VFF10 Shorts Program ~ "Girls on Film" Short Films

The Valley Film Festival presents its tenth annual "Girls on Film" program of short films. Amour, wit, identity loss and a roaming bull prove there's more behind these shorts then the "double X" factor--there's talent and passion.

Gina Ronhovde makes a political statement with BEREFT LEFT: A VERY BRIEF, VERY AMERICAN TALE. A college student tries to cure himself of his left-handed orientation and attempts to live a right-handed lifestyle.

BEYOND WORDS follows a former ballerina as she struggles with identity loss. Through an inner dance, and new career, she finds peace with herself. Written and directed by Jane Clark.

Sex & The City meets Sesame Street in BY THE NUMBERS. Written by VFF alumnus, George Willis ('07 Hollywood UFO; '08 Hollywood Operation) and directed by Genevieve Pearson, this clever short will be on your mind long after the festival is over. 

DEAF PERCEPTION was written, directed by, and stars deaf twin teens, Alyssa and Ashley Dole, as patrons of a coffee shop who encounter ignorance and prejudice. But a compassionate soul surprises them, proving that signing is believing, and opening them up to the possibilities of good in others. DEAF PERCEPTION is in American Sign Language (ASL) with English subtitles.  Watch the trailer here.

Jenn Page has a few tricks up her sleeve in LOVE UNCONDITIONAL. While you witness an interracial couple argue after dinner, pay close attention and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the ending.

As Felix struggles with the tragic loss of his girlfriend, director Hannah Cowley probes the depths of his psychological pain to discover an alternate reality in MERE IMAGE.

From the minds of filmmakers Angie Hill and Summer Sinclair comes NOW OR NEVER: A group of friends gather to celebrate an engagement, but the night takes a surprising turn when a mysterious couple's game is introduced. The game takes everyone on a journey of self discovery and redemption, leaving them with a clearer perspective about their own relationship.

 QUE DIVERTIDO (This is Fun) follows a father and son on a walk through the country, where they encounter a bull. Directed by Natalia Mateo, this films come to the (818) via the (+34) and is in Spanish with English subtitles. 

VFF alumnae, Lorraine Porter, was last screened in 2005 with the comedy feature film, Saving Sophie. This year, Lorraine returns with the dramatic short WAYWARD ANGEL, which centers around a young girl who is ripped from her path.

The "Girls on Film" shorts program screens on Sunday, November 14, 12:30pm, at CAP Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. 

VFF10 Shorts Program ~ Comedy

The 10th Annual Valley Film Festival is pleased to present a diverse program of comedic short films. From a group of children who finally get revenge on a mean, old lady to a wannabe French rapper who stumbles onto something big, from imaginary friends to confessions from best friends, these films are short in length but big on laughs. 

Alex Berger directs three long-time friends who confess their hidden lives around a BBQ.

Wannabe rapper, Henri, meets record producer Bobby Rock, and is finally on the road to success. Or is he? In the style of Guy Ritchie, French director Sebastien Rossi keeps us entertained with a metal band, small time thugs, and a killer soundtrack in BIG H STORY. Featuring Francis Lalanne as Bobby Rock.  

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PINT is a three-minute journey on, well, a day in the life of a pint of beer. Directed by Robbie Walsh of Ireland.

An underworld poker games gets an unexpected visitor (and player) when JESUS COMES TO TOWN. Kamal Iskendar directs an all-star cast: Claudia Christian, Buddy Daniels, Steve Eastin, and Alex Veadov.

Filmmaker Norman Lesperance wanted to know what if everything from Quentin Tarantino's movies was inspired by his own life? KILLING TARANTINO is Reservoir Dogs meets Pulp Fiction.

In the dark comedy, LYING NEXT TO LARRY, quadriplegic Larry tries to adjust the attitude of his hospital mate by detailing the daily events taking place outside. Justin Franklin directs.

When Captain Kilotan feels he's losing his job as an imaginary friend to twenty-something Fernando, he takes it upon himself to establish a guide to win him back in MANUAL PRACTICO DEL AMIGO IMAGINARIO (A Practical Guide for Imaginary Friends). Directed by Ciro Altabás from Spain.

VFF alumnus Ron Roggé ('07, The Haunting of Seaside & '09, Bricks & Ashes) directs The Closet Singer (Tom Kiesche) in MONSTER'S LAMENT and proves that not only can Frankenstein sing, but he has a heart and a sense of humor too. See more of Tom at ClosetSinger.com

PORQUE HAY COSA QUE NUNCA SE OLVIDAN (Because There are Things You Never Forget) just received the Guinness Book of World Records award for most screened short film. Set in 1950's Italy and directed by Lucas Figueroa, this dark comedy follows the adventures of four school children playing with a soccer ball and their interaction with one very evil old lady!

After discovering his entire class deserted, an enraged professor finally musters up enough confidence to speak his mind in ROLE PLAY, directed by Rob Shearer.

The Comedy shorts program screens on Saturday, November 13, 9:00pm, at CAP Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

VFF10 Shorts Program ~ Dramatic Films

The 10th Annual Valley Film Festival presents a program of dramatic short films on a variety of subjects. All of the films make powerful statements, exploring love, forgiveness, friendship, music and politics--providing a stirring experience. 

Director Mateo Hobbs delves into the AFTER LIFE with his short film. Michael Paton is dead, with no recollection as to why. Separated by death, Michael's body and soul have to work together to salvage what redemption they have left.

FRAGILE comes to us all the way from Italy! VFF09 filmmaker, Andrea Lodovichetti (Sotto il mio Giardino/Under my Garden) returns to the (818) with a short film that reconciles a father and daughter.

Made entirely using public domain super 8mm footage, and composited with public domain images using Photoshop, After Effects & Final Cut Pro, the British short film, GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, is about memory, families and capturing the stories of people from times now gone. Directed by Sam McCarthy.

Director Chris Cashman was last screened at VFF07 with his comedy feature, Carts, and returns to The Valley Film Festival with a more serious piece. GOOFYFOOT is a buddy picture during which a young man must cope with the loss of his best friend, and brother, to a surfing accident.

Another European short film in this collection is LITTLE WORLD from Austria. Directed by Marco Zimprich, and featuring the music of The Filmakers. This beautiful story unfolds the budding romance between Sebastien and Alexandra, a record store clerk. View the trailer here.

Directed by Jerald Fine, THE PREDATOR'S RETURN stars screen legend Warren Stevens as a former Nazi officer now living in a retirement nursing facility with one of his victims. Coincidentally, Warren Stevens was also in Carts, directed by Chris Cashman, in VFF07.

The Dramatic shorts program screens on Saturday, November 13, 5:00pm, at CAP Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

VFF10 Shorts Program ~ Documentary Short Subjects

Nonfiction film is an art in itself. Trying to find a common thread to program a documentary showcase around is also an art. The Valley Film Festival took an unorthodox artistic approach and programmed four very different films that have absolutely nothing in common, other than being kick ass and entertaining.

Renee Sotile and Mary Jo Godges, co-directors of ASTRONAUT PAM: COUNTDOWN TO COMMANDER love space! This talented directing duo was last seen at VFF06 with CHRISTA McAULIFFE, REACH FOR THE STARS and we're glad they're back! This was one of the first films we screened, possibly back in May or June, and everyone sat fixed like school children as Commander Pam took us on a journey to the International Space Station. Not only is the footage from outer space amazing, but the crew had a lot of fun on their journey, making us wish we were on the Space Shuttle Discovery too!

FOUND: NOTHING MISSING is an experimental documentary that uses missing pet posters to explore the larger meaning of loss. This short film by Patricia McInroy is only three minutes long, but we guarantee that you will never look at a missing pet poster the same way ever again. 

We had to have some rock 'n roll in the festival and found it in the form of THE MAKING OF: THE NUKES an all-teenage local band and fan favorite at The Roxy, Viper Room, and Troubadour. Journey with Hunter, Dimitri, Gracie, Kody, and Emilio from their auditions to their latest release! These talented teens will be at The Valley Film Festival and are surely going places. 

Our final short subject documentary comes to us from Poland and is true cinéma vérité, PYTANIE (The Question). Jan Wilkiewicz & Jacek Kiejko, co-directors, stopped people on the street to ask them a single question. This fleeting moment captured by their camera shed a faint light on each individual's intimate relationship with their world, highlighting priorities and the matters closest to their hearts.

The Documentary shorts program screens on Saturday, November 13, 12:30pm, at CAP Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

VFF10 Shorts Program ~ Made in the (818)

Made in the (818) is The Valley Film Festival's signature showcase of films shot in or showcasing, and/or made by filmmakers currently living in The Valley.  VFF believes that the San Fernando Valley has a diverse landscape for every film shoot, whether you're using the backlot of Universal Studios or shooting guerrilla style at Hansen Dam. VFF encourages local production by creating a showcase just for these films, and we hope you'll consider the fabulous San Fernando Valley for your next film shoot. 

We asked our Made in the (818) filmmakers to share a little bit more about their film, themselves, and their favorite place in The Valley:

Born in Chicago and raised in Woodland Hills, Beth Einhorn is proud to be a Valley Girl and is the writer/director behind 500 DAYS OF ZANKOU. In this comedy short, SNL's Abby Elliott falls in love with Zankou Chicken. Shot entirely on location in the (818), Beth and her crew used Zankou Chicken in Toluca Lake and a private residence in Studio City.

When Beth isn't working on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, or preparing for her next film shoot, she can be found at Fryman Canyon, Brent's Deli, Corbin Bowl, Candy Cane Lane, and Zankou Chicken (of course) on Sepulveda.

Some things are better left alone and Burbank based director, Michael Barton, delivers a creepy comedy in BY A HAIR. During our submissions process, this was the first film we screened that made us go "a-ha" and it was also one of the few that made us squirm in our seats. 

From the mind of multi-hyphenate (writer-director-dp-editor-colorist) and Valley-born Mike Halper comes DECEIVERS. Shot in under two days in Mike's Sherman Oaks apartment, this thriller is about betrayal with so many twists, turns, and more twists, that you'll never see the ending coming. 

A purist through and through, Mike can be found on the sets of short films, web series, or feature films being shot in The Valley. Next time you drive past a set, shout out to him!

THE DISAPPEARING GIRL TRICK, from director David Jackson Willis, is one of the older films screening at The Valley Film Festival, having been completed in 2001. While most festivals allow a two-year window to screen a project, VFF doesn't put restrictions on our submissions. In this gem, Broadway sensation, Susan Egan, stars as a TV producer who goes undercover as a magician's assistant to expose the "Disappearing Girl" trick. Even though this film was shot entirely at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, the producer gets props for being Valley-based!

Made for the 48 Hour Film Project, DRAIN DESERT TANNER follows the (mis)adventures of a Forensics investigator who makes an outlandish attempt to get himself out of a bad situation. Another multi-hyphenate (actor-director-editor-writer), Shant Hamassian comes to us from Calabasas where the old Paramount Ranch is.

Directed by Jimmy Lu, THE HURRICANE FIST is an action-packed Kung Fu film shot in the Angeles National Forest, starring Toy Lei of Sherman Oaks. When she's not mastering stances, punches, or kicks at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park, you can find her snowboarding.

LEAGUE OF S.T.EA.M: FOOL'S GOLD is a steampunk short film produced by VFF09 alumni and Burbank based Trip Hope. Don't know what steampunk is? Neither did we before this year, but we've come to learn that it is a fusion of 19th Century (Victorian era) and fantasy. Not to mention awesome costumes and cool gadgets! Sneak a peek here.

From NoHo based filmmakers Surge L'Rodriguez (director) and Preston Northrop (producer) comes the gritty drama MOTEL SAN FERNANDO. Shot and set in the SFV, an out-of-luck woman risks everything to provide for her younger sister during the current economic crisis.
 

Hailing from our state capital, writer/producer Denise Dougherty has been a Valley resident for 36 years and shot WILL TRAIN RIGHT PERSON in Van Nuys. Making its world premier at VFF10, this family-friendly tale proves that in this economy, everyone is looking for work.  Rita Wood generously donated the use of her office building, providing Denise and her crew with a functioning set that allowed them to play around with geography and reality, a theme to their film. 

Denise recommends Emle's on Reseda Blvd. in Northridge for their great food, atmosphere, and people!

These titles aren't the only films in the festival with an (818) connection, but we felt they complemented one another and showcased the diversity of what is possible in The Valley.

Made in the (818) screens on Friday, November 12, at 5pm, at CAP Theatre in Sherman Oaks. Purchase tickets here.