CRIME CUTZ
Directed by Ben Fries and Alden Nusser | 2017 | 17 minutes
A short film that blurs the line between documentary and music video. Crime Cutz profiles four amateur performers from New York City, inviting them to interpret a track from Holy Ghost!’s Crime Cutz EP in their own unique style. Using these performances as the foundation of their section, each character is showcased as both subject & collaborator.

On why they chose AMERICAN MOVIE:
“AMERICAN MOVIE is an example of documentary filmmaking that proves real people can be more compelling and hilarious than anything you could write.”

AMERICAN MOVIE
In this cult-favorite documentary, Mark Borchardt, an aspiring filmmaker from a working-class Wisconsin background, is set on finishing his low-budget horror movie, despite a barrage of difficulties. Plagued by lack of cash, unreliable help and numerous personal problems, Mark wants to complete the film to raise funds for a more ambitious drama. With the assistance of his bumbling but loyal friend Mike Schank, Mark struggles to move forward, making for plenty of bittersweet moments.

Starring: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason

You mess with the bull, you get the horns! Five very different high school kids connect when they spend their Saturday in school detention lockdown because a Jock, a Beauty, a Brain, a Rebel and a Recluse actually have a lot more in common than you’d think; they’re all messed up and have issues with authority! Directed by the master of the 1980s teenage comedy John Hughes’ and taking place during one day, The Breakfast Club really taps into the awkwardness of growing up, with all the sadness and hilarity that entails.

“Now in our sixth year, The Davey Foundation has been able to provide cash and gear grants as well as mentorship to sixteen emerging artists. We’re excited to screen a selection of short films by Davey grantees in New York, and share an evening with our every-growing film family. We are thrilled to have the filmmakers in attendance for a Q&A and to spread the love!”

PROGRAM

SOUND OF COINS HITTING BRASS
Directed by A. Stephen Lee | 2016 | 13:52 minutes
A young boy comes to understand why his enigmatic father loiters in laundromats listening to coin change machines that sound like casino slot machines.

THE ZENO QUESTION
Directed by Ted Schaefer | 2016 | 13 minutes
A prismatic view of college and the existential angst encountered when faced with questioning one’s purpose and direction in life. A philosophical comedy that intertwines ancient greek philosophy and playwriting with modern day escapism and dread.
(Director in attendance)

VISUAL DESCRIPTION
Directed by Lauren Smitelli | 2018 | 9 minutes
As a brother and sister describe what is happening in a movie to their blind grandmother, they begin to notice seeing things differently. Tensions escalate as deep-seeded issues come to the surface, and the gender disparity is put on full display.
(Director in attendance)

BABS
Directed by Celine Held & Logan George | 2018 | 12 minutes
An estranged son discovers an alarming purchase made by his late father.
(Both directors and actress, Babs, in attendance)

KIMCHI
Directed by Jackson Segars | 2017 | 14:28 minutes
As his family argues about his end-of-life care, an elderly Korean man reflects on his life with a stranger.
(Director in attendance)

FRY DAY
Directed by Laura Moss | 2017 | 16 minutes
An adolescent girl comes of age against the backdrop of Ted Bundy’s execution in 1989.
(Director in attendance)

The Davey Foundation, a non-profit grant-giving organization, was started and continues in the name of actor, director, musician and producer David Fetzer who passed away suddenly in 2012. He was a brilliant mind and amazing talent–in writing, on stage, and in film and he was just 30 years old when he died. It was founded and is run by his friends, peers and parents and now emanates from that place of love and loss to a larger film family we have built through our six years of existence. At the heart of our organization is a desire to find and hold up young voices who are seeking to tell their stories, and to facilitate them through grants and mentorship in getting their projects made. We offer grants for playwrights, and short film filmmakers under 35 years of age, and we are thrilled to have had our grantees go on to great accolades, including Sundance, Cannes, SXSW, The Emmys and others.

Starring: Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, Chris O’Dowd

Annie is stuck in a long-term relationship with Duncan, an obsessive fan of obscure rocker Tucker Crowe. When the acoustic demo of Tucker’s hit record from 25 years ago surfaces, its release leads to a life-changing encounter with the elusive rocker himself.

Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, JULIET, NAKED is a comic account of life’s second chances.

NYC premiere

RECORDS COLLECTING DUST II focuses on the East Coast cities of Boston, New York and Washington DC, and includes in depth interviews with twenty eight highly influential people from the 1980’s hardcore punk rock music scene. Talking about the music, the bands and the records that forever changed their lives. Including Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi, John Joseph of Cro-Mags, Dave Smalley of DYS/Dag Nasty, Paul Bearer of Sheer Terror, Bob Cenci of Jerry’s Kids, Amy Pickering of Dischord Records, Walter Schreifels of Gorilla Biscuits/Quicksand, Roger Miret of Agnostic Front and Clif Croce of The Freeze.

Produced, written and directed by San Diego based filmmaker and musician Jason Blackmore.

One of the most important artists of our era, Ryuichi Sakamoto has had a prolific career spanning over four decades. From techno-pop stardom to Oscar-winning film composer, the evolution of his music has coincided with his life journeys. Following Fukushima, Sakamoto became an iconic figure in Japan’s social movement against nuclear power. As Sakamoto returns to music following a cancer diagnosis, his haunting awareness of life crises leads to a resounding new masterpiece. RYUICHI SAKAMOTO: CODA is an intimate portrait of both the artist and the man.

Starring: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, John Turturro, Spike Lee

Salvatore “Sal” Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin’ Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin’ Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

Cocktail partner

Starring: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day

A young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.