REGIONAL SHOWCASE   7:30pm Browncoat Theatre

The Regional Showcase features fantastic shorts from around the South, the state of North Carolina and the City of Wilmington. This one always sells out, so get your tickets early.  Featuring:

ROLLING THUNDER – A Film by Michael Raab. This annual event raises money and awareness for veterans.

CAR JACKED – A Film by Dan A.R. Kelly.  Two punks steal more than they bargained for.

CACHE ME IF YOU CAN – A Film by Bill Mulligan. ‘Cashing in’ on a geo-cache could lead to a surprise ending!

A DREAM ON FIRE – A Film by Michele Seidman. What happens when creativity is imprisoned? Do we know the true value of artistic

CHANGE – A Film by Matt Warzel. When Matt finally meets his future wife, will one demand from his family cancel the wedding bells?[

RED HANDED – A Film by Jordan Allen. In this anachronistic crime story, vintage mobsters roam the modern-day world with Tommy guns.

50 Shades of Olivia – A Film by Langley McArol. When Olivia walks into his store, Sy could start a new chapter in his life . Will he find the courage (or the opportunity) to ask her out?

FRIDAY – MAY 10th

INVITATIONAL FEATURE

SATURDAY-MAY 11th

 WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER (FREE EVENT)

HOW TO MAKE A SUPERHERO

Get an inside look at making an independent short film. From The Broken Heart Productions, will screen it’s 19 minute short film, SUPERHERO. Following the screening, the cast and crew will lead an in depth discussion about the techniques used to make the film, with helpful tips for the beginner. This discussion is aimed at student filmmakers and is absolutely FREE to the public.  **Cast and crew will be on hand for a special autograph session after the screening. Get an autographed SUPERHERO POSTER for just $5. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK.

BROWNCOAT THEATRE

TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE (by Michael Ferrell)

When Brian’s new girlfriend, a stand-up comedian, suddenly disappears, he enlists the help of his broken-hearted best friend and imaginary characters from a cliche romantic comedy to find her.
‘Twenty Million People’ is the first feature from writer/director Michael Ferrell, shot in 12 days for 12,000 dollars, raised entirely online through crowd funding. Michael is a graduate of Hoggard High in Wilmington and now lives and works in New Jersey.

Bob Hope (by Careen Ingle)

Four animal coworkers get themselves in trouble while playing ‘Bob Hope’, a ridiculous game they made up. {animated}

WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

Where’s The Fair? (by Jeffrey Ford) 

Where’s the Fair? is the unraveling of a great American tragedy. It is the story of the loss of not only the world’s greatest celebration of culture, art, and science, but also of American exceptionalism, and perhaps, the American dream. {documentary} {The filmmakers will host a Q&A after the screening.}

I NEED A HERO (by W.H. Bourne)

A brief look at the evolution of LGBT representation in comic books over the past 30 years. {documentary}

BROWNCOAT THEATRE

Death By China (by Peter Navarro) – 68m

In 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization with the strong support of a Democratic President and a Republican Congress. Before the ink was dry on this free trade agreement, China began flooding U.S. markets with illegally subsidized exports while the big multinational companies rapidly accelerated the off shoring of American jobs to China. We now owe over $3 trillion to the world’s largest totalitarian nation. This film is about how that happened…and why we as consumers must now take matters into our own hands. {documentary}

Wicked Silence (by Jessica Pic & Sana Haq)

Elaine, Ann, and Willis are three out of approximately 8000 victims of forced sterilizations sanctioned by the Eugenics Board of North Carolina from the 1920s to the 1970s. Falsely accused of feeble-mindedness, promiscuity and being a burden on society they were sterilized without their knowledge. All three of them were under the age of 14. For years now they have been fighting for justice and reparations for the wrong that was done to them. This is a story of the victims suffering, but it is also a story of hope and resilience.{documentary}

 WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

THE HERMIT (by R.R. Gee)

When Laney Hale has a bike accident while racing the school bully, she has a chance encounter with a mysterious drifter. Little does Laney know, striking up a friendship with this hermit will change the course of both of their lives. {drama} {The filmmakers will host a Q&A after the screening.}

Chicken (by Jessica Sue Burstein)

In an attempt to save money on her tropical vacation, a savvy New Yorker invites a German tourist to share a cab in search of the perfect ocean view to spend her last night. With the mosquitoes and heat, neither can sleep and end up sharing secrets under the stars.{drama} {The filmmaker will host a Q&A after the screening.}

Ceux d’en haut ‘THE INN’ (by Izu Troin)

]1862. A high altitude inn at the foot of a glacier in the Swiss Alps Each winter the snow isolates the inn rendering it totally inaccessible. {anime} {drama} {French with English subtitles}

BROWNCOAT THEATRE

The Carrington Event (by Rob Underhill) 

Joseph Carrington runs an organic mini-farm on the outskirts of a large, southern town. It´s a typical day when a solar storm cuts power to the farm. Soon after they discover that all electricity and communications in town are at total blackout as well. There is no way of knowing what is happening outside, except by word of mouth. Resources diminish. A struggle of life and death ensues. The family must pull together, overcome their differences and discover what is happening and how they can survive. {drama}

Bumsicle (by Lee Goldberg)

The body of a homeless woman is found frozen to death in a park in a small, Kentucky town. She’s just another ‘bumsicle’ to the medical examiner, but the grim discovery raises troubling memories for the lonely homicide detective assigned to the case and for the town’s strong-willed Chief of Police… {drama}

Posey (by Billy Damota) 

With her grandmother suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, Linda makes the heart wrenching decision to commit her to a retirement home. In a desperate move to avoid the inevitable, Posey escapes. While her loved ones desperately search for her, Posey finds herself in the middle of a unique situation…one that will change her outlook on her future profoundly. Staring Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland (Bruce Almighty) and Ray Wise (Twin Peaks). {drama} {musical}

 WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

The Paranormal Disappearance of Ailyn Jesick (by Mas Freeman)

The Jesick sisters travel home to visit their terminally-ill mother in the mountains of North Carolina. To their amazement they find she has taken an amazing turn for the better by rejecting traditional treatment for a holistic approach. As mother’s health improves, her girls’ meddling begets a horrific outcome. {horror}

ADDICT (by James Domroe) – A filmmaker explores his creative process and discovers a common denominator to all of his works. {drama}

The Gospel According To Booze, Bullets & Hot Pink Jesus (by Jaysen P. Buterin)

ACT III: Have Faith, Will Travel. A gringo whose job with the Mexican mob went awry, a failed actor and washed up athlete, a stripping diva with delusions of grandeur, and a prodigal son with something to prove. They’re all after the same get-rich-quick fix. And then there’s Faith, who suddenly finds herself plunged headfirst into a world of booze, bullets, larceny and lawn darts. Her only chance for survival is being at the wrong place at the right time because in a world gone mad, where do you look for hope? {dark comedy}

SQUARE EARTH SHORTS

In the DC COMICS[sup]TM[/sup] universe, SUPERMAN[sup]TM[/sup]’s opposite is BIZARRO[sup]TM[/sup], who lives on a square shaped planet. Needless to say, things on “Bizarro World” are just…a little bit different. Here we have gathered some films that are a little off the beaten path, but they are also smart and very entertaining. For something a little different, come enjoy our Square Earth Shorts.

[one-half]

Tiny Horse Girlfriend (by John Berahya)

Tiny Horse Girlfriend stays up late waiting for her boyfriend to return home from the bar. {comedy}

Manfred and the Waiting Room (by Joel Breitman)

In a doctor’s waiting room a frantic Manfred is thrown into a truly bizarre power struggle with a mysterious sociopath. {comedy}[/toggle]

Basilisk (by Jay O’Berski)

Gaza picks up Wes at a bar and takes him to her place. When they become lovers it looks like they’ve found their perfect match. Then Wes is blindsided by the truth about Gaza. BASILISK is an erotic drama featuring a disabled woman who is sexually empowered and unrepentant. This short film is a one-of-a-kind; depicting a way of being that no other story has explored. (drama)

Retrocognition (by Eric Patrick)

A dystopian sitcom reanimated from the narrative residue of Golden Age radio dramas. The film re-contextualizes found assets and animated techniques into a decaying narrative that critiques the meme of the “nuclear family” found in sitcoms.{drama} (animation}

Pas De Restes (by Johnny Ray Gill)

The Spauldings, out for a rare dinner together, realize it’s in poor taste to bite off more than they can chew. {comedy}

The History Of Chance (by Max Blustin)

History Of Chance is an enigmatic and haunting drama about loss and rebirth. Following the loss of his wife, a man becomes consumed by depression. In his loneliness he makes a strange discovery… {drama}

Dog Bytes (by Melissa Martin)

It’s Sunday in America’s heartland when Alice arrives to cook an unforgettable breakfast for Daddy and his wife. Daddy likes his eggs with tomatoes and lots of hot sauce, so Alice makes them just the way he likes them…or not. {drama}

[divider]

WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

It’s In The Blood (directed by Scooter Downey) 

One year after a tragic incident tore their family apart, a grieving son (October) and his estranged father (Russell) embark on a journey into the wild to reconcile their past. When a horrifying accident leaves Russell badly injured, and strands them in the wild, it is up to October to save them both. However, this wilderness is not what it seems, and as they deteriorate, so to does their concept of reality. Horrifying creatures, ghostly apparitions; is it all in their heads, or could the truth be far more terrible?  Lance Henriksen (ALIENS) stars in this nightmarish descent into the very heart of darkness where more than your guilt can eat you alive. {horror}

Franky and the Ant (by Billy Hayes)

Franky has been betrayed and everyone close to him soon discovers that vengeance is not what he seeks. He wants a lot more than that.

BROWNCOAT THEATRE

HORROR SHORTS

Apartment 15 (by Mattia Puleo)

In response to an advertisement, four co-workers visit an apartment for rent. It is completely empty so they decide to leave, but soon they realize that they are locked in. As the day passes, bored becomes frustration until one of them disappears…

Godless Nights (by Ian Gray)

Legendary stage actor Gil Sutherland is an aging painter suffering from a debilitating illness. Disillusioned, weak and depressed, The Artist refuses to finish his final painting and instead waits for death to take him. As he falls deeper into a state of self-loathing and apathy, he begins to experience horrific visions of a demonic creature that threatens to consume the final remains of his spirit.

Zombie Love Story (by James Domroe) – As the saying goes, ‘Til death do us part.’ Or maybe not…

Belly Of The Wolf (by Mark Fisher) 

Daniel Parker, finds himself wandering alone on an old abandoned army airbase. When Daniel stumbles across a blood stained jacket it triggers a chain of events that he could have never imagined and sends him on a journey into the darkest depths of human nature and beyond.

Cold Turkey (by Fannar Thor Arnnarsson)

Adam is not exactly the normal teenager. His monstrous desires are getting out of hand and there is only one solution. Adam has to stop cold turkey. It’s hard to wake up form a nightmare when you are not asleep.

Jagerbar (by Alexander Scott)

Director Alexander Thomas Scott spins Goldilocks on it’s head and re-imagine this beloved children’s classic as an edge of your seat, nail biting thriller. This time, the bears are kidnappers, Goldilocks fights back, and escape gets grizzly.

 THEATRENOW (19 S. 10th St.)

FAMILY & FAITH FILMS

Happy Mother’s Day! Celebrate all that Mom has done for you by taking her to see this amazing feature film and some uplifting shorts.

Susie’s Hope (by Jerry Reese)

The amazing true story of Donna and Susie Lawrence, a woman who survived a dog attack and the abused puppy she adopted. Together, they learn to heal, love and forgive as they lead a historic effort to seek justice and protection for all animals. In Donna’s own words – ‘I was attacked and nearly killed by a pit bull. Susie, a pit bull mix, was tortured, burned and nearly killed by a man. Miraculously, we both survived. We found one another, and we were able to turn tragedy into triumph.’   This screening will be followed by a reception and a chance to meet Donna and Susie!  Proceeds from this event will benefit the Susie’s Hope Foundation.

Magic Candy by Le Ann Cheri

God Made Us by Beverly Hughes

My Happy Place by Phani Mukkavilli

THE WILMINGTON FILM AWARDS

This gala event will recognize the best of the fest, handing out awards in 9 categories including, Best Local Film and the coveted Best Feature Film, which is accompanied by a $500 check. Space is limited, so get your tickets in advance.  Click HERE for a list of the Nominees.

(Actress Julianna Guill hosting the 2012 WFA)