Frederick Tourism and Brewer's Alley Frederick County Tourism Brewer's Alley Maryland Film Office


Student Film
Competition

Don't miss the 72 film
fest films!

 

 

 

Feature Films

355 Shots

Enemies of the People

Runtime: 94:00 mins
Country: UK/Cambodia

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Synopsis: One of the most harrowing and compelling personal documentaries of our time, ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE exposes for the first time the truth about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge who were behind Cambodia’s genocide. More than simply an inquiry into Cambodia’s experience, however, ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE is a profound meditation on the nature of good and evil, shedding light on the capacity of some people to do terrible things and for others to forgive them.

Winner of a dozen top documentary festival awards, including a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Grand Jury Award at the Full Frame Documentary Festival, this is a riveting film that takes audiences as close to witnessing evil as they are ever likely to get.

 


9500 Liberty

A Film Unfinished

Runtime: 88 mins
Country: Germany/Israel

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Synopsis: At the end of WWII, 60 minutes of raw film, having sat undisturbed in an East German archive, was discovered. Shot by the Nazis in Warsaw in May 1942, and labeled simply "Ghetto," this footage quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record of the Warsaw Ghetto. However, the later discovery of a long-missing reel complicated earlier readings of the footage. A FILM UNFINISHED presents the raw footage in its entirety, carefully noting fictionalized sequences (including a staged dinner party) falsely showing "the good life" enjoyed by Jewish urbanites, and probes deep into the making of a now-infamous Nazi propaganda film.

A FILM UNFINISHED is a film of enormous import, documenting some of the worst horrors of our time and exposing the efforts of its perpetrators to propel their agenda and cast it in a favorable light.

 

 

Barking Water

Into Eternity

Runtime: 75:00 mins
Country: Denmark / Finland / Sweden
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Synopsis:
INTO ETERNITY is a mind-bending film that explores the utter impossibility of storing nuclear waste for 100,000 years, the time estimated by scientists to render it safe. It is, on the one hand, a documentary about the vast subterranean Onkalo storage facility presently under construction in Finland, and on the other hand, a startlingly beautiful work of art and an urgent provocation that ponders the question of who – or what – will remain on this earth when that time frame has elapsed.

The Blair Witch Project

Meek’s Cutoff – PRETHEATRICAL PREMIERE

Runtime: 104 min
Country: USA

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Synopsis: The year is 1845, the earliest days of the Oregon Trail, and a wagon train of three families has hired mountain man Stephen Meek to guide them over the Cascade Mountains. Claiming to know a shortcut, Meek leads the group on an unmarked path across the high plain desert, only to become lost in the dry rock and sage. Over the coming days, the emigrants face the scourges of hunger, thirst and their own lack of faith in one another's instincts for survival. When a Native American wanderer crosses their path, the emigrants are torn between their trust in a guide who has proven himself unreliable and a man who has always been seen as a natural born enemy

 


Burma VJ

October Country

Runtime: 80:00 mins
Country: USA

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Synopsis:October Country is a beautifully rendered portrait of an American family struggling for stability while haunted by the ghosts of war, teen pregnancy, foster care and child abuse. A collaboration between filmmaker Michael Palmieri and photographer and family member Donal Mosher, this vibrant and penetrating documentary examines the forces that unsettle the working poor and the violence that lurks beneath the surface of American life.

Every family has its ghosts. The Mosher family has more than most. Shot over a year from one Halloween to the next, the film creates a stunning cinematic portrait of a family who are unique but also sadly representative of the struggles of America's working class.

 


Exploding

Putty Hill

Runtime: 85:00 min
Country: USA-Baltimore

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Synopsis: A beautifully realized portrait of a close–knit community on the outskirts of Baltimore, PUTTY HILL is the second feature from celebrated young filmmaker, and Baltimore native, Matt Porterfield. At a neighborhood karaoke bar, friends and family gather to remember a young man who passed away. Knowing little about his final days, they attempt to reconstruct his life. In the process, they offer a window onto their own lives, an evocative picture of working‐class America, dislocated from the progress and mobility around them, but united in pursuit of a shared dream. Matt Porterfield will be at the festival to introduce the film and take questions.

She's in the Details

She’s in the Details

Runtime: 100:00 mins
Country: USA

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Synopsis: Carroll County’s Robert Hagans is the producer and director of the Maryland-based film which was shot in and around Frederick county. "She's in the Details" starts with the plans surrounding the wedding of a mutual friend, and four young women having to confront each other on emotional and physical terms. Hagans and others who participated in the making of this film will be in attendance.

Local Hero

Silver Jew


Director: Michael Tully
Runtime: 65 mins
Country: USA

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Synopsis: A film by Frederick native (and Sundance filmmaker) Michael Tully documenting two shows by the Silver Jews in Tel Aviv and an afternoon in Jerusalem during their first ever tour. 15 years after the band’s inception, this tour is treated as the amazing and improbable event that it was. Michael will be present for this screening of this acclaimed documentary.

A Small Act

Runtime: 88:00 mins
Country: USA

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Synopsis: When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later she does. Now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity, he starts a scholarship program of his own and names it for his former benefactor.

The top students in Mukubu primary school are in the exact same situation as Chris once was. They are bright, but can’t afford to pay school fees. With the creation of Chris’ fund, these students have new hope. But the program is small; how many will qualify for a scholarship?

Using a strong narrative, the film interweaves seemingly separate lives into a cohesive whole. With clarity and grace, A SMALL ACT, bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create.

Terribly Happy

A Thing As Big As The Ocean

Country: USA (Baltimore/Frederick Connection)

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Synopsis: Salvaging a guitar and a backpack, Lemmy leaves his life in New Orleans behind and travels west.  On the ride out of town he encounters the young and outgoing Darlene, who is relocating with her distant relatives in Arizona.  A simple chance encounter intersects two lives in transition, and sets Lemmy and Darlene off on a sprawling journey of self-discovery.  Over the next three days the two strangers travel together into the Southwestern desert, where they are compelled to share and confront their half-realized dreams. Former Baltimore resident Joseph Cashiola, director of this film, will be on hand for this screening.

Tony Manero

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

Runtime: 87:00 mins
Country: USA

Synopsis: Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS: A MAN WITHIN is a probing, yet loving look at the man whose works at once savaged conservative ideals, spawned countercultural movements, and reconfigured 20th century culture. The film is narrated by Peter Weller, with a soundtrack by Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.

 

 

Short Films

Amar

Amar

Runtime: 8:00 mins
Country: Spain

Synopsis: In this animated gem, Inés travels to India to visit her friend Ámár, who has been living in a mental institution for years. Inés remembers the last days they spent together and her promise to return.

 


ARtalde

Artalde

Runtime: 8 mins
Country: Spain
Director: Asier Altuna


Synopsis: A shepherd, lost in the city, searches for his flock. His call attracts the attention of some people, who decide to follow him.

Bobby Visits the Library

Bobby Visits the Library

Runtime: 4 mins
Country: USA
Director: Eric Krasner


Synopsis: Frederick’s own Eric Krasner give us his slightly warped view of a couple of 50s warning films put together in a very unique way. You’ll be as surprised as Bobby at what’s really at the library!

Buddha's Bracelet

Buddha's Bracelet

Runtime: 16 mins
Country: USA
Director: Trent


Synopsis: Former Fredericktonian Trent directed this action comedy about a man who buys an ancient puzzle box that contains a magical bracelet once worn by Buddha. It grants him great Kung Fu power to fight off a gang of thugs and get the girl.

In the Spotlight

In the Spotlight

Runtime: 12 mins
Country: USA
Director: Hillary Goldberg


Synopsis: Olive Clutch, an aspiring writer confronts rejection with her own work. At an open mic, she meets femme fatale Kate Lady Luck and author Bell Wartock. The pair solicits Olive to be the slightly disguised public persona for Bell's writing. Five years and three successful novels later, Olive's disguise wears thin on several of Wartock's book jackets. Olive wants to quit pretending that she is the author, but there is only one way to end the grift. Bell takes over Olive's life and death in this sordid film noir fairy tale inspired by real events. Musical score by F3 Kickoff musician Emily Wells.

Khorosho

Khorosho (Everything's Alright)

Runtime: 21 mins
Country: Spain (in Russian)
Director: Miguel Ángel Jiménez


Synopsis: Khorosho is the story of the reunion between Andro and Beka, two old army comrades who share lots of bad memories, a very bad conscience and mountains and mountains of cigarettes.

L Gran Carrera

La Gran Carrera (The Great Race)

Runtime: 7 mins
Country: Spain


Synopsis: The year 1914. The Lasarte racetrack announces a race with a never-before-seen prize for the winning horse. Eight of the best horses and mares in the world have registered. Fans and heavy betters from all the continents gather to participate in the great event: the Half Million Grand Prize

Mog Put

Moj Put (My Way)

Runtime: 7 mins
Country: Croatia
Written and Illustrated by: Svjetlan Junakovic'
Director: Veljko Popovic'


Synopsis: It is a story of growing up and maturing, of anxiety and ambition illustrated through a tale of shoes. It is about the unknown that nudges us through life-an invisible pebble lodged in the shoe that through pain and discomfort brings awareness and meaning to our existences.

Oma Rennt

Oma Rennt! (Run Granny Run!)

Runtime: 5 mins
Country: Germany
Director: Nikolaus von Uthmann


Synopsis: Sweet Granny is snail-pacing to her favorite spot at a pond when she gets overtaken by gnarly Mrs Messala. Both old ladies maneuver their wheeled zimmerframes in a breathtaking, funny but violent race.

Ondar Ahoak

Ondar Ahoak (Mouths of Sand)

Runtime: 5 mins
Country: Spain (in Basque)
Director: Angel Aldarondo


Synopsis: Tuna fish spend months hibernating after the active feeding season in the Cantabrian Sea. Each year these seasons are filmed in rings, leaving opaque areas due to the lack of food. Which may or may not be what this beautiful short film is about.

Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue

Runtime: 10 mins
Country: Ireland
Director: Michael Lavelle


Synopsis: A lonely man's life is strangely transformed when he discovers a magical television washed up on the beach.

el Premio

el Premio (The Award)

Runtime: 16 mins
Country: Spain
Director: León Siminiani


Synopsis:Pilar and Manuel prepare for what should be a night of celebration and glamour. It should be. But they’ve been sweeping their relationship under the red carpet for too long...

Porque Hay Cosas que Nunca Se Olvidan

Dir. Lucas Figueroa
Runtime: 12:00 mins
Country: Argentina

Synopsis: Will four young friends ever get back their soccer ball after it inadvertently lands in the mean old lady’s yard. More than that, will their revenge be as sweet as it was originally imagined? Beautifully filmed and wonderfully (if a bit darkly) funny.

Street Legal

Street Legal

Runtime: 12 mins
Country: USA
Director: Ken Arnold


Synopsis: Maryland’s own Ken Arnold brings his own brand of irreverent humor to play in this short film about Baltimore lawyer Ken Street and his efforts to win...for both his clients and his daughter.

Wat is daarop uw antwoord?

Wat is daarop uw antwoord? (True Love)

Runtime: 16 mins
Country: Netherlands
Director: Bas van Teylingen

Synopsis: When Daniel gets cold feet the night before his wedding his friends decide to organize a Batchelor's party for him. Dressed as a crook they take him to his favorite club. As he sees Deborah, the girl of his dreams dancing in the club, he follows her home, she lets him in. She is about to go on a trip and he can go with her. Is she his dream woman? He is in doubt, be loyal to one woman? Or will he keep his freedom?

The Whiskey Priest

The Whiskey Priest

Runtime: 10 mins
Country: USA
Director: Thomas David Rennier


Synopsis: Set near the border of Mexico during a period when the Mexicans were persecuting Catholic priests, one demented man follows the lead of the Mexican government - the mayor and barber of this small Texas town. This is the story of the last priest in town, who is a drunk, and is tired of running and hiding. Much to everybody’s surprise, he comes to the barber instead of the other way around.