2016 films - Riverside International Film Festival

Special Double Showing
It’s a Rockabilly World
USA
Documentary, 76
min. Director: Brent
Huff
Synopsis: Rockabilly is a subculture whose members operate as if
they are living in the 1950’s. From the music to the tattoos, pin up
girls, hot rod cars and vintage fashion. This lifestyle gives creative
people a place where they feel empowered. It’s a Rockabilly World
takes you behind the scenes with interviews with some of the most
colorful Kats and Kittens in the subculture.
Director: Brent Huff is an award-winning actor, writer and
director. Huff ’s career began in the 80’s as a top male model with
the Ford Agency in New York. He soon shifted his attention to
acting and has starred in numerous films as an action hero. Huff
has also appeared in top television shows such as Mad Men (2007),
NCIS (2003), The West Wing (1999), JAG (1995) and Cold Case
(2003). Known for his low, gravelly voice, Huff has been heard in
hundreds of TV and radio commercials. He was also the “voice” of
E Entertainment. .
Website: http://www.itsarockabillyworld.com/documentaryfilm.html Saturday, May 7, 6:45-8:20 and 8:30-10
120 Days
USA
Documentary, 79 min.
Director: Ted Roach
Synopsis: Family man Miguel Cortes could be forced to leave the country in four months
as a result of his immigration status. In exchange for Miguel agreeing to leave the
country voluntarily and paying a $5,000 bond, a North Carolina immigration judge offers
him 120 days to get his affairs in order before leaving his wife and two daughters in the
United States to continue their education. Miguel has 120 Days to work hard, save money
and weigh his options about returning to Mexico alone, or risk changing his name and
disap- pearing back into another U.S. city illegally to keep his family together.
Director: Ted Roach is a director, producer and editor who has worked in the film and
digital media industries for almost twenty years. Ted holds an MFA Film degree from
American University in Washington DC, earned a directing/editing certification from
the Los Angeles Film School in 2002, and a BA History from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996.
Website: http://120daysmovie.com/
Tuesday, May 10, 4:00-7:00
3000
Australia
Short: 20
min.
Director: Antonis Tsonis
Synopsis: When Leon‘s best friend Ari shares tragic news about his battle with cancer,
unem- ployed and desperate to help, Leon secretly decides to become a criminal to pay for more
cancer treatments. Against the backdrop of contemporary Athens, Greece, Leon‘s actions to save
his best
friend have irreversible consequences.
Director: Born in Athens, Greece, Australian writer/director, Antonis Tsonis resides in Melbourne where he studied law and history and received his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the
University of Melbourne. Antonis has been nominated and has won awards for Best Director in a
number of international festivals Antonis‘ narrative & visual inspiration combines Italian neorealist cinema with the American New Wave movement. He is especially focused on stories about
characters tragically struggling on the fringes of society.
Wednesday, May 11, 3:00-5:00
A Short Film About Execution
USA
Short, 16 min.
Director: Cody Mathieson Packer
Synopsis: Anger, guilt, resentment, rage, innocence, closure, peace are all explored in 10
people‘s last words from the gurney on death row. Based on true events
Director: Hailing from New Zealand, Cody Mathieson Packer is a critically acclaimed filmmaker
who has screened his films at a number of worldwide festivals. Cody‘s passion lies in telling
stories about people on the outer edge of society, as well as examining different facets of the
human con- dition. Cody is now graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a Cinema Art
+ Science BA majoring in Film Directing.
Website: http://www.ashortfilmaboutexecution.com/
Wednesday, May 11, 3:00-5:00
According to Ben Adams
Australia
Feature, 96 min.
Directors: Dan Noah, Bramwell Noah
Synopsis: The Devil is so bored. Evil‘s still his thing, but it‘s all been done. So he gets himself
arrest- ed just to see what happens. He even lets slip that he‘s the Devil and plays along when they
commit him to a hospital. That‘s where he meets a man claiming to be Jesus.
Directors: Dan Noah graduated from film school with a Masters in Film (Direction). At once a
stylist and storyteller, he is also well known for his occasional nod to the tradition of irreverence
established by such celebrated fellow countrymen as Peter Weir, Alex Proyas and Russell Mulcahy.
Bramwell Noah began his career as a playwright and theater director before commencing a filmmaking collaboration with his brother. Widely acclaimed as a genuine wordsmith with a remarkable
ear for dialogue, he is also a multi-nominated director and award winning actor.
Website: http://www.bramwellnoah.com/#!movie-4/cist
Wednesday, May 11, 1:00-2:45
Adagio
USA
Short, .11
min. Director: Kevin
Wolf
Synopsis: Adagio is a music term meaning slow moving. The title is based on our
protagonist, who loses a connection with her father after they lose their ability to play the
piano together as his ALS manifests. She transitions from a daughter to a caretaker role. The
two ultimately learn
more about each other than they ever anticipated.
Director: Kevin Wolf is a San Francisco-based filmmaker who went through Chapman University‘s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts as a directing student. He is now pursuing a career
in making movies that create change. He‘s focused on sports and outdoor photography including stints with GoPro and Mai Tai Global, as well as working in the VR arena with Terminator
Genisys in 360. His pilot‘s license is a testament to his commitment to adventure in all aspects
of
his
life. Website:
http://120daysmovie.com/
Wednesday, May 11, 5:15-7:15
Alzheimer's: A Love Story
USA
Documentary, 17 min.
Directors: Gave Schimmel, Riani Singgih, Monica Petruzzelli, Amanda Le
Synopsis: This short, created by 4 Chapman College students, follows Greg and Michael
struggle with a disease that is actively eradicating the memory of a beautiful relationship 40+
years in the making, and the love that has held them together through it all.
Directors: Gabe Schimmel is currently completing his degree in film production with an emphasis
in editing at Chapman University‘s Dodge College of Film and Media arts, and is slated to graduate in early 2017. Riani Singgih is a sophomore studying film production at Chapman University,
looking to emphasize in cinematography. Monica Petruzzelli loves telling stories – whether it be
through documentaries, newscasts or music, she is always doing just that. Amanda Le recently
graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/alzheimersalovestory/?fref=ts
Thursday, May 12, 2:00-3:15
Another Love
England
Short, 20 min.
Director: Victor Perez
Synopsis: A pregnant married woman struggles to tell a much older man that their affair is over.
Director: Victor Perez is a Spanish film director, screenwriter and visual artist. After seeing Star
Wars in the cinema when he was a child, Victor was inspired to explore CG which he became increasingly talented at, so much so that he acquired his first professional job as a graphic designer at
the age of 16. Victor spent some time in USA studying visual effects and a few years later he
moved to UK, focusing purely on VFX. Victor's credits as a VFX artist include Pirates of the
Caribbean, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dark Knight Rises, and Les Miserables amongst
others. His directorial debut is Another Love.
Website: http://www.anotherlovefilm.com/
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Artificial
Spai
n Short, 20 min.
Director: Luis
Espinosa
Synopsis: Xabier goes for a job interview. What he doesn't know is that he has already
been selected. CORPSA offers to pay him 80,000 if he agrees to be cloned. But more than just
a lot of
money depends on his decision.
Director: David Pérez Sañudo (Bilbao, 1987) is graduated in Audiovisual Communication. He
has directed Indirizzo (2011), Agur (2013), Bad Vibrations (2014), Artifitial (2015) and
Tiempos
Muertos (2016). He is a advertising and theatre director too.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/artificial.shortfilm
Saturday, May 14, 7:45-9:45 Subtitled
Autumn Leaves
Iran
Short, 4 min.
Directors: Saman Hosseinpuor
Synopsis: A girl's walk to school gets interrupted, with ironic results.
Director: Saman Hosseinpuor was born in Saqez/Kurdestan at 1993. He started acting in Theater
and he was just 14 years old, He started filmmaking at 2008. In the meantime he started writing
short stories. He is a director,cinematographer and writer and he lives in Iran.
Website: http://samanhp.ir/
Sunday, May 15, 2:00-4:00 Not spoken
Beverley
Short: 25 minutes
UK
Director: Alexander Thomas
Synopsis: Beverley follows a mixed race girl's struggle to carve out a sense of identity in a
confusing, shifting cultural landscape - 1980 Leicester. A move from the decaying, povertystricken, urban environment to the relative comfort and theoretical safety of white suburbia does not
provide the hope and opportunities Bev may have wished for.
Director: Alexander Thomas is a London based writer/director. He has made a number of award
winning short films which have screened widely at festivals around the world. He is currently in
development for his first feature - based on his latest short film, Beverley.
Website: http://www.beverleyfilm.com/
Monday, May 9, 3:45-5:30
Birthday
USA
Short: 13
min. Director: Chris
King
Synopsis: When a young military wife gets news that her Marine husband has been
severely wounded in combat, she discovers that life ahead for them is going to be a difficult and
yet amazing journey.
Director: Chris King is a multiple award winning filmmaker and three-time NorCal Emmy nominated television writer/producer. Chris has made one feature length film and nine short films
since graduating from film school at California State University Long Beach.
Website: http://www.watermarkfilms.net/
Wednesday, May 11, 5:15-7:15
Breaking Point
USA
Documentary, 59 min.
Director: Bill
Wisneski
Synopsis: The worst environmental disaster in US history is quickly approaching, yet very little
is being done to stop it. A casualty of the "water wars" in the Southwest, California's largest lake
is disappearing.
Director: Bill Wisneski is an award winning documentary director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. He has received eleven Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards and dozens of other national
accolades for his compelling environmental documentaries.
Website: http://www.breakingpointdoc.com/
Saturday, May 14, 4:30-7:30
Broke
Australia
Feature, 95 min.
Director: Heath Davis
Synopsis: An aging rail worker finds his former footy hero as a washed-up gambling addict,
passed out late one evening. He takes him in and tries to help him tackle his demons.
Director: Heath Davis graduated from the University of Western Sydney and has written several
feature films, and written and directed short films and numerous music videos and TV programs
with Sydney-based production house Scope Red.
Website: www.brokethefilm.net
Friday, May 13, 3:15-5:25
Burned
USA
Short: 17
min. Director: Jaime
Valdueza
Synopsis: Jason hides in a motel room afraid of coming out. The only person he trusts is
his girlfriend Lila, who takes him to meet a friend in a remote house in the desert. At their
arrival, an unexpected guest asks too many questions. Jason's trust for Lila begins to fade.
Director: Jaime Valdueza currently lives in Los Angeles, CA but was born in Madrid, Spain.
He is a commercial and film editor. Early in his film career, he opened a post production
facility named Module Zero Media in Venice, California, which edited and post produced
more than two hundred spots for agencies. After his adventure with MZM, Jaime went to
work for Lost
Planet Editorial.
Saturday, May 14, 7:45-9:45
Chekhov's 'Everyman'
Israel
Documentary, 28 min.
Director: Amir Cohn
Synopsis: Chekov‘s Everyman presents the viewer with the intimate story of Albert Cohen, a
lively 83 year old Bulgarian-Israeli actor struggling to stage the last play of his life. The viewer
peeks into the world of the grumpy antihero who lives off the momentum of his creation.
Director: Amir Cohn is an independent filmmaker who graduated from Tel Aviv University and is
currently based in Tel Aviv. Since 2004, Amir has directed and/or filmed over 10 short movies
and documentaries. Among these are "The Tour Guide" and ―NEXT,‖ the former an official
selection at the Montreal World Film Festival and the latter a first place winner at the Icon Tel
Aviv Festival.
Thursday, May 12, 2:00-3:15 ; Subtitled
Couple Behavior
USA
Short: 7 min.
Director: Tammy Trinh
Synopsis: Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to be going right? Our titular couple,
Shark and Daisy, both go through a less than pleasant morning but manage to find their silver lining
-- each other. All bad days are bad, but only as bad as your perspective.
Director: Born and raised in Riverside, Tammy Trinh is a film student at Riverside City College
and is also currently producing her next short film titled "Tiny Santa". Her goal is to promote and
unify the city through the production of film and television-essentially share how awesome
Riverside is.
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Dead Man Rockin'
USA
Documentary, 65 min.
Directors: Roger Tessier, Michael
Monteleone
Synopsis: Dead Man Rockin' chronicles the career of SoCal Bluesman John Harrelson from
his earliest High School Garage Band, M'Lords - a trio that consisted of John Harrelson, the
film's di- rectors Michael Monteleone and Roger Tessier - on through 'Hard Luck Boy', 'Blue
Highway', and his other groups and solo efforts. His rockin' music, interspersed with interviews
with family and friends, new and old, performance footage and rare photographs sets the stage for
a reunion in which the original members of M'Lords ~ who with the addition of Jesse 'Ron'
Turnbow became "The Southe' ~ enter the recording studio once again to re-record one of John's
first original songs
- a mere 45 years
later. Directors: Roger Tessier is a professional Sales Development Manager by trade, a
musician for the past 50 years, and an avid collector of vintage Vox guitars by avocation. He
has written over
10 motion picture screenplays, has received screenwriting awards at festival competitions and currently has a Theatrical Motion Picture in Pre-Production in Hollywood. Director/Editor Michael
Monteleone is a filmmaker living in the Pacific Northwest whose primary focus is on documentaries but he has also worked doing television commercials, title credits for series television,
PSA and trailers. industry work includes music composition and music editing for the 1986
Robert Redford and Debra Winger film ―Legal Eagles‖, incidental music for the MTV show
―The Cutting Edge‖ and various stints in the lower depths of the Hollywood studios as a
production assistant.
Sunday, May 8, 8:30-10:00
Death on a Rock
USA
Feature, 94 min.
Director: Scott
Ballard
Synopsis: Lillian‘s bright outlook – she loves her job in a flower shop and has a sweet budding
rela- tionship with her boyfriend – is rocked by illness. Days spent in long term care at the hospital
bring reflection, desperation, and some family tension. This tale follows Lillian‘s year of happiness,
pain, and growth, told through flashbacks and drifting between memories and shifting
consciousness.
Director: Scott Ballard is an award winning writer/director/producer/director of photography
whose films have screened at festivals around the world. With over 12 years in the film industry
in L.A., New Orleans, NYC, and Boston, Ballard now calls Portland, Oregon home where he is
cur- rently hard at work on his next feature film. RIFF is pleased to welcome him back with this
feature.
Website: http://scottballardfilms.com/
Wednesday, May 11, 3:00-5:00
Driving While Black
USA
Feature, 94 min.
Director: Patrick DiCesare
Synopsis: In this dark comedy, Dimitri is an artist with the job of delivering pizzas for a
living,but as a young black man he is faced with drama from the cops while navigating the city
daily.
Director: Paul Sapiano is a Hollywood based writer director, best known as creator of the ―Boys and
Girls Guide‖ franchise, a multiplatform, politically incorrect comedy franchise spanning movies, TV
and literature. Born in the UK, Paul moved to LA in 1996.
Website: http://drivingwhileblackmovie.com/
Thursday, May 12, 8:15-9:45
Ethan's Wish
USA
Documentary, 25 min.
Director: Michael
Maniglia
Synopsis: "Ethan's Wish" tells the story of Ethan Zakes, a boy who died too young of a rare
disease called ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy), and how his family teamed with the local
skateboarding community to raise awareness of the disease and promote mandatory screening
that will eventually save the lives of young boys everywhere.
Director: . Michael is a producer, director and cinematographer whose passion for do-it-yourself
enterprise and character driven stories are evident in his work. Michael produces documentary
films, music videos, narrative features and everything in between.
Website: www.subterrafilms.com
Friday, May 6, 4:15-5:30
Fish
Iran
Short, 4 min.
Directors: Saman Hosseinpuor
Synopsis: 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, perhaps...
Director: Saman Hosseinpuor was born in Kurdistan in 1993. He started acting in Theater at 14
years old, and started filmmaking in 2008. He currently lives in Iran, and this is his second short
film.
Website: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5079010/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_1
Thursday, May 12, 2:00-3:15
Sunday, May 15, 2:00-4:00 Subtitled
Follies of Youth
Ireland
Short: 8 min.
Director: Melina Curi
Synopsis: An office worker blows off his female co-worker's invitation to lunch, but his
arrogant attitude is tested when he runs into a group of kids in the park.
Director: Melina Curi is a Brazilian filmmaker from Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina
state in southern Brazil. Melina has been working in film and television direction and production,
festival and events production and lecturing over the past 10 years. She studied in Brazil, Cuba,
and London, and now resides in Ireland.
Website: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3152344/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_6
Monday, May 9, 3:45-5:30
For Here or to Go
India
Feature, 115
min.
Director: Rucha Humnabadkar
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the 2008 recession, For Here or To Go? is a comedy
drama about the many personal battles faced by immigrants living in America. Vivek, a young
Silicon Valley software professional shares the struggles of his roommates – other immigrants
equally seen as ―temporary workers‖ in the United States, who drive nice cars but avoid
investing in furniture for fear of having to leave it all behind. American in mind and Indian at
heart, this is a contemporary story of ambition and ambivalence fueled by one‘s immigration
status that characterizes the dilemma of modern cultural displacement.
Director: Rucha Humnabadkar attended the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking and also
has a Master's in Design from Carnegie Mellon University. She worked as a Lead Interaction Designer at eBay and StubHub, and is known for her work with acclaimed Indian filmmaker Nagesh
Kukunoor. As Assistant Director and Art Director she was instrumental in delivering indie hits
such as Hyderabad Blues, Rockford and Bollywood Calling. She lives in San Francisco,
California and is very excited to be part of the San Francisco/Bay area filmmaking community.
Website: http://forhereortogomovie.com
Tuesday, May 10, 7:15-9:45
Freesia
UK
Feature, 91 min.
Director: Conor Ibrahiem
Synopsis: A multi-narrative journey that weaves between three families in present-day Bradford,
where three worlds collide and leave a Muslim scholar fighting for his life. Now they must face
the storm before the calm – and they call it ‗Islamophobia‘
Director: Conor Ibrahiem began his professional life as an actor in 1999 and appeared in various
productions such as 'DL & Pascoe', 'Bad Girls' and 'Eastenders' before taking up scriptwriting in
his spare time. That, along with the desire to produce his own work, ultimately led to establishing Arakan Creative in 2009, an Islamic theatre company and Social Enterprise. Arakan looks
to
address issues within the Muslim world to dispel misconceptions and sow seeds of positive
change, having covered issues such as mental health awareness, Hijaab, and Extremism, and in this
latest film Islamophobia.
Website: http://arakancreative.co.uk/freesia-film/
Monday, May 9, 6:00-9:00
Furtive
USA
Short, 14 min.
Director: Ihuoma Ofordire
Synopsis: Furtive is a film centered around Xavier, a young precocious boy, anxious to meet
his father for the first time.
Director: Born to Nigerian parents and raised in Washington, DC, Ihuoma is not only a versatile
actress, but also a writer, producer and director. Ihuoma has honed her acting craft under the guidance teacher and mentor Jocelyn Jones at the Jocelyn Jones Acting Studio.
Website: http://www.furtivethemovie.com/
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Georgian Dance
USA
Documentary, 30 min.
Director: Salome
Tkebuchava
Synopsis: "Georgian Dance" seeks out the culture and history enfolded in cultural
Georgian dance and attempts to discover why and how it has developed since the 4th century
BC into the
world-acclaimed dance it is today.
Director: Salome Tkebuchava, a high school junior, was born and bred in the suburbs of Boston,.
She recently finished working on her third movie, a documentary on Georgian folk dance. Other
than spending her time in editing rooms and searching for actors, Salome practices foil fencing
and is perfecting her most recent Kata as a black belt in Karate.
Website: www.savofilm.com
Friday, May 13, 3:15-5:25
Guide
USA
Short, 19 min.
Directors: Jackson Miller
Synopsis: When John, a blind man, discovers that his guide dog and best friend, Jubilee, is
dying, his world seems to crumble. Unwilling to apply for a new dog, but unable to live without
one John struggles to find the strength to say goodbye and find a way to push on.
Director: Jackson Miller is a Filmmaker and recent graduate of Chapman University‘s Dodge College of Film and Media arts, where he became the first student in the school‘s history to direct two
thesis films. His ambitious Sci Fi short, Prism, was chosen as a semifinalist in the student
academy awards, and by SAG as one of the best short films of 2015.
Wednesday, May 11, 5:15-7:15
Hearts & Minds
USA
Short, 29 min.
Directors: Ryan Del Nero
Synopsis: Hearts & Minds is the story of an American soldier who is suffering from Post Traumatic
Stress. He is introduced to Islam by his girlfriend in order to help him cope, much to the dismay of a
fellow soldier. It is a story of love, friendship and finding peace.
Director: This is Ryan Del Nero‘s first film. He is a first year student at the Art Institute-Inland
Empire. In his first year, he has made his first film, won the Best of Quarter Award and directed his
first feature film. Ryan has done many different jobs and gone done many different career paths but
now feels like he has found the right one. He is an aspiring writer and director with a passion for
storytelling.
Monday, May 9, 6:00-9:00
Wednesday, May 11, 5:15-7:15
High Signs
USA
Short: 13
min. Director: Damien
Patrik
Synopsis: A docu-comedy that takes a look at one of America's least coveted professions--costumed characters and sign spinners.
Director: Damien Patrik is a writer anddirector whose short films have been in over 180 film
festivals, and won two dozen awards. He is the 2016 recipient of the Ken Hendricks Award for
Excellence, given for the first time to a filmmaker (Mr. Patrik) instead of to a specific film, for
his
body of work and passion for filmmaking.
Website: http://peppermedia.biz
Thursday, May 12, 3:30:-6:00
Hollywood Gals
USA
Short, 19 min.
Director: Jack Truman
Synopsis: HOLLYWOOD GALS is an eye-opening documentary short film about 4 women trying
to make it in Hollywood. Filmmaker Jack Truman follows 4 actresses in Los Angeles of different
ages and cultures, who share their thoughts, lifestyles and dreams in a unique, underground experimental film.
Director: Jack Truman joins us for a second year with a new documentary, after last year's ―Dockery
& Son.‖
Thursday, May 12, 3:30:-6:00
Home
USA
Short, 9 min.
Director: Brandon Burnett
Synopsis: "Home" explores the importance of family by following a woman, Lupe Tovar, who
grew up in the foster system and was eventually adopted at the age of 32 by a same-sex couple.
v
Director: Brandon Burnett is a seventeen year-old aspiring filmmaker living in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
with hopes of making it big.
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV_QxJoaLn5R69LhRRY3ZNQ?view_as=public
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
I Want to be Afsaneh
Iran
Documentary, 38 min.
Director:
Selma
Nayebi
Synopsis: A woman in Iran is employed but must resort to desperate measures to provide shelter
for herself and her daughter after her drug-addicted husband leaves them.
Director: Selma Nayebi was born in 1980, in Tehran. She has a Master of Arts in Art Studies from
the Azad University of Yazd.
Sunday, May 15, 4:15-5:45 Subtitled
Insomniac
USA
Short, 11 min.
Director: Logan Ward
Synopsis: Radio show personality Dave Burrows is the host of Insomniac, a late night program.
One night a mysterious caller phones into the show and tells a sadistic tale of murder as Dave
listens in horror before realizing the caller is stalking his next victim live on the air.
Director: Logan Ward is a student filmmaker based out of Corona, CA. He is attracted to darker
stories that are equally thrilling as they are horrific.
Saturday, May 7, 2:00-4:45
Saturday, May 14, 7;45-9:45
Intersection
USA
Feature, 80 min.
Director: Tim French
Synopsis: Cobb Mills is a man tortured by the guilt he bears from his daughter‘s death from car
crash while he was at the wheel. Six years have passed. Cobb has lost his marriage, his job and
any hope for happiness. But this year when he makes his annual visit up the small town where the
fateful accident occurred, he meets a striking young woman. There is a spark between them. But
she also carries a dark past. Do second chances come with a price?
Director: Tim French is co-writer of this film, his second, as well as director. He is a graduate
of Loyola Marymount.
Website: http://www.intersectionthemovie.com/
Sunday, May 8, 5:45-7:15
Jerico
USA
Feature, 96 min.
Director: Seckeita
Lewis
Synopsis: Best friends, Jerico Walker and Jarvis Cook , set out on the morning of the signing
of the civil rights act of 1964 with aspiration to capture the newly available Paper Press Manager
pro- motion. But when their car breaks down all hell breaks loose. With the dangers and bias‘s of
the Jim Crow south in rural Mississippi, along with a menacing lynch mob in hot pursuit, a simple
trip to work become an epic journey. Jerico is an dramatic comedy that satirizes the dogma of our
racial American history in an effort to open communication to overcome racial division.
Director: Seckeita Lewis was born and raised in Chicago but currently lives in the
Dallas/Fort Worth area. A passion for animatronics led her through a Master's degree in
Engineering, then she later switched to Marketing until her creative instincts led her to
filmmaking. Jerico is her
first feature film.
Website: jericothemovie.com
Saturday, May 14, 2:00-4:00
Jim Beechwood's Career Day
USA
Short, 6 min.
Director: Jim Buchholz
Synopsis: Dr. Jim Beechwood, an interpreter for a living, visits his daughter Cindy's second
grade class on Career Day. At first things start out great for Jim as he entertains the students, but
then quickly go very wrong.
Director: Jim Buchholz is a Professor of Mathematics and Physics and earned his PhD in Astrophysics from the University of California, Riverside. In addition to wrestling and playing soccer
during his college days, he performed as a Stand-up Comic and was once recognized as the Top
Collegiate Comedian by the American Collegiate Talent Showcase (formerly the Bob Hope Search
for Collegiate Talent). He now produces, writes, directs and acts in short films. He recently
finished his first full-length feature screenplay based off of a book published in 13 languages. Dr.
Buchholz combined his talents in science and the film industry by creating a very successful
college class titled: "The Physics of Hollywood". He is also presently an active board member of
the Riverside International Film Festival.
Tuesday, May 10, 2:15-3:50
Jimi Hendrix Experience:
Electric Church, Atlanta Pop Festival, July 4, 1970
USA
Documentary, 105 min.
Director: John McDermott
Synopsis: This documentary presents Jimi Hendrix before his largest American audience, along
with film tracing his evolution to that point and many interviews by those who were close to him.
Director: John McDermott is a producer and actor, known for Classic Albums: Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland (1997), Hendrix: Band of Gypsys (1999) and Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock
(1999).
Website: http://www.jimihendrix.com/
Friday, May 6, 8:00-10:00 Gala Attendees
only Sunday, May 15, 7:45-9:30 Public
showing
Joshua Tree: Threatened Wonderland
USA
Documentary, 14 min.
Director: Bill
Wisneski
Synopsis: Joshua Tree National Park, with its mysterious rock formations and iconic trees, has
long provided a haven for those seeking an inspirational experience. But with current threats
from air pollution, fires, and global warming, scientists believe the majority of Joshua Trees
may be gone in less than 100 years. As the trees disappear, this amazing wonderland will be
changed
forever.
Director: Bill Wisneski is an award winning documentary director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. He has received eleven Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards and dozens of other
national accolades for his compelling environmental documentaries. His films have been shown
at more the two dozen film festivals throughout the country and aired on numerous PBS stations
in the
Western United States.
Saturday, May 14, 4:30-7:30
Just Talking to Her
Korea
Short, 11 min. Directors:
Euiyoung Lim
Synopsis: Chang Seop is a lonely father who has been fired and lives alone. He is used to
putting on a suit rather than pajamas. He is also not familiar with eating a meal alone, not yet.
To relieve
feelings of isolation and loneliness, he calls to his daughter and friends but they hang up, making
all sorts of excuses. Suddenly he picks up the phone and calls a telemarketer, Joo A.
Director: Euiyoung Lim iincludes the following in her resume: Screenwriters Association Director
of Korea, Fair Environment Making Committee Member of The Korean Film Commission, Moviemen Association, Director of Yongin-si , Guest Professor of Cheongju University, Master of
Film Scenario at Chugye University for the Arts
website: https://youtu.be/XH_cC38czes
Thursday, May 12, 2:00-3:15
La Femme and the Man
USA
Short: 8 min.
Director: Courtney Coleman
Synopsis: La Femme and The Man chronicles what we all seem to have an interest in: human
relationships. It is the story of living with someone you love, but realizing you no longer speak their
language and that your identity has been swallowed up by a relationship that is no longer working.
Director: Director and producer Courtney M. Coleman is a Journalism student at California Baptist
University who has a passion for making films during her free time. She teamed up with her best
friend, Alannah Ivy LeBlanc in 2015 to produce La Femme and The Man and has plans to team up
again with her this summer to work on a feature.
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Little Bird
USA
Short, 11
min. Director: Briana
Cantillo
Synopsis: Little Bird follows a young woman named Starling who lost her husband and is
learn- ing to cope with the pain; however, when it becomes difficult, she is in need of a
reminder as to
why life is worth living for.
Director: Briana Cantillo is a student at Riverside Community College in the midst of preparing
to transfer to a University and push her career to the next level. She has always had a passion
for writing and finding ways to bring her ideas to life in front of the big screen.
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:00
Luchadora
USA
Short: 8 min.
Director: Amber Cortes
Synopsis: Meet Avispa. She's Small, she flies, and in the ring all the guys are afraid of her. This is
the story of the unlikely rise of the Pacific Northwest's only fully debuted female professional
luchadora
– a college student by day and a luchadora by night – as she runs, jumps, kicks, and finds her
way through the ranks of Lucha Libre.
Director: Amber Cortes is a documentary media maker who works with film, sound, and writing.
She makes films and radio pieces, writes about interesting people, performs live interactive fiction,
and occasionally creates transmission-based sound and video installation art projects. She lives in
Seattle and recently earned her Master‘s degree at the Communication Leadership program at the
University of Washington. She‘s held previous gigs at UnionDocs, a documentary arts
collaborative in Brooklyn, NY and in public radio and print.
Friday, May 6, 4:15-5:30
Lucky Day
USA
Short: 8 min.
Director: Janine
Sides
Synopsis: Meet Ted: a successful bank president with a no frills day-to-day and an ideal
woman by his side that exudes the term "trophy wife." Somewhere in between this morning's
coffee and
newspaper, though, Ted's world is flipped upside down when he's taken hostage by Dean, who
just so happens to be his wife's secret lover.
Director: Janine Sides is a writer, director and cinematographer based in Los Angeles. She received
her Masters from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2012. Janine has received numerous
awards and accolades for her work as a director and cinematographer. When she is not telling
stories or behind a camera, Janine enjoys roller derby.
Website: http://www.luckydaythemovie.com/
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Lucky Star
USA
Short, 19 min.
Director: Priya Amritraj
Synopsis: Inspired by true events, Lucky Star centers on 12-year-old Camila Garcia.
Desperate to help her hardworking single mother Araceli, she buys lottery scratchers at the local
corner store. Being underage, she gives Charlie the money to make the purchase for her. After
months of being unsuccessful, Camila wins $100,000—an amount which could change their
lives. But there‘s a problem: Araceli is undocumented and trying to collect the money could put
her at risk
of deportation.
Director: Priya Amritraj is a writer-director who has always been passionate about socially-relevant programming. She graduated a year early in spring 2015 from Pomona College with
a Bachelors degree in Media Studies and a specialization in Film Production.
Tuesday, May 10, 4:00-7:00
Lutah
USA
Documentary, 96 min.
Director: Kum-Kum Bhavnani
Synopsis: LUTAH explores the life of a remarkably versatile architect who left an impressive
legacy, nagivating her way through the male-dominated world of architecture and bringing a
freshness to the established architectural styles of Southern California. She was the first woman in
California to be named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
Director: .Kum-Kum Bhavnani teaches at UC Santa Barbara; her areas of interest include third
world, gender and culture. And she is a documentary filmmaker by night.
Website: www.LUTAH.org
Friday, May 13, 5:30-7:30
Moom
Japan
Short, 14 min.
Directors: Robert Kondo, Daisuke ―Dice‖ Tsutsumi
Synopsis: Have you ever wondered what happens to your forgotten objects? In this story, those
objects with its 'memory' still attached end up rising from the waters of the magical lake. Scared
and lost, memories need help to let go of their objects. Sometimes, it can be as simple as opening a
car door or loosening a lid. Other times, memories can have a hard time letting go. Those memories
might need more help. This is the story of one of those memories stuck in this world. His name is
Moom.
Directors: In early 2012, art directors Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo found themselves searching for ways to expand upon their filmmaking experience in Pixar‘s art department. They decided
to write and direct an independent animated short film together. The film, The Dam Keeper, was
an 18-minute short that garnered an Academy Award Nomination. In July 2014, Dice and Robert
founded Tonko House as a place to nurture growth while telling stories for the world.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/moomthemovie
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:00
Moving Day
USA
Documentary, 13 min.
Director: Zheng Wang
Synopsis: 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.
Director: Zheng Wang is an independent filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist based in Seattle
area. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of Dare to Dance Seattle, a non-profit organization.
Website: http://greencarpetstudio.com
Friday, May 6, 4:15-5:30
Muneeza in the Middle
Canada
Documentary, 50 min.
Director: Hoda Elatawi
Synopsis: Muneeza is a 2nd generation Canadian Muslim trying to reconcile her religious values
with her cultural and western values. Her religion urges modesty in all facets of life. She's a beautiful, confident, outspoken lawyer who dresses well and turns heads. She is also a devout worshiper,
bound to challenge common stereotypes about Muslims. But her modern interpretation of the faith
is catching up with her.
Director: Hoda Elatawi is an independent producer who has created award-winning films and
television in Canada and internationally for over two decades. Hoda's passion for cross-cultural
content, history, social issues, and the arts has united her with producers and writers from around
the world and allowed her to work on a diverse range of television projects. She is also a 2nd
genera- tion Muslim and a mother.
Website: http://www.gapcentertainment.com/
Sunday, May 15, 4:15-5:45
My Father
France
Short: 23 min.
Director: Alexandre Laudic
Synopsis: Michael needs to leave the country after he escaped from prison, for that he is going
to need the help of his son who has become a police officer.
Director: Alexandre Laudic is a real passionate about Cinema who graduated from a prestigious
audiovisual school in Paris in 2014 (ESRA - Higher School of Audiovisual Directing). ―My
Father‖ is his second short film.
Tuesday, May 10, 2:15-3:50
My Seventh Birthday
USA
Short: 7
min. Director: Jacob C.
Angulo
Synopsis: On Marty's seventh birthday, his single mother gave him his first birthday party.
How- ever, since Marty's birthday is the day after Christmas, his friends from school might not
show up
Director: Jacob C. Angulo is a 26 year old Mexican-American who studied film at his
local community college in Riverside, CA and transferred to San Francisco State University in
2016 to
major in Cinema.
Monday, May 9, 3:45-5:30
Noodle Deli
USA
Short, 14 min.
Director: David
Lu
Synopsis: A day in the life of a northern Chinese noodle restaurant in Los Angeles, and a tribute
to the food, people and collective spirit of Chinese immigrants hailing from Shanxi Province. .
Director: Born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, David Liu immigrated with his family to Los Angeles,
California at age three. He studied political economy at UC Berkeley and cinema production at the
University of Southern California, where he is currently entering his final year in the MFA program.
During his time at Berkeley, David served as arts editor and lead film critic for The Daily Californian and In his spare time, David writes about films at http://kino-¬obscura.com.
Website: http://journeywestpictures.com/
Thursday, May 12, 3:30:-6:00
Oscar Clarke – A Splendid Naturalist
USA
Documentary, 11 min.
Director: Steven Kutcher
Synopsis: Oscar Clarke was a Riverside based walking encyclopedia of the natural world. He
was the first full-time curator of botany at the University of California, Riverside. Interviews and
stills paint a picture of an enthusiastic humanitarian who was full of curiosity and knowledge.
His love of nature and incredible ability to question, observe and teach others are portrayed by
the people that loved and worked with him. His attention to detail often illuminated things other
people did not see. Oscar was a splendid naturalist who influenced many and made all things even weeds - beautiful.
Director: Steven R Kutcher has worked with some of the top film makers on over 100 feature films
as an insect consultant and insect wrangler. He is an entomologist, artist and educator. Steven
Kutcher is joining us for a second time; a few years ago he presented a documentary he made of
art created by insects!
Websites: www.bugsaremybuisness.com www.videoasmark.com
Saturday, May 14, 4:30-7:30
Out of Focus
USA
Short, 8 min.
Director: H. Nelson
Tracey
Synopsis: Two girls bring a camera on a camping trip and run into some unexpected scares
Director: Originally from Denver, CO, Nelson majored in Film Production at Chapman University in Orange, CA and is now pursuing a career in filmmaking and documentary in LA. This was
his last project completed while studying at Chapman
Website: http://www.hnelsontracey.com/out-of-focus/
Saturday, May 7, 5:00-6:30
Saturday, May 24, 7:45-9:45
Para Ellos
USA
Short, 24 min.
Directors: Christian Contreras, Victoria De La Torre
Synopsis: Maria is a smart, determined 10-year-old girl who loves nothing more than her father and
his bedtime tales. On the night her father goes missing, Maria, along with her little brother Juan,
embark on a journey across the U.S./Mexico border in hopes of bringing him back home, but not
without the guidance of three curious, yet meddling desert creatures.
Directors: Christian Contreras was born and raised in El Paso, TX where his love for cinema was
cultivated by the rich Mexican culture of a border town community. He holds a BA in Electronic
Media with a minor in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso. Victoria De La Torre
is a California native who has enjoyed storytelling ever since performing backyard plays with her
sister as a child., and received her BA in Communications Mass Media from California State
University of San Bernardino. This writer-director team met while pursuing their MFA in Film and TV
Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts where they focused on writing and directing.
Website: http://www.paraellosmovie.com/
Tuesday, May 10, 4:00-7:00
Picking up the Pieces
USA
Documentary, 28 min.
Director: Joshua Tebeau
Synopsis: Picking Up the Pieces is the first short documentary film telling the story of the
recovery of Jewish Child Holocaust Survivors. Answering the question, ―How do you ―live‖ after
surviving the Holocaust?‖ the film builds a nuanced and complex portrait of the survivors‘
struggles through the lens of key universal questions about Belief in God, Forgiveness, Home,
Jewish identity and Memory.
Director: Joshua Tebeau, a senior at Deerfield Academy in Western Massachusetts, spent his high
school years making this film, his first documentary. The film was fully funded through donations
and made with generous community support as well as mentoring from filmmakers and historians
based in Poland. Josh was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland. He is bilingual in Polish and
English, also understanding Spanish and Yiddish.
Website: http://www.pickingupthepiecesfilm.com/
Thursday, May 12, 2:00-3:15
Prism
USA
Short, 16 min.
Directors: Jackson
Miller
Synopsis: Dan Warner is a desaturator, tasked with sapping beauty from the world in a future
where Color is used as energy. When his superiors suspect that he may secretly be hoarding color
in order to support his ―unhealthy‖ passion for drawing, Dan is reassigned to the outer precincts
where he is faced with a decision that will decide the course of his future.
Director: Jackson Miller is a Filmmaker and recent graduate of Chapman University‘s Dodge
Col- lege of Film and Media arts, where he became the first student in the school‘s history to
direct two thesis films. His ambitious Sci Fi short, Prism, was chosen as a semifinalist in the
student academy
awards, and by SAG as one of the best short films of 2015.
Saturday, May 14, 7:45-9:45
SA
USA
Short, 5 min.
Director: Ronnie Cramer
Synopsis: A tour of San Antonio, Texas via watercolor animation.
Director: Artist/Musician/Filmmaker Ronnie Cramer has been active in the arts community for over
thirty years. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries and other venues across the country, his
music has achieved airplay on over 150 radio stations nationwide and his critically-acclaimed films
have been screened at festivals around the world. He has also been featured as a guest lecturer on
art and media at numerous museums and universities. Cramer's work has been exhibited in all fifty
states and in forty other countries.
Website: http://cultfilms.net/SA/index.htm
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:00
Save the Bees
USA
Short, 2 min.
Director: Marta Topolska
Synopsis: Short animation shows how important bees are in our environment and how we can help
them.
Director: Marta Topolska is a Motion Graphics Artist, Compositor, Photographer, and Makeup
Artist. A graduate of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, she is currently based in Los
Angeles.
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:00
Separation
USA
Short, 16 min.
Director: Andrew
Schwarz
Synopsis: A recently divorced family, comprised of a mother, father, and little girl, struggles
to assimilate to their new lives. The girl, Abigail, resorts to surprising alternative methods to
cope.
Director: Andrew Schwarz graduated from Hofstra University in 2014 with a dual degree in Film
Production and Music Composition.
Website: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2657229056/tt4059072?ref_=ttmd_md_nxt
Saturday, May 7, 5:00-6:30
Si Lunchai
Germany
Short: 9
min.
Director: Hannes Rall
Synopsis: The poor yet smart trickster Si Lunchai triumphs over the cruel king. This is an animated
adaptation of an Indonesian legend, inspired by the style of the Southeast Asian shadow puppet play
―Wayang Kulit.
Director: Hannes Rall is a tenured Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University
(NTU), Singapore. He is also an independent animation director. Hannes Rall has shown his award
winning work in more than 20 countries and over 250 film-festivals worldwide. His research and
artistic work is focused on exploring adaptation of classic literature for animation and on intercultural collaborations.
Website: http://augohr.de/catalogue/si-lunchai
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:00
SLLIP
USA
Short: 25 min.
Director: Ricky
Russert
Synopsis: Cam is a young father injured at work who fights to shield his family from his daily
pain and addiction. When prescription drugs are not enough to manage, will he risk losing his
family and his sanity to his demons?
Director: After graduating from Washington State University in 2005, Ricky Russert decided to
make the move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career full time. In 2008 he decided to get back
to his business roots and opened up his production company, Triple R Entertainment. He then
received the opportunity to develop a project as a producer with the legendary television producer,
Dick Clark.
Website: http://sllipthefilm.com/
Monday, May 9, 3:45-5:30
Straw Dolls
USA
Short: 19
min. Director: Jon
Milano
Synopsis: Straw Dolls tells the story of a how a father and daughter sacrifice their own wellbeing for a mother and her young daughter. Based on a series of true events, the film takes place
during
the start of the Armenian Genocide.
Director: Emmy Nominated director, Jon Milano hails from a small town in New Jersey and has
been working in the medium film and television for ten years.
Sunday, May 15, 2:00-4:00 Subtitled
Sulige Sikkidaaga “Be Fluid As Water”
India
Short: 40 min.
Director: Kalpana Pandit
Synopsis: A young woman's life spirals out of her control due to her grand mal epilepsy. Using
split screen technology, the film showcases her two possible timelines: one path showing what
happens to her when society does not stand by her and rejects her, and the other path showing what
happens to her when society stands by her in full support and she takes control of her destiny.
Filmed in beautiful locations in and around Bengaluru, India with a finale in Tucson, Arizona. In
Kannada dialect with English subtitles.
Director: Kalpana Pandit has worked in the film and entertainment industry since 1991. She
started her career as an actress in many Indian Language films - Tulu, Konkani, Kannada,
Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Sindhi, Marathi. She has been a writer of many films and directed feature
films, shorts, docu-mentaries, and musicals.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/SuligeSikki/
Saturday, May 7, 5:00-6:30 Subtitled
The Closer
USA
Feature, 95 min.
Director: Eli Hershko
Synopsis: A factually-inspired tale of betrayal and greed among three friends set against the backdrop of the boom and bust Brooklyn real estate market. The filmwas written and produced by 3
Brooklyn-based real estate experts & investors who witnessed the 2008 housing crisis first-hand and
wanted to share their incredible and trying experiences. The film was made to showcase these
events and to share their stories.
Director: Originally from Israel, Eli Hershko, who graduated from Haifa school of the arts, had
joined the Israeli Defense Force where he served as a photographer and later as a teacher for photography. After his Honorable discharge as a Sergeant he studied at WIZO Art College in Haifa,
and is a graduate of the New York Film Academy Digital Film Program. In addition to
filmmaking pursuits, Eli has worked as a professional photographer, shooting album and magazine
covers for popular artists including: Biggie Smalls, Bjork, Public Enemy, naughty by nature,
SpaceHog, The Backstreet Boys, Cake, Garbage and Tony Bennett (to name a few).
Website: theclosermovie.com
Thursday, May 12, 6:15-8:00
The Enchanted Cottage
USA
Feature, 86 min.
Director: Joseph Henson and others
Synopsis: A retelling of Sir Arthur Wing Pinero‘s classic play and film ―The Enchanted Cottage,‖
a
place where true love has the power to transform.
Directors: Joseph Henson, Lead Director, mentored directors Joshua Arcadi, Ryan Del Nero,
Andrew Fisher, Travis Gray, Miles Ornelas, and Dakota Sixkiller. This is RIFF's second year of
presenting the cooperative feature film created by the students of the Art Institute of the Inland
Empire.
Website: http://enchantedcottagemovie.weebly.com/
Saturday, May 7, 2:00-4:45
The Florist
Russia
Short: 8 min.
Director: Rinat Gazizov
Synopsis: Often our lives are like running in circles; one day does not differ much from the
previ- ous. But if you stop and take a step towards the outside of your circle, there is a chance
you may intersect with that of someone else.
Director: Rinat Gazizov is an animation film director from Russia. For the past 15 years, Rinat
has been the owner of a small animation studio named ―Lady Bug‖ in Los Angeles.
Website: www.rinatgaz.com
Thursday, May 12, 3:30:-6:00
The Heat
France
Short: 24 min.
Director: Bartosz Kruhlik
Synopsis: Heat may be defined as: 1. coal or wood afire to redness, 2. High air temperature, 3.
Vehe- mence of feelings. A sweet meeting between two young people takes a very dark curve.
Director: Bartosz Kruhlik was born in 1985 in Lubsko, Poland. He is currently studying Film Directing at the Polish National Film, Television and theatre School in Lodz. In 2013 he received
the ―Ministry of Culture Prize‖ for outstanding artistic achievement.
Website: www.kruhlik.com
Saturday, May 14, 7:45-9:45
The Indian Priest
Swede
n Documentary: 59
min. Director: Mattias
Low
Synopsis: Fifteen years ago, a Catholic priest from south India, Raphael Kurian, arrived in
mod- ern secular Sweden as a missionary. Today, he is more popular than ever, with a warm
heart and curious mind always available for those in need. As Raphael is making future plans for
his Swed- ish parish, he is suddenly called back to India for a sabbatical in order to recharge his
spirituality.
American Premiere.
Director: Mattias Löw is a Swedish documentary filmmaker who has won acclaim from
critics and audiences alike, and been the recipient of international TV-, film and journalism
awards for his sport-, educational- and social-themed documentaries made for Swedish public
TV.
Thursday, May 12, 3:30:-6:00 Subtitled
The Last Tear
USA
Documentary, 53 min.
Director: Christopher Lee
Synopsis: Sexual violence against women has accompanied almost every large-scale conflict, yet
most of its victims are silenced. One such sad episode is that of the ―comfort women,‖ or more
accurately, the estimated 200,000 women who were recruited to sexually serve the Imperial
Japanese Army during World War II. As part of their Fading Away documentary series, the
filmmaker hoped to give a voice to these women and search for a form of healing. They traveled
thousands of miles to visit the historical locations and met with the some of few remaining
survivors.
Director: Christopher H.K. Lee is an award-winning filmmaker/writer/publisher and media artist.
He has over 27 years of multi-cultural and diverse industry experience in the fields of architecture,
interactive media, visual effects and animations as a director/producer and over twelve years of
lecturing experience at colleges in both South Korea and the U.S. .
Website: http://www.fadingawaymovie.com/thelasttear/index.php
Wednesday, May 11, 5:15-7:15
The Last 24 Hours
USA
Short, 11 min.
Directors: Sean
Tien
Synopsis: Harry just found out he has 24 hours to live. It took the doctor four hours to tell him.
Harry didn't know how to take the news, so he simply drove home. He lives an hour away.
Director: Sean Tien. Includes RIFF Director Harki Dhillon as – wait for it – a doctor!
Tuesday, May 10, 2:15-3:50
The Last Words
USA
Short, 19 min.
Directors: Keegan
Mullin
Synopsis: Placed into hearing schools and forced to speak, young David suffered the effects of
be- ing the only deaf member of a hearing family. Years later, and after his discovery of Sign
Language, David struggles with the decision to speak for the first time since childhood if he
wishes to say
goodbye to his dying mother.
Director: Keegan Mullin attended Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and his work has
been showcased at numerous major festivals and been chosen as a semifinalist for the Student
Academy Awards. In 2015 Keegan won the DGA Student Film Award for his outstanding
achievement in
directing The Last Words.
Website:
www.facebook.com/thelastwordsshortfilm May 15, 2:00-4:00
Subtitled
THE LETTER
USA
Short, 16 min.
Director: Yifan
Xiao
Synopsis: When an American soldier during WWII is captured by a young German soldier, he is
offered a unique chance to escape when the Nazi captor steps on a landmine that will explode if
he steps off.
Director: Yifan Xiao is a graduate of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts and the New
York Film Academy, currently living in Los Angeles.
Website:
www.facebook.com/theletter2015 Sunday,
May 15, 2:00-4:00 Subtitled
May 15, 2:00- 4:00
The Lost Mariner
USA
Short: 6 min.
Director: Tess Martin
Synopsis: The Lost Mariner is an animated interpretation of Dr. Oliver Sacks' case study found in
his book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. It uses animation and photographs to visualize
the rare memory condition of patient Jimmie G.
Director: Tess Martin is an independent animator who works with cut-outs, ink, paint, sand or
objects. Her films have displayed at galleries and festivals worldwide.
Website: www.tessmartinart.com
Friday, May 6, 4:15-5:30
The Newsletter
USA
Documentary: 37 min.
Directors: Alicia Wszelaki, Matthew
Nothelfer
Synopsis: An aspiring Japanese housewife living in the heart of Japan creates an
international English language publication to help others learn English. After three decades
struggling against cultural, creative, and family challenges, she and the staff must then reckon
with what it means to
be successful.
Director: Director Alicia Wszelaki is a filmmaker from San Diego, a graduate of San Diego
State University, and part-owner of the media company, Path 88 Productions, that produces
travel related documentaries and films. She has hosted and produced travel films for Lonely
Planet TV as well as Condé Nast Video. Co-director Matthew Nothelfer.also from San Diego, is
the other part-owner of the media company with a career specialty of shooting tourism motion
pictures in
Asia.
Website: www.path88productions.com
Thursday, May 12, 3:30:-6:00
The Other Place
France
Short: 12 min.
Director: Mareike Engelhardt
Synopsis: One evening an elderly hair dresser locks her salon. While talking to herself in front of
her mirror she drifts deeper and deeper into her fantasies, memories and regrets … The film was
inspired by Samuel Becketts‘ ―Rockaby.―
Director: Mareike Engelhardt studied film directing at the Ecole Superieure libre d'Etudes Cinematographiques in Paris. She alternates between directing experimental dance films and fiction,
and also works as an assistant director on feature films, most recently with Roman Polanski and
Volker Schlondorff.
Website: http://www.mareikeengelhardt.com/
Sunday, May 15, 2:00-4:00 Subtitled
The Rainbow Kid
Canada
Feature, 92 min..
Director: Kire Paputts
Synopsis: Eugene, a young man with Down syndrome, sets out on a life altering journey to find
the end of the rainbow.
Director: Kire Paputts is an award winning Toronto producer/director who has experience in an
array of film/video industry roles. A Ryerson University Film Program graduate, he currently works
in both the creative and corporate side of the industry. His company Made By Other People was
started in 2014 and is a boutique film production company that strives to create high quality and
thought provoking entertainment no matter the scope of project or size of budget.
Website: http://www.therainbowkid.com/
Friday, May 13, 1:30-3:00
THE RIDE
USA
Feature: 89
min. Director: Phil
Keoghan
Synopsis: In 2009, the director performed in ―Ride Across America‖, in partnership with
several organizations, to raise money for multiple sclerosis research. Keoghan and others
bicycled 3,500 miles over 40 days from Los Angeles to New York City, averaging 100 miles
per day. His documentary movie The Ride takes us along with him.
Director: Philip John ―Phil‖ Keoghan is a New Zealand television personality, best known
for hosting the U.S. version of The Amazing Race since its 2001 debut. Starting out as a film
camera assistant 25 years ago, Keoghan has worked in more than 100 countries around the
world as an actor, author, speaker, television host, producer and director. He currently lives in
Los Angeles.
Saturday, May 7, 12:15-1:45
The Thrill of Being Followed
USA
Short, 22 min.
Director: Mickey Newman
Synopsis: After her cell phone is kidnapped and held for ransom, a neurotic woman and her mischievous boyfriend embark on an amusing quest to retrieve it in this light comedy that pokes fun at
cell phone addiction and the technologically warped culture that perpetuates it.
Director: Mickey Newman is a screenwriter, director, videographer, editor, teacher, and professional
musician from Pittsburgh, PA. After interning and teaching at Pittsburgh Filmmakers and graduating with a BA in film studies from the University of Pittsburgh, Mickey spent a few years sailing
the world as a drummer in show bands and jazz trios on cruise ships before enrolling in Temple
University‘s Graduate MFA program, from which he graduated in August 2015. He has been teaching Media Arts production courses as well as the theory-based Imaginary Cities class at Temple
University since 2013,
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thethrillmovie/
Tuesday, May 10, 2:15-3:50
Total Awesome Viking Power
USA
Short, 15 min.
Director: Morten Forland
Synopsis: 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
Rune- stone. Together they embark on a journey that will test Vidar‘s wits, bravery and his ability
to go completely berserk.
Director: Morten has been making movies in his neighbor‘s backyards in Norway since he was 12
years old. From Star Wars homages to action thriller about gamers, he has developed a unique style
of telling the comedic stories of various subcultures while remaining true to their core values.
Website: http://www.awesomevikingpower.com/
Saturday, May 14, 7:45-9:45
Train Station
USA
Feature, 97 min.
Director: Marty Shea (and 39 others)
Synopsis: When a mysterious train accident forces a man to change his plans, he is confronted
with a series of choices, some big, some small. Each decision he makes leads to a different
scenario, each one filmed by a different director with a different cast.
Director: Directed by 40 filmmakers from 25 different countries, Train Station is the second
feature film by CollabFeature. CollabFeature is a group of independent filmmakers from all over
the world who have come together to create multi-director feature films. Each filmmaker writes
and directs a small segment of a bigger story in his or her own country. By pooling our talents and
resources, each work we create is bigger than the sum of its parts and reaches a greater audience
than any of us could each on our own. The CollabFeature Project was initiated by filmmakers
Marty Shea and Ian Bonner in Detroit, Michigan, to facilitate collaborative projects between
international filmmakers
Website: http://www.collabfeature.com/
Sunday, May 8, 2:00-4:25
Turret Syndrome
USA
Documentary, 4 min.
Director: Sudeshna
Sen
Synopsis: A visual haiku so to speak--about a man who hides in plain sight at one of Seattle's
busiest corners. The film captures his humorous and eccentric perspective on the stream of
humanity around him, as he sits perched high in the sky.
Director: Sudeshna Sen left her first career in Japanese literature and university teaching in Utah
and turned to her true love, film.
Friday, May 6, 4:15-5:30
Unforgotten
USA
Short, 10 min.
Director: Hector Cordova
Synopsis: Never forget the ones you have lost in your life, because they are always there,
watching over you.
Director: Being the first Film graduate from the Arts Institute of the Inland Empire, director Hector
Cordova will go on to follow his dream and become a great Editor, Color Corrector and family man.
The director states that this short film is about his grandparents.
Website: www.cortrakzproductions.com
Saturday, May 7, 2:00-4:45
Thursday, May 12, 2-3:15
Unverified
USA
Feature, 91 minutes
Director: Bradley
Bethel
Synopsis: After a college writing tutor's colleagues are falsely accused in a university
athletics scandal, he becomes determined to set the record straight. Along the way, he
realizes he's up
against more than he anticipated.
Director: Bradley Bethel is an unlikely documentary filmmaker. He originally studied writing
at The Ohio State University and earned a master‘s degree in English Education from the
Universi- ty of Toledo. While working as a writing tutor and reading specialist at the University
of North Carolina, news broke of a scandal involving UNC‘s athletics department, and Bradley‘s
colleagues were caught in the middle. Outraged after seeing his colleagues scapegoated, he
became deter- mined to set the record straight and thus began work on UNVERIFIED, his first
documentary.
Website: http://unverifiedthefilm.com/
Friday, May 6, 2:00-4:00
Waters in the Wilderness:
The Right to Utilize or the Responsibility to Protect
USA
Documentary, 10 min.
Director: Rachel
Priebe
Synopsis: This story of the damming of Yosemite National Park's Hetch Hetchy Valley in the early
20th century lays out the viewpoints that clashed during the controversy and the nation's struggle to
balance the responsibility to protect the natural world with a city's right to grow and develop.
Director: .Rachel Priebe is a high school student from Riverside, California, who has been
creating documentaries for five years. She has a passion for documenting real life as well as
preserving and reviving the stories of the past.
Website: http://rachelpriebe99.wix.com/mysite
Saturday, May 14, 4:30-7:30
Whittier Boulevard
USA
Short,17 min.
Director: Michael Patrick Spillers
Synopsis: A rock 'n roll fable about André, a transgender teen runaway who falls in love with
a rockabilly princess on the streets of East Los Angeles.
Director: Michael Patrick Spillers is an LA-based playwright and screenwriter, whose plays have
been produced throughout the local indie theatre scene. "WHITTIER BOULEVARD" began as
a one-act play, traveling to the NYC FringeFest, where it was selected as one of
IndieTheatreNow's "Best of FringeNYC 2014".
Website: https://www.facebook.com/whittierboulevard
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Whittier Boulevard
USA
Short,17 min.
Director: Michael Patrick
Spillers
Synopsis: A rock 'n roll fable about André, a transgender teen runaway who falls in love with a
rockabilly princess on the streets of East Los Angeles.
Director: Michael Patrick Spillers is an LA-based playwright and screenwriter, whose plays
have been produced throughout the local indie theatre scene. "WHITTIER BOULEVARD"
began as a one-act play, traveling to the NYC FringeFest, where it was selected as one of
IndieTheatreNow's
"Best of FringeNYC 2014".
Website: https://www.facebook.com/whittierboulevard
Friday, May 13, 7:45-9:45
Worth the Wait
USA
Short, 11 min.
Director: Joel P.
Berry
Synopsis: He's moved on. So has she. But the annual jelly making competition reveals they both
still have something to prove.
Director: Joel Berry has an undergraduate degree from California Baptist College (now CBU) and
a master's in film production from Chapman University. His production company, Sweet Tea Films,
has been turning out comedy on YouTube since 2006 and he has recently jumped back into traditional filmmaking. He co-directed Worth the Wait with former Chapman classmate John Sinclair.
Tuesday, May 10, 2:15-3:50
Women Are the Answer
Australia
Documentary: 90 min.
Director: Fiona Cochran
Synopsis: Population growth has been left out of the climate debate because it is seen as
controver- sial, yet it is one of the most important factors. The global population has passed the 7
billion mark and India is overtaking China as the most populous nation in the world, but one state
in southern India has found the solution. The unique history of Kerala and ‗the Kerala Model‘ is
outlined, using it as an example of achieving population control in developing countries without
coercion.
Director: Producer/ director Fiona Cochran rejoins RIFF. She has produced and/or directed several
independent Australian feature films as well as numerous documentaries and short films.
Website: www.f-reel.com
Monday, May 9, 2:00-3:30
A Spark of Hope
USA
Short, 1 min.
Director: Rebecca
Lam
Synopsis: We‘ve all been there. We‘ve all felt the tug of hopelessness, of depression. But hope
is like a spark, a small light in the darkness that changes everything. This sixty second film
won 4th place in the 2016 Directing Change competition for the category of Youth and Young
Adult
Mental Health Matters.
Director: Rebecca Lam is part of small team of ambitious young filmmakers at California
Baptist University, where she and her teammates are working towards their Bachelor‘s Degree
in Film
Studies
. The team was Micah Emerine, Adam Clark, Joel Cox, Allison Montgomery, Jordan Key,
Travis Charliebois and Tess Farrand. Their film was the runner up for Best Picture at the CBU
Student
Film Festival.
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10
RCC Student Films
USA
Short: 48 mins
Director: Various
Synopsis: Riverside City College Presents it‘s past year‘s Film Festival Winners at RIFF. The
various students filmed many of these films here in riverside and represent the future of Cinema in
years to come. All filmmakers are up and coming as well as from the local area.
https://www.facebook.com/rccfilm38/timeline
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:00