2019 Screeners
Professional Narrative Feature
Bleed American, Tre Manchester, USA, 01:14:52
When his mother’s alcohol abuse returns her to the hospital, Larson becomes the parental figure to his young brother L.J., and sister Lex. He soon finds himself conflicted with his personal desire to party with his friends and his responsibility as their parental figure. Meanwhile, L.J. slips under the influence of a local hoodlum who introduces him to drugs and liquor, and it's this new friendship that leads him to explore his sexuality.
Fort Maria, Thomas Southerland and S. Cagney Gentry, USA, 01:24:00
Maria is a woman with no country. A Bulgarian immigrant and adoptive mother of a black daughter, she finds herself suddenly stricken with debilitating anxiety following a break-in at her home in Kentucky. When her daughter’s aging dog dies, Maria’s house arrest puts her into equally painful and funny situations that soon entangle her neighbors.
As Maria copes with the issues that have led her - a world traveler - into her self-inflicted prison, her daughter Meredith discovers her own identity through a search for her biological family.
Rendezvous in Chicago, Michael Smith, USA, 01:08:44
RENDEZVOUS IN CHICAGO is a short comedic feature film comprised of three vignettes corresponding to the beginning, middle and end stages of a relationship: Paul (Kevin Wehby), a charming young man, attempts to pick up Delaney (Clare Cooney), a bookish grad student, in an otherwise empty wine bar. She turns the tables on him in a most unexpected manner. Rob (Matthew Sherbach) and Andy (Rashaad Hall) are enjoying the bliss of newly formed couplehood. Rob has planned to propose marriage as they walk from their apartment to the lakeshore nearby, but has he made the right decision? Julie (Nina Ganet) comes home from work early to find her boyfriend, Wyatt (Shane Simmons), in bed with another woman. After violently ejecting them from her apartment, Julie begins to fall in love with . . . you the viewer!
Professional Narrative Short
Magnolia and Clementine, Ashley Shelton, USA, 00:16:22
Most of her brilliant ideas end up in the bathroom trash, deleted, or left unfinished all thanks to her wonky computer that crashes at the most inconvenient times. Struggling writer, HER, tosses out a story that gets turned into a published successful piece of work. By her more famous husband. Frustrated and jealous, HER, heads to a local coffee shop for a for a change of scenery to work where she sees some unexpected familiar faces. That event sparks some unwelcomed but much needed changes to HER life. Confronting her past and making peace with her expectations of the future. We see a women consciously stepping out of her own way and into her destiny.
Lola: Girl Got a Gun, Emily Elizabeth Thomas, USA, 00:14:46
LOLA: GIRL GOT A GUN is about a young girl searching for purpose and belonging in a conservative West Texas household. Will she become who her family wants her to be? Or will she become the bold and brave woman she desires to be? LOLA bares witness to a young and angelic girl who experiences the emotional weight of her mother’s abuse by her conservative NRA member father. The heaviness of the abuse permeates her home, and she searches for an outlet for her anger and fear. She feels that all is lost, until one day she wanders into her parents' room the morning after a particularly violent night. What she finds changes her worldview permanently: her father’s loaded pistol. She decides to keep it as her own, names it Lola, and paints it bubble gum pink. Now she has a secret of her own; the girl’s got a gun now – her very own defense – and nobody can take it away from her.
The Replacement, Sean Miller, USA, 00:15:00
On election night, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes the President. He goes on a bender to seek justice, encountering new forms of prejudice, dismissal, and classism. In a society where the morality around cloning is dividing the masses, physically looking like the newly elected President has its own dangers…
Professional Documentary
My Paintbrush Bites, Joel Pincosy, USA, 00:16:03
A man battling reclusion and a racehorse on the brink of death save each other in unexpected ways.
Satan and Adam, Scott Balcerek, USA, 01:19:00
SATAN AND ADAM follows two musicians from the opposite ends of life who met on the streets of Harlem in 1986. Against the backdrop of racial discord in the city, Adam Gussow, a young white Jewish harmonica player, and Sterling “Mr. Satan” Magee, an older black Mississippi bluesman, joined forces to blaze a new musical trail. Bi-racial blues. Po-mo blues. Whatever you want to call it, it changed their lives forever and contested longstanding notions of cultural appropriation. Shot over 30 years, Satan & Adam showcases a miraculous journey of friendship, heartbreak and the transformative power of music.
Where There is Darkness, Sean Bloomfield and Cimela Kidonakis,USA,01:43:09
Fr. Rene Robert devoted his life to helping the less fortunate in and around the tight-knit community of St. Augustine, Florida. But, in 2016, he was kidnapped and murdered by 28-year-old Steven Murray—an ex-felon he had been trying to help. Just as prosecutors began seeking a death sentence for Murray, Fr. Rene’s friends discovered a document he had signed 20 years earlier which stated, in part, “Should I die as a result of a violent crime, I request that the person responsible for my killing not be subject to the death penalty, no matter how heinous their crime.” Although prosecutors dismissed the document as having no legal standing, the discovery ignited a grassroots movement led by residents of St. Augustine who wanted the courts to accept Fr. Rene’s wishes and spare his killer's life.
Student Short Narrative
Kudzu,Connor Simpson,USA,00:14:47
A young boy wrestles with a deepening sense of remorse after the sudden disappearance of his friend. When those close to him begin to question his involvement, he is forced to make a life-altering choice. Themes of friendship, guilt, and redemption are examined against the backdrop of a scorching summer in the rural South.
Janek/Bastard,Muriel Naim,USA,00:19:00
An exploration of the intricate relationship between a Christian and a Jewish boy in 1942 Poland.
Working on It, Kaitlin Douglas,USA,00:21:49
A year after his wife's passing, Dave, is still struggling to cope with everyday life.
Student Documentary
Dear, Inescapable,Sarah Cheshire and Sophie Strohmeier,USA,00:14:56
The St. James Hotel, located at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, has born witness to much of the city’s painful history, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement, and has remained a resilient community anchor throughout. Just years after an expensive community-driven restoration effort, economic decline and unresolved civic tensions have led this beloved community heirloom into decay. Now, with the windows of the St. James boarded up, Selma residents grapple with the multiple meanings the hotel holds, while reflecting on the ghostly presences, personal memories, and passed-down lore contained within its walls.
Nico Teen, Ethan J. Lee, USA, 00:07:10
As seen from the eyes of high school students, NicoTeen gives an unbias and raw perspective from two high school friends (Ryan and Kia) on their experiences vaping. Deep insights began to emerge through their eyes: the complexities of vaping culture, trends and fads, favorite flavors, and the social bonds that form.
Red Line Lounge, Jens Ericson, USA, 00:08:51
Every day, Dave Russell, drummer and de facto leader of the Red Line Lounge Band, assembles his drum kit on the Jackson Red Line train platform. Once an international performer, now homeless, Dave shares his musical aspirations and personal philosophy. (Director was 21 years old at date of film completion)
Vanguard
Patrice in Search of Love, Theodore Collatos, USA, 00:04:30
Patrice, a philosophical young woman, searches for love at the end of the world.
Succulent, Paul Taylor, USA, 00:15:00
With no place to go, a woman enters the house of a stranger and makes herself a little too comfortable.
Transient Passengers, Natalia Hermida, USA/Columbia, 00:21:00
Searching for the woman who stole his golden pocket watch, a time-obsessed office clerk gets locked inside a cubist labyrinth where he revisits three memories that make him reconsider his deepest traumas and obsessions.
Youth Films
Hindsight, Oisin-Tomas O Raghallaigh, Ireland, 00:11:05
Tony, a convict and drug addict, desperate for a new relationship with his daughter and former partner, must overcome his past temptations and prove that he's finally changed his ways.
Bunker, Christian Arnsparger, USA, 00:02:33
A young boy uses his imagination to distract himself from an abusive father.
My Mother Says I’m Special, Little Does She Know, Erin Cody, USA, 00:05:00
Being a teenager is not easy. Being a teenager with a super power is not any easier. These teens must decide what to do when they learn that they can't trust everyone.
UNA Spotlight
Perception, Kaylee Thomas, USA, 00:17:55
Alex struggles with an eating disorder and obsession with "perfection" which could destroy her life.
Working On It. Kaitlin Douglas, USA,00:21:49
A year after his wife's passing, Dave, is still struggling to cope with everyday life.
Scenes from Der Waffleburg, Molly Ezell and Sydney Collums, USA, 00:05:50
3am at a Diner.
Lauderdale
Mattress Monster, Bryant Hasheider, USA, 00:14:06
A young woman discovers a terrible secret about her boyfriend.
Ghost LIghting, Trenton Frederick, USA, 00:08:00
A man in an isolated cabin is terrorized by the ghosts of his past.
Alabama Films
Tumbleton Road, Faye Walker Howell, USA, 01:01:01
Around 1905 on a farm in rural southeast Alabama, a young mulatto girl lived a life sheltered by her Negro father and secretly by her white mother who was a wealthy plantation owner's daughter. However, unseen evils were operating in the dark to destroy the awkward “normalcy” between coloreds and white folk that had developed over the span of several decades. Inadvertenly, as a result of the plantation owner's death, the role of the young girl's father became essential. With the approval of her white grandmother, he was now in charge of overseeing and running the plantation. This power, which was unheard of concerning a Negro, combined with the respect afforded him by his former master's daughter and temperance in allowing him to elevate to a position of authority, all collide to create a fuel to ignite local white prejudices. This is a true story depicting the erosion of a young woman's belief in the cultural differences that exists in America. Her life outlines the hottest fires that separate us, but ends with a family that is tempered and strong.
A Rage, Jesse Sockwell, USA, 00:44:41
A silent film depicting a serial killer's methods and how his life as a young man affects who he is today.
Family of Fear, Stephen Lackey, USA, 01:31:08
It's a story of fear, fake and for real.... Prepare yourself for the Family of Fear! There are up to 200 volunteers that make Arx Mortis, in Killen Alabama, one of the best haunted house attractions in the United States. There are all ages, all walks of life, that come together to scare the hell of of patrons and support each other through the good, the bad, and the scary. After a string of positively reviewed successful seasons the haunt finds itself reeling from a weak season littered with poor reviews. The family has to come together this year and recover to bring the haunt back to former glories.
Spirit Song, Ashley E. Davidson, USA, 00:25:43
This film is inspired by "Voices of the Guardians," an album by Lance Bendiksen and Gareth Laffely that combines the songs and stories of Native American tribes with modern western music as a demonstration of hope and unity. Our journey begins at Skywalker Sound in California and takes us across the United States to sacred Native sites in Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Acadia, Maine; and Ketchikan, Alaska. Each place comes to life with its own stories and sounds, shaping the music of each community, and showing us just how vibrant the Native American world is.
Mississippi Madam: The Life of Nellie Jackson, Timothy Givens and Mark K. Brockway, USA, 01:21:00
In 1902 Nellie Jackson, an African-American woman born into poverty in Possum Corner, Mississippi, travels north to Natchez and opens “Nellie’s,” a brothel she ran for more than 60 years with full knowledge of police and Natchez officials until a fiery end one hot July night in 1990.
Connections of Cos-Playing, David Love, USA, 00:12:11
This film dives into the world of Cos-Play and prop making. We follow several people who have made cos-play more than just a fun hobbie but how they made it into a community.
Essie, Brook Pruitt, USA, 00:55:48
Essie Ebrahimi immigrated from Iran in the early 70s and lives in Montevallo, Alabama. He has been a woodturner since 1997. He also shares his religious experiences that are very moving and powerful. He spends months making one piece of woodwork. He has a room full of wood working pieces that have never been viewed publicly until the Fall of 2017, when he displayed his work at Orr Park for the Montevallo Bicentinneal Bash then again at a juried Art Show called the Bluff Park Art Show in Hoover, Alabama. He wins 1st place at the 54th Annual Bluff Park Art Show for his Persian pierced wood platter project. He had never participated in a juried art show and it's very unique that he won an Art Show on his very first try. His woodturning pieces are a labor of love and have many intricate details. Essie makes platters, vases, bowls, crosses, and pierces wood.
Wind and Water Balloons, Jamie Jean, USA, 01:33:00
While investigating the origins of a bizarre tradition held yearly in his hometown, filmmaker Jamie Jean discovers controversial claims of discrimination and racism in the wake of disaster in 2011. This inspiring story is proof that it takes more than a couple of tornadoes to dismantle the fierce loyalty and relentless pride of the water balloon-flinging Blue Devils of Cordova, Alabama.
The Game Warden, Merideth Murdock, USA, 00:03:22
Wonder Water, Sam Tumminello, USA, 00:04:30
The movie, told in a minimalist style, depicts a classic Alabama story of youthful events leading to the character’s eventual memorialization.
Faithful by King Kwofi, Benjamin Stark, USA, 00:03:36
A noir-inspired hip-hop video that explores a man's internal struggle with his dueling identities.
The Proustian Effect, Christian Arnsparger, USA, 00:08:00
A man uses music to reconnect with his lost daughter.
At a Moment’s Notice, Reagan Kvicala, USA, 00:08:00
A Documentary reflecting on April 27, 2011, a day the state of Alabama will never forget.
In Beautiful Dreams, Nick Adrian, USA, 0:15:15
A young teenager escapes his mundane reality to a series of whimsical dreams with the girl he loves.
Mend, Jesse Sockwell, USA, 00:27:54
Helen McCoy has had a life of pain and anguish. She is on the verge of ending it all, but she has one last hope... a man named Xion.
Void, Jesse Sockwell, USA, 00:16:35
A woman awaits as Jackie Willbanks awakens in a room, handcuffed and confused, only to be accused of something deadly by her.
Blue Plate Special, Bill Billions, USA, 00:15:32
Compulsion, Skylar Patterson, USA, 00:04:49
A therapist comes to a grim realization while seeing her patient.
Alarm at Fort Mims, Charles Misulia, USA, 00:12:17
When Louis, a slave at the frontier outpost at Fort Mims in 1813, reports seeing Indian warriors in the woods, his warning throws the garrison into panic. When no attack materializes, Louis’ master is forced to confront the post’s commander who issues an ultimatum - turn over Louis to be flogged for spreading a false alarm or leave the safety of the fort. For both Louis and his master, there is danger outside and an enemy within. Based on the true story.
Cahaba, Brett Blaylock, USA, 00:09:53
In the midst of an artistic drought, Tristan agrees to meet with a talented and unknown artist with the hope of being inspired and reminded of his love for painting. However, when this unknown artist arrives at their agreed meeting spot on the bank of the Cahaba River, he is not as he described himself: he is not an elderly man finally following his lifelong passion, but an eager teenager in need of a warmer coat.
Deadbolt, Ian Cunningham and Zac Simon, USA, 00:03:00
Sara's been entrusted with her baby brother's well-being, but she's got her friend Sherry coming over to watch him so she can go on a date. That date's looking less and less likely.
Down in the Dumps, Evan Elise Owens, USA, 00:05:33
Inspired by true events, a woman is kidnapped and held in a shed for 3 days by a strange man. She's raped, beaten, & left for dead in a dumpster. As he carries on with his life in small-town Alabama, she fights to keep hers. It's a story to remind us that we can always overcome any obstacle that life throws us, or when life literally and figuratively throws us away.
An Escalation, Jacob Fields, USA, 00:05:27
When the last breakfast pastry is stolen from the freezer, the situation is taken a bit too far
Doorway, Mary Charles Ramsey, USA, 00:07:40
A man surviving the zombie apocalypse must decide to join forces with a lone woman or risk losing everything.
The Shape, William Geiger, USA, 00:02:20
A woman goes on a jog and encounters a menacing entity.
Role Model, David Nemeth, USA, 00:09:00
Seemingly locked in his own mind, Matt is confronted by his late and estranged father to deal with his father's death
The Witch, Bryant Hasheider, USA, 00:03:20
A witch needs to bum a ride.
Home, Nick Stellon, USA, 00:09:57
Trapped in an abusive home, a housewife must decide whether or not to protect herself, and more importantly, her children.
The Things that Unite Us, Alex Cherry, USA, 00:15:45
When a young girl, Caroline, moves into a new house with her family, she encounters a poltergeist. This ghost is not malicious, however, but the playful soul of a 12-year-old girl, Elizabeth. As they grow older, their friendship runs into obstacles such as dealing with the pressures of growing up and maturing, as well as learning about Liz’s hidden and dark past, one Caroline must delve into if she’s to learn the truth about Elizabeth’s death.
2006 in Flame Red, Zachary Lane, USA, 00:14:57
Cam has had a rough year. With a dissolving marriage and the passing of a loved one, his entire life is collapsing around him. Having inherited his father's prize possession, Cam must decide in the midst of this personal turmoil, what the best thing to do is, and what his father would want.
Knight Fall, Ethan Winslett and Cole Johnson, USA, 00:24:44
After missing their drop zone, three soldiers must work their way through a war-stricken, foreign land. However, their real threat is a force that has not yet been seen.
Pathogen, Ethan Winslett and Cole Johnson, USA, 00:24:39
Two friends are thrown into a rapidly changing, and dangerous world in a very short amount of time with very little time to adapt. While trying to save their loved ones, they get separated leading one to think the other is no longer alive. The second episode continues their journey and shows how they can cope with this new world and its new dangers, meeting others along the way with the very same goal as them. "SURVIVE."
The Masterpiece, Cole Johnson, USA, 00:06:30
A man is hurt by the thing he holds most dear... His masterpiece.
Fratricide, Cole Johnson, USA, 00:01:00
A Lieutenant General of the United States Army recalls the tragic death of a young soldier, Sergeant Silas Foreman. But, his testimony is the opposite of the truth.
Broken Solidarity, Jacob Armstrong and Harrison Thompson, USA, 00:27:22
Iron City has been locked between the two biggest crime families warring against each other. A close relative of the Don Ricci family has been killed by a flippant hit-man named Dan Rascal. Now it's up to Detective Theodore Smith and his Assistant Detective James Miller to stop the Don Ricci family from tearing the city apart. Solving a simple case could do the trick, but there's more going on than what first meets the eye.
Florence Academy of Fine Arts Films
Fear
Ice Cream
Codependency
Chad and Brody
Sally
