A daily phone call across several times zones between Angela and her lesbian
daughter living with HIV/AIDS reveals some disheartening news.

TO COMFORT YOU

Marc Saltarelli - Director

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Monday, April 19, 2010 - (Plays in Lesbian Shorts) Purchase Tickets

Thursday, April 22, 2010 - (Plays in Lesbian Shorts) Purchase Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Complicated family relationship.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

My great fortune to work with Susan Blakely and Pauley Perrette who embodied the mother/daughter roles and made them authentic.  It helped that they already had a long-time close relationship with each other.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

I think audiences relate their own personal experiences to our film.  The intricate dynamic between the mother and daughter can be complicated, but ultimately the underlying love cannot be denied or separated.  We can all relate to these familial connections.  The mother/child relationship is one we all have for life.

Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

Without a doubt, the unsung hero is our executive producer Park Walkup who has been not only our financial support, but also creative and emotional ally in the past three projects.  We owe our filmmaking adventure to him.

Where do you see your film in 5 years?

I see the short film becoming a feature film.

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

Since it's only 15 minutes, please try to hold on for the duration.  Thank you!  You won't want to miss a minute of it.

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E)

F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce it as corny and outdated. 

“My beef is just like industrial commodity beef except it’s healthier, safer,
better for the environment, and it tastes better. Other then that it’s exactly the same,” says Georgia cattleman Will Harris. Harris raises grass-fed beef cattle on a small family farm that has been in his family since the 1840s. Ten years ago he turned his back on the excesses of the modern beef production system and converted his farm into the first certified organic cattle farm in Georgia.

Filmmakers in Attendance: Director: Joe York, Subject: Will Harris

CUD

Joe York - Director

Watch the Trailer: http://vimeo.com/9889758

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Wednesday. April  21 , 2010: (Plays with DIVE!)  Purchase Tickets

Thursday, April 22, 2010: (Plays with DIVE!) Purchase Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Honest, Funny, Beefy

Is there a character or subject in your film you most identify with? Would you switch places with them just for a day?

I identify with cow #31 from the cud chewing montage. If I had to be a cow, I'd want to be that cow.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

I'm most proud of the fact that this film is really a megaphone for the voice of Will Harris. He's an incredible man doing incredible work and if this film can help his voice be heard by more and more folks, then I'm proud of that.

When you first screened your film, was there a moment, scene or character the audience reacted to, that surprised you?

I'm never surprised by how folks react to Will Harris. He's a funny, smart, passionate, no crap kind of guy and people really fall in love with him. I can't tell you how many women have come up to me after screenings to ask if he's single. Sorry, ladies, he's happily married.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

Will Harris makes a statement in the film that goes like this, "You know, you are what you eat, and I think that probably you are what you eat eats." I hope folks will see CUD and think a bit more about what they eat and what what they eat eats.

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself? 

I really like Errol Morris' series "First Person". I keep trying to do a portrait of an individual that's half as good as any one of the profiles in that series. I doubt I'll ever do it, but it's a heck of great benchmark to shoot for. 

Where do you see your film in 5 years? 

I'll see it the same place anyone else can, at southernfoodways.org. That was shameless, I know.

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

Our film is like the small southern town where it was shot. If you blink, you'll miss it. But if you pay close attention for the short time it takes to go through it, you'll come out better for having done it on the other side.

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E)

F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce it as corny and outdated. 

Extra Credit: Use our 2010 festival words EXPERIENCE, THINK, LAUGH, CONNECT, FEEL and Do in a sentence describing your film.

If you like experiencing, thinking, laughing, connecting and feeling, then you'll absolutely love watching CUD! If you you don't like those things, you should DO it anyway! 

 Yulia suddenly vanishes out of her kitchen. She finds herself in a closed room
with five levers fixed to the wall. By setting them in motion, she starts off a
series of absurd events that will lead her to finding a soul mate.

YULIA 
Antoine Arditti - Director  
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Monday, April 19, 2010 - (Plays in Lesbian Shorts) Purchase Tickets 

Thursday, April 22, 2010 - (Plays in Lesbian Shorts) Purchase Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

choice, surprises, faith

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

Being screened in the Atlanta Film Festival of course!

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

That life is full of surprises. What you see is not always what you get, ain't that cool?

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

They should definatley hold themselves. The film is 6 minutes! 

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E)

G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

Extra Credit: Use our 2010 festival words EXPERIENCE, THINK, LAUGH, CONNECT, FEEL and Do in a sentence describing your film.

You think you've seen it all? Please, don't make me laugh!

Do as I say!

Experience the extraordinary journey of YULIA.

You will feel for yourself how two soulmates can truely connect.

Something is wrong as everyday Americans fight to protect their blood, water, and air from chemical pollution. Toxic Soup connects the current spikes in childhood cancer, autism, and other serious illnesses with the business practices of Fortune 500 companies: DuPont, Bayer, Ashland Oil and Massey Energy.

Filmmakers in Attendance: Director:Rory Owen Delaney; Producer:Wade Smith; Producer:PG Banker; Narrator:Byron Warner; Cast:Kevin Thompson; Executive producer:Kyle Crace; Associate producer: Lisa Bragg

TOXIC SOUP

Rory Owen Delaney - Director

Become a Facebook Fan: TOXIC SOUP

Watch the Trailer:

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Sunday, April 18.2010: Purchase Tickets

Thursday, April 22, 2010: Purchase Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

inspirational, subversive, gutsy

Is there a character or subject in your film you most identify with? Would you switch places with them just for a day? 

I identify most with radiation safety officer Wade Smith. Wade is a young guy doing his best to represent and protect communities in eastern Kentucky, where he was raised. Not only does he work to defend the environment, Wade flies planes, drives a killer pick-up truck, listens to a TON of Johnny Cash and is a man of few words. I would most definitely switch places with him for a day.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

I'm most proud of the fact that TOXIC SOUP has given regular everyday Americans a voice. Often the problems of folks in smaller states get overlooked by the national press in their zeal to publicize happenings in America's larger, more "important" cities.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

I want people to reexamine their community and its relationship to local industries. Folks need to realize that though their elected politicians often purport to be looking after their better interests, this is not always the case. To survive our democracy requires us, the people, to not only ask questions, but to demand answers.

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself? 

TOXIC SOUP was most influenced by directors Michael Moore, Morgan Spurlock and Nick Broomfield. I admire the way they tackle subjects and put themselves personally on the line for their beliefs. Our world needs more artists to stand up and be heard. 

Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

Attorney Kevin Thompson is the unsung hero of TOXIC SOUP. Kevin is juggling multiple cases in the Kentucky and West Virginia area with zero compensation up front. For months on end Thompson lives away from his New Orleans family and stays in a primitive h 

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce it as corny and outdated. 

Extra Credit: Use our 2010 festival words EXPERIENCE, THINK, LAUGH, CONNECT, FEEL and Do in a sentence describing your film.

Connect with communities hidden from the world by the mainstream media, feel their struggles and victories, laugh at life's absurdities, think about your own backyard and do what you can to promote increased environmental responsibility across the United States and the world. 

Exit 117 is a melodic group portrait of New Jersey youth and the kaleidoscope of dreams, fears and laughs that is their last summer together. Told in a series of interconnected vignettes, characters confront adulthood in a sequence of confessions, declarations and resolutions.

EXIT 117

Kevin James McMullin - Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, Actor

Become a Facebook Fan: EXIT 117

Watch the Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Ju1ajVdks

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Sunday April 18. 2010: Purchase Tickets

Monday, April 19, 2010: Purchase Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Nostalgia, Kaleidoscope, Summer

Is there a character or subject in your film you most identify with? Would you switch places with them just for a day? 

The character I most identify with in "Exit 117" is Matt. He is a dreamer confronting the real world for the first time as his rock-star ambitions are stunted by his friends and family-- the very people who imbued him with the confidence to pursue music in the first place. Matt begins to reanalyze what exactly he wants and how best to get it. With his constant nudity and marijuana-smoking, the firework-setting, machete-wielding Matt Strickland inevitably shows a quiet sincerity and depth, not to mention some beautiful music. He's likable and funny and lots of the things I wan to be in my own life.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

The one thing about "Exit 117" that I am most proud of is that it is finished! I wrote the film at 19 and we shot it when we were 20 and 21 for only $850 by using natural sunlight and borrowed equipment. It took over 3 months to shoot 15 days since everyone was still in school or working or both. Some days we shot for two hours on someone's lunch break, and other days we shot all day and night. It was a logistical nightmare since the cast is so large and we did not have any permits (we were kicked out of a lot of locations which forced rewrites). Most of all I am proud of the incredible work my non-actor friends put into the film!

When you first screened your film, was there a moment, scene or character the audience reacted to, that surprised you? 

We had our world premiere of "Exit 117" at the 20th Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA in late February 2010. I had been with the story for so long, and had been so familiar with it that I had become numb to the humor-- I had forgotten that it was initially intended to be funny. The theater was packed with people of all ages and from the opening scene everyone was laughing. I was so incredibly happy. It was also wild to see the movie projected on a 20-foot screen when I had edited the entire thing on an old 15-inch laptop.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

I hope to make the audience nostalgic. We wanted to make a very sweet movie that did not mock being 18 years old in suburbia. Instead, we wanted to document that time in our lives when we were first beginning to figure things out, and pay tribute to an age that is at once funny and sad, angsty but poignant, and totally uncertain.

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself? 

Growing up watching films like "Dazed and Confused" and "The Breakfast Club", filmmakers Richard Linklater and John Hughes have had a big impact on me. Both of these directors dealt with high schoolers in their own unique ways, but always very sincerely. 

Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

The unsung hero of "Exit 117" is musician Jonah Delso-- an amazing artist who is starting to blow up across the East Coast now. Jonah has opened for bands like Coldplay. I saw him on tour in Philadelphia and loved his whole vibe. Soon I convinced him to let us use 11 of his songs in our film. Jonah is an incredible talent and you can learn more about him and his first album, which is being released early this summer, at www.exit117movie.com

A wealthy family starts to suspect the caretaker at their beach house of doing
a bit more than caretaking while they’re gone.

FURTHER LANE 

Mesh Flinders - Director  
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Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - (Plays in Looking for Love Shorts) Purchase Tickets

Thursday, April 22, 2010 - (Plays in Looking for Love Shorts) Purchase Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Hot summer day.

Is there a character or subject in your film you most identify with? Would you switch places with them just for a day?

I identify most with the character of Ben, I think he wants things and he doesn't question the underlying reasons why he wants them. He's nineteen, so he isn't interested in the future, he feels omnipotent and this leads him to make some very poor decisions.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

I love the look of it. The whole film takes place on one summer day and my DP and I wanted to capture that feeling of waking up in the morning, not having to go to school and the day just taking on a life of it's own and ending somewhere you didn't expect

When you first screened your film, was there a moment, scene or character the audience reacted to, that surprised you?

There's a twist at the end that I didn't know if people would see coming or fully understand. About half the audience got it and explained it to the other half. I loved that.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

A sense that things aren't always what they seem, people are complex creatures and the second you think you have them pegged they're surprising you.

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself?

Terrence Malick, Francoise Truffaut, Adrian Lyne.

Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

My girlfriend and one of the producers, Joanna. She stepped in when we were having all sorts of organizational problems on set and got things running smoothly. Without her we'd all still be sitting on the beach.

Where do you see your film in 5 years?

I hope to expand it into a feature.

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

My films 12 minutes long, if they went to the bathroom they'd miss the beginning middle AND end.

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

A) The ATL 
 
 

 An animated mockumentary about the ecological plight of penguins in the Antarctic, possibly foretelling cataclysmic results for the rest of the world.

SKYLIGHT

David Baas - Director

Become a Facebook Fan: SKYLIGHT

Watch the Trailer:

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Saturday, April 17, 2010 - (Plays in Teen Screen Animation) - Free

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

penguin, googly, turkey

Is there a character or subject in your film you most identify with? Would you switch places with them just for a day?

I love my lead character, he's sort of an animation version of me. However, i know his fate, so i wouldn't dare change places with him.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

It's finished.

When you first screened your film, was there a moment, scene or character the audience reacted to, that surprised you?

I was surprised when some throw away moments in the credits got better reaction than some of thebody of the film. Spontaniety pays sometimes.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

A desire to see it again. That's the greatest compliment.

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself?

My friend and short animation Oscar winner Chris Landreth. As long as he still breathes, he'll get his ideas on screen.

Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

Judy Gladstone at BravoFact. She thought it was worth paying to see this piece finished.

Where do you see your film in 5 years?

Realistically, probably on my own TV in my basement.

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

Huh. It better be a short trip, the film is less than 5 minutes.

If you miss mor ethan the 1st minute, take your time getting back.

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E)

G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

Extra Credit: Use our 2010 festival words EXPERIENCE, THINK, LAUGH, CONNECT, FEEL and Do in a sentence describing your film.

I think Skylight will make you laugh, but also feel guilty about it, because on some level you connect with those animated characters and experience their plight. 

Chi L'ha Visto' follows the story of a young half Italian who grew up with his mother in Germany. Now, after 25 years, he goes on the search for his real father. However, lies that have built up around his father prevent him from recognizing his true belonging.

WHO SAW HIM (CHI L'HA VISTO)

Claudia Rorarius - Director, Writer, Producer

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Sunday, April 18, 2010: Purchase Tickets

Tuesday.April 20, 2010: Purchaste Tickets

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

personal, intense, real

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

We made it !

When you first screened your film, was there a moment, scene or character the audience reacted to, that surprised you?

They were super quiet, not one breath.. amazing atmosphere.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

People have such a different life experience, if they can connect to the film and take home something personal it's the best what can happen

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself? 

Gus Van Sant, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Éric Rohmer, Francois Ozon, Lars von Trier, Ang Lee, Nagisa Oshima, Nanni Moretti, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach, Federico Fellini, Jean-Pierre/Luc Dardennes, John Cassavetes, Gianni Amelio, Andrei Tarkowski, Jane Campion and many more....

Where do you see your film in 5 years? 

.. in the Internet download-shop if they still exist.

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

Better don't go.. !

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

Extra Credit: Use our 2010 festival words EXPERIENCE, THINK, LAUGH, CONNECT, FEEL and Do in a sentence describing your film.

The best experience in watching WHO SAW HIM (CHI L'HA VISTO) is the opportunity to see something different, an intense and very personal performance of a young man searching his bodily father in Italy, which takes you on a ride and makes you think and laugh about your own familiar situation; just connect to what happens and feel your own reality. 

Helium Man is a quirky story about two buddies, Woody and Steebolt, and the surreal situation they’re in as a result of Woody’s accidental helium overdose the night before.

HELIUM MAN

Nick Piper - Director/Cowriter

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 (Plays in Comedy Shorts) - Purchase Tickets

Thursday, April 22, 2010 (Plays in Comedy Shorts) - Purchase Tickets 

If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Absurd. Uplifting. Fun.

Is there a character or subject in your film you most identify with? Would you switch places with them just for a day?

Woody. The reluctant and unlikely hero.

Swap places? Get the weight off my feet for a day. Hells yeah.

What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

The completely seamless floating effect.

When you first screened your film, was there a moment, scene or character the audience reacted to, that surprised you?

The ending. Everyone loves the floating pee scene and wants to know what happens next.

What do you want audiences to take away from your film?

A love of the characters and an appetite for more

Who are the directors, filmmakers and artists that most influenced your film or yourself?

Spike Jonze

Wes Anderson

Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

My wife Lisa.

While she was pregnant, and on bed rest for seven months, I worked round the clock to produce and shoot the film. And then after it was shot I personally did over 600 hours of digital rig removal while she nursed our newborn son Angus at home. 

Where do you see your film in 5 years? 

Either on a billboard on Sunset Blvd. advertising the upcoming release of the feature length version.

or on the DVD extras of my debut feature film 

Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

I would tell them to hold their water, or pee their pants. It's only 8-minutes long.

Nothing can be missed.

How do you properly refer to Atlanta?

A) The ATL 
B) Hotlanta 
C) The A 
D) The Dirty South 
E) Anything but B, no one in Atlanta who knows better still uses it. 
F) I'm embarrased to say I still use Hotlanta and I now a vow to never use it again except to denounce as corny and outdated. 
G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E) 

G) Huh? What does this have to do with filmmaking? (But, the answer is E)

Extra Credit: Use our 2010 festival words EXPERIENCE, THINK, LAUGH, CONNECT, FEEL and Do in a sentence describing your film.

THINK you know what it FEELS like to EXPERIENCE weightlessness?

CONNECT with Helium Man. LAUGH at his sidekick's hair DO.