2012 Urban Suburban Film Festival Film Guide Booklet

4th Annual Urban Suburban Film Festival THANKS ALL OF ITS WONDERFUL SPONSORS

RVSP by registering for the workshop at [email protected]; Cost $75.00 paid via paypalwww.urbansuburbanfilmfestival.com

2012 Urban Suburban Film Festival—Philadelphia PA ‐ June 22nd‐24th 1 urbansuburbanfilmfestival.com

Sex, Love and Revenge directed Darnell Brown World Premiere

Category: Shorts Run time: 10 Mins Sex Love Revenge' is a deceptive, sensual and SILENT thriller about a woman named, PAYTON and her tragic experience with love and how it changes her for the better or worst. The better or for the worst. Bubblegum and Broken Fingers directed by Sean Jackson

Category: Feature Run time: 116 Minutes “If you don’t have your own plan, you’ll damn sure be a part of someone else’s.” That quote kicks off the first of multiple story lines, in the crime ensemble “Bubblegum & Broken Fingers.” This character‐driven collage of sex, violence and survival is equal parts western, gangster and love stories.

We follow the journey of a mysterious silver briefcase and witness the havoc it brings each new owner. The seemingly unrelated stories continuously collide throughout for multiple plot twists. Rodney, a young mob bag‐man tries to leave his life of crime but his partner Dominic has other plans. German tourists bite off more than they can chew. Confession of Serial Christian Bride directed by Torian McAdams World Premiere

Category: Short Run time: 15 Minutes A serial bride's journey to find true love, no matter what. Follow her as she goes through the violence, the pain and the heartbreak. How will she survive it all?

Where do I stand? directed by Molly Blank USA Premiere

Category: Narratives Run time: 37 Minutes When xenophobic attacks broke out across South Africa in 2008, many were shocked by a violence that felt like a violation of the principles of their democratic nation. Where Do I Stand? is a window into the lives of seven young people grappling with their actions during and after this violence. They include a Rwandan refugee, a girl wrestling with the reality of foreigners in her township, a boy facing calls of cowardice, a girl whose family sheltered their Malawian gardener. This violence was another challenge to a country still struggling with the legacy of apartheid ‐‐ poverty, unemployment, racial divisions. Where Do I Stand? captures the optimistic voices of youth struggling with their experiences and carving out their own places in this complex nation. The Three Way directed by Julian Renner

Category: Feature Run time: 90 Minutes Mike arrives home to discover his girlfriend, Tasha, is back early. Chaos erupts when Tasha discovers some condoms and a love note in Mike’s Jacket. Mike insists it’s all a misunderstanding until his co‐worker, Sam (Shane Jacobsen), shows up at the front door with an overnight bag. Did this man steal her boyfriend? Tasha sits them all down at the kitchen table determined to find out . Belteus ‐ The Fry's the Limit directed by James Sherrill World Premiere Categories: Short Run Time: 3 Minutes Belteus is a talking belt worn by a fat guy who puts food before everything. This causes tension...literally between the two! This adventure Belteus and the fat guy, Clark take a flight. Buckle up...if you can!


Silence directed by Noube Rateau

Categories: Documentary Run Time: 48 Minutes The most recent film is a breakthrough journey depicting the life of drug addiction. This documentary will take the viewer on a journey to reveal the sources of drug addiction and suggestions to putting an end to this destructive habit. The documentary will be broken down and focus on three main points: What is a Drug? Causes/ Effects of addiction? Consequences? This documentary will be used as a learning tool for young students to warn them of the slippery slope of drug addiction in and around colleges and universities. Taharuki aka Suspense directed by Ekwa Msangi‐Omari

Categories: Short Run Time: 12 Minutes Set against the backdrop of the start of the devastating post‐election violence that took place in Kenya in 2007/2008 and has left tens of thousands of Kenyans homeless, traumatized or dead, Taharuki (Suspense) is the fictional account of a man and woman from opposing ethnic tribes who’re working for an underground liberation movement to expose a child‐trafficking cartel when some‐thing goes wrong, and they’re forced to make tough choices in order to stay alive and complete their mission. Time is running out, lives are at stake, and every second counts. What they choose could change the course of history...

Pound Dogs directed by Mike Salva North America PREMIERE

Categories: Short Run Time: 13 Minutes Clay animated characters are the stars of this comedy about two dogs in an animal shelter. Blue Dog is showing Yellow Dog the ropes, when they find out that Blue Dog is going to be put to sleep if he is not adopted by the end of the day. Battle Buddy directed by Gerard MCMurray World Premiere Categories: Shorts Run Time: 15 Minutes Two Women One War. Two women are forced to work together to get through basic training. Doorways directed by Tosin Coker

Categories: Short Run Time: 19 Minutes Tanya Marks is a 25‐year‐old African American woman who just survived an abusive relationship, which left her with the impression that her talent for singing would never amount to anything and an 8‐year‐old son. Mentally bruised, Tanya shelves her dream of utilizing her gift of singing to find a stable avenue of providing for her and her son. She takes on a menial job of cleaning which presents no foreseeable future for her and manages to forget her dream until the day fate stumbles across her path in the form of a job opportunity to clean a local jazz club. Tanya, forced to take the job because of her financial difficulties, unknowingly opens up the doorway to a life she always dreamed of. The choices that Tanya makes from that moment throw her on a course that would change her life forever.


Snowman directed by Kyle J. Tran World Premiere

Categories: Short Run Time: 12 Minutes This is a story in the suburbs about a day in the life of a lonely drug dealer known as Snowman. The story delves into the daily routine which has become this man's life. He lives day‐by‐day as a supplier working a regular job, while anticipating his own demise. The Last/First Kiss directed by Andrea Ashton Categories: Shorts Run Time: 16 Minutes The Last/First Kiss is a romantic dramedy set against the backdrop of New York City. Two twenty‐something strangers accidentally encounter one another in a park and forge an unexpected connection. Following which a spontaneous but yet short lived romance develops between the two. The Last/First Kiss is a love letter to one‐day romances, unexpected encounters, and the random in city that is New York City. Dream Camp ‐ Cal Earth directed by Zack Karper

Categories: Documentary Run Time: 20 Minutes Ten youth who have faced great challenges in the state system, go on a free trip of a lifetime, thanks to the privately funded non‐profit Dream Camp Foundation. Campers from both coasts come together for one week to build an 'unbreakable future' in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.

Water directed by Megan Peason

Categories: Student Short Run Time: 4 Minutes A man's delusions reveal him trapped inside a flooding apartment. Dream Ca$h directed by Selton Shaw

Categories: Shorts Run Time: 2 Minutes What do you get when you put eight complete strangers on a reality TV show where they compete to win $100,000 dollars? DREAM CASH, America's number one reality TV show with outrageous characters, manipulative producers, and twists and turns at every corner. Tune in to see the drama unfold. Bathroom Vanities directed by Christopher Cherot North America PREMIERE

Categories: Short Run Time: 8 Minutes A don't‐judge‐a‐book‐by‐its‐cover comedy about one woman's unforgettable experience in a ladies' bathroom Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific directed by Daniel Killman World Premiere Categories: Feature Run Time: 90 Minutes The night before NAN and POPS move to a retirement community in the rural Midwest, their scattered family reunites. Repressed tensions are provoked revealing unmentionable family secrets. Tensions run high on this emotional night resulting in the discovery of a few skeletons in the closet and unbeknownst plans for the future that change this diasporic family forever.


Brutus Black directed by Shabazz Ray World Premiere

Categories: Short Run Time: 12 Minutes Brutus Black is a film about a man on a mission, a woman caught between a dream and a harsh reality; it's about the unknown that lurks in the dark... And the light.. Hooped directed by Victor Joyner Jr

Categories: Shorts Run Time: 15 Minutes B.J. a very talented basketball player, whose talent has attracted a national basketball power house. He has a bright basketball future. But, coaches aren't the only ones attention he has grabbed the attention of. Tyson a local dealer wants to recruit him for his summer league team. Tyson's team has a championship history with a major pay off from the bets placed on the games. Ice one of Tyson’s henchmen is the first to notice B.J’s. talents while playing him in the park. He offers him a spot on their team but Leon, B.J’s. best friend stops him and tries to talk some sense into him. If he plays for the team he will lose his scholarship and ruin all the hard work that he has done. Beltus Wax On Wax Off directed by James Sherrill World Premiere Categories: Shorts Run Time: 2 Minutes Belteus chronicles the antics and buffoonery of a talking belt (Belteus) and Clark, a very chubby, slightly oblivious guy who wears him. Belteus attempts to guide and provide a positive impact to Clark’s life by suggesting healthy food choices with dry wit and sarcasm. Clark, very innocently, makes this difficult most of the time, thus creating tension… literally!

A Turn for the Worst directed by Eric Dickens World Premiere

Categories: Shorts Run Time: 15 Minutes When false accusations channel a heated argument, Jessy's curiosity leaves her stranded on the side of the road. Surrounded by silence, she is forced to search for help, but quickly comes face to face with trouble. After being discovered on the shoulder of the highway, passed out, she struggles to account for the series of events that have taken place when questioned by police officials. As the arrested suspects await their fate, Jessy finds it difficult to identify her attackers. When trying to navigate her thoughts back to the day it all took place, Jessy's credibility begins to be questioned, as her memory takes a 'Turn for the Worst'. (Mis) Leading Man directed by Morocco Omari

Categories: Shorts Run Time: 17 Minutes "(Mis) Leading Man" is an exploration of what happens to a common man caught inside the media fishbowl as a result of getting everything that he could ever dream of. Keith Holland seemingly has everything. He’s a coveted A‐list actor with all of the rights and privileges that accompany that position, but realizes that it comes hand in hand with a price that he didn’t factor. Nothing can prepare him for the fine print that comes with celebrity, or the duality of the media. When success goes to your head and failures go to your heart Classroom Murder Mystery directed by Javier F. Espadas World Premiere

Categories: Feature Run Time: 64 Minutes A teacher witnesses a murder in the parking lot of the university. She tells her students what happened and asked them to help investigate the crime. The students do not believe the story of the teacher; however, soon evidence of the crime began to appear. The teacher and her students investigate the murder and develop


a plan to catch the alleged murderer, who seems to be a college professor. The Highway directed by Jai Shekar World Premiere

Categories: Short Run Time: 7 Minutes Jai is on his way to meet his friend driving in a car on a highway road. A young guy Naveen asks for a lift and strikes up an interesting conversation about his little sister which leads to the twists and turns in the plot of "The Highway" Odessa directed by Al Thompson

Categories: Short Run Time: 7 Minutes A man (Al Thompson) and his young daughter (Skai Jackson) are on the run from the mysterious shadow program that bestowed them with psychokinetic abilities. They must avoid capture at all costs or be used as living weapons The Dance directed by Pardis Parker

World Premiere Categories: Shorts Run Time: 8 Minutes A romantic comedy with no dialogue, from award‐winning filmmaker Pardis Parker, starring Evany Rosen (Picnic face, Roller Town), with cinematography by Christopher Porter (Brokeback Mountain). 2:15 directed by Kevin Sampson World Premiere Categories: Short Run Time: 16 Minutes

On his last day of work a Muslim American uncovers a terrorist plot and has one hour to save himself and his co‐workers Lenox Avenue directed by Al Thompson

Categories: Short Run Time: 7 Minutes Owen, Sellars and Vaughn are three friends who live, love, and play in Harlem, New York. All in their mid to late twenties, they slowly start to realize that even with experience; there is no play book when it comes to relationships.

Tilt a World directed Al Thompson

Categories: Short Run Time: 7 Minutes A big city entrepreneur returns to the town he escaped to sell his father's beloved amusement park, but finds his childhood friends all base their lives around the park and expect him to stay and run the place.

Love chronicles directed by Pravin Vatt World Premiere Categories: Short Comedy Run Time: 5 Minutes love chronicles is a comedy film about breakup and finding true love. it is a must watch. Chicken and Zoe directed by Yael Bridge World Premiere Categories: Documentary Run Time: 4 Minutes Eating chicken takes on new meaning for 4 year old Zoe as she observes her first slaughter. Mulatto Saga directed by: Juliette Fairley World Premiere Categories: Short Run Time: 6 Minutes Bi‐racial Coquette is finally engaged to the man of her dreams but she is unexpectedly challenged by her disapproving friends, her future in‐laws who refuse to come to the wedding and American society that frowns up a woman of color marrying a white man.


Dar He: The Lynching of Emmett Till directed by R ob Underhill

Categories: Narrative Run Time: 70 Minutes In 1955, a 14‐year‐old Chicago youth named Emmett Till travels to the Mississippi Delta with country kinfolk and southern cooking on his mind. He walks off the train and into a world he could never understand: a world of thick color lines, of hard‐held class systems and unspeakable taboos. Young Emmett crosses that line and steps into his gruesome fate by whistling at a white woman. Experience the story, trial and unbelievable confessions of the men accused of Emmett's murder in this riveting drama. DAR HE: They Lynching of Emmett Till, is the TRUE STORY crafted from public record; it transports us back to this historic tragedy that became a lightning rod for moral outrage and pivotal in inspiring a whole generation of young people to commit to social change in the 1950s. Good Intentions directed Morocco Omari

Categories: Docudrama Run Time: 22 Minutes In a time where economic and poor health care dominates today's society, Camille and Avery must cope with the unfortunate hand they were dealt. But when an opportunity presents itself as a possible relief to their situation, a decision must be made to either save a loved one or break the bonds of marriage. When love is the driving force, does the means justify the end? Julian Blake directed by Zurab Matcharashvili World Premiere Categories: Short Run Time: 16 Minutes Investigator Julian Blake uncovers the truth behind case of human traffickers kidnapping the girls. The most dangerous and long lost group of Individuals led by David Daniels. He receives the call before the publishing the information about them and next minute his girlfriend is kidnapped and he's on the run.

Suspect Down directed by Shabazz Ray World Premiere

Categories: Run Time: 4 Minutes While being pursued by Detective Roberts, J. Down a cautious, impulsive and ruthless man lives life on the edge thinking of no one but himself and the one person who holds the key to his heart may be the very one to cause his demise. Julian Blake directed by Zurab Matcharashvili World Premiere Categories: Short Run Time: 16 Minutes Investigator Julian Blake uncovers the truth behind case of human traffickers kidnapping the girls. The most dangerous and long lost group of Individuals led by David Daniels. He receives the call before the publishing the information about them and next minute his girlfriend is kidnapped and he's on the run. Bathing & the Single Girl directed by Christine Elise McCarthy World Premiere

Categories: Short Run Time: 10 Minutes Single, in her thirties and experiencing an extended romantic drought this lady decides she needs to broaden her ideas of who might make a suitable boyfriend. Once offended by her grandmother’s advice to “overlook a little” – she feels desperate times call for desperate measures. But – just how desperate is she? Bathing and the Single Girl is an irreverent & raw comedic look at some of the pitfalls of dating men you can talk yourself into rather than waiting for one you cannot talk yourself out of.


Gut Feeling directed by Aaron Downes World Premiere

Categories: Shorts Run Time: 15 Minutes DANNY SHARPTON is a young High School dropout who wants to leave his old life behind. College is not an option so he signed‐up for the Navy to see the world. However, he must say goodbye to his long‐time girlfriend ALYSSA, whom he loves dearly. On his last day before shipping off to naval boot camp Danny is frightened that he has made the worst decision of his young life. He discovers from his recruiter that it is still possible to back out of his contract; however he must make the decision that night. Stay With Us directed by Jillian DiBlasio World Premiere

Categories: Student Short Run Time: 5 Minutes When Emily is tired of hearing her parents constantly argue, she seeks refuge in a nearby forest. However, Emily soon discovers that there is something amiss in her new found sanctuary. The forest is alive and it wants her to stay for all eternity. Coach directed by Brandon Kelley World Premiere Categories: Student Short Run Time: 21 Minutes Malcolm has always been a trouble‐maker. Be it the police, his teachers or his mom, authority has never meant anything to him. He takes pride in breaking laws, rules and bonds in order to alienate himself and create his own identity. The police tell him he needs to straighten up. His teachers tell him he’s lazy. His mom tells him he should be more like his brother. All Malcolm wants to do is hang out with his friend Antoine and forget about the worries of life. Antoine has always been there to keep Malcolm from getting into any real trouble. Often times that means that Antoine, himself, gets into trouble that is undeserved, all because of Malcolm.

Apocryphal directed by Fundora Ernesto World Premiere Categories: Student Short Run Time: 17 Minutes Carlos awakens from a nightmare where he lurks death. Accepting the dream as a premonition, decides to change the route. But fate deceives means to be brutal and ruthless. Something is clear: the world belongs to those who learn to take advantage Life Without directed by Franz Erian World Premiere Categories: Student Short Run Time: 17 Minutes Life Without is the story of one mans mental physical and emotional struggles to keep his fiancée on life support. This story spans four years of Jake Evan's life starting with the moment he hears, over the phone, his fiancée get into a car accident and ending with the must see climactic conflict between Jake's will to keep his fiancée alive and the hospital's desire to fill her bed with a paying Patient. Heartfelt directed by Asahn Simmons Categories: Student Short Run Time: 22 Minutes HEARTFELT is the TRUE story of Asahn Simmons, better known as Hen‐Roq, who found his self trying to maintain a loyal bond with a best friend since child hood, but also trying to remain focused on chasing his dreams of becoming a Successful Musician. April’s Hero Directed by Dwight Cammeron World Premiere Categories: Documentary Run Time: 25 Minutes 'April's Hero' is the story of Robert Reed, the ultimate first responder after the April 27, 2011 tornado that ripped through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The tornado left 52 people dead, but Reed pulled twelve of his neighbors from the rubble; throwing refrigerators and hot water heaters off go them. The residents were wary of him when he first moved into Crescent Ridge Mobile Home Estates because of his background, but he won them over with his generosity and hard work ethic. He became the park's manager a year later. Since the tornado, people have come to his aid, donating equipment for his landscaping business and land for a new home. Reed lost everything in the storm, but is optimistic in trying to rebuild his life for his family. FML directed by Barbie Estevez World Premiere Categories: Student Short Run Time: 5 Minutes Sixteen year old Amy falls for a popular boy from school named Jeremy. After years of secretly pining, she finally gets a chance to go on a date with him. This date is not all she dreamed it would be and she is now living with the repercussions of that night.

Documents

2012 Urban Suburban Film Festival Film Guide Booklet