Seeyun Lee
Animation, Canada, 2017, 2 min, English, Color, Student Project (Sheridan College)
Dodo (the dog) chases after the ambulance to stay beside his owner (the mother) in coma.
Great Lakes Connection: The director is a student at Sheridan College in the Toronto area.
Director: Nina Vallado
Documentary Short, United States, 2017, 28 min, English, Color, Student Project (Andrews University)
Nina and Lisa are two sisters destined to be the best of friends, but with a diagnosis of autism at the age of 2, Lisaʼs voice disappears. Without communication, Nina and Lisa set out to find connection and sisterhood.
Great Lakes Connection: My film was produced at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. Michigan locals have participated in and supported the making of this film.
Director: Anna Hudzik
Audience Choice Award - Best Animation
Audience Choice Award - Best Student Animation
Animation, United States, 2017, 2 min, English, Color, Student Project (Ringling College of Art and Design)
A playful, father-son story about a young horse named Charlie who grows increasingly frustrated by his dadʼs lame jokes.
Great Lakes Connection: I was born and raised and am currently living in the Great Mitten.
Director: Alison Locricchio
Animation, United States, 2017, 2 min, English, Color, Student Project (Savannah College of Art and Design)
Max and Paulie are siblings yearning for one thing only: a pet dog. They decide to make a home video to show their parents that they do, indeed, deserve a dog. They make some excellent points, but every persuasive junction becomes a good plan gone wrong.
Great Lakes Connection: The director was born and raised outside of Detroit.
Director: Patrick Tucker
Narrative Short, Canada, 2017, 14 min, English, Color, Student Project (Sault College)
Two strangers from different generations meet in a hospital waiting room and find comfort in each other's company.
Great Lakes Connection: Cast and location.
Audience Choice Award - Best Student Narrative
Director: Thomas Butcher
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 4 min, English, Color, Student Project (Oakland University)
Clarissa struggles to make healthier choices when food begins to literally call out to her.
Great Lakes Connection: This was filmed in Troy, MI by Michigan residents. It was a student project through an Oakland University film class.
Director: Craig MacDonald
Narrative Short, Canada, 2016, 3 min, English, Color, Student Project (Sault College)
How hard can golf be? One man discovers the hard truth when he finds a free set of golf clubs
Great Lakes Connection: The filmmaker is a student in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Director: Devante Mark
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 3 min, English, Color, Student Project (Michigan State University)
A wingman does what a wingman shouldnʼt.
Great Lakes Connection: The film was shot in Lansing, Michigan.
Director: Gabe Braden
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 16 min, English, Color, Student Project (Divine Child High School)
Three actors at different stages of their career deal with their history and hopes for the future, as they audition for the role of a lifetime.
Great Lakes Connection: The filmmaker is a student in Dearborn, Michigan.
Saturday, September 16, 11:45am
Soo Theatre
Shorts program
Not rated
135 min
© 2014-2017 Soo Film Festival, Inc. All rights reserved.