Dances With Films Official Blog

And the Winners Are...

2010-06-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

This year was one of the hardest for our judges! NEVER have they had such a difficult time with their decisions. This was evidenced by that fact that all of the judges had their own "top films."All of this years selections are winners in our book, but here are the judge and audience picks:

WINNERS

GRAND JURY AWARD for FEATURES

FORGOTTEN PILLS, written & directed by David Hefner, produced by David Hefner & Fiona Walsh

Honorable Mentions for Features: (It was a tie!)

LAST BREATH, written & directed by Ty Jones, produced by Aaron Laue

THE MAN THAT I WAS, written & directed by Dave Cole, produced by Cisco Ruiz & Jeremy Lawson executive produced by Norman Siderow and Cisco Ruiz

GRAND JURY AWARD for SHORTS

WAKING SONYA, written by Eddie Marill, directed by Jonathan Dillon, produced by Guy Birtwhistle & Eddie Marill

Honorable Mention for Shorts:

THE TEDIOUS EXISTENCE OF TERRELL B. HOWELL, written by Kelly Young-Silverman & Michael H. Harper, directed by David Marshall Silverman, produced by Kelly Young-Silverman & David Marshall Silverman

AUDIENCE AWARD for COMPETITION FEATURES

GO FOR IT!, written, directed & produced by Carmen Marron

AUDIENCE AWARD for COMPETITION SHORTS

PIANO FINGERS, written by Nicholas Carmen & Ava Bogle, directed by Nicholas Carmen

AUDIENCE AWARD for DOCUMENTARIES

HONOR IN THE VALLEY OF TEARS, written by Eric S. Dow & John A. Ponsoll, directed by Eric S. Dow, produced by John A Ponsoll

AUDIENCE AWARD for MUSIC VIDEOS

HORROR OF OUR LOVE: A SHORT FILM, written & directed by Dave Reda, produced by Dave Reda & Alon Karpovsky

AUDIENCE AWARD for FUSION FEATURES

GAIA, written & directed by Jason Lehel, produced by John Gordon

AUDIENCE AWARD for FUSION SHORTS

KOREATOWN, written, directed & produced by Joshua Feldman

JURY PRIZE for 2 MININUTE, 2 STEP

I MET A GIRL, ASK ME HOW, written by Mikael Kreuzriegler & Vanessa Newell, directed by Vanessa Newell

DAY EIGHT: June 10, 2010

2010-06-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it's hard to believe it's the last day of the festival. What an amazing time it's been for everyone. We've enjoyed fantastic films, making new friends and lots of delicious food from our sponsors during the daily happy hour at the filmmaker lounge. Not only did we screen almost 100 films this week, but we made 8 short films as well! Tonight is time for even more fun and new memories at the CLOSING NIGHT AWARDS PARTY! Here we'll honor movies screened at the festival and you'll get to see the movies that were made during the festival! Come celebrate another successful year with us at Level Three at Hollywood & Highland. In the meantime, be sure to check out our last day of amazing movies from emerging filmmakers.

Screening:

2:45pm EXXXIT: LIFE AFTER PORN

Life After Porn examines what happened to some of the biggest names in the adult entertainment industry when they tried to leave the porn business. They were artists, baseball players, child prodigies, and even Ivy Leaguers who became TV stars, bounty hunters, writers, and social activists. Can they really live a normal life after porn?

5:00pm SILVER LAKE VIDEO: THE MOVIE

Based on true events. A regular guy on the verge of losing his video store has one day to get a business partner before his lease expires. His day takes a turn for the worse, when his girlfriend proclaims, “we need to talk.” With no where else to turn for moral support, he opens up a Pandora’s Box when he seeks advice from the local flavor of the neighborhood, Silverlake.

7:15pm THE EVOLUTION OF ANDREW ANDREWS (with 2-step)

30-year-old Andrew Andrews’ only friend is 3 foot rubber alien doll. When his studio mogul father exiles him, Andrew must fend for himself for the first time in his life. Is it too late for Andrew to learn how to make friends, make money and even make love? This heartwarming, odd- ball comedy takes you through the pains of “growing up” one laugh at a time.

9:30pm GAIA

A group of Native Americans rescue a young woman, left for dead, in the Arizona desert. Through this woman’s relationship with American Natives she manages to re-connect with her own innocence, but is forced to make a choice between being reborn out of the chaos of her past and dying in the grips of her darkness.

8pm: The Closing NIght Party!!

DAY SEVEN: June 9, 2010

2010-06-09T02:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday everyone!

What an amazing day yesterday was. Even though the industry reports that the box office has been down for studio and indie films, our attendance has never been better! Our amazing filmmakers continue to screen to full houses, and knock their sox off with their wonderful films! It's truly been a joy to meet everyone and watch you support each other's works.

Yesterday we completed final 2-minute short films and they will be screening tonight in front of the evening features. (Don't worry if you missed any, because will be able to see all 8 at the closing night party!) The happy hour food from The Counter was fantastic, and then Doris Roberts (from "Everybody Loves Raymond") showed up in the audience for SPLATTER. Yes, another great day here at the 13th annual Dances With Films Festival. It's hard to believe it's the second to last day before the festival ends!

TODAY AT A GLANCE:

4-6pm Happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge

Screenings:

2:45pm A FOUNDLING

After rescuing her sister from a brothel in Virginia - a young Chinese-American woman in the Old West - begins the perilous journey across the desert to her home in San Bernardino. But when the two sisters find the wreckage of an other-worldly craft, their journey becomes more dangerous than they ever could have imagined.

5:00pm Fusion Shorts Group 3: A short Film About Letting Go, Burden, Koreatown, Night Stand, Showboys, Up Under the Roof, Walk

7:15pm PLAY ON (with 2-min 2 step "Ahab's Sushi")

Rugby was the last sport to go professional. When it did, it created a schism between generations. PLAY ON tells the story of Scottish legend Finlay Kilgour and his materialistic son Keir, who find themselves stranded on opposite sides of this divide. When Keir’s drive for fame and money ultimately collides with the way his father played the game, he’s ostracized throughout Scotland and must redeem himself in America.

9:30pm YEREK YEREKO (with 2-min 2 step "A Bump in the Night")
**Filmmaker Arshak Amirbekyan will be in attendance all the way from Armenia!

Caught in boredom of his solitude and everyday life, Simon, an ordinary Soviet scientist, lives quietly and lonely in his cheerless apartment. But one evening he meets a woman with a drama of her own; her husband is having an affair with Simon’s neighbor. Born out of compassion, quite soon but very naturally a new friendship emerges.

DAY SIX: June 8, 2010

2010-06-08T00:50:00.000-07:00

Two Minute Two Step:

AHAB'S SUSHI shoots today from 12-4pm and A BUMP IN THE NIGHT from 7-11pm. Both will screen tomorrow night in front of the evening features. Shooting will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge directly across from the theatre (on the 2nd floor inside of 8000 Sunset).

4-6pm Happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge with food provided by The Counter

Screenings:

2:45pm GOLDEN EARINGS

Ronnie and Sara are best friends, but to Ronnie, Sara is more than just her friend. When Sara disappears, Ronnie’s world becomes unraveled as she copes with Sara’s disappearance and her guilt over her own involvement.

5:00pm Fusion Shorts Group 2: Dumpster Diving, Gabriel & Romy, The Language of Laundry, The Legacy, The Lifter Upper, Room 401, Thirsty Guy

7:15pm SPLATTER: LOVE, HONOR AND PAINTBALL (with 2-min 2 step "I Met a Girl, Ask Me How")

A paintball tournament becomes the unlikely proving ground for a likable small town loser who sets out to win back the love of his ex-wife and the respect of his son. A poignant quirky comedy about relationships - and a man who finally grows up!

9:30pm LAST BREATH

With their marriage on its last breath, a couple finds themselves thrust into the hands of vengeance. Forced to look fear directly in the face, they must make decisions that will ultimately determine their family’s survival or demise.

DAY FIVE: June 7, 2010

2010-06-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

CANON Breakfast!

Be sure to bring your cinematographer to this breakfast sponsored by Canon. Meet D.P. Bob Primes who'll talk all about the Canon 5D Mark II (NOTE: RSVP is required)

Two Minute Two Step:

Shooting Today-- I MET A GIRL, ASK ME HOW shoots today from 1-5pm and will screen tomorrow night in front of an evening feature. Shooting will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge directly across from the theatre (on the second floor inside of 8000 Sunset).

4-6pm Happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge

Screenings:

2:45pm HONOR IN THE VALLEY OF TEARS

Centered on Congressional Medal of Honor recipient 1st Sgt. David H. McNerney and the men of A-Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division that he trained and led into a bloody, yet forgotten battle near Polei Doc in the Central Highlands of Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War, later known as The Valley of Tears. In their own words the film brings insight into their time spent together and the bond they formed that remains unbroken to this day.

5:00pm Fusion Shorts Group 1: Amexica, The Empty Space in Between, Picture Day, Requited, Tick Tock, The Unknown

7:15pm MISSY AND THE MAXINATOR (with 2-min 2 step "Suspect #1)

Strange things are happening to Max at school. He can suddenly see through walls, hear distant voices, and has super-human strength! When students start mysteriously disappearing after school, Max and his friends stumble upon a sinister plot by teachers to take over the world. And when they kidnap Missy, Max must put his new powers to the test to save the girl he loves.

9:30pm CONSENT (with 2-min 2 step Surprise Party")

A wealthy Manhattan family's inability to cope with the suicide of their eldest daughter sends them into a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol and sexual taboos that threatens to destroy them.

Box Office: 'Agora' Leads Weak Weekend; Anchor Bay On a Roll With 2 Films - indieWIRE

2010-06-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Although Box Office says movie tickets sales for studio films & indies have been down for the past 3 weeks, DANCES WITH FILMS has been filling up houses all weekend, with the highest attendances ever!

Box Office: 'Agora' Leads Weak Weekend; Anchor Bay On a Roll With 2 Films - indieWIRE

DAY FOUR: June 6, 2010

2010-06-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Two Minute Two Step:

Shooting Today-- SUSPECT #1 shoots today from 12-4pm and SURPRISE PARTY shoots today from 7-11pm. They will screen tomorrow night in front of the evening features. Shooting will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge directly across from the theatre (on the second floor inside of 8000 Sunset).

4-6pm Happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge with the South Point Argentine Grill bringing the tastes!

Screenings:

12:30pm Competition Shorts Group 3: Abreojos, Daydreaming, Good Times, March 31, Piano Fingers, Song in a Convenience Store, Summer

2:45pm A FILM ABOUT RACES

Do any of us really know what race is? Writer and entertainment coach Paul Duddridge examines the key role “race” plays in all our lives. With the help of leading scientists, philosophers, authors, and sociologists he explores the subject whilst attempting to organize a “mini race olympics” in LA.

5:00pm Competition Shorts Group 4: The Accident, Anything You Can Do, Death, Inc., The Loneliness of the Long Distance, The Salesman, Stay Awake, Weekend

7:15pm GO FOR IT

Carmen is a good student with a bad attitude who lives for dancing in the underground clubs of Chicago. Her professor catches her performing in the neighborhood and challenges her to audition to a formal dance school in California. Pulled apart in every direction, her dream of dancing fades. Can Carmen over- come her fears and take the biggest chance of her life, or will she succumb to her self-doubt?

9:30pm FUGUE (with 2-min 2 step "Two Minute Warning")

When Charlotte moves into a secluded hillside home with her boyfriend, her happiness is clouded by several strange occurrences -- ghostly footsteps, disembodied voices, and the appearance of an eerie, faceless woman. She learns she's suffering from a Dissociative Fugue, which has caused her to forget everything from the last nine months. As she sets out to uncover what caused her memory loss, the events of the past blend into the present -- threatening not only her life, but that of her unborn baby.

Day THREE: June 5, 2010

2010-06-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

Two Minute Two Step:

Shooting Today-- TWO MINUTE WARNING shoots today from 4:30-8:30pm and will screen tomorrow night in front of an evening feature FUGUE at 9:30pm. Shooting will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge directly across from the theatre (on the second floor inside of 8000 Sunset).

4-6pm Happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge

Screenings:

10am EXPEDITION INISPIRATION + WOMEN WITH ALTITUDE

EXPEDITION INSPIRATION: Five men and woman who have had their lives affected by breast cancer climb 13,000 foot Mount Borah in Idaho, as part of Expedition Inspiration, a non-profit organization that takes breast cancer survivors up mountains after treatment. The climbs are a way for the survivors to reclaim their bodies from the deadly disease, and for family members to honor the memory of those lost to breast cancer.

WOMEN WITH ALTITUDE: Seven women set out from San Francisco to climb three high-altitude peaks in the Bolivian Andes. But they are not just seven women, they are survivors and activists on domestic violence. Beset by severe winter storms, rockfall, and altitude sickness, braving the failure and fatalities of other teams on the mountain, the Women With Altitude go for the final 20,000-ft summit drawing on the strength of will of local Bolivian activists who courageously face uphill battles of their own.

12:30pm Competition Shorts: Group 1: A Darker Silence, Curious, The Farmer’s Daughter, Flint Creek, I am a Fat Cat, Let’s Talk, Summer Waters

2:45pm SCRIPT FOR SALE + SHE WORE SILVER WINGS

After 40 years in the business, the Motion Picture & Television Fund Wasserman Campus became the home of scenic designer Ben Resella. At 91 years of age, this artist, World War II veteran, and survivor of the Bataan Death March is on yet another journey – to finish and sell his screenplay. Can Ben convince a youth-obsessed industry that great storytelling is timeless?

5:00pm Competition Shorts Group 2: Bottles, Gay Baby, Guillotine guys, Jane in the Factory, Stranger, The Tedious Existence of Terrell B. Howell, Waking Sonya

7:15pm THE MAN THAT I WAS (and 2 min. 2 step "Attach of the Future Cell phones")

Dave leaves his job, home in Los Angeles and girlfriend abruptly, taking only his beloved dog Preacher back to Dallas in an attempt to make his life feel more complete. Along the way Dave discovers that self-imposed exile and escapism often come at great cost.

9:30pm FORGOTTEN PILLS

Patrick and his girlfriend Megan decide to spend a night out with their childhood friends, Ryan and Sean. The four meet in order to experiment with new pills called “Blue and Whites,” which cause instant amnesia at the stroke of midnight.

11:45pm SPIRIT CAMP

When a goth girl is forced to attend cheer camp as part of rehabilitation from a juvenile correction facility, she clashes with the "popular girls" and finds herself embroiled in a bitter rivalry with the bitchy ringleader. As members of the spirit squad start turning up dead, the girls must put aside their differences as they struggle to survive the murderous rage of a crazed psycho-killer lurking among them.

Thanks to Rocky Curby for today's photo.

DAY TWO Schedule: June 4, 2010

2010-06-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

Two Minute Two Step:

Shooting Today-- ATTACK OF THE FUTURE CELL PHONES shoots today from 12-4pm and will screen tomorrow night in front of an evening feature. Shooting will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge directly across from the theatre (on the second floor inside of 8000 Sunset).

4-6pm Happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge

Screenings:

2:45pm THE ROAD: Return to Funk and SUNSET TO SUNSET

Music Videos: Arcadia, Back Op Arabesque, Hollow Earth, Horror of our Love: A Short Film, Let Me In, Mala Junta, Museaum: Adrienne Pierce, Point of Honor: Red Hills, Sunday Stroll, Switch Hit Resistor, They Can’t Deport Us All, The Waking Hours: Erased.

5:00pm WE GOTTA GT BUSCEMI

Nick James is on a 3-year quest to make a low-budget film. After Nick is unable to find one person willing to invest in his movie, he begins lying that Steve Buscemi is attached as the star.

7:15pm SOLITARY (and 2-min 2 step: You've Lost Your Long Term Memory)

When Sara Ballard becomes trapped inside her suburban home by the sudden onset of agoraphobia, her fear becomes a nightmare when her husband mysteriously disappears.

9:30pm COST OF A SOUL

Two wounded veterans return home from Iraq to find themselves trapped in the same slum neighborhood they joined the military to escape. As they struggle for redemption, their lives collide and their families become entangled in a web of crime and corruption.

11:45pm BROKEN SPRINGS: SHINE OF THE UNDEAD ZOMBIE BASTARDS

Townspeople who once thirsted for local home-made “mountain dew” begin hungering for human flesh and blood. Ken, Dave and his little brother Brandon are in a race against time to save their loved ones from a hoard of cannibal zombies and get out of town - preferably without any body parts missing.

WELCOME to the 13th Annual Dances With Films Festival!!

2010-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the day we've been working toward for many months has finally arrived! Today is the FIRST day of the 13th Annual Dances With Films Festival! Almost 100 features, shorts, docs, narratives and music videos from all over the world will be screening, celebrated and discovered. Here's to another fantastic year of movies...

Here's Today's Agenda at a glance:

4:30 - 7:30pm: Opening Night Party kicking off DWF 13! This is a "meet the filmmaker" event for filmmakers, press and industry. An advance RSVP is required. Unlike where the Closing Night Party will be - space is limited...so if you are bringing an "entourage" - please let us know ahead of time.

Two Minute Two Step
Shooting Today: YOU'VE LOST YOUR LONG TERM MEMORY shoots today from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. It will screen tomorrow at 7:15pm in front of the feature: SOLITARY. Shooting will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge directly across from the theatre (on the second floor inside of 8000 Sunset).

8pm: Opening Night Film - FEED THE FISH –Alumni Spotlight

A burned-out writer has a mid-life crisis. With his career at a standstill & his relationship in shambles, he leaves Los Angeles to do the Polar Bear Plunge. On his quest he tests the icy waters of Lake Michigan on a snowy winter day & finds his lost passion.

For advance tickets and complete schedule:
http://danceswithfilms.com/10_schedule.html

8000 Sunset Plaza

A quick note about signage, etc. at 8000 Sunset. The Plaza has been incredible

in welcoming Dances With Films once again, but please remember to be respectful

with regard to any signage. We will have a "board" on the main floor (below the

theatre) to put up flyers, etc....however, please do not put signage anywhere else

in the Plaza. It will only be taken down...so we ask you for your cooperation.

Parking at 8000 Sunset Plaza
There is plenty of parking at the theatre - but make sure that you get your
tickets validated at Laemmle Theatres (a validation is 3 hours). If you are
planning on staying for the day - in order to avoid paying an enormous parking
fee - you will need to rotate your car.

2010 Two-Minute Two Step

2010-06-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

Last night was the big filmmaker technical meeting for this year's Two-minute, Two step.

If you don't already know about this program, you should! Filmmakers from all over the country submit 2 minutes scripts. Eight are chosen to be produced during the festival and screened as PART of the festival at the Leammle on Sunset! One of the shorts will be selected to win the grand prize, which for this year is a Canon Rebel 2TI (that shoots amazing video!)

Tim Smith from Canon USA was on hand to show some samples of video footage from the 5D Mark II, which is what this year's shorts will be shot on. Each of the eight filmmakers selected are given these cameras to use, a location to shoot, audio and editing equipment. They will supply the rest: cast, crew, design, costumes, etc... They will only have 4 hours to shoot and edit these short films, which will screen the following day!

Below is the Shooting schedule for this year's 2 Steps. Come stop by!

Thursday June 3^rd

^{“You Have Lost Your Short Term Memory”}^{Written and Directed by Morrison Keddie}

2-4 p.m. (break for opening night party!! 4:30-6:30) 7-9p.m. finish shooting

Friday June 4^th

^{“Attack of the Future Cell Phones!”}^{Written and Directed by Peter S. Soby Jr}^.^{12-4 p.m.}

^{Saturday June 5th}

^{“Two Minute Warning”}^{Written and Directed by Jerry Kernion}^{4:30-8:30p.m.}

^{Sunday June 6th}

^{“Surprise Party”}^{Written by Jeff Lorch & Jeff Grimm, Directed by Jordan Rennick}^12-4p.m.

^{“Suspect #1”}^{Written by Dirk Sanders & Evan Unruh, Directed by Evan Unruh}^7-11p.m^.

^{Monday June 7th}

^{“I Met a Girl, Ask Me How.”}^{Written by Vanessa Newell, Directed by Vanessa Newell & Mikael Kreuzriegler}^1-5p.m.

^{Tuesday June 8th}

^{“A Bump in the Night”}^{Written by Pang-Ni Landrum, Directed by Ian Vogt & Pang-Ni Landrum}^12-4p.m.

^{“Ahab’s Sushi Bar”}^{Written and Directed by Nick Lane 7-11p.m}

Guest Bloggers: The Shumway Brothers

2010-05-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

In June 2009 we finished our 5 year project called "Enigma." Now we had a decision to make: which festival should be our world premiere? We had premiered a previous film, “Over the Moon” at Dances with Films and the experience had been great – it even won “audience choice!” We decided that DWF was the best place to premiere Enigma. After a wonderful, problem free screening, we repeated history with another “Audience Choice” award! Wow! Our world premiere had gone without a hitch! The festival was fun, and now we were excited to do this a bunch more times! Awesome! So we got accepted to more festivals, and were all ready to have the same experience we had at DWF...

And then our eyes were opened.

We had been to “Dances” twice, and twice had a great experience. So we thought that all festivals would be like “Dances.” And then we discovered… not all film festivals are created equal!

Communication is key with film festivals. You have to know what’s going on to get the most out of the event. “Dances” takes this a step further with the orientation meeting. Here we got the chance to meet other filmmakers before the fest. At the meeting, the DWF staff told us what we should be doing to help promote our films and the fest. They covered postcards, posters, and they planted great ideas about S.W.A.G! (You know. $h!t we all get!). So we got our stuff and saw how well it worked and how much better it made the entire experience.

This meeting prepared us better than we realized. At many of our future festivals we took what we learned from DWF and applied it. We were quite lucky to have received this preparation at our first fest and not our last. At every fest we went we were more prepared and knew what and how to advertise our film and in turn we put more people in the seats.

"Enigma" has now been to 18 festivals, we have been awarded 20 festival awards and 16 nominations and it all started with Dances with Films

###

The Shumway Brothers are two-time festival Alums.

Jason Shumway has been making movies since the young age of 14. After getting his first taste of video editing at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Jason became an award winning filmmaker while studying in J. Everett Light Radio/Television program. For college Jason was lucky enough to be accepted to the prestigious University of Southern California. In this top rated film program Jason directed eight films and crew on many more. He has recently worked on shows for G4TV and NBC. Currently he is a staff editor at E! Entertainment Television. Jason produced the indie Feature Film “Bloomington” Premiering at Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco on June 23rd 2010.

Matt Shumway graduated with distinction from Art Center College of Design. There he created his award winning film “Over the Moon.” That film led him to Rhythm and Hues Studios where he works as an Animation Supervisor. His feature film credits include X2, Garfield 1 & 2, Chronicles of Narnia, A Night at the Museum, The Golden Compass, The Incredible Hulk, and Land of the Lost. Matt was nominated for and Annie Award in 2006 for his work on Aslan for Narnia. He is currently the Animation Supervisor for Cabin in the Woods, A Drew Goddard / Joss Whedon Film due out Jan 14th 2011.

'Short' Shorts... (Part 4)

2009-06-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

If anagrams didn't do it for you, how about twitter length (140 characters or less) film descriptions? The full-length descriptions are available at www.danceswithfilms.com - as are tickets! But for the time-challenged, here are some 'short' versions of DWF 2009's short films:

A DANCE OF TWO (June 10 5pm) The American Dream fulfilled, now-retired Ray seeks love/understanding from 30 year younger girlfriend Sylvia.

THE DEVIL’S MATCHMAKER (June 10 5pm) One man takes great pride in setting up couples whose last names form hideous & hilarious combinations.

LIFE IS LIKE A SHORT TRAIN RIDE (June 10 5pm) As life starts to come to a close, one might remember one’s parents, youth, growth and love.

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (June 10 5pm) In 1970s Detroit, if Jimmy & Clarence don’t look out for one another, the city is gonna get a lot tougher.

OGLES WITH GOGGLES (June 10 5pm) A drunken one-night-stand recounted Dr.-Seuss-style with narration & dialogue full of alliteration & rhyme.

PROMOTION (June 10 5pm) Down on his luck and being passed over for a well-deserved promotion, Todd Miller tries to take his office hostage.

RECALL (June 10 5pm) A young woman is visited by a troubled childhood friend.

TWILIGHT TANGO (June 10 5pm) The story of a young couple in love. When the lights go out, every sleep disturbance imaginable besieges them.

WORTH (June 10 5pm) A non-descript violin at an upscale auction is wildly out of place. Who decides what something/someone is really worth?

'Short' Shorts... (Part 3)

2009-06-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

A GREY EULOGY (June 8 5pm) Mekala, a mentally handicapped girl, attends her mother’s funeral & delivers an impromptu heart-rendering eulogy.

ALL DRESSED UP (June 8 5pm) Quirky Daphne’s love of costumes gives her another chance at love after a series of hilarious dating disasters.

BRICKS AND ASHES (June 8 5pm) In the old west, vengeance is served daily, good & evil are blurred & characters clash with dangerous results.

CAPES (June 8 5pm) In his quest for salvation, a man plummets to the depths of primal Hell & ultimately finds peace & camaraderie in death.

COCHRAN (June 8 5pm) Jim Cochran hates his job. One fateful day, a decision to pick up something he finds in the woods will change his life.

THE COLLECTOR (June 8 5pm) In the last hours of life, an aging man reminisces & realizes that the things worth collecting are uncollectible.

CROSS-EYED DINNER THEATER PRESENTS! (June 8 5pm)Protesters threaten to shut down the dinner theater’s production of ‘Death of a Salesman’.

DANIEL FINDS HIS WALKING STICK (June 8 5pm) A funny & sad portrait of an aging, lonely man suffering from Alzheimer’s in a changing world.

GAMES (June 8 5pm) Nathan doesn't care for the outside world. He’s satisfied with his games & his thoughts. That is, until Karen shows up.

---------

THE BOOK OF TOMORROW (June 9 5pm) Billy Allen must deal with being the new kid in town. He discovers a comic book that reveals the future.

THE CROOKED EYE (June 9 5pm) Sharon struggles with a recent divorce & current perception problem; adapted from Betty Malicoat's short story.

ENIGMA (June 9 5pm) A simple mission for transport ship Genesis has become a mystery: All hands on board have been killed. But how, and why?

RAIN RAIN (June 9 5pm) Ginny Nallion discovers a family secret & her dreary life becomes a fantastic adventure, at least ‘til Mom gets home!

'Short' Shorts... (Part 2)

2009-06-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

HEAD TO LOVE (June 7 12:30pm) Captivated by a mural, an artist & his friend accept an invitation to meet the model under one odd condition.

IN TREES (June 7 12:30pm) Driving through backwoods, a father tells his children a scary tale about spirits in trees that feed on humans.

INTERPRETATION (June 7 12:30pm) A couple’s encounter with some philosophical thugs unfolds in an unusual way. Everyone learns something new.

JENNY GOT A BOOB JOB (June 7 12:30pm) High school nobody Jenny goes for an emergency tonsillectomy but accidentally gets double D implants.

LE PRIX À PAYER [THE PRICE TO PAY] (June 7 12:30pm)Crime movie with jazz music, a beautiful car & a beautiful girl - in the trunk of a car.

MANNEN MED KULORNA [THE MAN WITH ALL THE MARBLES] (June 7 12:30pm) Rivalry of brothers: Håkan runs the family business; Martin is homeless.

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THE DEPOSITION OF LOU BAGETTA (June 7 5pm) Lou Bagetta’s peaceful night is interrupted by fellow gangster Joey Gusto and a battle of wits.

THE INTRUDER (June 7 5pm) An uneventful evening takes a frightening turn when a woman discovers a horrific truth.

MONEY, PLEASE! (June 7 5pm) As the Studebakers play their favorite American real estate board game, actual economic issues begin to develop.

SHADOW.NET (June 7 5pm) Greg McKenna (Screen Name: DECKARD) is a member of a top-secret online piracy group known only as 'Damage' or DMG.

THE THESPIAN RETURNS (June 7 5pm) Martin Klempe, the world’s greatest actor (in his own mind), returns to wreak more on-set havoc than ever.

'Short' Shorts... (Part 1)

2009-06-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

A SHORT RECESS (June 6 12:30pm) A tense meeting between 2 strangers turns into exploration of status & social aspects of smoking cigarettes.

BEING HANDY (June 6 12:30pm) The incredible story of a hand named Handy that will do everything possible to become the best writer ever.

BOTTLED UP (June 6 12:30pm) Charles & Myra visit the desert to reignite their marriage, but are detoured by Peach & deranged boyfriend Max.

CAPTAIN (June 6 12:30pm) A story about a teacher who concocts a cruel tale to make one of his students access the deeper parts of himself.

CARPE DIEM (June 6 12:30pm) Meek clerk John Wilson receives notes that make him question existence. His manager propels him to an epiphany.

GOODBYE, NICE TO MEET YOU (June 6 12:30pm) Two people meet by chance on their last day alive & spend it living out their craziest fantasies.

PISSING VOCAL GOLD (June 6 12:30pm) Voice-over artist Dick Romans has made a fortune; but off script, his mouth always gets him in trouble.

TURN RIGHT (June 6 12:30pm) An executive must get to an important meeting, but the rental car’s GPS has a French accent & a mind of its own.

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ARTIFICIALLY SPEAKING (June 6 5pm) Where do we get artificial fruit flavoring? Terry Thistlewaite finds the truth about artificial fruit.

BEAUTY AND THE BISTRO (June 6 5pm) Suz eats anything & looks like a super-model. Monica can gain 10 pounds just by smelling chocolate cake.

EL RELOJERO [THE CLOCKMAKER’S REVELATION] (June 6 5pm) A young clockmaker focuses on her own concepts of time as clocks build up around her.

THE EVENT (June 6 5pm) An Event waits for you in your future. When the Event happens, everything will change. So be ready and be strong.

FISH & CHIP (June 6 5pm) A game of mermaid tag goes horribly wrong.

HELP WANTED (June 6 5pm) Hard-working mechanic Ramon hires inexperienced young Juan & learns from his tragedy and ways of coping with loss.

KING OF THE RING (June 6 5pm) Follow the struggle of the only female to dare enter the deadly circle in a quest to become King of the Ring.

MAGIC CHALK (June 6 5pm) A singing gypsy sells a simple piece of white chalk to a little girl, and gives her the power to change the world.

MASHED POTATOES (June 6 5pm) Set in 1974, the story of one dancer passionately vying to win the final spot on the new dance show Soul Stage.

THE MOTH AND THE FIREFLY (June 6 5pm) A moth loses its lamplight in a citywide blackout; soon it finds a firefly & they light up the night.

'Short' Films... (Part 2)

2009-06-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

If anagrams didn't do it for you, how about twitter length (140 characters or less) film descriptions? The full-length descriptions are available at www.danceswithfilms.com - as are tickets! (Get your tickets before June 4 for discounted prices!) But for the time-challenged, here are some 'short' versions of DWF 2009's feature length films and documentaries:

ALPHONSO BOW (June 8 2:45pm) A brick layer / ex male-exotic-dancer & an older brick salesman argue on taboo topics in a family restaurant.

MISS OHIO (June 8 7:15pm) On a spree of exploration after her marriage falls apart, Natalie turns to a local church to search for happiness.

PARK SHARKS (June 8 9:30pm) A college student writes their thesis on the Darwinist courting techniques of the ‘Park Sharks’ pick-up artists.

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THE LAST HURRAH (June 9 7:15pm) For some brainy grad students, tonight’s house party is their last crack at the philosophy department women.

MY NORMAL (June 9 9:30pm) Young lesbian Natalie struggles to find balance between dreams of becoming a filmmaker & her dominatrix lifestyle.

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CALLOUS (June 10 2:45pm) Garrett Blackfoot is consumed with best intentions for his daughter & the shadows of his Native American heritage.

POPATOPOLIS (June 10 7:15pm) Infamous director Jim Wynorski attempts to make a film in 3 days. His philosophy: A Big Chase & A Big Chest.

THE SCAR CROW (June 10 9:30pm) City guys on an all expenses paid company trip to the middle of nowhere meet the 3 mysterious Tanner sisters.

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CAMOUFLAGE (June 11 2:45pm) Corey struggles to survive the horrifying military-style boot camp discipline of demented counselor, Stanley.

THE DIVIDED (June 11 5pm) An Army Special Ops officer posted in the Middle East returns home; his sister is engaged to an anti-war activist.

SVEENER & THE SHMIEL (June 11 7:15pm) Social outcasts build a giant machine to take them back to their planet; but The Shmiel falls in love.

EDGAR ALLAN POE’S ANNABEL LEE (June 11 9:30pm) Artist Jack Blythe paints a beautiful stranger resembling a woman presumed dead for 18 years.

'Short' Films... (Part 1)

2009-06-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

If anagrams didn't do it for you, how about twitter length (140 characters or less) film descriptions? The full-length descriptions are available at www.danceswithfilms.com - as are tickets! (Get your tickets before June 4 for discounted prices!) But for the time-challenged, here are some 'short' versions of DWF 2009's feature length films and documentaries:

MYTHIC JOURNEYS (June 4 7pm) An ancient tale about a noble king charged with the grim task of delivering a corpse to a mysterious sorcerer.

BEING MICHAEL MADSEN (June 4 9:15pm) Madsen turns the tables on paparazzo Billy Dant, hiring filmmakers to chronicle Dant's life & troubles.

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AUTODOC (June 5 2:45pm) When fame strikes a group of artists, the lines between personal/commercial & life/art, become alarmingly blurred.

JOY (June 5 5pm) Joy, Marie & Marie set out on the anniversary of their father’s death & find the meaning of their lives at a grocery store.

LOVE CONQUERS PAUL (June 5 7:15pm) Paul researches women & stages chance encounters. He then genuinely meets a woman, who also has a secret.

CORPSE RUN (June 5 9:30pm) In 30 years a family will no longer sit around the TV; they’ll enter virtual worlds of competition & cooperation.

THE COMMUNE (June 5 11:45pm) Isolated on a sinister commune with adults gone mad, Jenny confronts her guru-father’s evil agenda & followers.

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MY MOVIE GIRL (June 6 10:30am) Everything Adam knows about love he learned from the movies. But he’s no Cary Grant to unrequited love, Kate.

MOMZ HOT ROCKS (June 6 2:45pm) A look at mom rock bands: how MOMz take on the world, manage full lives & make music to rock your socks off.

CRYPTIC (June 6 7:15pm) An old cellphone allows Jessie to speak with her younger self; as she alters her past her future plunges into chaos.

HOW I GOT LOST (June 6 9:30pm) Jake & Andrew ditch New York & hit the road. Sometimes you have to get lost to figure out where you're going.

FINALE (June 6 11:45pm) Though the death of her son is labeled a suicide, his mother believes there are darker, supernatural forces at work.

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AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (June 7 2:45pm) The Farley Mowat & Robert Hunter crews aim to stop an illegal whaling fleet in the Antarctic Ocean.

WAKING DREAMS (June 7 7:15pm) 1st-generation Indian-American Latha takes a job at a video game company; her parents want her to be a doctor.

TINY LITTLE LIES (June 7 9:30pm) Artist Michael Taylor discovers his wife murdered; downstairs, 2 wealthy fans consider purchasing his work.

Wise Choices

2009-05-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

In this age of twittering and text messaging, patience is short and our brainwaves can be cluttered, so I thought I would share with you a quick way to sift through all the choices set before you – say, for example, deciding which films you should see at Dances With Films this year (June 5th to 11th, FYI).

Now, one could just read the summaries of each film and make a choice based on what appeals to one’s film-going sensibilities, but why use such a traditional method? Let me suggest an alternative...

Anagrams.

Now before you scoff too loudly and bother someone, consider these classic examples of filmic anagramdom: if you rearrange the letters of ‘Clint Eastwood’, you get (naturally) ‘Old West Action’ – and ‘Alec Guinness’, is it any wonder, turns into ‘Genuine Class.’

So, if anagramming can give you insight into a person’s true nature, why not for a film?

Using this perfectly intelligent line of reasoning, I’ve determined the true nature and the hidden secrets of some of this year’s fine film programming:

AUTODOC (Friday June 5th, 2:45pm) may be about “a group of artists in the California desert who set out to film and document their lives and art”, but obviously the true nature of the film must have something to do with the bonds over friendship and food... I mean, you can’t argue with the fact that the title rearranges into ‘TACO DUO’.

That’s not the only food-related anagrammic undercurrent this year – take CORPSE RUN (Friday June 5th, 9:30pm) for example... Perhaps “video games are overtaking the world as we speak,” but the real mystery obviously must be about some nefarious object known only as the ‘CORN PURSE’.

With THE COMMUNE (Friday June 5th, 11:45pm), “Jenny finds herself isolated on a sinister commune with adults gone mad.” Obviously the theme of ‘fowl play’ must play a part in the film, but if this ‘HEN COMMUTE’ turns out to just be an extended metaphor of why (or how?) the chicken crossed the road, I’m not sure how I’ll feel when I leave the theater.

Looking ahead to THE SCAR CROW (Wednesday June 10th, 9:30pm), where “four city guys find themselves on an all expenses paid company trip to the middle of nowhere” and meet the Tanner sisters who are “friendly, open and warm, but all is not as it seems...” the only conclusion I can safely draw (and I do hate to spoil it for you, but I will anyway), is that I better get out my hooks and worsted weight, and when the‘CROCHET WARS’ are over I may walk out with a new view about life – and maybe a scarf as well. (Bonus!)

There’s a week left until the festival starts, so choose your films wisely!

(Or just choose them all! That’s an easy solution, too.)

Cheers! – Wendy