Shorts Block 3 - Family Matters Total runtime – 81:00

Friday • October 7 • 5:30pm 
Farish Theater $5
Sunday • October 9 • 1:30pm 
Farish Theater $5

"The Things We Keep"

director: Rosalie Miller

Grounded in nostalgia, The Things We Keep offers a glimpse of one man's yearly sojourn into the Coconino Forest to collect firewood and re-connect with his roots. As he recounts his early inspirations and life as a sawmill worker, we discover a past based in a simpler time.(4:25, WV)

Rosalie Miller is an award-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Wanderhouse Productions. She also serves as a video producer for Amazon and is in production on her second short documentary, a 2016 4Culture Artist Award recipient. Her documentary short debut, The Things We Keep, premiered at the 2015 Seattle International Film Festival and has screened at over twenty film festivals worldwide. She also serves as a producer on the feature-length documentary, Personhood, winner of the WIF Seattle Professional Grant, AmDocs Film Fund, and an Arts Project Award with 4Culture.

"Mahal"

director: Jay Españo

Arthur, a retired musician, desperately tries to reconnect with his Alzheimer's stricken wife. When he accidentally finds an old music box that somehow triggers bits and pieces of her memory, he discovers an unsettling truth about himself. (18:00, IL)

Jay Españo is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a Masters in Film Directing, Mahal is his final thesis film. Jay is attracted to character driven scripts with unexpected twists at the end. He believes that life is a never ending unexpected twists and turns and is determined to visually catch that essence of life on screen.

"The Van"

director: John McAmis

The McAmis men (three brothers and their father) recall memorable stories about a beloved 1992 Dodge Van. This animated documentary shows that The Van was more than a vehicle, it was a member of the family.  (9:17, TN)


John McAmis was born in Tullahoma, TN. He is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying Animated Film Production through College Scholars, a program in which students can craft their own major if their academic needs can't be fulfilled by a traditional major. "The Van" is his first animated short. He is currently working on his senior thesis film and plans to graduate in May 2017. 

"Woodshed"

director: Travis Newton

A teenage boy bonds with his uncle over a straight shifter and rock 'n' roll. (12:00, KY)

Travis Newton is an Assistant Professor of Film in Western Kentucky University’s School of Journalism and Broadcasting where he teaches courses in screenwriting, directing, producing, and cinematography. Travis received his M.F.A. in Film Production from Florida State University in 2008 where he worked on over 60 short films, including cinematographer for the award-winning short, The Wall. Since that time, he has worked at Panavision Hollywood and written and directed several shorts. He is currently developing his feature directing debut.

"Smiles of love adorn"

director: Trent Marcum
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A brother tries to reach out to his mentally distressed sister in a spirit of genuine concern and anger, but he functions out of ignorance. (7:34, KY)


"The Blue Flash: A Midwest Coaster Story"

director: David Stallard

The story of John Ivers, an ordinary Indiana man who built two extraordinary rollercoasters in his backyard. (9:23, IN)

David Stallard graduated with a B.A. in Film & Media Production from Taylor University in May 2016. He is currently working in Indianapolis.

"94"

director: Beau Rich
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Skylar battles with her eating disorder on the day that is most centered around food, Thanksgiving. (12:34, OH)

Director Beau Rich & lead actress Megan Russell are a husband and wife filmmaking duo. Beau has directed several short films and a documentary before Megan came to him with 94. Megan wrote, produced and starred in94 and has appeared on several TV shows including NBC's Mysteries of Laura and Showtime's The Affair. Megan and beau would like to thank their family for their love and support! 

"I Don't Want to live without you"

director: Alanna Wilkinson

One side of a cassette tape preserves a pivotal moment between two lovers from two different worlds. Through a recorded phone conversation, a real story of true love unfolds. (8:07, TN)

Alanna Wilkinson is a young filmmaker from Knoxville, Tennessee who has directed and produced five short documentaries and screened her work in local film festivals, exhibitions, and contests over the last two years. She calls herself a time-traveling documentarian, pulling her inspiration from childhood memories and her everyday experiences with emphasis on showing the positive of a situation. Now working for a television production company, she still finds the time to keep the artist alive and continues creating.