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©2017 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit westin.com/xxxxx Donald Trump THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 22, 2021
I send my greetings to everyone gathered at the 54th annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.
The liberties enjoyed in this great Nation allow fora freedomof expression not enjoyed in many other places in the world. As independent filmmakers, you are given a unique opportunity to explore ideas and themes without limitation. This festival serves to celebrate those in the industry who have worked to create a product that communicates a vision-ranging fromt he profoundto the poignant.
I commend those individuals who have helped make today a great success and send my best wishes for a memorable event. J. Frederick Welling, or ‘Uncle Freddy” as we knew him, was a major supporter of WorldFest for more than 15 years. He was a VIP member of our Board of Advisors and a very significant finan- cial supporter of WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival for all those years! Each year, the night before the festival opened, Uncle Freddy would host a wonderful private wine reception for our filmmakers, sponsors, Houston Yacht Club and Houston Film Society Members in his remarkable home overlooking Buffalo Bayou!
Fred Welling was an exceptional developer and investor in many major projects along the bayou and in many other Houston locations. One of his sons, Shawn Welling, has been part of WorldFest for 15 years with his remarkable film productions. His newest film, NARCO SUB, is having its Theatrical World Premiere at the 54th WorldFest-Houston!
Several years ago, WorldFest presented Fred Welling with our Gold Remi Award to recognize Uncle Fred for his remarkable support of the Houston Film Festival, and he is pictured here with his son Shawn Welling, and Hunter Todd, Founding Chairman of 54th WorldFest-Houston, the oldest Independent Film Festival in the world.
The number of lives Fred Welling touched are far too numerous to count, but they all share stories of his incredible patience, generosity and warm nature. Anyone who had the privilege of meeting Fred was enriched with his eager willingness to impart wisdom and kindness that he had to offer. His selfless service to his fellow man, to WorldFest, and to our Lord God and Jesus Christ exemplified how rich a life can truly be. Fred Welling will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. TREATING EVERY SHIPMENT LIKE A MASTERPIECE
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NEW YORK CITY / ATLANTA / BOSTON / CHICAGO / DALLAS / GULFPORT / HOUSTON / JFK AIRPORT / LOS ANGELES MIAMI / PHILADELPHIA / PROVIDENCE / NEWPORT / SAN FRANCISCO / SEATTLE / WASHINGTON, DC / WEST PALM BEACH STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Greetings:
As Governor of Texas, I am pleased to welcome everyone to the 54 th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.
Independent film festivals are critical to the art of film, giving talented and undiscovered filmmakers the chance to showcase their work and open doors to new possibilities. This event provides an invaluable opportunity for artists as well as a source of enrichment to the public and film industry as a whole.
I commend WorldFest's organizers and sponsors for supporting the work of independent filmmakers and congratulate the many fineartists being featured. Your filmscapture the ideas and moments that touch us all. I join my fellow Texans in extending best wishes for your continued success.
It is my pleasure to welcome those from out-of-town to Houston, one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. From world-class museums, shopping, and fine dining, no matter your interests, the Bayou City has something for everyone.
First Lady Cecilia Abbott joins me in sending best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable festival.
Sincerely,
� Greg Governor Team WorldFest Staff photographed at Boxer Property Offices in Southwest Houston, Texas. Photo by Alan Smithee WorldFest-Houston 2021 Staff. Standing left to right: Henry Segal, Susan Savell, Duyên Nguyen (Catherine), Elease Jenkins Seated: Katy Lea Todd, Hunter Todd, Kathleen Haney Missed the photo session: Mary Lynn Malloy, Erik Mevis, Manisha Vunnam, Brian Matthews. 54th ANNUAL WORLDFEST-HOUSTON THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL / APRIL 22-25th, 2021 CINEMARK MEMORIAL CITY, 310 MEMORIAL CITY WAY, HOUSTON, TX 77024 CAST AND CREDITS THE FESTIVAL IS PRODUCED WITH ASSISTANCE FROM: Faith and Lee Majors; The City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance (HAA); Mayor Sylvester Turner; Boxer Property Group; The Houston Film Society; Dr. Ralph Dittman and Terry Huffington, The Huffco Group; Houston Yacht Club; Eastman Kodak; Memorial City Westin Hotel, Zaza Hotel Memorial City, Istituto Italiano di Cultura of Los Angeles, Director Valeria Rumori; Consul General of Italy, T.H. Fed- erico Ciattaglia; Consul General of Australia, T.H. Benson Saulo; Consul of Canada, T.H. Delon Chan; Honorary Consul of Croatia, T.H. Philip Berquist; Consul General of Denmark, T.H. Morten Siem Lynge; Consul General of France, T.H. Alexis Andres; Consul General of Germany, T.H. Thomas Hermann Meister; Honorary Consul of Hungary, T.H. Gabor
54th WorldFest Houston I 9 continued from page 9
T.H. Gabor Markocsany; Consul General of Israel, T.H. Gilad Katz; Honorary Consul General of Sweden, T.H. Astrid Marklund; H. Consul of Austria, Gerald Seidl; Consul General of Japan, T.H. Hideo Fukushima; Honor- ary Consul of Kazakhstan, T.H. John Willis Gibson III Consul General of Mexico, T.H. Alicia Guadalupe Kerber Palma, Cultural Consul Nuria Paulina Zuñiga; Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, T.H. Jos G. Wellink; Con- sul General of the Philippines, T.H. Jerril G. Santos; Consul General of Poland, T.H. Robert Rusiecki; Honor- ary Consul of Portugal, T.H. José M. Ivo; Consul General of Russia, T.H. Alexander Zakharov; Consul General of the United Kingdom, T.H. Richard Hyde; Consul General of Vietnam, T.H. Nguyen Trac Ba.
Also the Officers of The Houston Protocol Alliance as well as other Consuls in Houston who have assisted in the past: Ex-Consul of Norway, T.H. Morten Paulsen; Ex-Consul of Indonesia, T.H. Henk Edward Saroinsong; Ex-Consul of Switzerland, T.H. Margherita Young-Zellweger; Ex-Consul of Tunisia, T.H. Raja Jertila; Ex-Consul of Sri Lanka, T.H. Bandula Wijay, PhD; Honorary Consul of Thailand, T.H. Charles Foster; Ex-Consul General of India, T.H Anupam Ray; Ex-Consul General of Japan, T.H. Tetsuro Amano; Ex-Consul General of Spain, His Excellency Enric Panés; Ex-Consul General of Korea, His Excellency Joohyeon Baik, PhD; Honorary Consul General of Ireland, T.H. John B. Kane; State Dept. Director Robin Blunt; State Dept. Deputy Regional Direc- tor, Robert Hopkins; iFilms, Nikola Knez; NASA, Rocket Park, Xtreme Tech, David Greer.
WORLDFEST-HOUSTON 2021 VIP SPONSORS: BOXER PROPERTIES OFFICIAL OFFICE CENTER OF THE FESTIVAL. EASTMAN KODAK OFFICIAL FILM AND VIDEOTAPE OF THE FESTIVAL. MEMORIAL CITY WESTIN HOTEL OFFICIAL HOTEL OF THE FESTIVAL. LOPEZ NEGRETE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICIAL AD AGENCY OF THE FESTIVAL MASTERPIECE INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL IMPORTER OF THE FESTIVAL HOUSTON YACHT CLUB OFFICIAL SPONSOR HYC/CONSULAR REGATTA XTREME TECH OFFICIAL COMPUTER SUPPLIER FOR WORLDFEST
SPECIAL SUPPORT: Norm Kohn Associates; Daniel McGuire and Associates. The WorldFest-Houston 2021 Commemorative Program Book: Publisher, J. Hunter Todd; Chief Editor, J. Hunter Todd; Editor, Katy Lea Todd; Program Editors, Kathleen Haney, Typesetting/Layout, Saqib Rana with InDesign Adobe PageMaker; Cover Design, López Negrete Communications.
HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL STAFF: J. Hunter Todd, Chairman and Founder; Kathleen Haney, Artistic & Program Director; Elease Jenkins, Direc- tor of Educational Development; Susan Savell, Entry Director; Katy Lea Todd, Features & Shorts Program- ming Director; Henry Segal, Print Control & Database Research; Manisha Vunnam, Database Research; Jiordette Dupont, Database Research; Duyên Nguyen (Catherine), Graphics Design & YouTube Channel Creator; Erik Mevis, Website Specialist; Brian Matthews, Website Consultant; Paul D. Verberne & Jenny Maldonado, Special Counsel.
FILM FESTIVAL INTERNS: Manisha Vunnam, UofH, Henry Segal, Kincaid School.
FILM FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS: Tammy Diaz, Maya Diaz, Rose Johnson, Chloe Johnson, Mike Weingarten.
10 I 54th WorldFest Houston continued from page 10
THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ADVISORY BOARD: Lee Majors, Bob Boudreaux, Bruno Chatelin, Joanne King Herring, Dr. Ralph Dittman, JD Feigelson, Der- rick Doba, Leigh Murray, Alex López Negrete.
CINEMARK MEMORIAL CITY THEATERS: Al Webster, Jennifer Solorzano, Chris Nolan, TreyVon Johnson and Tina Merritt.
BOXER PROPERTIES: President Andrew Segal, Executive Assistant Julie Armstrong.
JURY. INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY. Secretary, Elizabeth K. Haney; Category heads; Leigh Murray, Ali- son Medley, Chron.com; Jon Scheide of Scheide Prdns. in Los Angeles, David Winning and Karen Hanna, David Winning Productions in Calgary, Canada; Dick Reed with Reed Media; Dr. Ralph Dittman with Ditt- man Productions; Derrick Doba, Flagstaff, AZ; Katy Lea Todd, Anna Keiser, Los Angeles; Suzanne Vafiadis, Houston, TX.
LÓPEZ NEGRETE COMMUNICATIONS: Alex López Negrete, Cathy López Negrete, and superb team of Fernando Osuna, Ingrid Rincón, Alex Garcia, Daniel Milan, Luigui Rodriguez, Olga Medrano and Alexan- der Pineda.
MEMORIAL CITY MALL and their entire wonderful team.
SPECIAL THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO: Audio Experts, LLC, Spenser Hsu; Southern Chinese Daily News, Wea Lee; FilmFestivals.com, Bruno Chatelin; CCNAA-Houston; Allied-THA, Enrique Garay, Whitney Spencer, Rachel Hengst, Jonathan Babin; Ernst & Young; Culture Map, Clifford Pugh, Joel Luks;Houstonia Magazine; News 92; CNN Radio; In-Town and Ivy London Productions, Carole Keenan Harrington; Vari- ety, Joe Leydon; Michael Bergeron, Amy Biancolli, J.J. Callahan, Sally Hill, Louis B. Parks; Stuart Folb; The Houston Chronicle, John Wilburn, Melissa Aguilar, Andrew Dansby, Andrew Olen; KUHF, Amy Bishop, Ed Mayberry: Village-Southwest News, Kathy Ballanfant, Ben Ballafant; D-Mars Business Journal, Keith L. Davis, Sr., Kevin Davis; Vinson & Elkins; The University of St. Thomas; The University of Houston, Ward Booth; Texas Accountants & Lawyers for the Arts (TALA); Museum of Natural Science; Business Volun- teers for the Arts; Pastorini Bosby; AV to Go, David Wasserman; USA Film Festival, Director Ann Alex- ander; Levenson & Hill; Danny Minton; Dave Morales; Moroch & Associates, Jason Price; Gayler Smith; Export Union; Tom Garvin; The Canadian Film Center; TeleFilm Canada, Festivals Bureau; Ontario Film Development Corp; INS International,Sankar Basu; The Italian Film Festival in St. Louis & Detroit, Barba- ra Klein; Budget Car & Truck Rental, Jim Bell; First Run Delivery, Duane Krus; Eastman Kodak, Dick Hoff; Masterpiece Intl., Cleopatra Tomic; Skywatcher Spotlights, Dick Cruse; Houston Yacht Club, Commodore Bob Wells, Vice Commodore Farley Fontenot, Rear Commodore Ken Humphries, Fleet Captain Madon- na Breen and other Officers of the Line, Past Commodores Jim Orchid, John Cardenas, Steve Gillette, Gordie Keenan, Robert Williams, John Nicholson, Dave Haglund, Nancy Edmondson, By Baldridge, John Nicholson, Brad Larson, James Liston, Cheryl Thomas, Tony Nunes, Ginny Garrett; HYC/Consular Regatta Liaison Bill van Ravenswaay, Entertainment, John & Becky Peter; Race/Regatta Madonna Breen; Andrea Zaite, Lythia Powell and all the great HYC skippers and entire HYC Team. Many Thanks to Gary Michael Dahl and his wonderful band for their great music.
54th WorldFest Houston I 11 CITY OF HOUSTON Sylvester Turner Mayor
P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562
Telephone – Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov
April 22, 2021
Greetings!
As Mayor of Houston, I extend a special welcome to all attending the 54th Annual WorldFest- Houston International Film Festival. Houston is proud to host this exciting celebration of the art of making independent films and to welcome international filmmakers from all over the world to our great city. Houston has emerged as one of the most dynamic film and video production centers in North America. Our remarkably unique locations, from city towers to sleepy bayous, attract hundreds of productions including feature films, music videos, corporate films as well as international television commercials. Houston offers an array of location settings, highly trained production crews, a wealth of multi-talented performing artists and helpful Houston Film Commission staff. This year, WorldFest is presenting Panorama China, a major premier presentation of new films and directors from China.
WorldFest-Houston, founded in 1961, is the longest running film festival in the world and the third oldest international film festival in North America. This year, WorldFest-Houston continues to honor the independent filmmaker with more than 150 new indie films and 20 new films from Beijing, and introduce students to the world of film and television with WorldFest Master Classes, workshops and seminars. I am confident that this momentous occasion will enrich our city culturally and continue to be a remarkable showcase of talent and dedication.
Thank you for being a part of WorldFest-Houston, the International Film Festival in an international city. We hope your stay is memorable and rewarding and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Sincerely,
Sylvester Turner Mayor
Council Members: Brenda Stardig Jerry Davis Ellen R. Cohen Dwight A. Boykins Dave Martin Steve Le Greg Travis Karla Cisneros Robert Gallegos Mike Laster Larry V. Green Mike Knox David W. Robinson Michael Kubosh Amanda Edwards Jack Christie
Controller: Chris Brown continued from page 11
HOUSTON FILM SOCIETY BENEFACTORS: Margaret & Garry Schoonover; Nikola & Dorothy Knez; Dr. Ralph & Terry Dittman; Linda Broocks; Sara & Carlos Fernandez; Ronald Gelner, Jack Lippincott; Sandra Rice; Dr. Janet Schwind; Monica & Charles Powell; Dave Walker, Judy & Michael Weingart; Amna & Yousuf Zakaria.
Houston Film Society Members. Dr. Mabelle E. Adams-Mayne, (in Memoriam) Da- erine Loveys, Joanne & Rob Lucey, Nadia Mackey, vid Addicks, Michael Angwin, Amos Avidan, Omar Faith Malik, Cynthia Marple, Sergio Marquez, Toby Ardila, Dr. S. Christian Bahm, Mary & Jay Bautch, Mattox, Pamela McCown, Daniel McGuire, Khrhys- Frederick C. Baldwin, Scott Banks, Dr. Samuel Bean, na McKinney, Gracie McLeod, Wilhelm Mevis, Erik MD, Tracie Bein, Nihita Bhavsar, Walter E. Black, & Linh Mevis, Kay Middleton, Paul Thomas Miller, Todor Blagoev, Nana Booker, Jennie Bosby, Bob Bou- Mark & Kim Mori Family, Megan Larson, Omar Ar- dreaux, Ginger Bowen, Linda Broocks, Rev. David & dila Murcia, Mark Nance, Diane Nino, Arthur Nino, Kari Browder, Carol & Don Brown, Austin & Aman- Neave & Tony Nunes, Susan Osterberg, Page Park- da Bryant, Steve Bryant, Steven C. Bryant, John & es, Jan Pasternack, Paul Pendergraft, Jan & Stan Becky Burbage, Lydia & Orlando Campos, Helen Poscovsky, Merri Lyn & David Popa, Reza Poudeh, Cavazos, Gregory Chandler, Billy Chasson, Ernest & Joanne L. Purkis, Markham Shaw Pyle, Jack Rains, Melinda Chou, Geri Christensen, William Coffey III, Becky Cooke, Sandra K. Rice, Alice Richardson, Chris Colin, Matthew Cook, Dr. Donna R. Copeland, Mark Rocka, Karen Ross, Varina Rush, John Ryd- Diane Cox, Tom Crow, Dick Cruse, Linda Cryer, Joe man, Yuridia Salazar, Hector C. Salazar, De’ Andre Culotta, David Curtin, Larry Czach, Matthew- Dar Sam, Sue Schecter, Margaret & Garry Schoonover, roh, Bill Davis, Geri & Paul Davis, Stacie Davis, Es- Dr. Janet Schwind, John Shields, Andrew & Raquel ther de Ipolyi, Caryn DeSanta, Steven Deyo, Tammy Segal, John Sheeren, Dina Shekhter, Bapsi Sidhwa, Diaz , Robert & Chrissy Dillon, Dr. Ralph & Terry Dit- Laine Silcott, Alec A. Smoke, Keith Stephens, David tman, Lyvia & Michael Dowty, Mary Dodd Dubbert, Stone, Debbie & Mark Stouse, Gayle Stout, Mark Ramsay M. Elder, Tom Estus, Abimbola Farinde, Sullivan, Cheryl Thomas, John G. Thomas, Judy & Carlos & Sara Fernandez, Charles & Lily Foster, James Thomason, Zona Thomason, Joseph Thomp- Marc & Patti Foster, Gale & Jeff Friedman, Dr. Jim son, Wendy & Tommie Tullo, Suzanne & Nick Va- Frye, Alexa Gabillard, Iraj Ghavidel, Geoff & Mau- fiadis, Roberto Betancur Valencia, Donna Vallone, reen Goddard, Carlos Gonzalez, Dinorah Gonza- Yolissma Vance, Dr. Santos Villar, Wayne Wagner, lez, Emerson & Rudy Gonzalez, David Graves, John Richard Wahl, David Waldmann, Ryan Watkins, Ste- Graves, David Greer, Mary & Peter Gryska, Dave & ven Houston Watkins, Robert Weinberger, Mike & Mary Haglund, James M. Hall, Margaret Hansen, Judy Weingart, Estella West, Richard White, J.D. & Joel Harmon, Peggy Harrison, Pamela J. Harrison, Shirlene Williams, Robert & Judie Williams, Evans Jack L. Hinton, Jeffrey M. Hirsch, Michael Hirsch, Wilson, Jr., Joe Wilson, Shawlee Win, Holly Win- Maria & Robert Hopkins, Matthew & Ryan Jasso, stock, Jack & Marlene Wolf, Derek Young, Cheryl Dr. Mervyn J. Klein, Jesika Kopriva, Duane Krus, Jan Zane, Alan Zane. La Rocque, Brad & Chris Larson, Parry Lauzon, Shir- ley La Fleur, John Leguay, Dr. & Mrs. John Leinhard, Patsy Lesley, Joseph Levitan, Jack Lippincott, Cath-
54th WorldFest Houston I 13 NOW SHOWINGNOW SHOWING
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masterpieceintl.com masterpieceintl.com th WORLDFEST HOUSTON 54 FEATURE FILM ALPHA LIST
TITLE DIRECTOR COUNTRY LENGTH GENRE Showtime Opening Night ~ Narco Sub Shawn Welling USA 1:36 Action/Adventure 4/22 at 7:05pm and 7:10 Panorama Asia Opening ~ Beautiful Lure - A Modern Tale of “Painted Skin” Hiroshi Akabane Japan 2:00 Dramatic 4/22 at 7:15 and 7:20 Closing Night Film “1618” Luis Ismael Portugal 1:21 Historical 4/25 at 7:10 pm Closing Night/ Panorama Asia ~ Invisible Love Xiang Guo Viet Nam 1:50 Historical Drama 4/25 at 9:35pm A Guide to Dating at the End of the World Samuel Gay Australia 1:19 Science-Ficition/Comedy 4/25 at 9:40pm Belle Douleur Joji Alonso Philippines 1:39 Drama 4/25 at 9:45pm Bone Cage Taylor Olson Canada 1:29 Drama 4/24 at 7:05pm Cerebrum Arvi Ragu USA 2:01 Sicence Fiction 4/25 at 9:50pm Cream (HAB) Nora Lakos Hungary 1:29 Romantic Comedy 4/23 at 7:20 pm Downeast Joe Raffa USA 1:26 Drama 4/23 at 4:45pm Flight 483 + Shorts Shawn Welling USA 1:25 Dramatic Shorts 4/25 at 7:15pm Get Back Up Norry Niven USA 1:44 Documentary 4/24 at 4:45pm, 4/25 at 4:45pm Green Flake Mauli Junior Bonner USA 1:45 Historical Drama 4/24 at 7:20pm Hidden in the Spotlight Jelle Nesna Netherlands 1:36 Drama 4/25 at 7:20pm It´s Gonna Be Fine Christian Werner Germany 1:34 Comedic Drama 4/24 at 7:10pm Le Cineaste -A Director’s Journey Manlio Roseano Italy 1:43 Drama 4/24 at 9:50pm Life After You Sarah T. Schwab USA 1:29 Drama 4/23 at 7:15pm
Love Thy Neighbor-The Story of Christian Riley Garcia Brandon Smith USA 1:20 Documentary 4/23 at 4:40pm, 4/25 at 7:05pm Lucinda Urrusti. Painter Juan Francisco Urrusti Mexico 1:31 Documentary 4/24 at 4:35pm Oklahoma Mon Amour Carolina Rueda USA 1:10 Drama 4/24 at 4:50pm Patio of Illusion Shangshi Chen Macao 1:34 Historical Family Drama 4/24 at 4:40pm Pegasus Roy Chin China 1:52 Action/Adventure 4/24/at 9:40pm Questions and Comments Alexandra Alvarez USA 1:33 Comedy 4/25 at 4:50pm Run Woman Run Zoe Hopkins Canada 1:41 Dramatic Comedy 4/23 at 4:35pm Saving Paradise Jay Silverman USA 1:38 Drama 4/24 at 7:15pm Shaina Beautie Masvaure Alt Zimbabwe 1:37 Coming of Age 4/23 at 9:45pm Shibil Nikola Bozadzhiev Bulgaria 1:56 Historical Epic 4/24 at 9:45pm Sin-Gone Irony Hinata Ishihara Japan 2:07 Drama 4/23 at 9:50pm Snowland Jonni Zicoltz Israel 1:26 Drama 4/25 at 4:35pm The Runner Michelle Danner USA 1:43 Coming of Age 4/23 at 9:35pm Truth Makes Free Robert Glinski Poland 1:47 Historical Drama 4/23 at 4:50pm Vagabondes Philippe Dajoux France 1:48 Drama 4/23 at 9:40pm Vecinos: Love Thy Neighbor Alex Avila USA 1:23 Romantic Comedy 4/24 at 9:35pm We Want the Airwaves Scott Ryan USA 1:22 Documentary 4/23 at 7:10pm Zero Gravity Thomas Verrette USA 1:15 Documentary 4/23 at 7:05pm
54th WorldFest Houston I 15 54th WORLDFEST PROGRAM GRID Times/Theatre Thursday 4/22 Friday 4/23 Saturday 4/24 Sunday 4/25
11:40am | A NATURE SHORTS DRAMA SHORTS 2
11:45am | B DRAMA SHORTS 1 COMEDY SHORTS
ANIMATION/ NATURE AND 11:50am | C FAMILY SHORTS TRAVEL SHORTS DRAMA/ FAMILY DRAMA SHORTS 3 11:55am | D ISSUE SHORTS
2:10pm | A COVID HOPE SHORTS SCI-FI SHORTS
MILITARY/ WAR DRAMA/ DARK 2:15pm | B SHORTS SHORTS
2:20pm | C WHIMSICAL SHORTS HORROR SHORTS
SOCIAL DOC/ DRAMA SHORTS 4 2:25pm | D TECH SHORTS LUCINDA URRUSTI. 4:35pm | A RUN WOMAN RUN SNOWLAND PAINTER. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR: PATIO OF ILLUSION DRAMA SHORTS 5 4:40pm | B CHRISTIAN R. GARCIA
4:45pm | C DOWNEAST GET BACK UP GET BACK UP (E)
OKLAHOMA QUESTIONS TRUTH MAKES FREE 4:50pm | D MON AMOUR & COMMENTS
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR: (USA OPENING)* ZERO GRAVITY BONE CAGE 7:05pm | A CHRISTIAN R. GARCIA (E)
WE WANT *NARCO SUB IT’S GONNA BE FINE 1618 7:10pm | B THE AIRWAVES
(ASIA OPENING)** LIFE AFTER YOU SAVING PARADISE FLIGHT 483 7:15pm | C (+ SHORTS) HIDDEN IN **BEAUTIFUL LURE CREAM (HAB) GREEN FLAKE 7:20pm | D THE SPOTLIGHT VECINOS: THE RUNNER INVISIBLE LOVE 9:35pm | A LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
A GUIDE TO DATING AT 9:40pm | B VAGABONDES PEGASUS THE END OF THE WORLD
9:45pm | C SHAINA SHIBIL BELLE DOLEUR
LE CINEASTE-A SIN-GONE IRONY CEREBRUM 9:50pm | D DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY (E): encore ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SHORT FILM 12th Street Netherlands 45 Gregory Lovett, Matthijs Heesemans Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D 600 Kilo Egypt 17 Mohamed Koushi Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Abadonded Block , The Canada 6 James Bourne Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C Alina USA 25 Rami Kodeih Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B All Seasons Glow Taiwan 20 Hong-Long, Syu Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C American Ocelot USA 33 Ben Masters Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A Animal Food Sweden 5 Jonas Ljung Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Another Life USA 12 Victor Warren Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A Award Kazakhstan 15 Valentina Starkova Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Banshee USA 7 Sam Casscells Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Best Orchestra in the World, The Austria 14 Henning Backhaus Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Body, The Australia 12 Adam Weber Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Boneyard Ballet USA 4 Steven Holleran Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Boundless Canada 11 Kate Campbell Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Butterfly Cage France 7 Hélèna Serra, Maxime Sabisik Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C Clearing UK 14 Janet Marrett Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A Cuckoo Netherlands 7 Jörgen Scholtens Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Dinner, The United Arab Emirates 10 Noura bint Hussam Al Saud Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Dispensable, The USA 22 Robert J Morgalo Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A Du Iz Tak? USA 11 Galen Fott Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C Elephant Daydreams Latvia 8 Nadine Veitnere Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Elle USA 22 Nicole Vanden Broeck Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A Everything is Wonderful USA Isaac Ogle Sunday, 4/25 at 2:25 pm - D Falling Sparrow USA 15 Justin Wang Powell Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D FIG USA 11 Rami Cohen Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Finding Manny Canada 58 Kacey Cox Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B Fly Greenland Hong Kong 3 Tang King Ho Anthony Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Food for Coping New Zealand 12 Zoey Zhao Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Forgotten Place, The USA 13 Oscar Rene Lozoya Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D GRANDPA’s Long March USA 15 Bolun Wei Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Green Luck USA 9 Emanuele Daga Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Guardians of the Gulf Canada 33 Cait Martin Newnham, Ulla Laidlow Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Hakuumacaato Australia 17 Kulan Farah Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Harvest China 5 Sun Lijun Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C Here Cut Salon USA 9 Kenneth Ma Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Hong Kong Shut Down Hong Kong 10 Earnest Li Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C If Only Yesterday USA 12 Michael Hartman Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Ingredients Canada 23 Hannah Michielsen Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Intersection USA 9 A. Ferruni, F. Alafiatayo, E. Al Habib, R. Dutta, P. Karina Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A I’ve Got your 6 USA 19 Bill Foster Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B Judgement Day Canada 12 Joel Werenich Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A JUMP Australia 7 Isaac Brown Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D KARMA New Zealand 16 Sam Li Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Kindling USA 14 Xinyi Zhu Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A Legacy, The Germany 34 Jens Klingebiel Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Matter of Time, A USA 16 Yang Liu Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Metamorphasis USA 4 Xi Wang Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C Mute Canada 17 Constance Hilton Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C My Darling Christopher UK 9 Clare-Louise English Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B Oblivio USA 13 Dongwei Di & Liyanbing He Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A Ondine Poland 30 Tomasz Sliwinski Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B One Dave at a Time USA 8 Eman Elsweisy & Marie France Louis Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Our Dreams Won’t Wait USA 31 Dana Romanoff Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A Painted, The USA 12 Sasha Sibley Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Pant Hoot USA 21 Richard Reens Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A Pass Iran 10 Elika Abdollahi Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Plan Beautiful USA 5 Amy Vorpahl Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Power of Attorney USA 15 Matthew DiGiaimo Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Prologue USA 14 Justin Joseph Hall Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Prospector USA 14 Wade Chitwood Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A Realize USA 11 Bud Patel, Nisha Hunain (Khairunnisa Hunain) Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Red Balloon Canada 11 Avi Federgreen Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Red Phone China 7 WeiDuo Feng Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D Remisivir Romania Bobby Barbacioru Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Renaidance USA 4 Zhike Yang Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Requiem for a Crab USA 15 Patrick Gehlen Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Road Dogs USA 23 Victoria Peralto Cruz Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A Roam USA 19 David Jung Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A Romey Lynchings: A Story of Lebanese Immigrants, The USA 30 Josh Sabey Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D Rum Go! USA 21 Markus Thorington Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C San Marcos River Project USA 21 Nick Breaux Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A See You Back USA 9 Sonya Padalka Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Sleepless, The USA 7 Kami Sadraei Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Smiley Death Face USA 7 Andrew Patrick Torrez Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Smother-Love Taiwan 26 Kuan-Ting Chen Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A Solo Una Más Spain 14 Double G. Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Space Case USA 18 Zachary T. Scott Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Suave Belgium 15 Aurian de Wouters Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Swiped Canada 4 Edward J. Douglas Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Sword in Qin China 12 Dolores Jiang Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Take and Run Switzerland 39 Maria Brendle Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Testing 1,2,3 USA 7 Robin Lee Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B The Winter Australia 5 Xin Li Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Tiger Eyes USA 23 Kelly Riot Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Til Life Do Us Part USA 18 Aaron Goldenberg Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Unfamiliar Cosmos USA 30 Phelan Davis Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Untouchable China 28 Pi Chengdong Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A Valle Del Silicio USA 10 James Michael Douglas Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D Voicemail USA 15 James Blanco Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Week with Rebecca, A Hong Kong 25 Marcus Shenn Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A When Shadows Hint Death USA 17 Adam Smith Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A World I See USA 11 Shawn Lai Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Worry Dolls USA 10 Marcella Ochoa Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Xiu Ling China 20 Rossi Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D 54th WORLDFEST HOUSTON SHORT FILM SHOWTIMES BY DATE & GENRE
Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A One Dave at a Time 8 The Body 12 Nature Shorts Plan Beautiful 5 The Painted 12 When Shadows Hint Death 17 Requiem for a Crab 15 Worry Dolls 10 San Marcos River Project 21 Space Case 18 Total Runtime 89 Pant Hoot 21 Testing 1,2,3 7 American Ocelot 33 Til Life Do Us Part 18 Total Runtime 92 Total Runtime 91 Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Drama / Family Issue Shorts 600 Kilo 17 Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Food for Coping 12 Covid Hope Shorts Drama/ Dark Shorts Grandpa’s Long March 15 Another Life 12 Hakuumacaato 17 If Only Yesterday 12 Dispensable 22 Ondine 30 Matter of Time 16 Intersection 9 Power of Attorney 15 Xiu Ling 20 Our Dreams 31 Remisivir 12 Total Runtime 92 Untouchables 28 Sleepless 7 Total Runtime 102 The Sword in Qin 12 Total Runtime 93 Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D Social Doc/ Tech Shorts Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A 12th Street 45 Drama Shorts 2 Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Red Phone 7 Clearing 14 Animation/ Family Shorts The Romey Lynchings: Elle 22 The Abandoned Block 6 A Story of Lebanese Immigrants 30 Kindling 14 Butterfly Cage 7 Valle Del Silicio 10 Road Dogs 24 Du Iz Tak? 11 Total Runtime 92 Smother-Love 26 Harvest 5 Total Runtime 100 Metamorphosis 4 RenaiDance 4 Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D The Winter 5 Drama Shorts 3 Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A Tiger Eyes 24 Award 15 Sci-Fi Shorts Total Runtime 66 Realize 11 Judgement Day 12 Falling Sparrow 15 Oblivio 13 Ingredients 24 Prospector 14 Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C See You Back 9 Roam 19 Whimsical Shorts The Dinner 10 A Week with Rebecca 25 Banshee 7 Total Runtime 84 Total Runtime 83 The Best Orchestra in the World 14 Boneyard Ballet 4 Unfamiliar Cosmos 30 Sunday, 4/25 at 2:25 pm - D Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Cuckoo 7 Drama Shorts 4 Drama Shorts 1 Elephant Daydreams 8 Clave 14 Take and Run 39 Here Cut Salon 9 Everything is Wonderful 17 Alina 25 World I See 11 Is There Anything I Can Help You With? 30 Boundless 11 Total Runtime 90 Untouchable 28 Pass 10 Total Runtime 89 Prologue 14 Total Runtime 99 Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Nature and Travel Shorts Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D All Seasons Glow 20 Drama Shorts Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B Fly Greenland 3 Animal Food 5 Military/ War Shorts Guardians of the Gulf 33 Forgotten Place 13 I’ve Got your 6 19 The Legacy 34 Jump 7 My Darling Christopher 9 Total Runtime 90 Karma 16 Finding Manny 58 Red Balloon 11 Total Runtime 86 Solo Una Más 14 Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Suave 15 Horror Shorts Swiped 4 Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B Hong Kong Shut Down 10 Voicemail 15 Comedy Shorts Mute 17 Total Runtime 100 Fig 11 Rum Go! 21 Green Luck 9 Smiley Death Face 7
18 I 54th WorldFest Houston WORLDFEST- HOUSTON 2021
April 22, 2021
Welcome to WorldFest! As we emerge from the shadows of last year, we celebrate the 54th year of our film festival and reflect on the many lessons at hand realizing that our mission of spotlighting emerging cinematic talent is as important as ever. In this year of introspection, isolation and social unrest, these films and the stories they tell connect us globally and offer understanding. From our humble beginnings in Atlanta in 1961 as an International Film Society and growing to make Houston our eventual home, we believe that the mantra of “A good story, well told” continues to serve us and the independent filmmaker very well. WorldFest-Houston is highly respected around the word for its dedication to honor that mantra and to maintain our “Fierce Independence…!” This particular year, WorldFest presents an abbreviated program yet still an exciting cornucopia of cinematic projects. These films entertain, enlighten and educate discriminating audiences. We feel this year is one of our very best! Our dedicated staff and volunteers have labored many long hours to produce WorldFest 54 for you. Film festivals mean many different things to people. A festival is discovery, it is growth, it is excitement, it is opportunity. We meet filmmakers from all over the world, as they share their remarkable & amazing cinematic stories. Some of their efforts reach us on a very profound level, some entertain us, some challenge us and some thrill or chill us to the bone. While some of our discoveries will go on to great success and acclaim, others may only live on in our collective memories. So now, we glimpse for a brief, bright moment the rare and wonderful cinematic creations that are ours to enjoy. Cherish these special stories and unique moments in time. We have labored earnestly to bring you this delightful offering of cinematic stories.
Please, enjoy the show…!
THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL THE HOUSTON FILM SOCIETY
MAILING: P 0. BOX 56566 �efTo d Ka een aney HOUSTON, TEXAS 77256 Director & Founder Program Director
TEL: (713) 965-9955 FAX: (713) 965-9960 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.worldfest.org A NON-PROFIT, TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION TICKET, PASSES AND PROGRAM INFORMATION
Theatre Location: Cinemark Memorial City, 310 Memorial City Way, Houston, TX 77024
Special Events Location: Memorial City Westin Hotel, 945 Gessner Road, Houston TX 77024
General Screening Information: Feature length films will screen at 4, 7 and 9 pm, April 22-25; Shorts, documentary, student and experimental films will screen at matinees, 1, 3, and 5 pm on Saturdays, April 24 and 25. Check the website, www.worldfest.org for films, trailers, times and updates.
TICKETS AND PASSES: Single ticket: Matinee $7.50 (11:40-4:45pm). Evening $12.50 (7, 9 pm). Exception: Opening Night $20 Opening Night Event + champagne reception + program book VIP Silver Screen Pass $200 All films + Opening Night for one person + program book VIP Gold Pass $500 All films & Opening Night and nightly Festival Club (filmmakers)
SPECIAL EVENTS: Each event will take place at the Memorial City Westin Hotel. • Opening Night After-Party. Thursday, April 22nd at 9PM Champagne Reception. • Closing Day Celebration. Sunday, April 25th beginning at 10 am. All day bus tour will depart from the Memorial City Westin Hotel. Itinerary: First stop: NASA Rocket Park (sandwiches and water provided). Second stop: 1 pm at Houston Yacht Club for Regatta, Texas BBQ picnic and Tex- as Longhorn (depending on weather). Depart HYC at 5:30 pm for return to Houston for closing night film. Bus continues on to hotel for final stop.
54th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM BOOK AND POSTERS. ORDER INFORMATION • 54th Anniversary Commemorative Program Book: Illustrated, color, 80 pages. Shipping by mail or UPS $10 (2 books) • Commemorative Poster: 54th Anniversary Poster Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid! Designed by Lopez Negrete Communications, Houston. $60. Custom printed with shipping included. Order from: WorldFest - Houston International Film Festival P.O. Box 65666, Houston TX 77256 Telephone: 713-965-9955. Email: [email protected]
20 I 54th WorldFest Houston
USA
NARCO SUB Showing: Thursday, 4/22 at 7:05 and 7:10 pm
OPENING NIGHT / WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Shawn Welling Synopsis: PRODUCER: Derek H. Potts The Colombian cartel runs a mission through Mexico to de- WRITER: Derek H. Potts, Shawn Welling liver cocaine into the United States while holding two young EDITOR: Travis Aitken hostages. Their plan is exposed when a former Navy SEAL CINEMATOGRAPHER: Duncan Johnson helps the DEA and Border Patrol rescue the two girls. When CAMERA: Duncan Johnson, Barry Strickland the cartel leader hears word of their capture, he plans to CAST: Tom Vera, Tom Sizemore, Lee Majors, Robert La- kidnap the former Navy man’s family in return for his help Sardo, Jim Jimenez, Jon Fiore, Jen Barbeito, Alexis Arnold, with their next shipment. This time in a submarine. It is up to Sydney Ruddock, Johnny Ray Gibbs, Nick W. Nicholson, Bruce Stryker to help the cartel deliver their inventory into Derek H. Potts, Kolby Listenbee, Blaine Ochoa the United States in order to get his family back.
PRINT SOURCE: Welling Films Drama / Thriller ADDRESS: 5731 Logan Lane, 93 Minutes Houston, TX 77007 - USA Color, English PHONE: (832) 331-3478 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.deepwater-productions.com Shawn Welling Shawn Welling, who began his career as a dance choreographer and theatre performer, he is noted for featuring well-known dancers in his documentary, narrative and web series films. The winner of over 90 accredited IMDb Film Festival awards. He lives in Houston, where he owns and operates Well- ing Films, in the company of his wife, Michelle, and two daughters. Welling is best known for his dog short If I Could Talk(2015) which has amassed over 100 million views. Welling has directed over 12 features and 30 short films. Directing such well-known actors as: Lee Majors, Michael Biehn, William Forsythe, Tom Sizemore, Robert Lasardo, Les Twins and many more.
22 I 54th WorldFest Houston
Japan BEAUTIFUL LURE A MODERN TALE OF “PAINTED SKIN” Showing: Thursday, 4/22 at 7:15pm and 7:20pm
WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Hiroshi Akabane Synopsis: PRODUCER: Ryuho Okawa, Hisaaki Takeuchi, Icuco Miura, Maiko Yamamoto works as a secretary to the vice president of a major Hidetoshi Momiyama, Yoichi Utebi bank. With both beauty and wit, she is the target of everybody’s atten- tion and admiration, but she has a hidden side. At night, she works as a WRITER: Ryuho Okawa, Sayaka Okawa hostess at a high-class club in Ginza and looks for men who are worthy EDITOR: Takao Arai of her beauty. One night, finally the man who she has been waiting CINEMATOGRAPHER: Koichi Kimura for comes in. Taro Shiomura is the most hopeful candidate to become MUSIC: Yuichi Mizusawa the next prime minister of Japan. Taro quickly falls in love with Maiko. CAST: Nao Hasegawa, Ryoma Ichihara, Yoshimi Ashikawa, All goes well as Maiko’s plan, and preparations for their marriage get Moro Morooka, Miho Yabe, Ryota Nakanishi, David Ito, steadily underway. However, Taro’s life mentor and the spiritual leader Katsuko Tachibana tells him that Maiko is a youma who is possessed Yoshiko Sengen (special appearance), Aya Sugimoto, by the nine-tailed fox. Maiko can only satisfy herself by destroying the Toshiyuki Nagashima country with her beauty. Yet Taro struggles because he wants to be- lieve that she has a conscience. On the day of the wedding, what does PRINT SOURCE: ©︎ IRH Press Co., Ltd fate hold for them? ADDRESS: 2-10-8 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052 Drama, Romance PHONE: +81.80.4860.1477 120 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected] Color, Japanese with English Subtitles WEBSITE: beautifullure.com Hiroshi Akabane
Hiroshi Akabane was born in Yamanashi in 1951. After graduating from Senshu University in the law department in 1975, he became an assistant director for TV dramas. He is now ac- tively directing and producing TV dramas: such as, Maido Osawagase Shimasu, Great Teacher Onizuka, Kyoshi Binbin Monogatari, and more. He has received Best Director of a Foreign Language Feature Film at Madrid International Film Festival 2019 with IMMORTAL HERO.
24 I 54th WorldFest Houston Portugal 1618 Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 7:10 pm
OFFICIAL CLOSING NIGHT FILM
DIRECTOR: Luis Ismael Synopsis: PRODUCER: LIGHTBOX This film is based on a true story: the visitation of theIn- WRITER: The Centre for Historic Research of the Jewish quisition to the city of Porto in 1618. At the time the entire Community of Oporto population was exhorted to denounce heresies under pain of EDITOR: Guilherme Mesquita excommunication. In a city where a large part of the popula- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Francisco Vidinha tion had Jewish ancestry, over one hundred New Christians, MUSIC: Pedro Marques among others, were imprisoned, causing terror in the New SOUND: Luís Silveira, João Bastos, Branko Neskov Christian community, mass emigration and the near total de- CAST: Pedro Laginha, Francisco Beatriz, Catarina Lacerda, struction of the city’s economy. Friction between Porto’s judi- Mafalda Banquart, Afonso Pacheco, Paulo Manso, Heitor cial authorities, which had always been on good terms with Lourenço the New Christians, and the inquisitorial visitation reached such a point that guards on horseback surrounded the ec- PRINT SOURCE: Dara Jeffries clesiastical court, preventing the “heretics” in custody from EMAIL: [email protected] being transported to Coimbra. The Visitor even travelled to Spain to give Philip II an account of the events transpired. Drama 81 Minutes Color, Portuguese with English Subtitles Luis Ismael
Luís Ismael is a Portuguese producer, director, and founder of the production company Lightbox, which is the largest film producer in Northern Portugal. 1618 is Luís’s sixth feature film. Luis also produced and directed the highly acclaimed short film THE NUN’S KADDISH and the feature film SEFARAD.
54th WorldFest Houston I 25 Vietnam
INVISIBLE LOVE Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 9:35 pm
PANORAMA ASIA CLOSING FILM
DIRECTOR: Xiang Guo Synopsis: PRODUCER: Bill Einreinhofer, Nancy Hanzhang Shen, The search for love isn’t easy as love itself is invisible. INVIS- Rendao Chen, Qing Chen, Luong Tuyet Nhi, Nguyen Minh IBLE LOVE (TINH YEU VO HINH) takes place in 1930’s French Phuong Indochina. Nurse Nguyên Thi Hoa is sensitive and beautiful; WRITER: Wei Zhou we see her life unfold as she cycles through different stages EDITOR: Qingxin Zhang of her life and different loves. Working at a trading company run by Li Jiru, the two devel- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Enli Zhu op special chemistry. When Li is called to China, coworker MUSIC: Chat Xiao Degui showers Thi Hoa with attention. The marriage CAST: Hoang Thi Bich Phuong, Kazy Tauginas, Yucheng soon follows. Physically and emotionally abused, one day Yang, Nguyen Sy Trong, Da Li, Bui Bai Binh she picks up a hammer. Li Jiru realizes he should have ex- pressed his true feelings. But he kept his love invisible. PRINT SOURCE: Invisible Love ADDRESS: số 214 Vạn Phúc, p. Vạn Phúc, Hà Đông, Hà Nội PHONE: 84 967339367 Drama, Romance 110 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected] Color, Chinese, English, Vietnamese WEBSITE: www.hrmoive.com/hrOut/html/indexHome.html
Xiang Guo Guo Xiang directed the 2018 feature film LOST IN VIETNAM, which was honored at the 8th Australian International Film Festival. He produced the series UNFORGETTABLE FANG YI, which won the 2019 Best Documentary Award of China National Broadcast- ing. Former President of Beijing Digital Film and Television Academy, a visiting lecturer at the New York Film Academy, and a visiting professor at Nanguang College, Commu- nication University of China.
26 I 54th WorldFest Houston Australia Showing: Sunday 4/25 at 9:40 pm A GUIDE TO DATING AT THE END OF THE WORLD
USA PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Samuel Gay Synopsis: PRODUCER: Tait Brady, Samuel Gay, Raquelle David Sunday March 28, 2010. WRITER: Stewart Klein, Samuel Gay A single woman survives the apocalypse only to be reac- EDITOR: Adrian Powers, Tamara Seeck quainted with her blind date from hell. CINEMATOGRAPHER: Simon Chapman, Jason Hargreaves Based on true events. Kind of. COMPOSER: Helen Grimley CAST: Kerith Atkinson, Tony Brockman, Jacki Mison Comedy, Sci-Fi, Romance PRINT SOURCE: The Acme Film Company 78 Minutes ADDRESS: 83 Cubitt Street, Cremorne Color, English Melbourne, Australia 3121 PHONE: +61(0)40-732-4176 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.aguidetodatingmovie.com
Samuel Gay
Sam Gay is a graduate of the Queensland College of Arts in Brisbane, Australia. Leaving with a degree in Screen Production, his short films include THE DETECTIVE PIGEON THING (2002), ON THE LEVEL (2000), and DR BEEPA SAYS (finalist in the Brisbane International Film Festival Fast Film Com- petition, 2010). A GUIDE TO DATING AT THE END OF THE WORLD is Sam’s debut feature film, which he developed and produced over a seven-year period 2012-2019.
54th WorldFest Houston I 27 Philippines
BELLE DOULEUR Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 9:45 pm
PANORAMA ASIA / USA PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Joji Alonso Synopsis: PRODUCER: Joji Alonso, Deo Endrinal Liz, 45 and single, is a clinical psychologist who works with WRITER: Therese Cayaba special and gifted children. She has spent much of her EDITOR: Marya Ignacio adult life looking after her sickly parents. After her parents CINEMATOGRAPHER: Mycko David passed, Liz finds herself alone and resigned to a COMPOSER: Len Calvo solitary life. Upon advice of her friends Marco and Lauren, Liz begins downsizing her home and meets Josh, 26, a CAST: Mylene Dizon, Kit Thompson, Marlon Rivera, Jenny young antique dealer. Josh has been living on his own for Jamora, Hannah Ledesma, Sherry Lara years, after losing his father and grandfather, and without much memory of his mother. With their loneliness drawing PRINT SOURCE: Quantum Films them together, Liz and Josh create a special bond. In resolv- ADDRESS: 137 Scout de Guia ing the issues that confront them, Liz breaks free from the Barangay Sacred Heart confines of society that shackles women. Quezon City, Philippines PHONE: +63 917 529 3448 Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 98 Minutes Color, Tagalog with English Subtitles
Joji Villanueva Alonso
Joji is a producer, editor, production manager and director. She is known for BELLE DOULEUR (2019), LAST ORDER (201), SHACKLED (2018), and THE STRANGERS (2012). BELLE DOULEUR received the Audience Award at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
28 I 54th WorldFest Houston Canada BONE CAGE Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 7:05 pm
TEXAS PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Taylor Olson Synopsis: PRODUCER: Melani Wood Jamie (Taylor Olson) works a wood processor, clear-cutting WRITER: Taylor Olson for pulp in small-town Nova Scotia. At the end of each shift, EDITOR: Shawn Beckwith he walks through the destruction he has created looking for CINEMATOGRAPHER: Kevin A. Fraser injured animals and rescues those he can. Jamie’s desire to MUSIC: Terry Ahearn, James O’Toole break free from this world is thwarted by the very environ- CAST: Taylor Olson, Amy Groening, Sam Vigneault, Ursula ment and circumstance he’s trying to escape. Adapted from Calder a play by Nova Scotian author Catherine Banks, BONE CAGE is a sensitive examination of the parallels between the toxic PRINT SOURCE: Taylor Olson ideals of masculinity that children are taught who become ADDRESS: 409-10 Caxton Close men, and how this goes hand in hand with the destruction Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M4J7 of our earth. Canada PHONE: 902-719-7447 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 89 Minutes Color, English Taylor Olson
Taylor is an award-winning actor, writer, and filmmaker in Nova Scotia. He has directed over seven short films, and - alongside partner Koumbie - won Season 10 of CBC’s Short Film Faceoff for the coming-of-age drama HUSTLE & HEART. He is the recipient of the 2020 Arts Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Award. As an ac- tor, Taylor has appeared in over 60 films and television shows. He has received 7 ACTRA Maritimes award nominations, the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival’s David Renton Award for Outstanding Perfor- mance, 2018 & and once won and thrice voted as a finalist for Coast Magazine’s Best of Halifax - Actor.
54th WorldFest Houston I 29 USA
CEREBRUM Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 9:50 pm
WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Arvi Ragu Synopsis: PRODUCER: Siraj Narsi, Arvi Ragu, Jill Von Dae, Anirudh To make ends meet, Tom signs on as a guinea pig at a home- Pisharody based lab, but when he commits a crime he cannot remem- WRITER: Arvi Ragu, Gary D. Houk ber, he must risk his own sanity to reveal the truth. EDITOR: Jon Blaze CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ron McPherson MUSIC: Edward Antonio CAST: James Russo, Alexxis Lemire, Christian James, Drama / Thriller Anirudh Pisharody, John Ruby, Aly Trasher, Christopher 121 Minutes Carrington, Jesse Willhite, Hanif Karim Color, English
PRINT SOURCE: Arvi Ragu ADDRESS: 6257 West Trail Dr, League City, TX 77573 PHONE: 832-414-5354 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.CerebrumMovie.com
Arvi Ragu Director, writer, producer, Arvi Ragu is a Software Engineer with a passion for film making. Ragu writ- en and directed several award winning short films: Rabbit Hole (2014), Not a Day Goes By (2015) and Geethanjali (2014). His science fiction short film, One Small Step (2017) won a Gold Remmy award at the 2018 Wordfest. Cerebrum is Arvi Ragu’s first feature film.
30 I 54th WorldFest Houston Hungary CREAM (HAB) Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 7:20 pm
USA PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Nóra Lakos Synopsis: PRODUCER: Peter Reich, Katalin Harrer The love of Dora’s life broke up with her, even worse: he WRITER: Fruzsina Fekete, Nóra Lakos, Yvonne Kerékgyártó married another woman. She starts a pastry shop where she EDITOR: Béla Barsi makes unfulfilled love sweet by selling pastries named after CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dániel Bálint famous unfulfilled love couples from film history. When her MUSIC: Adam Balazs pastry shop appears to be lost too she makes up her mind CAST: Vica Kerekes, László Mátray, Erik Gyarmati to get her love and her pastry shop back, even if she has to lie to do it. On her way, she meets other families as well as PRINT SOURCE: Nóra Lakos her ex-boyfriend and his new wife. These meetings make her ADDRESS: Városmajor utca 16 realize the love she hangs on to has no basis in reality. Dora Budapest 1122, Hungary stops living in a state of romantic self-pity, ends the lying and PHONE: + 36 70 556 15 09 opens up to the possibility of a new, real relationship. EMAIL: [email protected]
Romantic Comedy 89 Minutes Color, Hungarian with English Subtitles Nóra Lakos
Nóra Lakos is a Hungarian film director. She has directed award winning short films and tv series. HAB is her debut feature film. Nora graduated as a film director at the University of Theatre and Film Arts, Buda- pest and also took courses in film directing in Brussels at INSAS and at London Film School. Recently she is in pre-production of her second feature which is a children’s film. Beside film making Nóra has founded Cinemira - the first International Children’s Film Festival in Hungary, that she named after her daughter Míra.
54th WorldFest Houston I 31 USA
DOWNEAST Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 4:45 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Joe Raffa Synopsis: PRODUCER: Edwin Stevens, Cory Pyke, Greg Finley A story of love, loss, and redemption DOWNEAST dives WRITER: Joe Raffa, Greg Finley into the oft ignored seedy underbelly of Maine and follows EDITOR: Meredith Mantik Emma Maddox as she returns to her hometown years fol- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Edwin Pendleton Stevens lowing the mysterious death of her brother, Mikey. As she MUSIC: Aaron Bagley reconnects with his best friend Tommy, the two rekindle their flame and Emma begins to uncover the web of lies CAST: Greg Finley, Kirk Fox, Gareth Williams, Dylan Sil- the town has been keeping. Will Emma get the closure she ver, Judson Mills, Pamela Roylance, Dennis Cockrum, Jay so desperately seeks, or fall victim to the town’s turbulent Giannone ways? The film combines crime, revenge and most impor- tantly, the hope for a new life. PRINT SOURCE: APS Films LLC ADDRESS: 24618 S 195th Way, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Drama PHONE: 310-962-3945 86 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected] Color, English WEBSITE: www.apsfilmsllc.com
Joe Raffa Born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey to Italian parents, Raffa discovered his passion for storytelling at a young age Other award-winning filmmaking credits for Raffa include his debut YOU’LL KNOW MY NAME (2011), the thriller DARK HARBOR (2019), doc ALICE IS STILL DEAD (2019), and the digital series, SPADES. Raffa serves as a writer for APS Films, an independent production company based in Los Angeles, CA, where he turns story ideas into box-office ready screenplays. When he isn’t on set or writing, Raffa spends quality time with his son, Joseph James.
32 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA FLIGHT 483 Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 7:15 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Shawn Welling Synopsis: PRODUCER: Life in Sight Flight 483 – Two people find the most unexpected encoun- WRITER: Shawn Welling ter on flight 483. From Shawn Welling, creator of If I Could EDITOR: Shawn Welling Talk, comes a whole new adventure in the K9 Human bond. CINEMATOGRAPHER: Duncan Johnson Also screening – The Babysitter, a teenage babysitter is the CAST: Todd Schwartz, Michelle Simmons, EmmaRain Well- focus of an evil sock monkey that will stop at nothing to steal an infant she watches for the night. Opening up the ing, Chloe Klitus screening are some of the best clips from AXI, Welling’s famous dance series. PRINT SOURCE: Welling Films ADDRESS: 5731 Logan Lane, Drama Houston, TX 77007 - USA 93 Minutes PHONE: (832) 331-3478 Color, English EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.wellingfilms.com
Shawn Welling Shawn Welling, who began his career as a dance choreographer and theatre performer, he is noted for featuring well-known dancers in his documentary, narrative and web series films. The winner of over 90 accredited IMDb Film Festival awards. He lives in Houston, where he owns and operates Welling Films, in the company of his wife, Michelle, and two daughters. Welling is best known for his dog short If I Could Talk(2015) which has amassed over 100 million views. Welling has directed over 12 features and 30 short films. Directing such well-known actors as: Lee Ma- jors, Michael Biehn, William Forsythe, Tom Sizemore, Robert Lasardo, Les Twins and many more.
54th WorldFest Houston I 33 USA
GET BACK UP Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 4:45 pm - Encore: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:45 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Norry Niven Synopsis: PRODUCER: Diana Bland, King Hollis, Norry Niven, Paul Houston’s own Alternative Rock Band, Blue October is Nugent, Mike Swin where Justin Furstenfeld’s fall into the abyss of drug & EDITOR: Edwin Harris, King Hollis alcohol addiction begins and along with his rollercoaster CINEMATOGRAPHER: Bongani Mlambo, Norry Niven journey with bi-polar disorder is the raw foundation of SOUND: Kyle Richards this well-made documentary. “The riveting, emotionally charged story of one man’s journey from rock stardom to CAST: Justin Furstenfeld, Jeremy Furstenfeld plus other rock bottom, rescued by his faith, the love of a woman, his Blue October band members. family and his band mates; it is a story of despair and of hope for all.” Thousand Foot Squid ~Film Threat Score- 9.5 PRINT SOURCE: Norry Niven out of 10 ADDRESS: 5914 Lakehurst Ave. Dallas, Texas 75230 Documentary United States 104 Minutes PHONE: 214-707-0169 B&W and Color, English EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.getbackupfilm.com
Norry Niven Norry’s first feature film, “Chasing Shakespeare” (2014) awarded at SXSW along with more than a dozen other festival wins and nominations around the world. His commercial work has been honored at ADDYs, AICP Show & Next Awards, CLIO, winning Promax Best in Show in 2010 & 2011. His work is on display in the permanent installation of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Known for luminous film, dynamic visual effects, being an “actor’s” director and directing celebrity talent, his ability to curate beauty and navigate the intricacies of performance shine through in his work like a time encapsulating projection on a canvas tent.
34 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA GREEN FLAKE Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 7:20 pm
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Mauli Junior Bonner Synopsis: PRODUCER: Mauli Junior Bonner, Sohrab Mirmount, Jesse A young slave is sent to trek 1500 miles across country to Renney, Oyoyo Joi, Clotile Farkas, Robin Carus, Ephraim prepare a path for his slave master. In a time where African Vega, Case Lawrence, Katec Ruiz, Rodene R. Jones, Russell Americans were viewed as less than human, a young en- Topal, Michael Bahnmiller slaved man was tasked with blazing a trail across the coun- WRITER: Mauli Junior Bonner try for the Mormon Church. We witness the heroic journey EDITOR: Katec Ruiz of “Green Flake” because it happened and should no longer CINEMATOGRAPHER: Sohrab Mirmont be silenced. Green Flake lead the largest pioneer migration MUSIC: Jonathan Keith, Norbert Farkas in American history. This film shows how a man went from CAST: Yahosh Bonner, Kevin Goertzen, Stephen Jones, Southern slave to Western hero. Clotile Farkas, Malachi Bonner, Michaelyn Oby Historical Drama PRINT SOURCE: Mauli Junior Bonner 105 Minutes ADDRESS: 16118 Anthem Court Color, English Fontana, CA 92336, United States PHONE: 818-212-8324 - EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.lifeafteryoumovie.com Mauli Junior Bonner
Mauli Junior Bonner is a First time, Writer, Director, and Producer. His background is in music as a songwriter. After learning about the story of Green Flake, he wrote a song... a 200 page one. Mauli was determined to have his story told through film.
54th WorldFest Houston I 35 Netherlands HIDDEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT (BUITEN IS HET FEEST) Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 7:20 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Jelle Nesna Synopsis: PRODUCER: Reinier Selen, Jacqueline de Goeij - Ciné Cri After the sudden death of her older sister, successful de Coeur, Marina Blok - NTR singer-songwriter Sonne finds herself facing their family’s WRITER: Karen van Holst Pellekaan darkest memories as she fights to win custody over her EDITOR: Stanley Kolk adolescent niece from the girl’s lawful but abusive father. CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jan Moeskops Sonne escaped into music instead of speaking up against MUSIC: Perquisite her own abuse. Now Sonne must recognize that by remain- ing silent she will only spare the perpetrator. During the CAST: Abbey Hoes, Georgina Verbaan, Eelco Smits, Pleun trial, she will have a chance to save her niece from suffering Nijhuis, Roosmarijn van der Hoek the same fate as she did. The movie is based on the book by Arthur Japin. PRINT SOURCE: Rinkel Film ADDRESS: Veemarkt 180 Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1019DG Drama Netherlands 95 Minutes Color, Dutch with English Subtitles PHONE: 020-616-3231 Content Advisory: Sexual Abuse EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.rinkelfilm.com Jelle Nesna Jelle Nesna is a creative producer and director. In 1985, Jelle graduated from the Netherlands Film Academy (NFTA) as director and cinematographer. His graduation movie DICHTER BIJ MACHT he received the prize for Best Graduation Film. Since 2010 he has created and realized feature films with the production company Rinkel Film. LUCIA DE B. (2014) was short-listed for the Oscars. The movie RAFAËL (2019), was well received in the Netherlands as well as abroad. Besides many drama television series, he also made the TV movie ARENDS, about the life of the famous Dutch poet Jan Arends. In 2009, he directed his first feature film, CARMEN VAN HET NOORDEN.
36 I 54th WorldFest Houston GERMANY IT’S GONNA BE FINE Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 7:10 pm
USA PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Christian Werner Synopsis: PRODUCER: Sebastian Sawetzki At Christmas dinner undertaker Karsten is confronted with WRITER: Daniel Bickermann, Christian Werner his parents’ plan to commit suicide. He may be used to CAST: Fabian Hinrichs, Franziska Walser, Michael Witten- death, but still he does everything in his powers to stop his born, Maresi Riegner, Julia Richter beloved mother Marion and his Parkinson-suffering father Theodor. While all his efforts seem doomed to fail he might PRINT SOURCE: Christian Werner at least find a new outlook to his own life. ADDRESS: Böckhstr. 13 Berlin, Deutschland 10967 Tragic Comedy Germany 94 Minutes PHONE: +49 1763-271-1353 Color, German with English Subtitles EMAIL: [email protected]
Christian Werner
Born in East Germany, Christian worked as AD for commercials in Brazil after his studies in visual communication at the Bauhaus Weimar. In 2007 he began his studies in film directing at the well- known Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg. He graduated with the feature film FOREIGN BODY, which brought him recognition and awards (Grand Prix Sakhalin, Russia, Grand Prix Sichuan, China, audience award at Max Ophuels Festival) at various international Film festivals.
54th WorldFest Houston I 37 Italy
LE CINEASTE – A DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 9:50 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Manlio Roseano Synopsis: PRODUCER: Manlio Roseano After his first critical and commercial success, director -Mar WRITER: Manlio Roseano, Gary Condés ty Reed battles to get his next film made while staying true CINEMATOGRAPHER: Paul Newton to his vision. Faced with today’s rapidly changing cinema CAST: Gary Condés, Georgia Winters, George Rossi, Luca industry, its sex scandals and the dominance of online plat- Zizzari, Anna Marie Cseh, Jordan Alexander, Liam Hourican forms that are changing the visual language, the production process and the way films are consumed, Marty is forced to re-evaluate his position as filmmaker and value as an artist. PRINT SOURCE: Manlio Roseano ADDRESS: Arabellastrasse 5 Comedy, Drama Suite 527, Munich 81925 103 Minutes Germany Color, English PHONE: +39347-220-9459 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.lecineaste.com
Manlio Roseano Manlio began studying film at age 16 eventually graduating from the London International Film School with his film DREAMLIFE winning best short film in Rome. He wrote, produced and directed his first feature film IL TERZO LEONE (THE THIRD LION) which did well on the festival circuit and two shorts TIES THAT BIND and A BIT OLDER AND A LITTLE BIT TALLER. He worked with legendary Portuguese director Manoel De Oliveira on two films. Since May 2009 Manlio is a script doctor and project development consultant for the FS Law Firm in Rome while continuing to direct award-winning films. This is his third time at WorldFest-Houston.
38 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA LIFE AFTER YOU Showing: Friday, April 23 at 7:15 pm
WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Sarah T. Schwab Synopsis: PRODUCER: Cardinal Flix, Charlene Giannetti, Florencia Life After You is a narrative feature film centered around a Lozano, John Beamer suburban family’s struggle with the death of their 19-year- WRITER: Sarah T. Schwab, Florencia Lozano old son, following an overdose of heroin that was laced with EDITOR: Ben Garchar fentanyl. The film explores the question of who and what is CINEMATOGRAPHER: Richard Sands responsible for this tragedy. MUSIC: Max Avery Lichtenstein CAST: Gary Perez, Florencia Lozano, Jack Ryan Lozano, Drama Kathryn Erbe, Tina Benko, Craig “muMs” Grant, Melanie 89 Minutes Nicholls-King, Kelley Rae O’Donnell, Helen Coxe Color, English
PRINT SOURCE: Cardinal Flix, Inc. ADDRESS: 4207 Pine Court Canadensis, PA 18325, United States PHONE: 646-300-5859 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.lifeafteryoumovie.com Sarah T. Schwab
In 2018, she wrote, directed and produced the short film, ‘A’ MY NAME IS. Her short film FAMILY MATTERS recently won the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival’s “Script-2-Screen” competition in CT, which comes with a $25,000 production services grant through Sacred Heart University. She is currently in pre-production for short FAMILY MATTERS and a feature film adaptation of her play A STAGE OF TWILIGHT shooting in 2021 in accordance with COVID safety protocols and regulations. Sarah is a member of the Playwrights/Directors Unit at the Actors Studio in New York City.
54th WorldFest Houston I 39 USALOVE THY NEIGHBOR Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 4:40 pm THE STORY OF CHRISTIAN RILEY GARCIA Encore: Sunday, 4/25 at 7:05 pm
WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Brandon Smith Synopsis: PRODUCER: Shannan Claussen, Amber Claussen On May 18th of 2018, a gunman opened fired into a class- WRITER: Brandon Smith room at Santa Fe High School. In the midst of panic and ter- EDITOR: Brandon Smith ror, Christian Riley Garcia guided others into a closet where CINEMATOGRAPHER: Brandon Smith he used himself as a barrier against the door. For the next MUSIC: Trey Ackerman, Collin Cartwright, Epidemic dozen minutes, Christian’s actions saved countless lives. It Sounds was his sacrifice that allowed others time to escape. CAST: Shannan Claussen, DJ Claussen, Amber Claussen, Christian Riley Garcia, Jane Ellen Wier, Barbara Price, Love Thy Neighbor dives into the darkness that clouded Beverly Claussen, Sarah Saunders, Kaitlin Saunders, Josh that day, May 18th, the family’s effort to find normality and Saunders, AJ Garcia, Jai Gillard, Jacob Garza healing in the wakes of their loss, and tell a story of Riley. The 2020 Congressional Medal of Honor recipient of the PRINT SOURCE: Brandon Smith Young Hero Award; who he was and how he impacted his ADDRESS: 817 Gean Trail, family, his community, and ultimately the country. Keller, TX, 76248, United States PHONE: 817-229-7208 EMAIL: [email protected] Documentary WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/LoveThyNeighborDoc 80 Minutes Color, English Brandon Smith Brandon Smith is a filmmaker based in Dallas, Texas. Brandon graduated from the University of North Texas with a film degree in 2019. After wrapping production on Love Thy Neighbor, Brandon began creating digital content for brands and started his own freelance business. He is currently working towards more opportunities to tell stories that make a positive impact.
40 I 54th WorldFest Houston Mexico
LUCINDA URRUSTI. PINTORA. Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 4:35 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Juan Francisco Urrusti Synopsis: PRODUCER: Juan Francisco Urrusti This is a portrait of painter Lucinda Urrusti who was born WRITER: Juan Francisco Urrusti in Melilla, Spanish Morocco, 1926. She arrived in Mexico in EDITOR: Juan Francisco Urrusti 1939, with her parents and brother, as refugees from the CINEMATOGRAPHER: Mario Luna (DP), Argel Ahumada Spanish Civil War. The film is constructed from articulated de Mendoza (Additional), Eduardo Herrera (Additional), fragments of interviews made with her from 2012 through Juan Francisco Urrusti (Additional) 2017. These interviews are intertwined with a critical text MUSIC: Juanra Urrusti of her art by writer Jaime Moreno-Villarreal, and is comple- CAST: Lucinda Urrusti, Jaime Moreno-Villarreal, Eduardo mented by art researcher Eduardo Espinosa-Campos’ and Espinosa-Campos, Manuel Felguérez, María Aurora Urrusti artist Manuel Felguérez’ participation. The film waspro- duced and directed by Juan Francisco Urrusti, the artist’ s ADDRESS: 16 de Septiembre No. 42 antes 39, Col. Tepe- nephew. pan, Alc. Xochimilco, CP 16020, CDMX, Mexico PHONE: +52 1 55 3925 8297 Documentary EMAIL: [email protected] 90 Minutes WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/Documental-Lucinda-Ur- B&W and Color, Spanish with English Subtitles rusti-Pintora-103153974638759 Juan Francisco Urrusti
Born in Mexico City, Urrusti studied at Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia, The London International Film School and Communication Sciences in Mexico City. He has been a teacher of Doc- umentary at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC) in Mexico City, since 1989. He direct- ed the Mexico City Film Commission from 2001 thru 2005. He has completed 16 films as a director.
54th WorldFest Houston I 41 USA
OKLAHOMA MON AMOUR Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 4:50 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Carolina Rueda Synopsis: PRODUCER: OMAFilms, David Slemmons In the mid-nineties while living in Mexico, activists Leam WRITER: Marcelo Rioseco, Carolina Rueda and Fiona Gaertner had two sons: Nico and Sebastián. Polit- EDITOR: OMAFilms editing team ical threats prompted the couple’s relocation to Oklahoma, CINEMATOGRAPHER: Carolina Rueda, Amber Handy, Omar where they had a house in the small town of Ava. There, García a tragedy ruptured the family, triggering the film’s pres- MUSIC: Geoffrey Burch, Sebastian Efler, Katie Williams - Song ent-day events. In 2016, Nico, now 24, is living in Mexico. Flavor Blonde The restlessness that consumes him is justified because his SOUND: Len Jeffreys, Amy Mims, Heidi Hilts, Daniel F. Cortés brother -who was left behind in Oklahoma with their bitter CAST: Arthur Dixon, Richard Williams, David Slemmons, Richard father, is on his way to Mexico by road, determined to put Ray Whitman, Tatiana Rioseco, Sydne Rain Gray, Katie Williams, all the pieces together. The film portrays a ruptured fam- Kody Burns. ily, the journey of two brothers needing to find their true identity and to unveil buried secrets, all of this tinted by the PRINT SOURCE: Carolina Rueda puzzling closeness between Mexico and the U.S. Filmed in ADDRESS: 1100 Melisa Dr. Norman, OK 73071 black and white, with a non-traditional structure, the film PHONE: 412-398-3196 interacts with current world tensions, also showing a cos- EMAIL: [email protected] mopolitan Mexico City seldom seen in cinema. WEBSITE: www.oklahoma-mon-amour-film.com Drama, 70 Minutes Black & White, English/ Spanish with English Subtitles Carolina Rueda Carolina has worked professionally in the field of independent cinema and media and has a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the author of the 2019 book City and Phan- tasmagoria: Dimensions of Seeing in the Latin American Twenty-first Century Urban Cinema. She co-founded, directed and edited weekly segments for LatinEyes, a television program that focused on breaking down stereotypes. In 2005, she co-produced the Colombian feature film VISITAS, which premiered at the Montreal World Film Festival.
42 I 54th WorldFest Houston Macao
PATIO OF ILLUSION Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 4:40 pm
PANORAMA ASIA / WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Shangshi Chen Synopsis: PRODUCER: Andy Loi PATIO OF ILLUSION spans two decades in the life of Ho Yi- WRITER: Mengmeng Chen Cheung starting with the reunion of Macau and China in EDITOR: Howard Heard/Shangshi Chen 1999 and his graduation from college. Yi-Cheung is anxious CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jeff Su to leave the confining island to teach art and find himself. COMPOSER: Jiajia Zheng When Yi Cheung’s lifelong girlfriend Mei tells him that Ma- CAST: Kalok Tang, Kary Tang cau is her home, he reluctantly agrees to stay. Deciding that what matters most is making enough money PRINT SOURCE: FusionArt Pictures Corporation to buy a house for Mei and their growing family, he becomes ADDRESS: 655 North Central Avenue a croupier at a casino, working such long hours that he com- 17th Floor, Glendale, California CA 91203 pletely neglects his family. It isn’t until Mei takes the kids PHONE: 415-990-5638 that he realizes his fear of losing Mei has caused him to lose EMAIL: [email protected] everything. Will he be able to become again the creative and passionate man that Mei believed him to be? Family Drama 93 Minutes Color, Cantonese with English Subtitles Shangshi Chen
Shangshi Chen has over 10 years of experience in project management, production and directing including the 3D animated cartoon series “Time and Space Fun” and 20+ 3D animated public service announcements for the Guangzhou Municipal Government and Macau Government. He has been a guest lecturer at the School of Communication, University of Macau and has served as the VP of the Guangzhou Animation Industry Association. He has also directed more than 40 televised music programs, including singers such as Sun Nan, Hotcha, Li Yuhe, and Deng Yuhua.
54th WorldFest Houston I 43 China
PEGASUS Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 9:40 pm
PANORAMA ASIA / WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Roy Chin Synopsis: PRODUCER: Sam Lai The President of the United States of Oceania decides to WRITER: Yu Yu launch a nuclear strike to destroy the Obedience Federation EDITOR: Yu Dong in the next ten days. Even more dangerous is this nuclear CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tony Zhang crisis with Obedience Federation puts other major nuclear SOUND: Shiang-Chu Tang powers on edge, preparing for ‘accidental’ attacks. Any mis- calculation or accidental discharge will cause a world-wide CAST: Treg Monty, Zhang Guo Li, Ai Fei nuclear catastrophe. However, everybody believes that old- time war hero Jack Feng can defuse a crisis like this. PRINT SOURCE: Sam Lai ADDRESS: B2403, Star City international apartment, No.10 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District Thriller Beijing, Beijing 100015, China 111 Minutes PHONE: (0086)1861-133-2323 Color, Chinese with English Subtitles/ English EMAIL: [email protected]
Roy Chin Roy Chin, born in Taiwan, graduated from San Francisco Art Institute, has participated in many films as director and screenwriter. His work includes the same titled adapted screenplay of Zhi- heng Cai’s novel, THE FIRST INTIMATE CONTACT, and MILK AND FASHION, starring Jeremy Miller.
44 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:50 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Alexandra Alvarez Synopsis: PRODUCER: Matthew Rubino Hal, a reclusive hermit, pays tribute to his mother’s death WRITER: Ashleigh Mounser by calling various “Questions and Comments” hot-line to EDITOR: Mario Fernandez, Tony Mendez, Walter Rivera capitalize on their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee CINEMATOGRAPHER: Matthew Rubino until the country’s biggest food and beverage conglomerate, MUSIC: Danny Henry and The Hails KNACK, hits him with a lawsuit. Armed with nothing but free CAST: Danny Leonard, Nathalie Galde, Maximo Garcia, J.J. food samples and the less than mediocre legal aid of his ec- Crowne, Natalie Brenes, Zack Myers, Vania Vieta, Darla centric next-door neighbor Amelia, Hal must lead the battle Warrior against the corporate giants to regain his peaceful solitary existence. PRINT SOURCE: Matthew Rubino ADDRESS: 5837 NW 123RD Avenue Dark Comedy Coral Springs, FL 33076, The United States 92 Minutes PHONE: 954-243-8091 Color, English EMAIL: [email protected]
Alexandra Alvarez
Alexandra Alvarez, 22 years old, is an actor, model and director who delights in bringing creative visions to life. She has been involved in acting since she was 8 years old and recently incorporated casting and directing into her repertoire. As a young woman of mixed heritage (Italian on my moth- er’s side and African American, Asian, and Puerto Rican on father’s side), she is interested in bringing to life complex characters that reflect diverse ethnicities through her work.
54th WorldFest Houston I 45 Canada
RUN WOMAN RUN Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 4:35 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Zoe Hopkins Synopsis: PRODUCER: PJ Thornton, Laura Milliken, Paula Devonshire Run Woman Run is a magical anti-rom com about Beck, a WRITER: Zoe Hopkins single mom who has lost her passion for life and for her CAST: Dakota Ray Hebert, Asivak Koostachin, Jayli Wolf, Mohawk language. She lives for donuts in a bathrobe, Lorne Cardinal, Braeden Clarke, Sladen Peltier, Cody Light- where her only exercise is the walk from her car to the ning, Alex Rice, Craig Lauzon mailbox. Beck gives up when her health fails, disappointing her family. To win them back, she conjures the spirit of a legendary marathon runner who inspires her to run and PRINT SOURCE: PJ Thornton to be grateful. She honours the earth and her family with ADDRESS: 78 Kenilworth Ave every run, leading her back to her calling. Toronto, ON M4L3S5, Canada PHONE: (416) 904-6434 EMAIL: [email protected] Comedy, Drama 100 Minutes Color, English
Zoe Hopkins Zoe Hopkins is a Heiltsuk and Mohawk woman, born in Bella Bella, BC. She is now raising her son in her father’s community of Six Nations, Ontario, where she learned to speak Kanyen’kéha (the Mohawk language.) Hopkins drew upon her personal connection to the Great Bear Rainfor- est for her award-winning first feature film, Kayak to Klemtu. Hopkins holds a BAA in Film from Ryerson University, and is an alumna of the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program. Her films have screened Internationally at festivals including Sundance and Berlinale.
46 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA
SAVING PARADISE Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 7:15 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Jay Silverman Synopsis: PRODUCER: Bethany Cerrona, Will Newman, Joe SAVING PARADISE is a drama based on a true story about a Gamache ruthless corporate raider who is forced to return to his small WRITER: Van Billet town roots when he suddenly inherits his father’s nearly EDITOR: Morgan Halsey bankrupt pencil factory, which is the heart and soul of the CINEMATOGRAPHER: Bruce Alan Greene depressed community. With the foreclosure deadline loom- MUSIC: Dave Holden ing, he must decide to either let it close or join the commu- CAST: William Moseley, Johanna Braddy, Mimi Kennedy, nity’s fight to save it. Mary Pat Gleason, Shashawnee Hall, Paul Dooley, Bill Cobbs, James Eckhouse Drama 98 Minutes PRINT SOURCE: Jay Silverman Productions Color, English ADDRESS: 1541 N Cahuenga Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.jaysilvermanproductions.com/saving-paradise
Jay Silverman
Jay Silverman is a producer and director, known for Girl on the Edge (2015) (WorldFest Remi Award Winner), and Off the Menu (2018).
54th WorldFest Houston I 47 Zimbabwe
SHAINA Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 9:45 pm
SOUTHWEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Beautie Masvaure Alt Synopsis: PRODUCER: Harriet Gavshon, Siphiwe Hlabangane, Aric Shine (Wilmah Munemera) is a teenager in Zimbabwe who Noboa, Regan Alsup, Molly Hermann has a knack for making something out of nothing and could WRITER: Wanisai Chigwendere have a promising future as an engineer, except for the fact EDITOR: Melanie Jankes Golden that she doesn’t believe in herself. When she and her best CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tom Marais friends Faro (Tadiwanashe Tsitsi Marowa), Stella (Gamu Mukwakwami) and Busi (Tarumbidzwa Chirume) are faced CAST: Wilmah Munemera, Tinodiwanashe Chitma, Gamu with a host of grown-up problems – loss of loved ones, Mukwakwami, Tadiwanashe Tsitsi Marowa overdue exam fees and the curse of “blessers” – they come close to giving up. Will Shine and her friends be able to PRINT SOURCE: Impact[Ed] overcome their circumstances or will they admit defeat in ADDRESS: Regan Alsup the face of adversity? Their story is one of forgiveness and 218 E Alexandria Ave. #2 of friendship, of creating a new family from the people who Alexandria, VA 22301 love you, and of the very real power to be found in girls United States supporting girls. It’s a story about resilience. PHONE: 248-807-5887 EMAIL: [email protected] Coming of Age Drama 96 Minutes WEBSITE: www.impacted.org Color, English Beautie Masvaure Alt This is Beautie Masvaure Alt’s first feature film. She’s spent 16 years in the film and television industry in Southern Africa, starting as a continuity/script supervisor on features and TV dramas and working her way up to directing multi episode series. She’s directed two documentaries for UNICEF Zimbabwe and edited a book project of oral narratives of Zimbabwean lives called “Don’t Listen to What I’m About to Say.”
48 I 54th WorldFest Houston Bulgaria
SHIBIL Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 9:45 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Nikola Bozadzhiev Synopsis: PRODUCER: First Clapper In the second half of the 19th Century, Bulgaria has fallen prey WRITER: Nikola Bozadzhiev to disorder and violence, because of the weakened power of EDITOR: Yosif Kokonchev the central Ottoman government. Shibil, an outlaw with a re- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Stefan Vrachev ward on his head, is seen as threat to the authorities and a COMPOSER: George Strezov legend among young men. Shibil falls in love with Rada, the CAST: Panayot Mustakerski, Desislava Vuleva, Todor daughter of Veliko Kehaya, the richest merchant in the area. Bliznakov To demonstrate his loyalty to the Ottoman government, Veliko devises an unheard of trap for Shibil – using his own PRINT SOURCE: First Clapper daughter as bait. ADDRESS: 21 Ivan Rilksi Shibil and Rada embrace love, which in the eyes of their suf- Sofia, SOFIA, REGION 1606, Bulgaria fering mothers and the villagers is equal to death. PHONE: +359 887030335 But in the eyes of the narrator – death is just a threshold, and EMAIL: [email protected] love is an eternity. At the story’s end, it becomes clear that WEBSITE: 1stclapper.com this story flows through the eyes of Shibil’s horse, the person- Drama ification of Shibil’s soul according to Bulgarian pagan beliefs. 115 Minutes Color, Bulgarian with English Subtitles Nikola Bozadzhiev
Nikola is a scriptwriter, cinematographer and director. He has made award-winning films including The Muse (2016), WHEN THE RAIN STOP FALLING (2017) and MORAL DILEMMA (2017). SHIBIL is his first feature film.
54th WorldFest Houston I 49 Japan
SIN-GONE IRONY Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 9:50 pm
PANORAMA ASIA / WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Hinata Ishihara Synopsis: PRODUCERS: Masaharu Ishihara, Tatsuo Masui Takashi Hirai is the 17th Abbot of Hoshu-ji, a temple in the Omuro INTERNATIONAL PRODUCERS: Keishi Suenaga, Jonathan M. Hall School of Shingon Buddhism. Unexpected for a priest, Hirai’s easy-go- WRITER: Par ing, dynamic, and seemingly random personality often upsets others. EDITOR: Hinata Ishihara Yet, his sheer charisma attracts an unwavering faith from his students, CINEMATOGRAPHER: Yuki Ozaki the university faculty, and the supporters of his temple. MUSIC: Kenzo Goto Hirai meets Hinata, a young man struggling with anger and ADHD. The CAST: Hideyuki Kawahara, Junichi Kawamoto, Yuh Kamiya, Mirei priest invites Hinata often to his temple and home, while still keeping Ohara, Mito Yukimi, Toshiki Fujikawa, Keita Katsumata, Hachiko enough distance to give Hinata room to grow. For Hinata, the world is Yamo, Shinma Okazaki such a hard place to live. Slowly but surely, Hirai shows him a way to SUBTITLES: Ayumi Kageyama, Jonathan M. Hall survive without forcing him to change his identity. This will greatly af- fect Hinata’s future long after Hirai is no longer part of it, interweaving PRINT SOURCE: Hinata Ishihara connections amongst key individuals in the young man’s life. ADDRESS: 22-6 Senrioka-Naka, Suita, Osaka 565-0812 Japan PHONE: +81-90-9254-0031 Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 126 Minutes Color, Japanese with English Subtitles WEBSITE: singone-movie.com Hinata Ishihara
Born 1998 in Suita City, Osaka, Japan. Currently a student in the Visual Concept Planning Department at Osaka University of Arts and CEO of illi237, inc., a video production compa- ny. In 2014, Ishihara started taking on video production jobs. SIN-GONE IRONY chronicles Ishihara’s encounter with Shingon Buddhist priest Takashi Hirai as well as Ishihara’s loss when the priest suddenly dies. The film was completed in 2020 as Ishihara’s debut feature. The same year, Ishihara began studying under film director Taichi Kimura.
50 I 54th WorldFest Houston Israel
SNOWLAND Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:35 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Jonni Zicoltz Synopsis: PRODUCER: Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, Micky Rabinovitz Set against the backdrop of another Israeli war, in Tel Aviv, WRITER: Jonni Zicoltz, Yoval Segal Amir and Johnny’s long-time friendship is put to the test, EDITOR: Iris Ozer right before their 40th birthday as they set out on a quest of CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ram Shweky self-discovery. Amir is grappling with his daughter’s cancer MUSIC: Daniel Markovich, Ido Brian Rivlin diagnosis and his crumbling marriage, as his wife issues a re- CAST: Shlomi Koriat, Ori Pfeffer, Tali Sharon, Nati Kluger straining order against him. While Johnny is coming to terms Rosenberg, Ann Blushinski, Shmil Ben Ari, Eyal Zusman, with shutting down his mythological bar and breaking up his Razia Israely, Haim Oz Znati, Shula Chen, Abraham Selek- 6-year relationship with Mickey, just as they’re about to walk tar, Oshrat Ingedashet, Liron Baranes down the aisle. Both men are lost, living small lives and losing two major loves, a wife and daughter, and despite their im- PRINT SOURCE: Lightstream Israel mense pain, they’re searching for a ray of light, a smile, and a ADDRESS: Ha’Tassia 4, Tel Aviv, Israel silver lining beyond the dark mountains ahead. PHONE: +97254-252-0327 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama WEBSITE: www.lsipro.net/snowlandfestivals 85 Minutes Color, Hebrew with English Subtitles Jonni Zicoltz
Jonni was born and raised in Haifa, and has been based in Tel Aviv since 1995 and is a director, screenplay writer, actor and creator. His works include ALENBY ROMANCE (2004), SLOWER THAN THE HEART (2010), ALL IN (Screenplay) (2018) and ‘Snowland’ (2020). Two of his plays, ‘Gaza 17’ and ‘Srulik’, debuted at the Kameri Theater and in 2016, he created the television series ‘Kings.’ Jonni is a lector for the Israeli Film Fund and lecturer of communications.
54th WorldFest Houston I 51 USA
THE RUNNER Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 9:35 pm
SOUTHWEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Michelle Danner Synopsis: PRODUCER: Valerie Debler, Michelle Danner Wealthy but compassionate, hopeful but damaged, WRITER: Jason Chase Tyrrell drug-addicted but still somehow able to run a four-minute EDITOR: Teferi Seifu mile on the high school track team, Aiden Albers is about CINEMATOGRAPHER: Pierluigi Malavasi to discover what it means to have to choose from a set of MUSIC: Holly Amber Church impossible outcomes. He wakes one morning to find his mother has brought the cops to scare some sense into him, CAST: Edouard Phillipponnat, Cameron Douglas, Elisa- to finally force him into a rehab that sticks. But hard-as- beth Rohm, Eric Balfour, Nadji Jeter, Jessica Amlee, Kerri sed veteran Detective Wall doesn’t take to Aiden’s rich kid Medders antics and busts him for cocaine instead. After hours left strung out and sweating in holding, Wall paints Aiden a PRINT SOURCE: Michelle Danner bleak picture, gives him a choice: cooperate or do ten years ADDRESS: 2219 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 in prison. United States PHONE: 310-313-0279 Thriller / Suspense EMAIL: [email protected] 102 Minutes Color, English
Michelle Danner Michelle Danner is a film and stage director and a world-renowned acting coach. She teaches the Golden Box Acting workshops in South America, Europe, Toronto, Vancouver, Dubai, New York, Sydney and Australia. It was her father, Alexander Valdez, who opened the very first William Morris Agency in Paris, France, that instilled a strong passion and work ethic that has stayed with her throughout her life. Michelle has taught acting for the last 26 years and has worked with many A-List Actors privately and on set. She is the Founding Director of the Edgemar Center for the Arts. She has directed HOW TO GO OUT ON A DATE IN QUEENS, HELLO HERMAN, THE BANDIT HOUND and BAD IMPULSE.
52 I 54th WorldFest Houston Poland
TRUTH MAKES FREE Showing: Friday, 4/24 at 4:50 pm
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Robert Glinski Synopsis: PRODUCER: Włodzimierz Niderhaus 1977, Father Jan Zieja, an 80-year old priest, co-founder of WRITER: Wojciech Lepianka the Worker’s Defense Committee, is being interrogated by the EDITOR: Ewa Smal Security Service. The questioning serves as an opportunity to CINEMATOGRAPHER: Witold Plóciennik revisit the priest’s eventful life, to present his spiritual stance MUSIC: Cezary Skubiszewski and to witness crucial events from Poland’s 20th-century his- CAST: Andrzej Seweryn, Zbigniew Zamachowski tory.
PRINT SOURCE: Karolina Socha - Kalinowska Drama ADDRESS: 17 Woronicza 00-999 Warsaw, Poland 107 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected] Color, Polish with English Subtitles
Robert Ignacy Gliński
Robert Ignacy Gliński (born 17 April 1952 in Warsaw) is a Polish film director and screenwriter. A graduate of the National Film School in Łódź. He won the Golden Lions at the Gdynia Film Festival in 1992 with his film WSZYSTKO, CO NAJWAŻNIEJSZE and in 2001 with CZEŚĆ, TERESKA. In 2002 he received an Eagle, the Polish Film Award for his film CZEŚĆ, TERESKA. Robert Gliński served as the Rector of the National Film School in Łódź from 2008 to 2012. He is the brother of Piotr Gliński.
54th WorldFest Houston I 53 France
VAGABONDS Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 9:40 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Philippe Dajoux Synopsis: PRODUCER: Philippe Dajoux, Emmanuel Montamat Four people on the fringes of society are going to make a WRITER: Philippe Dajoux, Rebecca Bitan “seismic” encounter. Four vagabonds, with seemingly no fu- EDITOR: Sébastien Pourcel ture, will discover the meaning of hope.For Jo and Faustine, CINEMATOGRAPHER: Bruno Rossanvallon two worlds collide: misery and opulence, illiteracy and cul- SOUND: Jean-Paul Bernard ture. One is a young woman living out of her broken car, while CAST: Sergi Lopez, Slimane Dazi, Sacha Bourdo, Pauline the other, a wannabe writer, ran away from her family and Bression, Bryan Trésor, Marysol Fertard, Aurélie Reinhorn comfortable consumerist life. Jo is a mess of exploding emo- tions with a heavy past, and Faustine might be about to write PRINT SOURCE: Lily & Lola Studios her story. ADDRESS: 65 avenue Niel Soha and Anastasia are two young and isolated vagabonds, 75017 Paris, France damaged by drugs and the street. They stumble upon one an- PHONE: +3366-397-5336 other only to become inseparable. Together, they run away from their past to walk into a better present. Will their new- Comedy, Drama found friendship and love be the force they need to aspire to 108 Minutes a normal life? Color, French with English Subtitles Philippe Dajoux
Philippe Dajoux is a director and actor, known for LES COLLÈGUES (1999), THE HIGH LIFE (2001) and PLUS BELLE LA VIE (2004).
54 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA
VECINOS: LOVE THY NEIGHBOR Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 9:35 pm
WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Alex Avila Synopsis: PRODUCER: Rupert Reyes, JoAnn Carreon-Reyes, Alex A grouchy widower’s life turns upside down when a Avila, Karinna Cantu, Raul Garza, JoJanie Moreno sweet-natured widow moves down the hall in this WRITER: Rupert Reyes heart-warming romantic comedy. EDITOR: Jo Huang-Zollner, Alex Avila Romance, Comedy CINEMATOGRAPHER: Michael Ozman 82 Minutes MUSIC: Michael Ramos Color, English CAST: Rupert Reyes, Alma Chapa Moore, Julio Carre- on-Reyes, Karinna Cantu
PRINT SOURCE: Alex Avila ADDRESS: 104 Tori Dr. Buda, Texas 78610, United States PHONE: 512-903-5416 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: vecinosthemovie.com
Alex Avila A.J. “Alex” Avila holds a B.S. in Radio-TV-Film, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Journalism. His film credits include co-producer of the documentary LAS TESOROS DE SAN ANTONIO: A WESTSIDE STORY (2016); writer/producer of CLOSER TO BOTTOM (2017), winner of “Best Texas Made” Feature at the Austin Indie Fest; and director/producer of VECINOS: LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (2021). From 1993-1999 Avila was co-director of the Austin-based Chicano/Latino Film Forum. He is currently developing his third fea- ture as producer, a psychological thriller titled CEREBRAL, which has placed in 7 major screenwriting competitions since 2018.
54th WorldFest Houston I 55 USA
WE WANT THE AIRWAVES Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 7:10 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Scott Ryan Synopsis: PRODUCER: Charmel Green Filmed over the course of 10 years, “We Want the Airwaves” STORY CONSULTANT: Karen Everett chronicles the journey of a trio of first time TV makers as EDITOR: Alex Mackenzie, John Dilley they set forth on a daring adventure. The group creates and COMPOSER: Bryan Stage films an activist focused docuseries (“Manifesto!”) in the year CAST: Amber Arbucci, Charmel Green, Scott Ryan, Cory B. 2005, with the goal of launching the first citizen’s platform on Clay, Scott Harrison network television.
PRINT SOURCE: Monkey Wrench Agency “We Want the Airwaves” is a thoughtful exploration of the ADDRESS: 1638 S. Norton power of our collective first amendment. It’s also a rare, un- Los Angeles, CA 90019 varnished glimpse of the dark underside of unscripted Holly- PHONE: 818-481-9225 wood. Cut from countless hours of behind the scenes foot- WEBSITE: wewanttheairwaves.net age and interviews with TV & Cultural insiders and outsiders, we follow the making of “Manifesto!” all while exposing the Documentary harsh realities of the ethically challenged unscripted televi- 82 Minutes sion world. Color, English Scott Ryan
Scott was an early, loud and proud creator and supporter of socially conscious, cause oriented televi- sion. Scott’s vision of inspiring and entertaining TV came to fruition when he formed Zero Point Enter- tainment with partner Charmel Green. Together, the duo discovered a missing element in television: the desires and dreams, the very manifestos (or missions) of everyday people were not being repre- sented. Recently, Scott founded Monkey Wrench Agency, a company focused on production of PSAs for underserved non-profits. “We Want the Airwaves” is Scott’s feature documentary directorial debut.
56 I 54th WorldFest Houston USA
ZERO GRAVITY Showing: Friday, 4/23 at 7:05 pm
WORLDFEST PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: Thomas Verrette Synopsis: PRODUCER: David Worthen Brooks, Thomas Verrette, ZERO GRAVITY follows a diverse group of middle-school Haller Rice, Jack Fischer students from San Jose, CA, who compete in a nationwide EDITOR: Thomas Verrette tournament sponsored by NASA and MIT to code satellites CINEMATOGRAPHER: Carlos Marulanda aboard the International Space Station. COMPOSER: Penka Kouneva Seen through the wondrous eyes of three young students and their first-time coach, they each take an intimate and CAST: Tanner Marcoida, Advik Gonugunta, Carol Gonzalez, personal journey to space as their team grows from am- Adrien Engelder, Steve Smith, Cady Coleman, Jack Fischer ateur coders to representing California in the ISS Finals Tournament -- the culmination of a summer-long adventure PRINT SOURCE: Skylight Cinema that sees their incredible accomplishment performed by ADDRESS: 1201 Sanborn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 astronauts in orbit. PHONE: +1 (770) 365.8996 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.zerogravitydoc.com Documentary 74 Minutes Color, English
Thomas Verrette Thomas Verrette is a director, producer, and editor in Los Angeles. He is best known for producing the FOX Sports Films docu-series, “Phenoms”, which chronicles the lives of young soccer stars fighting their way to their national teams for the World Cup in Russia 2018. Other featured work includes the feature film “Parallels”, released on Netflix. He also produced and edited the promo campaigns for multiple seasons of the critically-acclaimed series “Kingdom”, as well as “Ice”, “Rogue”, and many others.
54th WorldFest Houston I 57 LET US HELP YOU BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE.
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IN-STORE r E E in iries, lease call 888- - Welcome to the 54th Annual International WorldFest-Houston Short Film Section At WorldFest-Houston, we love our shorts! It’s typically a director’s first entry point onto the filmmaking scene filled with promise and future visions. Often, it’s a love letter to cinema from a seasoned director- a wonderful work filled with heart and creativity. Our shorts program- ming team goes head to head against our feature folks to find the best films for your viewing pleasure. This year, it’s a tie of excellence be- tween shorts and features. Some of our most famous alumni (you know ‘em: Spielberg, Lucas, Lynch and more) won first with short films and went on to future glory. Watch these beautiful postcards from around the world – it’s one of our ways to travel and dream of a post-pandemic world. Thank you for watching -- now ROLL ‘EM and ENJOY! Katy Lea Todd, Short Film Programmer
12th Street Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D Netherlands
DIRECTOR: Gregory Lovett, Matthijs SYNOPSIS: Heesemans Each year 25,000 inmates are released in PRODUCER: Gregory Lovett, Matthijs Huntsville, TX — one of the largest pris- Heesemans on towns in America. This documentary explores one of the most critical issues in PHONE: +3165-141-7019 the national debate over criminal justice EMAIL: [email protected] reform: the flood of prisoners returning WEBSITE: imageessays.org to American communities without the guidance and support needed for a suc- cessful transition back to society. Documentary 45 Minutes
600 Kilo Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D Egypt
DIRECTOR: Mohamed Koushi a letter from his deceased grandfather PRODUCER: Amir ElShenawy to his long forgotten brother. The story WRITER: Hagar Solamy, Mohamed takes place on the road, showing the Koushi struggles and the people Nour encoun- CAST: Youssef Othman, Tarek AbdelAziz ters through this journey till he reaches PHONE: 0111-548-3641 his destination and discovers something EMAIL: [email protected] major that answers all his existential questions he hoped this trip would SYNOPSIS: answer. 600 Kilo is a story about Nour, a man in his early 20s, who decides to travel with Drama his bike from Cairo to Safaga, to deliver 17 Minutes 54th WorldFest Houston I 61 The Abadonded Block Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C Canada
DIRECTOR: James Bourne SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: James Bourne A useless, damaged, forgotten block of WRITER: James Bourne marble after years of neglect, emerges as one of the greatest and most beautiful PHONE: 1778-954-7303 works of art. EMAIL: [email protected] Animated 6 Minutes
Alina Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Rami Kodeih SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Rachelle Owen, Joshua As Nazis separate children from their Owen, Rubber Duck Films, Dorota Puzio, parents in the Warsaw Ghetto, a gang of Nora Mariana, Rami Kodeih women risks everything to smuggle their WRITER: Nora Mariana Salim friend’s three-month-old baby to safety. CAST: Alia Shawkat, Edin Gali, Rebeca Inspired by true events. Robles, Mark McCullough, Erika Soto, Dorota Puzio Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 25 Minutes
All-Season Glow – Alishan Highway’s Firefly Revival Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Taiwan
DIRECTOR: Hong-Long, Syu earthquakes as well as regularly occur- EMAIL: [email protected] ring typhoons and heavy rains. How have Taiwan’s civil engineers thought ‘out of the box’ to overcome these difficult challenges and create a highway that is not only safe and convenient but also beautiful, eco-friendly, and a welcoming SYNOPSIS: habitat for fireflies? ‘1, 2, 3 … Let’s go to Taiwan! Alishan is in Taiwan!’ The ‘Alishan Highway,’ built atop Documentary a base of fractured rock, is vulnerable to 19 Minutes
American Ocelot Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Ben Masters SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Katy Baldock & Ben Masters American Ocelot tells the story of one of EDITOR: Shannon Vandivier the most endangered and beautiful wild cats in the United States – a species so elusive that high quality images and vid- PHONE: 936-652-4833 eo have never been captured until now. EMAIL: [email protected] Documentary 33 Minutes
62 I 54th WorldFest Houston Animal Food Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Sweden
DIRECTOR: Jonas Ljung SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Adi Omanovic Animal Food is a dark comedy about a WRITER: Jonas Ljung socially awkward man with an abnormal CAST: Jonatan Etzler, Julia Lundgren interest in bird food. What’s cultural acceptable to eat, and what’s not? The story is told using specific and rhythmic EMAIL: [email protected] visuals, without using any dialogue. WEBSITE: www.animalfood.se Dark Comedy 5 Minutes
Another Life Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: Victor Warren SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Victor Warren, Alison May A famous screenwriter Zooms (MARCH Leporati 2020) with his daughter after not talking WRITER: Victor Warren, Nicki Stein to her in 5 years. CAST: Victor Warren, Bethany Grace Milner, Scott Barrow Drama 11 Minutes
PHONE: 917-714-3345 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.glydascope.com
Award Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Kazakhstan
DIRECTOR: Valentina Starkova SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Valentina Starkova, Alex This story is about uneasy family rela- Gorlov tionship. Nothing can be changed when WRITER: Valentina Starkova, Alex Gorlov people lose their conscience. It turns out that the person who truly cares about PHONE: +7701-408-1900 you is the one you have never even met. EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 15 Minutes
Banshee Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Sam Casscells SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Sam Casscells A young woman in a seaside town COMPOSER: Sam Casscells receives a bizarre message in the middle CHOREOGRAPHER: Lillian Casscells of the night and goes searching for SOUND: Carter Levinson, Dave Hurley answers. CAST: Lillian Casscells Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 7 Minutes WEBSITE: www.thereisabanshee.com
54th WorldFest Houston I 63 The Best Orchestra in the World Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Austria
DIRECTOR: Henning Backhaus SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Lukas Rosatti Ingbert, the sock, applies for a position WRITER: Henning Backhaus, Rafael Haid- as double bass player at the Vienna State er, Albert Meisl Orchestra. Bad idea. CAST: Jörn Hentschel, Thomas Mraz, Peter Huemer, Dominic Oley, Richard Comedy Obermayr, Helen Hagmueller, Katarina 14 Minutes Csanyiova / Peter Matić, Rafael Haider / Henning Backhaus
PHONE: +43 699 120 628 06 EMAIL: [email protected]
The Body Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Australia
DIRECTOR: Adam Weber SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Adam Weber A hit man and his potential protégé are WRITER: Adam Weber tasked with burying a body in the coun- CAST: Anton Schrama, Marc Clement, tryside, but the seemingly simple job Tim Hawkins takes an unexpected turn.
Horror PHONE: +6140-251-8118 12 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
Boneyard Ballet Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Steven Holleran SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Steve Tobenkin A ballet piece set on the wing of a 747 WRITER: Steven Holleran jumbo jet, Boneyard Ballet is a visual ode CAST: Alison Stroming to the art of flight. Melding two of the most elegant forms of airborne dance PHONE: 310-795-8922 — the ballerina and the modern airliner, EMAIL: [email protected] it’s a mirage-like cinematic symphony of living beauty set amidst the decay of an airplane boneyard. New Media 4 Minutes
Boundless Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Canada
DIRECTOR: Kate Campbell to be placed on her fellow pilot’s coffin PRODUCER: Sean Buckley, Kate Camp- near the end of WWII. After flying a bell, Sarah Thomas Moffat, Tammy Rea collective 60 million miles in service WRITER: Kate Campbell with 1,078 other women pilots between CAST: Dini Petty, Ellen Dubin, Lou Jur- 1942-1944 in a specialized training gens, T.J. Riley program designed to free the male pilots PHONE: 323-309-9027 for battle, she and the Lost Last Class EMAIL: [email protected] of Avenger Field are abruptly disband- ed, shamed for taking the jobs of men, SYNOPSIS: denied military status and forced to pay An 80-year-old Woman Airforce Service their own way home. Pilot remembers her audacious attempt Historical Drama to fight for military status and for a flag 11 Minutes 64 I 54th WorldFest Houston The Butterfly Cage Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C France
DIRECTOR: Hélèna Serra, Maxime Sabisik SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Canasucre Productions, A little boy is dead. His parents were try- Pictanovo, Hélèna Serra, Maxime Sabisik ing to grieve until they found out about a WRITER: Hélèna Serra, Maxime Sabisik cloning laboratory that could give them CAST: Nicola Barber their son back.
PHONE: +33 6 77 55 08 18 Animated EMAIL: thebutterflycagemovie@gmail. 7 Minutes com
Clearing Showing: Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A UK
DIRECTOR: Janet Marrett SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Janet Marrett At 18 Kaila knows what she wants but WRITER: Janet Marrett finds herself struggling to stay motivated CAST: Jasmine Jobson, Nicola Alexis, Anu following a serious incident. Jaiyeola, Faraz M. Khan, Xavien Russell, Drou Constantinou, Selena Rowe, Helena Drama Tang-Grosso, Yannick Budd 13 Minutes
PHONE: +44(0)759-797-9290 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: mediathirsty.co.uk
Cuckoo Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Netherlands
DIRECTOR: Jörgen Scholtens straps himself into his ejection seat and PRODUCER: Jörgen Scholtens, Jimmy shoots through the doors of the clock. Groeneveld “Cuckoo!” He yells, “Cuckoo!” The old WRITER: Jörgen Scholtens, Pepijn van lady who sits under the clock needs to Weeren take her medication exactly at the top CAST: Frank Lammers, Hetty Heyting, of every hour. One day the man has the Joost Prinsen, Michael de Roos opportunity to win a substantial sum of EMAIL: [email protected] money in a radio quiz. The only problem is that he can only dial in at the exact SYNOPSIS: time he’s supposed to sit in his seat. Absurd comedy about a lonely man who Comedy lives inside a cuckoo clock. Every hour he 7 Minutes
The Dinner Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D United Arab Emirates
DIRECTOR: Noura Bint Hussam Al Saud SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Nancy Paton Mariam returns home after four years WRITER: Afana Abdulraoof Issa Alqasimi at Stanford with a Korean male friend to CAST: Mona Albaloushi find herself in the midst of a traditional Emirati family dinner organized by her famous butcher father. PHONE: +97150-173-7706 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 10 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 65 The Dispensable Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: Robert J Morgalo SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Robert J Morgalo, Ozz Go- A short film confronting the disparities of mez, Hugh Dimauro classism, capitalism, equality and human WRITER: Robert J Morgalo value in the era of COVID-19. As the CAST: Jonathan Arons, Richard Bertisch, world grapples with the novel coronavi- Maritza Vives, Alberto P Suarez, Robert J rus that caused a global pandemic, the Morgalo, Diane Adams, Karli Adams clash of economic interests and public health is brought into stark focus. PHONE: 786-587-6878 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 21 Minutes
Du Iz Tak? Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Galen Fott SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Paul R. Gagne, Melissa R. As a tiny sprout unfurls, two damselflies Ellard peer at it in wonder. ‘Du iz tak?’ one asks WRITER: Carson Ellis the other, in the private and mysteri- CAST: Eli D’Amico, Sebastian D’Amico, ous language of the insects. This film Burton Fott, Galen Fott, Laura Fott, Sarah imagines the dramatic possibilities to be Hart, Bella Higginbotham, Evelyn Hipp, found in even the humblest backyard, Brian Hull and offers a microcosmic view of the unstoppable cycle of life. PHONE: 615-426-6721 Animated EMAIL: [email protected] 11 Minutes
Elephant Daydreams Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C Latvia
DIRECTOR: Nadine Veitnere SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Nadine Veitnere A young creator helps a new friend WRITER: Nadine Veitnere return home. CAST: Nadine Veitnere Mixed Media PHONE: 702-918-5456 8 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
Elle Showing: Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Nicole Vanden Broeck SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Gabrielle Cordero Set during the late 90s in Southern WRITER: Asher Jelinsky, Nicole Vanden California, 16-year-old introverted Elle Broeck struggles to express her feelings towards CAST: Evan Welch, Christopher Tenzis her best friend who is about to move away. EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 21 Minutes
66 I 54th WorldFest Houston Everything is Wonderful Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:25 pm - D United States
DIRECTOR: Isaac Ogle SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Amit Koul, Peri Segel A young girl must learn how to take WRITER: Isaac Ogle care of her grandfather suffering from CAST: Jordan Rose Frye, Robert W. Smith, dementia while helping her grandmother Jane Ives, Ian Underwood come to terms with her husband’s con- dition. PHONE: 978-578-2624 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 17 Minutes
Falling Sparrow Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D United States
DIRECTOR: Justin Wang Powell SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Nikki Blacklock, Zachary A young woman sets out to take her Smith, Susannah Joffe family’s sword back from her murderous WRITER: Justin Wang Powell uncle. CAST: Nicole Davis, Jing Wu, Hannah Ho, Claire Butler Fantasy 15 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
FIG Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Rami Cohen knew he could always count on one per- PRODUCER: Alethea Geges son to have his back, his imaginary friend WRITER: Rami Cohen Fig. Fig was Jason’s best friend and sur- CAST: Ammie Leonard, Louie Arnette rogate mother, until one day when she took things too far standing up to one of Jason’s bullies. That’s when Jason’s PHONE: 310-435-1188 real mother banished Fig and left Jason EMAIL: [email protected] broken and unprotected. Now Jason is WEBSITE: www.figmovie.com an adult and Fig is back.
SYNOPSIS: Comedy Years ago, when Jason was a kid, he 11 Minutes
Finding Manny Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B Canada
DIRECTOR: Kacey Cox age 16, finding refuge at a unique home PRODUCER: Jan Jekielek, Cindy Drukier, for orphans and displaced children. 71 Kacey Cox, Joe Wang years later, Manny—who lives in To- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Arek Rusek ronto—is tracked down by a German EDITOR: Garret Henry researcher who has dedicated a decade CAST: Manny Drukier, Anna Andlauer, of her life to locating the surviving chil- Stephen Baldwin dren from the home. She invites Manny WEBSITE: www.findingmanny.com to return to the orphanage, which has since become a grade school, to share SYNOPSIS: his story with the next generation. Manny Drukier narrowly escaped the Documentary war by jumping from a “death train” at 58 Minutes 54th WorldFest Houston I 67 Fly Greenland Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Hong Kong
DIRECTOR: Tang King Ho Anthony SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Tang King Ho Anthony A drone film of icefjord and iceberg in CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tang King Ho West of Greenland Anthony Drone EMAIL: [email protected] 3 Minutes
Food for Coping Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D New Zealand
DIRECTOR: Zoey Zhao ples with the fallout of discovering PRODUCER: Zoey Zhao her 16-year-old daughter’s pregnancy. WRITER: Zoey Zhao, Malinna Liang Headstrong and brilliant, Yilin refuses to CINEMATOGRAPHER: Duncan Cole terminate her pregnancy and safeguard CAST: Joan Liu, Jessie Yu, Amanda Billing her future. As the two are caught in a violent impasse, Hui calls on help from PHONE: 6421-238-5951 the mother of Yilin’s boyfriend — an act EMAIL: [email protected] that may jeopardize her relationship with her daughter forever. SYNOPSIS: Drama A Chinese single mother, Hui, grap- 12 Minutes
The Forgotten Place Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D United States
DIRECTOR: Oscar Rene Lozoya SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Brian Flaccus, Alex Raines, All Eric ever wanted was a friend. He just Ben Dunn, Celia Cowles, Oscar Rene never knew how to find one. Lozoya Adapted from short play THE FORGOT- WRITER: Jonas Ljung TEN PLACE (winner, 2018 Samuel French CAST: Jeff Locker, Brian Flaccus Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, 2019 Short+Sweet Hollywood.) PHONE: 1323-454-3417 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 12 Minutes
Grandpa’s Long March Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D United States
DIRECTOR: Bolun Wei SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Andrew York Grandpa’s Long March is a heartwarming WRITER: Bolun Wei road trip story about a Chinese veteran CAST: Andy Sun, Antony Lien suffering from Alzheimer’s, his journey to reunite with his grandson who goes EMAIL: [email protected] to college in Los Angeles, with the help from some people he might just have a chance to celebrate the Spring Festival together.
Drama 15 Minutes 68 I 54th WorldFest Houston Green Luck Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Emanuele Daga SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Marcela Cantu Luck unexpectedly flips for an under- WRITER: Emanuele Daga achieving mama’s boy on his 17th job CAST: Anton interview.
PHONE: +1 (323) 687-7786 Comedy EMAIL: [email protected] 9 Minutes
Guardians of the Gulf Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Canada
DIRECTOR: Cait Martin Newnham, Ulla SYNOPSIS: Laidlow In Guardians of the Gulf, the Gulf of PRODUCER: Jenny Williams Mexico is given a voice by her caretakers EDITOR: Carter Pinkowski to tell a story of generosity and strength. These conservationists, fisher-people, EMAIL: [email protected] tour operators, chefs, and student leaders strive to improve sustainability in their work and community. Through action, they are seeing change. Through this change, they see hope. Documentary, 30 Minutes
Hakuumacaato Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Australia
DIRECTOR: Kulan Farah SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Sarah Clayton Liban, an ex-Somali soldier suffering WRITER: Kulan Farah from post-traumatic stress disorder and CAST: Noray Neberay, Kulan Farah now living in a housing commission flat in Melbourne is forced to not only accept a western way of life, but his estranged EMAIL: [email protected] son’s sexuality.
Drama 17 Minutes
Harvest Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C China
DIRECTOR: Sun Lijun SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Hou Guangming, Yu Jian- Harvest uses traditional and modern hong, Hao Yabin, Li Liang, Peng Jiafeng, animation styles to show a day in the life Liu Jun of a grasshopper. WRITER: Fan Beilu CAST: Noray Neberay, Kulan Farah Animated 5 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
54th WorldFest Houston I 69 Here Cut Salon Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Kenneth Ma SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Luman Zou On a mysterious night, a hairdresser who WRITER: Zeng Yuan (Anshu) has a magical power of cutting sadness CAST: Anna Christensen meets a strange client whose face is covered by their hair...... The hairdresser PHONE: 626-362-5100 seems to have found the “person” that EMAIL: [email protected] she looking for.
Fantasy / Horror 8 Minutes
Hong Kong Shut Down Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Hong Kong
DIRECTOR: Earnest Li to high-end population. The east side is PRODUCER: Earnest Li allocated to low-end citizens. One day, WRITER: Earnest Li, Azure Paro a cyber-terrorist organization called CAST: Buber Mak, Summer LW, Brian Yuen “Unicorn” used a fighter to crash into the PHONE: +852 9733 7615 shopping zone of Wanchai West and re- EMAIL: [email protected] lease a large amount of biological agent to amplify the sense of fear. The infected SYNOPSIS: person will treat others as enemies to be There is a multiverse using income to eliminated. classify the living place of Hongkongers. Science Fiction The west district of Wanchai is allocated 10 Minutes
If Only Yesterday Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D United States
DIRECTOR: Michael Hartman SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Michael Hartman A woman confronts and forgives her WRITER: Michael Hartman dead father with the help of her inner child. EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 11 Minutes
Ingredients Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D Canada
DIRECTOR: Hannah Michielsen SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Jennifer Haufler In the midst of writers block and the anx- WRITER: Paul Carere iety that comes with it, a young writer CAST: Daniel Maslany, Eileen Li finds himself in a situation that blurs the lines of fact and fiction, as he connects PHONE: 416-579-9911 with another writer in crisis who has in- EMAIL: [email protected] vaded his space, bringing both in intrigue and danger.
Drama 23 Minutes
70 I 54th WorldFest Houston Intersection Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: Artes Ferruni, Funke Alafiatayo, SYNOPSIS: Eisa Al Habib, Raj Dutta, Puti Karina Puar, Six young leaders from different parts of Roberto Pino Almeyda the world find themselves in the same PRODUCER: JCS International, 24th Century predicament — suddenly locked at home in Media, Michal Grayevsky, Shay Grayevsky the middle of a major Pandemic and global WRITER: Funke Alafiatayo, Eisa Al Habib, Puti unrest, unsure when and if life will ever go Karina Puar, Roberto Pino Almeyda, Raj Dutta, back to normal. Faced with uncertainty, a Artes Ferruni simple phone conversation incites hope and CAST: Eisa Alhabib, Raj Dutta, Roberto Pino leads them to combine their individual skills Almeyda, Puti Puar, Funke Alafiatayo, Artes to create art together. Ferruni Drama PHONE: 917-239-6460 9 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
I’ve Got your 6 Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B United States
DIRECTOR: Bill Foster camera. When a WWII veteran escapes PRODUCER: Bill & Linda Foster from the nursing home to go see his WRITER: Bill Foster farm one last time sets a path no one CAST: Corbett Hall, Mike Alvarado III, could have imagined. The deputy who Jeremy Still, CJ Morrison, Alex Flemming finds the man soon bonds with him as PHONE: 325-451-7144 they realize they both served in the Army EMAIL: [email protected] during war time. When a battle begins over when to bring in the WWII veteran SYNOPSIS: in, other veterans come to stand with This emotional and inspiring movie was him. filmed with only US military veterans on Drama, 19 Minutes
Judgement Day Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A Canada
DIRECTOR: Joel Werenich SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Ander Barillas Jr. When Jennifer brings her robotic WRITER: Joel Werenich boyfriend home to meet the family, it CAST: Taylor Bernier, Bianca Asilo, Steven becomes clear the only droid welcome B. Andrews, Milton Torres-Lara Jr., Sebas- there is the family roomba. tian Biasucci Sci Fi / Comedy 12 Minutes PHONE: 647-216-5635 EMAIL: [email protected]
Jump Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Australia
DIRECTOR: Isaac Brown SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Jake Speer JUMP is a dark comedy about a man WRITER: Harry Borland standing on the edge of a building. As he CAST: Darren Gilshenan, Steve Le Mar- is about to step off, he is interrupted by quand another man intent on doing the same thing. What follows is a darkly comedic EMAIL: [email protected] story about the importance of human interaction through a conversation that happens in the most unlikely of places. Dark Comedy 7 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 71 Karma Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D New Zealand
DIRECTOR: Sam Li SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Dinwei Lin, Zoe Herbert Jack is anxious to return to China, but WRITER: Sam Li must make one final delivery for his boss. CAST: Dennis Zhang, Te Ao Rauna When bad weather and the breakdown of his car force him to take shelter in a EMAIL: [email protected] mysterious run-down motel in rural New WEBSITE: sam1988115.wixsite.com/my- Zealand he meets a Maori lady, Kate, site-1 who will change his life forever.
Drama 16 Minutes
Kindling Showing: Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Xinyi Zhu SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Emily Meyers, Youssef Gouda When a young woman drives her es- WRITER: Sheridan Watson tranged childhood best friend to get an CAST: Jill Renner, Nicole Falk abortion, the two are forced to confront each other about who they are and what PHONE: 310-935-8866 they have become. EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.xinyi-zhu.com/kindling Drama 14 Minutes
The Legacy Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:50 am - C Germany
DIRECTOR: Jens Klingebiel SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Annette Scheurich & Mi- What traces do we leave behind after Yong Brehm death? Climate change, extinction of WRITER: Jens Klingebiel & Mi-Yong species, environmental pollution-the last Brehm few decades have clearly shown that the earth is at its limit. A film that takes stock of how we humans deal with the EMAIL: [email protected] environment and nature.
Documentary 34 Minutes
A Matter of Time Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D United States
DIRECTOR: Yang Liu SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Yudong Guan During the large-scale demolition and WRITER: Yang Liu construction going on in a small town in CAST: Yang Cao, Chengcheng Fang, China, an independent and empty-nest Gongyu Yang grandma YING(70s) who is in the early stage of Alzheimer’s confronts the pres- EMAIL: [email protected] sure of moving into a local public nursing WEBSITE: www.amatteroftimefilm.com home persuaded by her daughter XIAO YU(30s) who works as a construction worker in a big city. Drama 16 Minutes 72 I 54th WorldFest Houston Metamorphasis Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:50 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Xi Wang to a mysterious underground frozen PRODUCER: Xi Wang cave. In the cave, the butterfly meets the COMPOSER: Yinfan Lin Butterfly Man, who is an amalgamation DANCER: Amaria Stern of many other butterflies. The two dance EMAIL: [email protected] and transform between the human and butterfly shapes. The film explores phil- WEBSITE: www.jakexwang.com/meta- osophical ideas about life forms decom- morphosis posing and then transforming into new organisms, between dreams and reality, SYNOPSIS: and between humans and creatures. A butterfly is resurrected from a rare Animated specimen collection and explores the 4 Minutes ruins of an ancient civilization that leads
Mute Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C Canada
DIRECTOR: Constance Hilton SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Cynthia Preston Mute details the emotional and physical WRITER: Constance Hilton destruction that follows a middle aged CAST: Cynthia Preston, Amanda Richer, woman after she learns of her husband’s Josh Vokey, Randy Butcher infidelity. Mute is based on the short story of the same name by Stephen King. PHONE: 1-905-484-5069 EMAIL: [email protected] Horror 17 Minutes
My Darling Christopher Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:15 pm - B UK
DIRECTOR: Clare-Louise English SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Hot Coals Productions My Darling Christopher tells the true WRITER: Jo Sargeant story of Clive who contracted meningitis CAST: Jo Sargeant, Robin Paley York, and lost both his sight and his hearing William Grint during the outbreak of the Second World War. PHONE: 07813890844 Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 9 Minutes
Oblivio Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: Dongwei Di & Liyanbing He SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Elliot Gong An accidental encounter with an unin- WRITER: Liyanbing He vited guest disrupts Alice’s life. As her CAST: Nina Varano, Barry Anderson husband Tom’s hidden secret gradually surfaces, Alice finds herself one of the PHONE: 646-744-8254 bio-mechanical substitutes of his de- EMAIL: [email protected] ceased wife.
Sci-Fi 13 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 73 Ondine Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Poland
DIRECTOR: Tomasz Sliwinski SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Jerzy Kapuscinski There is a myth about Ondine, a water Writer: Tomasz Sliwinski & Magda Hueck- nymph, who fell in love with the mortal. el Because of his infidelity, she put a curse Cast: Bartosz Bielenia on him that he would breathe only as long as he remembered about this. And so he died, as soon as he fell asleep. PHONE: +48 50-151-1938 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 40 Minutes
One Dave at a Time Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Eman Elsweisy & Marie France SYNOPSIS: Louis What could Dave be hiding that made PRODUCER: Eman Elsweisy & Barry Atkins him smile for the first time? WRITER: Eman Elsweisy & Barry Atkins CAST: Chip Davison, Vickie Guerrero, Cor- Comedy wyn Russell 8 Minutes
EMAIL: [email protected]
Our Dreams Won’t Wait Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: Dana Romanoff SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Lindsey Hagen & Nick We followed four graduating seniors Martini from this historic class of 2020 – Cami, CAST: Cami Smith Dahl, Mica Smith Dahl, Mica, Jose and Kimberly – as they fin- Jose Lecaros ished out their year at home. For these students, it was also a time of huge loss EMAIL: [email protected] and fear as well as renewed connection and overcoming adversity.
Documentary 32 Minutes
The Painted Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Sasha Sibley SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Sasha Sibley A man undertakes a dangerous ritual in an attempt to save his ailing wife. PHONE: 301-524-2150 EMAIL: [email protected] Horror 11 Minutes
74 I 54th WorldFest Houston Pant Hoot Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Richard Reens SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Richard Reens A genocide survivor transcends over- CAST: Stany Nyandwi, Jane Goodall, Jana whelming odds to become a master Swart chimpanzee linguist.
PHONE: 310-990-6885 Documentary EMAIL: [email protected] 21 Minutes
Pass Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Iran
DIRECTOR: Elika Abdollahi SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Elika Abdollahi Fascinating drama about how not every- WRITER: Elika Abdollahi one is trustworthy. A social issues movie CAST: Mina Hamedani, Hesam Hosseini, centered around a poor woman. Ebrahim Barzide Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 10 Minutes
Plan Beautiful Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Amy Vorpahl SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Amy Vorpahl A woman has to make a difficult decision CAST: Amy Vorpahl, Lin Warren Strong alone in her car, but she finds an unex- pected connection that makes her crisis PHONE: 323-610-8600 a little more bearable. EMAIL: [email protected] Comedy 4 Minutes
Power of Attorney Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B United States
DIRECTOR: Matthew DiGiaimo SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Matthew DiGiaimo A principled yet unsuccessful attorney is PRODUCER: Matthew DiGiaimo sent out into the desert to collect buried CAST: Brock Morse, James Quattrochi, money for a nefarious new client. In- Ryan Manuel stead, he’s met with the near-dead body of a long time competitor who ruined his PHONE: 609-661-9802 career. EMAIL: [email protected] Comedy 15 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 75 Prologue Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Justin Joseph Hall SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Piper Werle When a woman falls in love and marries PRODUCER: Ricky Rosario & Daria Huxley a good man she expects to be happy, but CAST: Claudia de Candia, Shirley Venard, finds herself miserable because she does Shawn Thomas Diefenbach not want to provide something that her husband expects from her. PHONE: 651-328-3585 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 14 Minutes
The Prospector Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: Wade Chitwood SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Wade Chitwood A lone man searches for his place in the PRODUCER: Wade Chitwood Universe. This journey takes the pros- CAST: Kevin Janusz, George N. Bukota, pector to a place where he has to look Ashley Cozine directly at his soul and decide what he is willing to sacrifice to achieve his ambi- PHONE: 206-218-9670 tions. EMAIL: [email protected] Sci-Fi 14 Minutes
Realize (Ehsaas) Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D United States
DIRECTOR: Bud Patel, Nisha Hunain SYNOPSIS: (Khairunnisa Hunain) The story of a mother dealing with a loss PRODUCER: Nisha Hunain ( Khairunnisa of a loved one finds she is caught in the Hunain) past and ignoring her remaining family. WRITER: Nisha Hunain (Khairunnisa Hunain) Family CAST: Nisha Hunain (Khairunnisa Hunain) 11 Minutes
PHONE: 832-573-8546 EMAIL: [email protected]
Red Balloon Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Canada
DIRECTOR: Avi Federgreen red balloon every day. Devon wants PRODUCER: Avi Federgreen, Laura Trem- nothing more than to go on adventures blay, Jen Pogue, Emily Andrews with his father like he used to but Tim WRITER: Lauren Greenwood wants to keep his son safe. Some advice CAST: Gord Rand, Natalie Brown, Patrick from the wise balloon vendor helps Tim McKenna, Etienne Kellici remember what really matters at times EMAIL: [email protected] like these. Red Balloon is the first short WEBSITE: www.federgreenentertain- film directed by Canadian producer Avi ment.com Federgreen. SYNOPSIS: Tim’s young son Devon is very ill. To Drama keep his spirits up, Tim brings him a 11 Minutes 76 I 54th WorldFest Houston Red Phone Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D China
DIRECTOR: WeiDuo Feng SYNOPSIS: WRITER: WeiDuo Feng & Hong Si A herdsman’s child chances upon a lost PRODUCER: WeiDuo Feng phone belonging to a volunteer doctor CAST: Yong Ling E working to better the lives of nomads. Decisions intertwine with Karma, reflect- EMAIL: [email protected] ing the values of faith and morality upon which nomadic Mongolian culture is established.
Documentary 7 Minutes
Remisivir Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Romania
DIRECTOR: Bobby Barbacioru SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Bobby Barbacioru When all the different information about PRODUCER: Cristina Barbacioru the virus collides, two brothers fight the CAST: Silviu Geamanu, Ruxandra Serban, virus the best way they know how. Puiu Mircea Lascus Drama/Dark PHONE: 004074-612-6000 12 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
RenaiDance Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B United States
DIRECTOR: Zhike Yang SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Han Chen Chang RenaiDance is a 3D narrative emotional CAST: Florence Dueck, Maxim Maslov animation. The theme invigorates cul- tural inheritance and the integration of PHONE: 551-697-1595 dreams, courage, and culture as transfor- mation. EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.verena-quang.com/ Drama/Dark lion-dancer 4 Minutes
Requiem for a Crab Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Patrick Gehlen SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Steven L. Wagner In this dark comedy, a grieving young WRITER: Patrick Gehlen man struggles to cope with the death CAST: Charles Desrochers, Steve of his adopted father, Pops. But Pops Hofvendahl, Lise Porter doesn’t make it easy, coming back to haunt Charlie as a vengeful crab until he PHONE: 626-590-3958 agrees to destroy the man who stole his EMAIL: [email protected] beloved mascot career.
Drama/Dark 15 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 77 Road Dogs Showing: Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Victoria Peralto Cruz SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Marc Novak Three teen foster girls – Kid, Anna, and WRITER: Victoria Peralto Cruz Jules – all have reasons for hating their CAST: Andrew Keegan group home. Kid plots their escape to go in search of her biological mother, in PHONE: 310-889-8064 hope of finding “home.” EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 23 Minutes
Roam Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A United States
DIRECTOR: David Jung SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Cain Angelle In a world where the wealthy can go for WRITER: David Jung joyrides or outright steal the bodies of CAST: Josh Connor the young, one former victim, a young woman, raises an underground resis- PHONE: 310-666-0560 tance to fight back. EMAIL: [email protected] Sci-Fi 18 Minutes
The Romey Lynchings: A Story Of Lebanese Immigrants Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D United States
DIRECTOR: Josh Sabey SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Dr. Akram Khater & Marjorie N’oula Romey was the fourth victim of Stevens racial terror that year in Florida, and one WRITER: Dr. Akram Khater & Marjorie of ten people who were lynched by white Stevens mobs across the US in 1929 alone. Just CAST: Sandy Ryland, Stewart Giardina, hours before, his wife Hasna Rahme, was Thomas Aeillo fatally shot by Lake City police in their store. EMAIL: [email protected] Documentary 30 Minutes
Rum Go! Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Markus Thorington SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Working Brilliantly A man gets caught in a living nightmare WRITER: Markus Thorington after he becomes enamored with his CAST: Joseph Lloyd Lopez, Glen McDou- best friend’s “far-fetched” fantasies. The gal, Pamela Munro events that occur after their meeting set him on a strange and macabre path, PHONE: 310-488-8462 forever. EMAIL: [email protected] Sci-Fi 21 Minutes
78 I 54th WorldFest Houston San Marcos River Project Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Nick Breaux keep the river alive. It shows the San PRODUCER: Tania Romero Marcos river’s persistence: fi gh� ng WRITER: Valen� na Khalimon against invasive plants, replacing them with na� ve species (including famous PHONE: 215-510-0863 Texas Wild Rice that grows only in this EMAIL: joe.barajas@regardlessproduc- river and nowhere else on the planet), � ons.com cleaning up trash le� by tourists, and trying to spread knowledge about this SYNOPSIS: magical area. The San Marcos River Project is a San Documentary Marcos community wide a� empt to 21 Minutes
See You Back Soon Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11:55 am - D United States
DIRECTOR: Sonya Padalka SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Sonya Padalka Astronaut’s daughter, Cindy, who is a WRITER: Sonya Padalka passionate writer, struggles with her dad CAST: Vivienne Edridge, Erik Kins, Aman- focusing on his career too much. A� er da Benjamin another space fl ight, he promises to stay home, but almost immediately breaks PHONE: 818-651-1167 the promise and fl ies away. In the end, EMAIL: [email protected] Cindy has a choice to either forgive her dad or forever blame him for breaking Drama her heart. “See You Back Soon” is a fami- 9 Minutes ly drama set in Houston, Texas.
The Sleepless Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B United States
DIRECTOR: Kami Sadraei SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Kami Sadraei An ordinary psychotherapy session takes WRITER: Kami Sadraei a shocking turn. CAST: Eric Roberts, Kami Sadraei Drama PHONE: 818-943-0375 7 Minutes EMAIL: [email protected]
Smiley Death Face Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Andrew Patrick Torrez SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Joanna Fang A young girl stumbles into a text mes- WRITER: Chris Lewis Carter sage conversa� on with an anonymous CAST: Jordan Ovi� person that communicates en� rely in emojis. PHONE: 818-749-5898 EMAIL: [email protected] Horror 7 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 79 Smother-Love Showing: Sunday 4/25 at 11:40 am - A Taiwan
DIRECTOR: Kuan-Ting Chen SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Wen-Lung Huang After her father died, Jia Yun lives with WRITER: Yi-Shan Zhang her mum, a superstitious and demanding CAST: Yu-Xuan Wu, Yue-Chun Zhong, Wu mum. She models herself as her mum Mei-Man Lin would expect. Her mum tries to “Mas- ter” and “Improve” her attitude with a PHONE: +88697-709-2680 disastrous outcome. EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 26 Minutes
Solo Una Más Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Spain
DIRECTOR: Double G. awakens his desire for leadership. PRODUCER: Ana Furió As a result of chance or perhaps some- WRITER: Double G. thing else, Roberto Menchén begins CAST: Antonio Hortelano, Laura Crespo to strike all the balls one after another. Without failing a single one. Roberto’s EMAIL: [email protected] perfect game will begin to attract the attention of the bar’s patrons and the dancers. SYNOPSIS: Roberto Menchén is one of the millions Comedy of habitants that populate the Spanish 14 Minutes capital. Being just one more, as in others,
Space Case Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Zachary T. Scott SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Ben Oliver Space Case follows Bobbie Almond, a WRITER: Zachary T Scott social outcast who has dreams to escape CAST: John Noble her small town life. She has a ticket to Mars! Will she conform? Or will she bail EMAIL: [email protected] and follow her dreams!
Comedy 18 Minutes
Suave Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Belgium
DIRECTOR: Aurian de Wouters SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Louise de Hemptinne The end of the intermission rings. WRITER: Aurian de Wouters Tonight, the opera house presents the CAST: Sophie Maréchal, Irina Stopina Marriage of Figaro. Laetitia, a young singer, discovers first her pregnancy and EMAIL: [email protected] moments later the infidelity of Nicolas, WEBSITE: www.cinergie.be/actualites/ her partner in life and on stage. She suave-de-aurian-de-wouters curses him. Somehow, she tries to stay focused but deep down, it is sadness, an- ger and nostalgia that invade her. Thanks to music things change. Drama, 15 Minutes 80 I 54th WorldFest Houston Swiped Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D Canada
DIRECTOR: Edward J. Douglas SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Nicola Chapman, Peter When Melody decides to swipe a few Seaton-Clark hot guys on her augmented reality dating WRITER: Daniel Roy app, she meets her match in a man who CAST: Nicola Chapman, Peter Sea- may be more—or less—than meets the ton-Clark eye...
PHONE: 604-653-5979 Drama EMAIL: [email protected] 4 Minutes
The Sword in Qin Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B China
DIRECTOR: Dolores Jiang SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Yujun Chen Xie Pianxian has the token of “Qi,” he WRITER: Dolores Jiang killed many people who came for looting it. He then received an order to kill the next one and found out it was his old PHONE: 312-804-0364 friend, Lee Xiefang. EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 12 Minutes
TAKE AND RUN (ALA KACHUU) Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:45 am - B Switzerland
DIRECTOR: Maria Brendle SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Nadine Lüchinger, Flavio Sezim(19) dreams of studying in the Kyr- Gerber gyz capital when she gets kidnapped by WRITER: Maria Brendle a group of young men and taken to the CAST: Alina Turdumamatova, Nurbek hinterland. There she’s forced to marry Esengazy Uulu, Madina Talipbekova, a stranger. If she refuses the marriage, she is threatened with social stigmati- Jandat Djamanbaeva, Taalaykan Abazova, zation and exclusion. Torn between her Aybike Erkinbekova desire for freedom and the constraints of Kyrgyz culture, Sezim desperately seeks EMAIL: [email protected] a way out. WEBSITE: alakachuu.com/en/ Drama, 38 Minutes
Testing 1,2,3 Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Robin Lee SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Robin Lee She asks her husband to order her a WRITER: Robin Lee & Jeff Burkhart drink then departs for the restroom. Can CAST: Marc Ashbourne, Janelle Marie, he, with the help of a sympathetic bar- Ray Renati tender, remember just what it is his wife expects him to order before she returns?
PHONE: 415-461-8584 Comedy EMAIL: [email protected] 7 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 81 The Winter Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B Australia
DIRECTOR: Xin Li SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Xin Li Walking in a snowy forest, a peasant WRITER: Xin Li sees an unusual deer and goes to follow it. The deer allures him and the peasant PHONE: +6142-584-5215 even wants to catch it. EMAIL: [email protected] Animation 5 Minutes
Tiger Eyes Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:15 pm - B United States
DIRECTOR: Kelly Riot SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Alexandra Varkarotas Quentin Shaw, still suffering after the WRITER: Kelly Riot death of his mother is struggling with his CAST: Miles Schulze, Jason Liebrecht, Nel- racial identity. He begins his new journey son Nathaniel of self-discovery, healing and seeing the world through new eyes once he finds EMAIL: [email protected] passion in martial arts.
Family 24 Minutes
Til Life Do Us Part Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 11: 45 am - B United States
DIRECTOR: Aaron Goldenberg SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Erin Jones Wesley & Alexis Barnaby and Timothy are a match made Anderson in the grave. One is a miserable misan- WRITER: Aaron Goldenberg & Ariane thrope and the other a paranoid hypo- Hahussaeu chondriac; together they are 70-year old CAST: GW Bailey, Miles Anderson best friends who make a suicide pact to spite the world. PHONE: 407-701-7324 EMAIL: [email protected] Comedy 18 Minutes
Unfamiliar Cosmos Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Phelan Davis SYNOPSIS: CAST: Joe Finley, Phelan Davis An art-house exploration of the grand, awe inspiring, unsettling implications of PHONE: 971-400-3782 an infinite universe. EMAIL: [email protected] Sci-Fi 30 Minutes
82 I 54th WorldFest Houston Untouchable Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:10 pm - A China
DIRECTOR: Pi Chengdong SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Pi Chengdong As the spring festive approached, Cuile WRITER: Pi Chengdong became his girlfriend’s steadfast support- CAST: Guo Xiaopeng, Zhang Ran er as she goes to the front line as a nurse in the fight against COVID-19. PHONE: 1761-028-1915 EMAIL: [email protected] Drama 28 Minutes
Valle Del Silicio Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:25 pm - D United States
DIRECTOR: James Michael Douglas SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Vince Williams Silicon Valley follows the story of 12 year-old Wilson Chun who lives on the EMAIL: [email protected] violent streets of Guatemala. Wilson’s goal is to become a computer program- mer to save his family from poverty.
Documentary 9 Minutes
Voicemail Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 4:40 pm - D United States
DIRECTOR: James Blanco SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: James Blanco, Harrison John has daily and random calls with his Broker overzealous mother, discussing outland- WRITER: James Blanco, Andrew Vaughan ish stories, but it’s when the calls stop CAST: Drake Malone, Tessa Zhong Flight, that hit home the most and sometimes Ruth Johansson, Doug Dow all we have left is a voice.
EMAIL: [email protected] Drama WEBSITE: www.kandufilms.com/voice- 14 Minutes mail
A Week with Rebecca Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:10 pm - A Hong Kong
DIRECTOR: Marcus Shenn SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Matthew Marder A robotics company executive pushes for WRITER: Marcus Shenn & Matthew the development of an android compan- Marder ionship model and unexpectedly spends CAST: Nika Burnett, Phil Kruse, BZ Cullins a week with her.
PHONE: +3364-926-7680 Sci-Fi EMAIL: [email protected] 25 Minutes
54th WorldFest Houston I 83 When Shadows Hint Death Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:40 am - A United States
DIRECTOR: Adam Smith SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Adam Smith & Zander Smith The story is about men who are the last WRITER: Zander Smith of a dying breed. A tale of the American CAST: Tony Hudson, Dwayne Rennaker, West and rugged individualism that Alfonzo Martinez burns bright but fades away as no man and no culture truly stand the test of PHONE: 406-360-9648 time. EMAIL: smith.adam.marshall@gmail. com Documentary 17 Minutes
World I See Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Shawn Lai SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Tancy Karat & Shawn Lai A puppet maker has to find his way WRITER: Shawn Lai through the institutionalized working CAST: Nikil Jayant, Joseph Miller, system to reach his ideal world alone. Brian Funnagan PHONE: +886-928-518-651 Family EMAIL: [email protected] 11 Minutes
Worry Dolls Showing: Sunday, 4/25 at 2:20 pm - C United States
DIRECTOR: Marcella Ochoa SYNOPSIS: PRODUCER: Marcella Ochoa & Gavin A woman, traumatized by a past assault, Baustian & Mario Miscione has recurring nightmares of the attack WRITER: Marcella Ochoa and looks for other solutions when CAST: Marcella Ochoa, Gavin Baustian, traditional therapy does not work. She is David Saucedo gifted Worry Dolls, but using their magic has opened a door for her nightmares to PHONE: +310-948-3424 become a reality. EMAIL: [email protected] Horror 10 Minutes
Xiu Ling Showing: Saturday, 4/24 at 11:55 am - D China
DIRECTOR: Rossi SYNOPSIS: WRITER: Rossi Xiu Ying reflects on how the elderly EMAIL: [email protected] should spend the rest of their lives after her son and boyfriend become estranged.
Drama 20 Minutes
84 I 54th WorldFest Houston
MUCH MORE THAN A MALL
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